Untitled Sermon

1 Corinthians 1:1–3 NKJV

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

Last time together we started our study of the book of 1 Corinthians but not in 1 Corinthians.

We looked into the historical background of 1 Corinthians - We looked into the sequence of event that started and planted this church in Corinth.

And that information is found in Acts 18 where we at last Sunday - We saw several things:

Who Paul Met - Aquila & Priscilla, they played a very important role in helping Paul plant this church - They were very special to Paul.

What Paul Did - He worked, both physically & spiritually - He was a tentmaker - But also He was Christian Maker.

And it was because of his spiritual work, the preaching of the Gospel and the teaching of the Word, this church is planted.

2. Current Study’s Overview

Before we get into our text there are a few things we want to look at by way of background & or introduction to the Book:            5 things in all…

2.1 Who Wrote The Book? - Paul… look at vs.1a,     chp.3:4-6,    chp.16:19-21.   Look, Paul wrote the book…

1 Corinthians 16:20–21 - 20All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

Acts 18:11 - Paul was in Corinth for 1 ½ yrs during his 2nd missionary journey…

2.2 What Is The Key Theme? - What is the book all about…   

It’s all about exposing the Problems in the church…     &     offering Solutions to the church… 

Corinth was very large city about 600,000 people, it’s located on the Isthmus of Greece, on very thin strip of land that divided 2 seas’s the Aegean Sea & the Adriatic Sea…  

It had 2 sea ports:   Cenchreae on the Aegean Sea…    &    Lechaeum on the Ionian Sea … with Corinth in the middle… 

It was about 250 miles around the cape, very dangerous…   so they used to unload the ships and transport the cargo & the ships across land on rollers from one port to the next…  

Because of this, Corinth became the major trade route between the eastern & wester Roman empire.

So, with so much commerce & foreign travelers the city became very immoral…  very carnal…  

In addition to this, rising about 2,000’ above the city was Acrocorinth & the temple of Aphrodite Greek goddess of love, 1,000 temple prostitutes…

So the Church became very corrupt & very immoral it self…     there was Divisions…    Incest… Divorce…  Disorder…  Confusion about the Gifts of the Spirit…   Worship…  the Resurrection…

So Paul exposes these Problems & gives Solutions for these Problems…  &  if that’s the Key Theme…   

Then the Key Verses might be...      read...

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NKJV) 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 (NKJV) 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

2.3 Where Was This Book Written - Turn to 1 Cor.16:6-9…

1 Corinthians 16:6–9 (NKJV) 6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

This letter was written while Paul was in Ephesus toward the end of his 3rd missionary journey, Paul was in Ephesus for three years…   

toward the end of his time there he wrote this book…   read…

2.4 Why Is This Book So Important? - Couple of reasons…

A. Like the church at Corinth we too have Problems…    

We all understand that there are many churches today that are way off base…  really messed up…

So this book become incredibly important because it shows when we’re off base, when we’re wrong

B. Because the solutions Paul gives to these problems can be applied in our lives as well.  

ILLUSTRATION: About buying a home and hiring an inspector to point out all the things wrong with the house.

Or do you want to buy a house blindly? No.

Same with us, we should figure out what is wrong with us and we need a 3rd person to do this - The Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts.

So we don’t have to guess as to what to do or not to do…  the book of 1 Cor. clearly outlines some very important issues for us as the church today…    it is very practical…

Lord willing in the next few months we’ll be looking at them & learning from them…

2.5 How Is This Book Divided - 4 Sections

The Introduction To The Church: Chp. 1:1-9

The Problems in the Church: chp.1 – 6

There are many of them…

Division…    Incest…    Lawsuits…   Sexual Immorality…    one messed up church…

The Answers for the Church: chp.7 – 15

Paul answers a letter they wrote him dealing with many issues…

Marriage & Divorce…  Christian Liberties…   Men & Women in church…   Spiritual Gifts… 

Order in the Church service…       the Resurrection of Jesus Christ & the church…  

The Conclusion To The Church Vs. 16

This book is loaded with many important issues for all of us today…    so let’s read, vs.1 – 3.

2 things to look at:    1. People that are Named: vs.1-2.      2. Pronouncement that is Given: vs.3. 3 of them

1 The People That Are Named Vs. 1-2

1.1  Paul Vs. 1a

Paul means small or little - His name used to be Saul...    until Acts 13:…

Phil.3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal Persecuting the Church…

He also imprisoned them & stood by while they were put to death, Acts 8:1-3…  he was a really bad guy…

But in Acts 9: on the road to Damascus when Saul was going to arrest Christians he himself was arrested to be a Christian…          there is humor in the Bible…

TALK ABOUT EVERYONE HAS A PAST BUT WHEN WE MEET CHRIST EVERYTHING IS NEW

Paul is also an apostle of Jesus Christ:    apostolos, 81,    messenger, sent out one… 

Because all of us are called to be apostles, messengers… sent out ones…   &   Paul’s calling like our calling is through the Will of God…  

It’s God’s will that all of us be those who bring the message of the Gospel to the lost…  to proclaim the glory of salvation through Jesus Christ…

1.2 Sosthenes Vs. 1b   

His name means savior of his nation… mentioned 2 times…

In Acts 18:17 he was the ruler of the synagogue…   he was beaten by the Greeks, why, I don’t know… 

But clearly he became a believer…     he is now a brother in Christ to Paul… 

Sometimes God has to beat us up a bit to get our attention…  amen?  

3.  Church Vs. 2

vs.2a & d,  notice it’s not the church of Corinth…   it’s the Church of God at Corinth… 

It’s God’s church… I like that…     Matt.16:18 Jesus said, I will build My church…  ya know this isn’t my church & you can’t blame me for it…

When you say, my church long enough you start to believe it…    then you start to act like it… 

Now, the church is not sticks & bricks…  but   flesh & blood…     2 things about us as the church. 

vs.2b,  Sanctified:  hagi-azo,  29,   to make holy… 

Question, how are we made holy…  well, I come to church twice a week…   I read my Bible once a day…     I tithe once in a while…  are you kidding my…  

We’re not made holy by what we do…         we’re made holy by what Christ has done… Heb.10:10 we’re sanctified by the body of Christ once for all…    Heb.13:12 sanctified by His blood…

vs.2c,   Saints:  hagi-os,  holy…     this is probably speaking of our position in Christ…

When Jesus sees us, He see us as Holy…   consecrated…    set apart…   absolutely perfect…

Practically we’re still no good dirty rotten sinners…    but    positionally we’re holy…   and if Paul calls the Corinthian church saints as messed up as they were…    well, hope for all of us…

2. The Proclamation that is Given: vs.3

2.1 Grace & Peace Vs. 3a

Grace: charis, 156, unmerited favor, getting what we don’t deserve…  Peace: ira-nay,  92, quietness, rest.. 

2.2 The Source of Grace & Peace vs.3b

Note carefully class the source of Grace & Peace…  from God…  we can’t earn it or work for it…

It’s something that only God can provide…

Also note the order:   Grace then Peace…       Peace is the result of Grace…    once we receive the Grace of God…           then      we’ll have the Peace from God… 

John 14:27 Peace I give to you…       Phil.4:7 Peace that passes…     Eph.2:14 He is our Peace… 

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