God's Own People

God’s Own People

1 Corinthians 1:1–9 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

2 I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.

6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true.

7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

INTRODUCTION:

A- BACKGROUND:

1- The author (1 CORINTHIANS 1:1)

1 Corinthians 1:1 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

a. The Apostle Paul

b. Who is Sosthenes?

(1) Likely the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 18:17, who converted to Christianity and is with Paul at this point.

Acts 18:17 (NLT)

17 The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

(2) May be the amanuensis (secretary) who is penning these words for Paul.

2- The Date:

a. 1 Corinthians - Probably around the Spring of A.D. 56

b. 2 Corinthians - Probably around the Fall of A.D. 56.

3- The Recipients:

a. Church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2)

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT)

2 I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

Corinth was the most important city of Greece.

It was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia and was ideally located on the empire’s most important travel route from east to west.

Fourth in size among the great cities of the Roman Empire, Corinth was noted for commerce, culture, and corruption.

Everyone knew what “a Corinthian girl” was, and “a Corinthian feast” was the depth of luxury and license.

Corinth was the headquarters for the worship of Venus and for some of the mystery cults from Egypt and Asia.

The church was planted during Paul’s second missionary journey about AD 52.

There were multiple problems that developed in the church that the Corinthian Letters were written to combat.

Some facts from the introduction to the letter:

I- WE ARE CALLED (INVITED) BY GOD TO BE HIS OWN PEOPLE. (1 Corinthians 1:2)

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT)

2 I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

A- The church belongs to God.

B- We are made holy only through Christ.

C- There is a world-wide fellowship of the redeemed.

II- GRACE AND PEACE IS MORE THAN A GREETING. (1 Corinthians 1:3)

1 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT)

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

A- The order of the words indicates the order of experience.

B- God is the source of both grace and peace.

III- GOD HAS GIVEN THE CHURCH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS IT NEEDS. (1 Corinthians 1:4-7)

1 Corinthians 1:4–7 (NLT)

4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.

6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true.

7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A- God has given grace gifts to those who are saved. (1 Corinthians 1:4)

1 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

B- God has given all of the gifts needed by the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:5-7)

1 Corinthians 1:5–7 (NLT)

5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.

6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true.

7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

IV- GOD IS PROTECTS US AND WILL KEEP US UNTIL JESUS RETURNS. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)

1 Corinthians 1:8–9 (NLT)

8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

A- God has promised to preserve us, keep us strong, and keep us blameless. (1 Corinthians 1:8)

1 Corinthians 1:8 (NLT)

8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

B- God is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9a)

1 Corinthians 1:9a (NLT)

9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C- God has invited us into gospel partnership with Jesus! (1 Corinthians 1:9b)

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NLT)

9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.