Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 16 - Keys to Growth

It may seem easy to skim or skip over the closing remarks in Paul’s letters, but we would do so to our own loss. His final instructions and greetings convey powerful nuggets of truth that will motivate all who are “called to be saints.” Let’s identify eight “Keys to Growth” found in 1 Corinthians 16.

For all the posted lessons in this series, click on the label "1 Corinthians."

1. Giving – 16:1-4

We give relationally. “Now concerning the collection for the saints …”

We give obediently. “as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also do.”

We give consistently. “On the first day of each week …” Ac 20:7 “On the first day of the week …”

We give individually. “… each of you …”

We give deliberately. “… is to put something aside and store it up …”

We give proportionally. “… as each one has prospered …”

We give confidently. “… And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.”

2. Fellowship – 16:5-7

1 Co 16:5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

3. Outreach – 16:8-9

1 Co 16:8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

4. Building Leaders – 16:10-12

1 Co 16:10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. 12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

5. Association – 16:19-21

1 Co 16:19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

6. Warning – 16:22a

1 Co 16:22a If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed.*

*Anathema – lit. “something placed or set up.”

[1] “devoted to destruction.” Num 21:3; Deut 7:26; Jud 1:17; 6:17; 7:12 (LXX )

[2] “object of a curse.” Rom 9:3; 1 Cor 12:3; Gal 1:8f. Note Ac 23:14 Gk. “We have anathematized ourselves with an anathema.” (= Eng. “bound ourselves with an oath.”)

7. Anticipation – 16:22b

1 Co 16:22b Our Lord, come!

Maran atha in Aramaic.

Mar = “Lord.” an or ana = “our.” atha = “come.”

Re 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Once we are sure He’s coming tomorrow,
we can really start living today!

8. Intercession – 16:23-24

1 Co 16:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

God’s grace changes every vessel that carries it.

When His grace passes through us to others, neither we nor they will ever be the same again.

If you love someone, tell them! Now!

Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 15 - His Resurrection and Ours

We Know He Lives Because …

Because He Lives We Know ...

Because He Lives We Must ...

We Know He Lives Because … 1 Cor 15:1-11

1. There is a God who is able! Acts 26:8

2. Many witnesses reported seeing Him.

Mary Magdalene - John 20:14

Women - Matt 28:9-10

Peter - Luke 24:34

Emmaus disciples - Luke 24:13-33

Apostles (Thomas) - John 20:19-29

Seven disciples fishing - John 21:1-23

More than 500 - 1 Cor 15:6

Paul - 1 Cor 15:8

3. Jesus Himself promised He would rise.

Mt 12:40; Mk 8:31-32; 9:31-32; 10:32-34

4. Jesus died publicly.

Ignatius, church leader in Antioch, Syria, lived AD 50-115. Sentenced to death by Emperor Trajan. Fed to the lions in the Coliseum in Rome.

“He was crucified and died under Pontius Pilate.  He really, and not merely in appearance, was crucified, and died, in the sight of beings … on earth … But he rose again in three days ... crucified in reality, and not in appearance, not in imagination, not in deceit …”

5. His tomb was sealed shut.

Matt 27:62-66

6. His tomb was and is empty.

All four gospels; Acts 2 … and all of Acts

7. Enemies tried to explain it.

Matt 28:11-15

8. Christianity and the church began.

In Jerusalem, 50 days after His death. Acts 2

9. Witnesses risked all and died.

Acts 26:22-23

10. There is no other logical answer.

Skeptics deny His death or appearances. How?

1. The Fiction or Legend Theory

2. The Stolen Body Theory

         Oldest; invented by priests. Matt 28:11-15

         By … Disciples, Romans, Jews, thieves (?).

3. The Wrong Tomb Theory

         Proposed by Prof. Kirsopp Lake in 1907

Both 2. and 3. admit that Jesus died, that He was buried, and that the tomb was empty. Neither theory can account for His appearances.

4. The Swoon theory

         The Passover Plot, by Hugh Schonfield

         Admits Joseph, Nicodemus, spices, etc.

         Admits that He appeared to His disciples.

         Cannot explain proofs that He died.

5. The mass hallucination theory

         Admits that He died.

         Admits that hundreds claimed to see Him.

