20: BE The Church (1 Cor 16)

Prayer - future student pastor & former Student Pastor - Justin & Rachel are pregnant!

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Wed Night - 5:30pm

Wed Night Dinner 5:30pm

College & Career - 8:30pm at Dursts

Men’s Breakfast - THIS SAT, Oct 1 7am

Titus 2 - 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 9:30 (Childcare provided)

Trunk or Treat

Giving

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The story is told about a pastor that got up in the pulpit and apologized for the Band-Aid on his face. He said “I was thinking about my sermon while shaving and cut my face.”

Afterward the treasurer found a note in the collection plate, “Next time, think about your face and cut the sermon.”

This week, I have neither cut my face, nor the sermon, but....thanks for your concern.

CATCH THE CONTEXT

We have covered a lot of ground in the last 19 teachings of this series that we have entitled...

A Beautiful Mess

The Corinthian Christians had been forgiven much, but some of them weren’t livin’ forgiven. So, Paul writes this letter to answer their questions and address other concerns. Today as we complete our study through this incredible letter we will be reminded how followers of Jesus are supposed to act, and how we can...

BE THE CHURCH

Truth is, while there aren’t many specific commands in this closing chapter, there are implications that point back to what Paul has already stated throughout the writing. so, let’s dive in and be reminded what it means to

BE THE CHURCH - a giving, accountable, relational, encouraging, faithful, loving, submissive, welcoming, obedient church - expecting the return of Jesus.

A GIVING CHURCH

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 (CSB)

Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it is suitable for me to go as well, they will travel with me.

Notice that the Corinthian Church was meeting on the first day of the week - that’s a Sunday, the day that Jesus rose from the dead (Mt 28:1; Mk16:2; Lk 24:1; Jn 20:1). The Church of Troas also met on “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). No, God didn’t change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, but the day of Jesus’ resurrection was so significant that it became the primary meeting day for the early Church. That is why we meet today - to honor our Risen King!

This collection for the saints was meant to bless the mother church in Jerusalem, the place from where the Gospel went out. If it weren’t for faithful Jewish followers of Jesus who carried His message from Jerusalem, the Church in Corinth would not have existed (Rom 15:25-28).

This mother Church had faced persecution. Jews who followed Jesus were banished by their families, fired from their jobs, and pressured by their culture to leave Jesus and return to B.C. Judaism. These people needed food, a place to live, and a job. We also know that there were many widows being taken care of by the Jerusalem Church (Acts 6:1). Some Christians had even sold possessions & property to help take of other Christians (Acts 2:44–45; 4:34).

Stephen, a godly man who cared for these widows, was stoned to death in Jerusalem. - and the guy writing THIS LETTER to Corinth - was there at his execution. Paul and others so persecuted the Church in Jerusalem that most of the Church fled from Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-3). Later, James the apostle was beheaded by King Herod and Peter was thrown in prison - right there in Jerusalem.

Further, just a few years before Paul penned this letter, a massive famine that impacted the entire Roman Empire, including Jerusalem (Acts 11:28). Where do people head when they are starving? They go to LARGE CITIES to get help.

Lastly, there been been a wide divide between the Gentiles and Jews even among the Church of Jesus. This sacrificial gift from Gentile Christians to Jewish Christians went a long way to demonstrate that the Church of Jesus is not divided by ethnicity, color, culture, nor social status.

How much were the Corinthians to give?

It depended on how a person was prospering. In other words, everyone wasn’t expected to give the same amount. They were to give what they could.

While all Christians should give consistently and generously for Kingdom work as taught in the New Testament, this passage is not a command for all believers to give, as it is specifically meant to address financial needs in Jerusalem at the time.

Further, while many of us grew up with the idea of giving our “tithe,” this is not a New Testament Practice. You can hear more about this in a teaching from a few years ago entitled:

Giving & the New Testament (https://bit.ly/GivingandNewTestament)

John MacArthur says it well: “Despite the claims of those who advocate mandatory tithing, Christian giving is entirely voluntary. Paul did not require a fixed amount or percentage from either the Macedonians or the Corinthians, nor does any other New Testament writer. The argument for tithing is based on a misunderstanding of the Old Testament.” [F1]

A Christian’s giving corresponds to that in ancient Israel. We are required to give taxes to support the government under which we live (Rom. 13:6), just as the Israelites were to give tithes to support the divinely ordained system under which they lived (Matt. 17:24–27; 22:15–21).

And we are to give to the Lord whatever we purpose in our hearts, “not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7), just as the Israelites gave out of their hearts to the Lord. The Lord has always loved a cheerful and sacrificial giver. No amount or percentage is ever required in the New Testament. Rather, each believer is to give from his heart. [F2]

Does God want you and me to give? YEP. Consistently and generously. How much? That’s up to you. Maybe you CAN give 10% of your income or more. Maybe it’s less right now, based on how you’re prospering, but it ought to be significant - rather that giving God our leftovers.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for those who give to the work on Fellowship and other kingdom works. Thank you for your graciousness and consistency.

