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Remember Who You AreA few years ago a helicopter crew was alerted to search for two geologists missing in the Sierra Nevada. They spotted two men standing in a clearing and dropped a note: "If you are the lost geologists, go to the center of the clearing and wave." Instead they turned and walked back to their campfire. Obviously, the crew assumed they were the wrong men and continued their search. Two hours later they turned up the lost pair’s abandoned snowmobiles. Tracing their footprints in the deep snow led them back to the same camp they’d seen earlier. This time the crew sent a man down on a rescue hoist, who confirmed they had the right men and picked them up. "Why didn’t you respond to our note?" the crew asked. "Because," the rescued men replied indignantly, “we are hydrologists, not geologists." Let me ask you a question -- do you know who you are? If Jesus Christ is your Lord -- you are a child of God. Jesus is the reason we are here, our life is about him, our hope is in him, he is our savior, he is our Lord. The Church is a living body consisting of believer everywhere, not an organization, not a building, but people who are following God. Someone once asked: “What do an airplane, bicycle and a church have in common?” I didn’t know. “If any of them stops moving forward you’re in trouble!” Well like an airplane moving, or a bicycle peddling, the church is to always be on the move, following after God, and showing the love of God to the world around them. Well today as we being a new series of studies in the Epistle of 1 Corinthians – what we find is a local congregation that forgot who they were. They had stopped moving, the were not following Gods plan. They needed to get back to basics, and an understanding of its all about Jesus. The Corinthians had some problems and their problems were known by people outside the church. William Temple said: The church is the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members. The local church at Corinth was a defiled church. Some of its members were guilty of sexual immorality, others were drunks; still others were using the grace of God to excuse worldly living. It was also a divided church, with at least four different groups competing for leadership. Instead of glorifying God, and reaching out to others, it was hindering the progress of the Gospel by their bad testimony. How did this happen? How had they allowed so many problems within their local assembly? I think they forgot who they were! First Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in the city of Corinth, Greece. Corinth is about 40 miles west of Athens, and it was an important port city and a cultural hub. It boasted a population of about 400,000 it was a real melting pot of diversity. Greeks, Jews, Romans, Sailors, merchants, adventurers, and refugees from all corners of the Roman Empire filled the streets of Corinth. With its diversity came a reputation as an immoral city- Corinth was the Las Vegas of its day. In the center of the city was a temple to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, where each night a thousand temple prostitutes would enter the city to offer their services. Corinth was really a party town, so much so that debase people all around the Roman Empire were called, "Corinthians", as a put down. The year is about 57 AD and Paul writes this letter to this church that was engrossed by this “party spirit” and influenced by the Corinthian culture. Paul had established the church, there in Corinth when he had problems with his own people the Jews it was there that Paul turned his ministry toward the Gentiles. While in Corinth and somewhat discouraged the Lord spoke to Paul: ACT 18:9‑10...."Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." The city seemed lost, but God wanted to do a great work, so Paul remained there for a year and a half and a great revival begins. Now some time later Paul hears that the church, although large in number- and powerful in miracles, is having problems. So Paul writes them to straighten out some issues and to remind them of the high calling they have in Jesus Christ. He wants to remind them who they are. The book divides nicely into two parts. Chapters 1-6 deals with their issues. Chapters 7-16 guides them into right living. So as we begin our studies in this book, I would like to consider opening parts of this letter and see how Paul uses as his opening address to remind them who they are. READ THE TEXT. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-3 - REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. Paul called to be an Apostle by the will of God. Perhaps you remember how that happened. Paul was called Saul and he was a leader in the Jewish sect of the Pharisees, he persecuted the Christians and did not believe Jesus was the Christ. But something happened on his way to Damascus, he was blinded by a bright light and spoken to from heaven. He is blind for three days and God sends him a message from a somewhat reluctant man named Ananias. The message is to tell Paul what happened to him and to show him God’s plan for his life. So Ananias goes and does just that, and the bible tells us in. Acts 9:18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. Paul was blind physically, but even more he was blind spiritually, when touched by God, now he can see. What a picture of what God does in men and women’s lives to this day. We go through life, not unlike the people there in Corinth. We might be nice folks, good people, but there is something missing in our lives. We might be immoral and know we are far from God. Maybe we are religious but not following God’s ways. No matter the case, when Jesus comes into our lives suddenly we are able to see. Life now has purpose, we understand that we are created to worship God, and we begin to grow in this faith journey. Who are we? Ps 40:1-2 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire ; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Those who like Paul, like the church there in Corinth, have been pulled