Because He Lives

We Know …

1.   Our preaching is true; our faith is valid.

2.   We are no longer in our sins.

3.   Saints have “fallen asleep,” but they have not perished.

4.   We are not pitied, but eternally hopeful.

5.   As Adam > death, Christ > life.

6.   Death, our last enemy, will fall.

7.   We will bear the image of Christ. Imperishable, glorious, immortal.

8.   God gives the victory over sin and death!

Because He lives we must …

1.   Hold fast His saving word. 15:1-5

2.   Live out His empowering grace. 15:9-11

3.   Prize and protect His forgiveness. 15:17-19

4.   Fight in the arena for His cause. 15:30-32a

5.   Live today in light of tomorrow. 15:32b

6.   Choose our companions carefully. 15:33

7.   Wake up, sober up, and repent. 15:34

8.   Anticipate our own resurrection. 15:50-53

9.   Give thanks to God through Him. 15:54-57

10.               Abound in the work that honors Him. 15:58

Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 14 – Spiritual Gifts – Why?

Edification 14:1-5

“Pursue love!” As a runner, as a predator, as prey!

“Desire” especially to prophesy. Why?

First-century tongues edified only the speaker.

First-century prophecy edified the whole church.

Not to exhibit, excite, or entertain, but to edify.

The task for each of us: to build one another up.

1 Cor 8:1; 10:23; 14:12 (strive to excel!), 17.

Eph 2:22; 4:29; 5:18-21; Rom 14:19.

Heb 10:19-26 A key purpose for the assembly.

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Explanation 14:6-25

Illustrations. 6-11

Flute or harp; bugle call; human conversation.

Noise without clear message = no use to others.

Application. 12-25

          To the speaker. 12-15

          To fellow believers. 16-20

          To unbelievers. 21-25

Isa 28:11-12 God used foreign, uninterpreted tongues to punish His unbelieving people in exile.

Regulation 14:26-40

Speaking, interpreting, and evaluating. 26-33

For edification. Taking turns. In order. Max of 3.

Without competition or contradiction.

Peace and order, without chaos or confusion.

Under control. Able to wait or remain silent.

Men – silent when not leading.

Women – silent in the churches (assemblies).

“The Law” – Gen 3:16 or the Mosaic Law overall.

Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 13 – Love - the Greatest

What Love Determines 13:1-3

          Unless prompted by love,

eloquent proclamation,

prophetic prowess,

flawless spiritual insight,

exhaustive knowledge,

total, mountain-moving faith, and even

100% sacrifice of goods and life,

          benefit me nothing whatsoever.

This post is part of a series. To access the previous and future segments, click on the “1 Corinthians” label on the left.

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What Love Is and Does 13:4-7

1 Cor 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

What Love Outlasts 13:8-12

Prophecies, tongues, special knowledge. 13:1-3

Special gifts and tools for the church’s infancy.

Until God’s revealed truth would be “perfected.”

With Scripture completed, there would be no need for more “bits and pieces.”

When the church was firmly established, the childish things (prophecy, tongues) would go.

Like scaffolding, training wheels, and braces.

If tongues continued today, so would revelation.

What About Tongues, Prophecy, and Miracles Today?

For a fuller response to this question:

http://coryhcollins.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-about-tongues-prophecy-and.html

What Love Surpasses 13:13

How are faith, hope, and love connected?

Three “sisters:” 1 Thess 1:3

Why is love the greatest of the three?

Where there is love, faith and hope always result.

In heaven,

                   faith will become sight,

                   and hope will become reality,

                   but love will be what it’s always been:

                   the greatest of them all.

Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 12 – Spiritual Gifts – What?

Spirituality and Lordship: 12:1-3

Spiritual _______ …

(gifts, people, things, ideas, attitudes, churches, ministries, activities)

Begin with a Spiritual change …

(leaving pagan idols, practices, and ideals) …

And a Spiritual confession.

(“Jesus is Lord.”)

This post is part of a series. To access the previous and future segments, click on the “1 Corinthians” label on the left.

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Unity and Diversity: 12:4-11

Diversity of …                                From one …

         Gifts  (charismata)                    Spirit

         Services (ministries)                  Lord

         Activities (energies)                   God

Unity of …

         Purpose: “the common good.”

Spectacular gifts have ceased; the principle remains.

Membership: 12:12-13

One body. Many members (working parts).

Rom 12:3-8; Eph 4:11-15; 1 Pet 4:10-11

How to enter? When one is baptized (water and Spirit), the Spirit then brings that one into the body.

Parts work together in the local church body.