For those who AREN’T giving anything, would you start? If God is using this Church to impact your spiritual needs, will you join us in giving of your time, talents, & treasure - to further the Kingdom?

Now, back to our text, we need to be...

AN ACCOUNTABLE CHURCH

Finally, regarding giving, it is obvious that Paul is super careful to make sure there is accountability regarding this gift, asking the church to recommend people to travel with him to carry the gift to Jerusalem. Regardless of his integrity, Paul does not want to be the one man who is being trusted with this large amount of money.

Paul wants this accountability and so should we. Accountability - where others know what is going on in our lives - is not a lack of trust, but a road block that keeps us from losing trust.

Do you have anyone who you are being accountable to - how you spend money, keeping your thoughts & actions pure, how you are treating your family, etc?

OR, are you the LONE RANGER - remember even he needed TONTO.

Further, if we’re going to BE The Church, then we must be...

A RELATIONAL CHURCH

1 Corinthians 16:5–9 (CSB)

I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia—for I will be traveling through Macedonia—and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. I don’t want to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.

While this isn’t a command from Paul in this text, it has been through the entire writing - that we are to care for and make time for one another - and treat each other as family. That is what Paul modeled to the Corinthians. He didn’t just want a place to stop for the night, but wanted to spend some time with his brothers & sisters in Corinth.

The key to all relationships is making sure to spend some time with one another, rather than just a “How you doin’?” in passing. Making time for people is the difference between friendships/family and acquaintances.

The early church was built on the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, eating and celebrating the Lord’s Supper, & prayer (Acts 2:42). All of those took TIME TOGETHER.

So too, Paul modeled a relational approach to the churches he started. Listen to the relational language he uses in writing the Thessalonians...

1 Thessalonians 2:7a–8, 12 (CSB)

we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us...As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Every Christian under the sound of my voice NEEDS relationships with other believers, but that CAN’T HAPPEN if we don’t make time for each other outside of this event.

Schedule a time to eat or hang out with another person/family.

Show up to one of our GROUPS on Sundays at 10am, Wed nights at 6:30, or ask a Christian friend here if they have another group they meet with off campus.

Regular folks at Fellowship - REACH OUT and invite those who are new or those who aren’t plugged in.

AN ENCOURAGING CHURCH

1 Corinthians 16:10–12 (CSB)

If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. So let no one look down on him. Send him on his way in peace so that he can come to me, because I am expecting him with the brothers. Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.

Why did Paul have to write this about Timothy? Evidently, the tendency for some was to look down on him because of his age & inexperience.

When Paul wrote a personal letter to Timothy, Paul tells him “Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.” (1 Tim 4:12 NET)

The Church was to encourage this young minister while he was there and send him on his way in peace - encouraged and ready for the next task that lays ahead of him.

Apollos was eventually coming to Corinth to encourage them and be encouraged by them.

So many of you are super encouraging! Over the years God has brought in people who have been dinged up by others to use YOU to help restore them and sometimes send them out to another church to encourage others the way YOU have encouraged them! May we continue this tradition of being an encouraging church!

A FAITHFUL & LOVING CHURCH

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (CSB)

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.

The Corinthian culture, like our culture, was pressuring Christians to conform to their ways. But if we’re not different, we won’t make a difference. Instead, Christians are to stand firm - being faithful to the One Who gave His life for us. Throughout this letter, Paul has encouraged the Church to do the right things for the right reasons. We obey the Lord, confront Christians living in sin, and put our spiritual gifts to work, making sure to do everything in love.

We don’t just obey Jesus because it’s the right thing to do, but because we LOVE and trust our King!

We don’t confront Christians living in sin because it’s fun, or because we are so righteous, but to graciously call them back to right relationship with Jesus and His people - out of LOVE for them.

We stand firm, courageous [lit. act manly] and strong, in a fickle culture and share the truth with all who will listen, doing everything in love.

We must also be...

A SUBMISSIVE CHURCH

1 Corinthians 16:15–18 (CSB)

Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.

Stephanas and others from his household were some of the only Corinthians whom Paul had personally baptized (1 Cor 1:16). They were the firstfruits of...

Achaia, the first to surrender to Jesus in Corinth, the capital of the the region of Greece called “Achaia”.

Stephanas and these other brothers were visiting Paul in Ephesus when this letter was written. They likely brought the questions from the Corinthian church and returned to Corinth with the the answers contained in the letter that we have been studying, called 1 Corinthians.

