Sermon Tone Analysis
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I. Reading of Scripture
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
“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:
“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?
"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.
“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
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).
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