1 Cor 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth …

Phil 1:1 To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons …

Belonging – Accountable – Activated – Connected

Working Parts: 12:14-27

You are a part of the whole. 12:14

No one can play your part but you. 12:15-16

Jealousy and friction damage the whole. 12:15-16

No one part can do it all. 12:17

The body’s needs outweigh your own desires. 12:17

You are here because God has a job for you. 12:18

If it’s all about you or me, there is no body! 12:19

You need the body and its other parts; the body and all its other parts need you. 12:21-24

Weaker or unpresentable parts deserve / receive special care and greater modesty. We protect and cover them. 12:22-23

Division in the body destroys it. 12:25

Members have the same care for each other. 12:25

When one members hurts, all hurt. 12:26

When one is honored, all rejoice. 12:26

Health blesses all; friction hurts all.

A healthy body grows as part of its nature.

God’s Assignments: 12:28-31

“God has appointed …” Not, “You have earned …”

First, second, third, … Hierarchy, priority (cf. 12:31).

1 Co 12:28 … first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Why this order, with apostles first, etc.?

Which item is last and least in the list?

Rhetorical questions: “Are all …” “Do all …” No!

What is the more excellent, all-surpassing way?

Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 11 – Acceptable Worship

Issues Affecting the Assembly

11:1-16      Men and Women in Worship

11:17-34     The Lord’s Supper

12:1 - 14:40        Spiritual Gifts

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Issues Affecting the Assembly

11:1-16      Men and Women in Worship

11:17-34     The Lord’s Supper

12:1 - 14:40        Spiritual Gifts

                 12     Members of the Body

                 13     The Priority of Love

                 14     Edification of the Body

Background

Women’s head coverings

Universal in first century

Longer hair – distinction

Hair very short or shaved

Acceptable Worship

Challenge and Praise – 11:1-2

Heads Up! – 11:3

Covered or Uncovered? – 11:4-7a

Creation and Purpose – 11:7b-10

Interdependence – 11:11-12

It’s Only Natural! – 11:13-15

The Real Issue: Contention – 11:16

The Lord’s Supper

The Problem: 11:17-22

“I cannot commend you!”

Divisions and factions. 1:10ff

“Me-first” spirit. Chs. 8-10

Greed. 10:6

Disregarding others. 8:1

Excluding, shaming others. 8:9-13

Drunkenness. 6:9-11

Like former pagan revelry.

The Pattern: 11:23-26

“I received and delivered …” tradition – 11:2.

Anchored to the Past: The Lord’s death.

Central to the Present:

We remember.

We proclaim.

We examine.

Pointed to the Future: Until He comes.

The Prescription: 11:27-34

Grave Warnings

Unworthy manner 11:27

Guilty of body and blood 11:27

Eat and drink judgment 11:29

Weak – sick – “asleep” 11:30

Doctor’s Orders

Self-appraisal, inventory. Judgment and discipline.

Dealing with sin now, so not condemned then.

Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 10 – Liberty – Cautions

Pitfalls on the Path to the Promised Land – 10:1-14

“For …” I could fail (9:27)! Israel did! HOW?

God saved. 10:1-2

God supplied. 10:3-4

They sank. 10:5-10 (cf. Heb 3:6-4:2)

This post is part of a series. To access the previous and future segments, click on the “1 Corinthians” label on the left.

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Pitfalls on the Path to the Promised Land – 10:1-14

“For …” I could fail (9:27)! Israel did! HOW?

God saved. 10:1-2

God supplied. 10:3-4

They sank. 10:5-10 (cf. Heb 3:6-4:2)

Five Sinkholes:

1: Greed; 2: Idolatry; 3: Sexual Immorality;

4: Testing the Lord; 5: Grumbling

We see. 10:11-13

Never: “I am unsinkable!” 10:12

Never: “I am alone!” 10:13a

Never: “I am helpless!”

When it comes to idolatry … Therefore …

Don’t Walk. RUN! 10:14

Pitfalls on the Path to the Lord’s Table – 10:15-33

Leave and Cleave. 10:15-22

The Lord’s table (the Lord’s Supper): participation, “communion” with Christ’s blood and body together.

The demons’ table (idol feasts): participation, sharing, “communion” with demons.

Learn and Discern. 10:23-33

Is it edifying? Wrong objectively or conscientiously? Healthy for all to see and do? Glorifying to God? Offensive to others? Helpful in saving souls?