Interactions With The Gracious and Loving God Sermon Series
Paul’s Frist Letter to the Corinthians
Paul wrote to address the following sins in the early church: Disunity (1:10-4:21), Immorality (5:1-6:20), Disorderly conduct in worship (11:2-34), and the misuse of spiritual gifts (12-14). The doctrine of Christ’s resurrection he discussed in chapters 15 and 16, was of great importance in this letter. Paul clarified that if Christ did not resurrect from the dead, then their faith is empty and without hope for change.
1. The church in the city of Corinth.
· The Roman Empire captured Corinth around 146 B.C. and destroyed it.
· It was founded again by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C.
· Corinth became the government seat for Achaia of which Gallio, the proconsul, allowed Paul to preach the gospel there in 51 A.D.
· The population was a mix of Romans, Greeks, and Jews.
· The city was known for debauchery and moral depravity.
· The prominent heathen practice there was the worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
· Some of the vices from their cultural practices were carried over to the church.
2. The causes of division in Corinth.
2.A) Rejection of the fundamental teachings that Jesus is Lord and Savior. vv.13-16.
“13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 1 Corinthians 1:13-16, NIV.
2.B) Dependence on human wisdom for salvation. vv.22-24.
“22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
3. The cure to divisions.
3.A) Trust the wisdom of God.
“18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21
3.B.) Let humility rule over your heart.
“26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
Comments