1 Corinthians 1:1-3 | "Called to be Saints"

I. Reading of Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:3 ESV

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is God’s Word, Amen.

II. Introduction

A. Introduction to Text

1 Corinthians begins as most letters do, with introductory material. Our text breaks down very simply into three parts:

Verse 1 introduces us to the authors of the letter.

Verse 2 introduces us to the audience of the letter.

Verse 3 introduces us to the acknowledgements of the letter.

III. Exposition

First, the Authors.

And by authors we understand that God is the author of Scripture. “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim 3:16a).

But God inspired human authors, moved by the Holy Spirit, to write his word.

The first human author is:

1:1 | Authors

1 Corinthians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

“Paul.”

Whatever you know about this man named Paul, set it aside for a moment. Let’s let this text speak for itself.

For what is said next about this “Paul,” by way if his own introduction, is what is important for his audience to know about him.

“Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.”

This “Paul” is “called.”

That word “called” is a very spiritual adjective today.

There is a TV show where people have these mysterious “callings.”

Any time we want to align what we are doing with God we pull out this word “called.”

“God called me to do this.”

“God called me to this church.”

“God called me to ministry.”

“God called me to overseas missions.”

“God called me to this job.”

For Paul, the word “called” is not a way to justify or align his work with God’s work. It is much more than that.

For Paul, the word “called” is a word of surrender and servanthood.

Paul does what he does because of God’s calling.

Said another way -

Paul would not be doing what he is doing if God had not “called” him.

Brother and sisters - there are some things that you simply cannot call yourself to. It is either of God or it is not!

I would not be pastoring if God had not called me to pastor. Pastoring means working with people. And people have problems. People sin. People fall apart. And the amount of work, and stress, and accountability to God, and burdens, and attacks, and decisions are simply not worth bearing — unless I am called!

There is a comfort in calling. If God called me to this work, then this work belongs to God. I am his servant.

There is also an authority in calling. If God called me to this work, then I am authorized to perform this work with His authority.

Paul does what he does with God’s authority.

This is highlighted all the more in the next phrase:

1 Corinthians 1:1a ESV

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

“called by the will of God”

This “Paul” says this with certainty — he is in the will of God, meaning that he is not writing to make much of Paul. He is writing to make much of God!

What is this Paul’s calling by the will of God?

1 Corinthians 1:1a ESV

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

"Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle.”

or — “called an apostle.”

Paul is not saying that he is “going to be” an apostle, but that he already is one (GCM).

An “apostle” is a special messenger.

The New Testament uses that word concerning those who had seen the Lord. Paul, as the Scriptures elsewhere attest, has seen the risen Lord.

This means that Paul’s message is God’s message.

And what is Paul’s message?

“called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.”

Paul is a messenger of Christ.

Implied here is the resurrection of Jesus. Paul is not a messenger on behalf of someone who is dead. Paul is a messenger on behalf of someone who is alive! Who is very much at work in the world. Paul is a messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As Paul introduces himself in this letter, he says more about God than he does about himself.

How can you tell if someone is really called by God?

Ask this question - Are they making much of themselves? Or are they making much of God?

Paul writes his name, as the human instrument and messenger — and then proceeds to immediately direct the hearers of this letter to the will of God in Christ Jesus. He makes double the reference to God than he does of himself.

His calling was God’s action. His assignment is God’s will for him. His message is God’s message.

And Paul is not alone. God’s message is not given only to a few individuals, but it is also confirmed by others.

1 Corinthians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

“The brother, Sosthenes” is with him. Paul does not minister alone — because ministry is not meant to be performed alone!

Nothing else is said of Sosthenes here, other than that he is a “brother” - a member of God’s family, a member of Christ’s Church.

It is likely that Sosthenes was known by the Church in Corinth.

In his introduction, appealing to God’s will, assignment and calling, Paul models something we should take notice of. We observe a man whose life is shaped by Christ.

If we were introducing ourselves to someone we’ve never met, how long would it take for us to mention Jesus?

Would it be too uncomfortable for us to say something like: “My name is Christopher, and I’m a follower of Jesus Christ.” ? It’s something to think about.

Paul has introduced the authors — Himself as a messenger of Jesus Christ by God’s will, (so God’s inspiration is not in question here) and Sosthenes, the brother in Christ.

And in verse 2, he addresses his audience.

1:2 | Audience

1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Notice how much longer verse 2 is than verse 1. Paul gives considerable attention to identifying the recipients of this letter. This is very important.

This letter is written “to the church.”

The word “church” [ ἐκκλησίᾳ ] was a familiar word for a summoned assembly in Greek culture. It was like what we know as a town council (GCM). A legislative body (BDAG).

But Paul is not addressing an ordinary [ ἐκκλησίᾳ ] or assembly. He is referencing a specific one.

“To the church of God.”

To the assembly that BELONGS to God!

It’s worth highlighting by way of application that there are churches that belong to man, and there is the Church that belongs to God.

Which one do we want to be? Which one are we?