Paul tells the Corinthian Church

1 Corinthians 16:15c–18 (CSB)

I urge you also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.

The Church is to submit to godly servant-leaders like these men who refresh others. As the Church of Jesus, we are to recognize, respect, imitate, & submit to those who submit to Jesus.

Christians are people who submit to our Lord and anyone He tells us to submit to.

The New Testament writers make it clear that...

The Church is submit to governing authorities God put into our lives (Rom 13:1; 1 Pet 2:13).

All believers are to be humble and submit themselves to each other (Eph 5:21).

Wives are submit to their husbands (Eph 5:22).

Children are submit to their parents (Eph 6:1-3).

Employees are to submit to their employers (Titus 2:9).

Younger Christians are to submit to older Christians (1 Pet 5:5).

The Church is to submit to their spiritual leaders (Heb 13:17).

A WELCOMING CHURCH

1 Corinthians 16:19–21 (CSB)

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla send you greetings warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. All the brothers and sisters send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.

Many of the Christians in Corinth knew of Aquila and Priscilla because this is the Jewish Christian couple Paul stayed with and worked with as a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-3) in Corinth.

This would have been like US being greeted by a Christian couple that was once a vital part of Fellowship, who now lives far away (Gary & Karen Calhoun).

Far or near, Aquila and Priscilla were known for welcoming others with warm greetings.

Christians are to welcome one another & demonstrate genuine care for one another. In their day, they would greet one another with a holy kiss. That isn’t our cultural custom, but we do have some - hugs, high-fives, handshakes, smiles, & words of greeting.

There are many who have told us they feel very welcome here.

However, I have heard from others who say that no one took the time to welcome them or try to get to know them.

I pray that this would never be said again by any child, teenager, or adult.

I therefore authorize you, by the power invested in me, to be kind & WELCOMING to others! Let’s practice that RIGHT NOW!

Look around you beside you, in front of you, behind you. And tell some folks, “I’m glad you’re here!”

AN OBEDIENT & EXPECTANT CHURCH

1 Corinthians 16:22–24 (CSB)

If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

If anyone does not love the Lord, a CURSE be on Him? That sounds rather harsh, doesn’t it? Why does Paul write this? He is writing about false followers, those who claim Jesus but those who don’t love and obey the Lord Jesus.

As we have said many times in the Scriptures, “Followers of Jesus follow Jesus.”

I can’t tell you how many people I have talked to who really believe if they have gone to church, prayed a prayer, given money, and been baptized, then they’ve got a “deal” with “the big man upstairs”. NOPE!

Those who claim to love Jesus must obey Jesus. Jesus said it this way:

John 14:21 (CSB)

The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.

Another time Jesus said this:

Matthew 7:21 (CSB)

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Jesus asks a question that should stop every person who claims Him but doesn’t obey Him in their tracks.

Luke 6:46 (CSB) Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?

For those who DO love Jesus and walk in obedience to Him, there is a GREAT HOPE that we await...

1 Corinthians 16:22b–24 (CSB)

...Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

As we await the return of Jesus, we walk in obedience & bask in His grace.

BE THE CHURCH

If we can help you, touch base with your Staff or Deacons.

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John F. MacArthur, Jr., 2 Corinthians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2003), 281.

MacArthur, 455.

discussionquestions Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.

Read Mt 28:1, Mk16:2, Lk 24:1, & Jn 20:1, & 1 Cor 16:1-2. What is the significance of the fledgling church meeting on Sunday, the “first day of the week”?

Read 1 Cor 16:1-4. Why was the Corinthian Church expected to give to the Jerusalem Church? Why should Christians give to help churches/missionaries in other places (e.g. we give to missionaries all over the world)?

Read 1 Cor 16:5-9 & 1 Cor 27a-8, 12. Why is it important to make time for relationships rather than just showing up to the Worship Gathering? What can we do as a church to get more people plugged into relationships?

Read 1 Cor 16:10-18. Talk about why these characteristics of a church are so important: encouraging, faithful, loving, submissive.

Read 1 Cor 16:19-21. What was your first experience at Fellowship like? Were the people welcoming to you? Why must we be aware and be welcoming to folks who are new to Fellowship? How should we treat others outside of our church family?

Read 1 Cor 16:22a, John 14:21, Matt 7:21, & Lk 6:46. Why should we listen to and share the warning to those who might /might not claim Jesus, yet show no evidence in obedience? How dangerous is it for us to affirm those who claim Jesus but don’t follow Him? Who do YOU need to approach to warn them of this Biblical truth?

Go back and read 1 for 16:22b-24. What is the advantage to us expecting “Our Lord, come!”? What are some practical ways you are living/need to live like Jesus is returning?

What other questions has this teaching or discussion prompted for us to talk about?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.