out of the mud and mire of life, and given a solid place to build our life. The rock is our Lord, Jesus Christ. And those who take him as Lord are given hope, and a high calling to live for God. 1. GOD’S GRACE WORKING. V1-6 Paul addresses his letter to the church of God in Corinth. The church, is believers everywhere not a denomination, not an organization, but here Paul is addressing a local congregation. The local church in Corinth had some issues so the first thing Paul speaks to them about is the grace of God. That the church is sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be holy. They had forgotten who they were, and that is what God’s grace will do - remind us of who we are. Children of God sanctified -- that means “sets apart” or “called out.” When Christ is your Lord, when Jesus lives within a woman or a man, then they are set apart for God – called out of the world. That simply means that God is working in their lives. His plan is in motion -your life is in harmony with God so you can honestly pray, “your will be done.” And no matter what happens you know that God is guiding and directing your life. Are you a child of God? Then like Paul address this to “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord,” remember you are sanctified. Set apart for God and by God, that my friends is what keeps the church different then the world. When political correctness rules our age, the church stands for absolute truth. That is what makes grace so wonderful- the bible teaches that by grace through faith we are made right with God, we are viewed as absolutely perfect, not because of what we have done, but by the free gift of God - we are sanctified, that is grace. And the church is called to be holy. You can say Rich, I don’t feel too holy. The Corinthians certainly were not very holy. But by remembering who they were they would remember that it is by faith in Jesus Christ you become holy in God’s sight. 2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us , so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus bore our sins in himself, he took our shame and what keeps us from God. If Christ is your Lord, God is your Father. Paul starts his letter with that. READ 1 CORINTHIANS 1:4-9 2. HOW GOD WAS WORKING. Paul thanks God for his grace working in their lives. Grace is unearned unmerited favor with God, that you do nothing to earn a place with God. So we surrender to him, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, and ask for forgiveness. Grace reminds us its not what we have done for God, but what God has done for us and reminds us we are God’s children by God’s free gift. Now Paul speaks about two areas where God is working. a. 1st SPEECH. Have you noticed how when God works in a mans life his speech changes. Have you seen how when the Lord is alive in a woman’s heart her speech reflects it. How so? A couple of ways it is evident. First their language is about faith. They want to talk about God and what he is doing. They want to speak about the goodness of God, they want to give God glory and praise because he is working. Believers language becomes about faith. Secondly their language is clean. The old sailor language goes away. Eph 5:4 (There should not) be (any) obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking , which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Filthy language is not part of Christian’s life -because thanksgiving is what honors God. The second place Paul mentions thing are working is. a. KNOWLEDGE The church of Corinth was that they were growing in knowledge of the Lord. But they are also evidence that you can have knowledge and not be living right. 2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Do your best to study God’s word, grow in your knowledge of who God is and what he has done. Correctly handle the word of truth, understand that the word of God is alive and living and sharp. It is able to penetrate our hearts, to work within our lives. Ps 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Paul wants to remind them who they are so he speaks about where God was working then he reminds them of. 3. WHERE GOD WAS BLESSING. V7-9 The church in Corinth had great manifestations of miracles, and the gifts of God working in the church. They lacked nothing in the Spirit. Whenever anyone surrenders to Christ, God blesses us with amazing blessings. Eph 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Have you received Jesus? Is Christ your Lord? God’s blessings will work in your life. So open your eyes, open your heart and see what God is doing. The old song is right on. Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done. God has plans for his children, the church in Corinth didn’t completely understand that his plans were for their good. One important thing to remember as we study this epistle. The church in Corinth had no model before them, they had no church traditions, they had no written bible. They came from many different backgrounds, and brought with them their different cultural and social thoughts. So Paul is trying to tell them “what faith looks like - how faith works.” It not unlike that today. Some of us came from religious backgrounds, maybe a church with lots of traditions and rules, but little understanding of God and his grace. Some of us came from no religious background, maybe raised without God, and told that “faith is for the weak.” Others were just influenced by the world, like pagans, we worshiped creation, or wealth, or drugs or whatever. So this Epistle has so much for us today. The Corinthian church had its problems but God’s blessings were there. A couple of things Paul mentions that remind them and us of God’s blessings. A. 1st LOOKING FOR JESUS RETURN. When we anticipate the return of Jesus Christ. That helps remind us of our high calling. If you are looking forward to his coming, you will be living in such a way that is pleasing to God. Are you looking forward to that day? It will come when we breath our last or when Jesus Christ returns with great power. The bible speaks volumes about that day. 1 Thess 5:1-3 