We as Baptists have a congregational polity. Meaning we affirm and agree together on what we do as a local congregation. We vote.

But never mistake your vote with ownership.

We do not own stock in the church. Sunday is not a weekly shareholder’s meeting.

The Church belongs to God.

“To the church of God in Corinth.”

Not the church “AT Corinth.” God’s Church is not confined to one city. “To the church IN Corinth.” (GCM) This is the place where God has gathered these believers to serve (Vang, TTC).

We are the church of God in Decatur. This is the place where God has assembled us to serve Him.

Who is this church of God?

Verse 2 goes on to explain:

“to those sanctified in Christ Jesus.”

Meaning, those who are made who they are by the person and work of Jesus. Those who have been saved from sin. Those who have been made new.

To be sanctified means to be dedicated to the Lord. Loyal to the Lord. Devoted to the Lord. (LN)

We have two memberships in this local church.

The one kind is the names of those who are on a list. A roll. We have many people on our membership roll. Associating with this congregation.

The other kind are those who are saved, born again, devoted to the Lord and consecrated to Him.

My responsibility, and our aim, is to align those two. So that the names on our membership roll reflect those who know the Lord and are faithful to Him. So that we have one membership in our fellowship with God and one another.

You can “come to church.” But only Jesus can make you a “member of His Church.” That is a work that belongs to Him.

The church of God is those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus.

The church of God is also those who are:

“called to be saints”

The Greek word translated “saints” is the plural form of the word for “holy.”

Saints are the “holy ones.” Plural.

This is not an individual holiness. It is a communal holiness. (Herm)

I cannot be holy by myself. I am holy as we are holy together.

Which means I cannot be a part of the Church without being in fellowship with believers. The CHURCH of God manifests itself , is visible, in local congregations.

This word “holy” is a reference to a Hebrew word for “holy” that God Himself defines (Vang).

Leviticus 19:2 ESV

2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

God defines holy. God determines what is holy.

Whatever God is, and does, is holy (Vang).

So what does it mean that we are called “holy ones”? Saints?

It means that we belong to God.

Who we are is who God says we are.

What we do is what God says we do.

Our lives reflect the indwelling presence and work of God on our hearts!

And just as Paul is not alone in his authorship, the saints are not alone as an audience.

1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

“together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:”

The Church of God in Christ is bigger than the saints in Corinth.

The Church of God in Christ is bigger than the people who lived thousands of years ago.

Look closely at what this text says, and doesn’t say.

Does it say: to those “called to be saints together with all those who are Southern Baptists, who adhere to the Baptist Faith in Message 2000, who read out of the King James Version, who sing out of the Broadman Hymnal or Baptist Hymnal?”

How silly. None of these things existed when this letter was written. There was no King James Version. There was no Baptist Faith in Message. There was no Baptist denomination. The only hymnal available was the Psalms. The Scriptures were the books of the Old Testament.

It says to those “called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The saints are those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are many things that divide churches. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterian, Lutheran...

But the Church of God is only known by those who call upon the Lord.

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

This confession, this worship, transcends time. We are part of Christ’s Church with those who are living now, and those who lived hundreds and thousands of years ago, and those who will live in the future.

We will all be gathered around the throne of the lamb to worship in glory!

This letter is not written only to the saints in Corinth, but it has a wider reach (GCM). It reaches throughout time, even to us today.

So much attention is given to describe the audience of this letter so that we might know that it is a letter from God to us too!

Calling on the name of the Lord is no longer confined to a certain place. Not to a tent. Not to a tabernacle. Not to a temple. But is possible in “every place” (CNTUOT).

We are living in the realization of Malachi 1:11 —

Malachi 1:11 ESV

11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

The Lord is not only our Lord, but their Lord too. All who call upon His name.

The Author, The Audience, and lastly, the Acknowledgements.

1:3 | Acknowledgements

1 Corinthians 1:3 ESV

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the Gospel message. This is what makes the letter to the Corinthians and to us possible — the grace and peace of God through Christ.

IV. Conclusion

A. Gospel Proclamation

Grace is God’s favor.

Peace is a result of God’s grace.

sin

We deserve none of these things.

Unless God called us out of darkness, into His marvelous light, we were doomed, headed straight for judgment because of sin.

We would rather make life about ourselves and not about God.

We would rather go at life alone.

We would rather boast about ourselves and not about God.

righteousness

But Jesus was not like that. Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven and humbled Himself.

Jesus lived in perfect submission and obedience to the Father.

He made life not about Himself, but about His Father.

judgment

Jesus was judged in our place. He died so that we might be free. On the cross he bore the wrath of God for sin, and paid the debt we could never pay.

B. Exhortation & Application

Jesus gave his life, and was raised from the dead. So that we might be sanctified in Him. So that we might live in Him — as a people “called saints.” Holy. Defined by God Himself.

And we receive in Christ the grace of God, and the peace of God.

And we can live as a holy people in relationship with the Holy One - Jesus, as members of His Church.