The Book of First Corithians

Life in the Big City

The City of Corinth

++A place of trade and commerce

++Had a reputation

It’s reputation was marked by

++Sexual Immorality

++Corruption

++Religious diversity

There was something for everyone

Paul planted a church in Corinth

Acts 18:1–5 ESV

1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.

Planting a church in the big city

This church plant

++Was not easy

++Was a challenge from the start

Acts 18:6 ESV

6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Paul left but God was still working

God’s Church at Corinth

1 Corinthians 1:4–8 ESV

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This church

++Had recieved God’s grace

++Was enriched with all knowledge

++Was not lacking in any gift

They were a church in wait

They were waiting

++For the Lord to be revealed

++On the Lord

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Only because of Jesus Christ

++You have endurance

++You are made guiltless

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

They were called to remember

++God is Faithful

++You have been called by God

++Your true fellowship is with Jesus Christ

Under his covering you are made one.

Why is Paul addressing this church?

Paul address 5 issues in this church

Issues

++Division - Chapters 1-4

++Sex - Chapters 5-7

++Food - Chapters 8-10

++The Gathering-Chapter 11-14

++Resurrection/Final Greeting - Chapter 15-16

How does he do it?

He teaches them that the Gospel

++Reveals the answer

++Message is love

Paul uses the message of the Gospel to address each of the issues