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. No one knows when Jesus will return, but we do know it will like a thief coming in the night. The world around us will be consumed with life. Peace and safety, prosperity and consumption will occupy their hearts, but like labor pains coming on a woman about to give birth there will be troubles on the earth. Trouble in nature, troubles in the geopolitical systems, trouble in the land. And Christ will come and those who do not know him, will not escape that day. B. 2ND. GOD WILL KEEP US STRONG. That’s what Paul reminds the Corinthians - that God will keep them strong. Ex 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Is God your strength? The bible tells us he is with us no matter what we face God is with us. The 23rd Psalm reminds us that: “Even though we go through the valley of death the Lord is with us and takes away our fears.” Are you weak and heavy of heart today? Understand that God desires to be your strength. Allow him to strengthen you. He will do that thought his word, read your bible and your faith will build. God will strengthen you as you worship him, let your life be about obedience to God. Let your voice praise him in song, the result will be strength in your faith. The third way God brings strength to his children is when you minister to others. The local church is there to bless one another, to bear each others burdens, to encourage one another. Sometimes you give out –sometimes you receive. Heb 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. God’s blessings come alive when we anticipate Jesus return, when we allow God to give us strength. Because like Paul says, he will keep you strong, he will keep you blameless God is faithful, he will do it. So from there Paul addresses the first issue. We have seen God’s grace working – How God was working. Where God was blessing. Finally. READ 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10- 7 4. GOD’S UNITY MISSING. The first problem Paul addresses is that of disunity. The church in Corinth had union, they met together - but they did not get along and were divided over petty stuff. Someone once said. There can be union without unity: Tie two cats together by their tails and throw them over a clothesline. There you will have union, but certainly not unity! The people in Corinth were arguing over what leader they followed. Some said Paul who spent time with them originally was their leader. Others said “no I follow Apollos”, who was intellectual and very convincing in his presentation of the gospel. Others said no you guys are wrong, I follow Cephas, or Peter, after all Peter was one of the Lord’s twelve Apostles so he must be more spiritual. Still others the really spiritual looking ones said no “I follow Christ.” Although that sounds good, what they were saying was that they were above church leadership. Like a private in the army who says, I don’t listen to my sergeant, I report to the commander and chief. In reality every one of them had their eyes on men instead of on God. The bible says. Eph 4:11-13 It was (God) who gave some to be apostles , some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. God has raised up men and women to be used by him to help prepare God’s people for the works he has given the church. He has gifted different people to build up the church and prepare them to be all that God wants us to be. So we recognize church leadership, and focus on the Lord. Then. Heb 12:2-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Keep your heart focused on Jesus, keep your thoughts and faith looking to him and you will never be disappointed by men or women. If you look to a man, be that me, or Billy Graham, or the Pope, you will be disappointed. If you look to an organization, be that a denomination or this church, you will be let down. So - follow Jesus, if God uses a man or woman in your life, recognize God is using them, don’t let that person be the center of your focus. Look to Jesus, consider him, and you will do well. So Paul reminds them that unity in the church is the first place that the church was off. Christ is not divided, no bible teacher, no evangelist, no minister ever died for you, so when you are baptized you are baptized into Christ. Baptism is a sign that you are now Christ’s follower. Apollos, Peter, Paul or whoever are only a servants of God. Look t the last verse. 1 Cor 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Listen to the heart of Paul, that baptism as important as it is, preaching as significant as that is – they are not as important as the central point of our faith. The cross, that Jesus Christ went there willingly to bare in his body the penalty for our sins. By faith in him, we become children of God. Years ago I went into a pastors office, there was a plaque that read, “keep the main thing the main thing.” Corinth’s problem was they had gotten off track. What’s the main thing? 1 Cor 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Corinth had a lot of problems in their local church – so Paul writes this letter to help them work through their issues but even more to help them get back to what is important. Jesus Christ and him crucified. So I am excited that over the next few months we will be considering this wonderful part of Scripture. Maybe we will see some things in our lives that God wants to change, perhaps we will see some areas of change to incorporate in our fellowship. Hopefully we will learn about how much God loves us - and that he has a plan for every person who follows him. Corinth was divided, into different factions, but truly there is only one church – not High Sierra Fellowship, not Trinity Lutheran, not Calvary Chapel. There is only the church of God in Jesus Christ. To become a member, you do what the bible says. Rom 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord ," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Have you done that today? Are you part of God’s family? PRAY INVITE BENEDICTION SING Series: 1 Corinthians -Through the Bible |
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