August 22, 2021

1 CORINTHIANS: THE END GAME

August 22, 2021

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Sometimes we get ourselves into situations that require us to step up to the plate and out of our comfort zone! We may experience enormous fear. Can anyone relate?

We have recently followed Paul from his early life of vicious acts as a Pharisee against believers in Jerusalem to falling off his horse as Jesus Christ met him on the Damascus Road. His life was turned completely around as God sent him on missionary journeys to evangelize throughout his world. Now, we have read the book of 1st Corinthians, where he must write a letter to the believers whom God loved and called, to rebuke the church for sins of disputes, factions, immorality, and more. Like a parent who lovingly births, teaches, and leads a child, there are times a pastor has to discipline his flock. Join us as we finish this book, written to Christ-followers whom Paul loved deeply.

Focal Passage: The Book of First Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 2.

The Message

  • Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-2. Paul had originally visited Corinth, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, a few years before this letter was written. What was his only purpose in going to the people of Corinth? Why do you get the impression he was not a gifted speaker?
  • Why did he limit his message to the subject of Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection? What had Paul’s calling been before his conversion? How would his training as a Pharisee have enabled him to know the Old Testament well?
  • Why was it so important that he concentrate only on Jesus Christ, not getting sidetracked into other disputes?

The Method

  • Read 1 Cor. 2:3. Why was Paul careful to remind the Corinthian believers how he had originally come to them? How did he describe the inner struggles that he had felt at that time? Why is it so hard to believe that Paul experienced the same fears that we have?
  • Read Acts 18:9-11. Was Paul in the will of God when he had visited Corinth? How is it possible to be in the will of God, yet have tribulation or storms? Have you ever been where you felt God wanted you, but you incurred opposition?
  • Read 1 Cor. 2:4-5. Think of today: what happens for a short while after one is exposed to a motivational speaker? What can be the situation a year later? Is that possibly why Paul did not use flowery speech or the wisdom of men in his preaching? Who did he depend on? Read Mark 13:11. Do we allow the Holy Spirit to be all that He desires to be in our own lives?
  • Paul wanted to make sure that he wasn’t given the praise of growing the church in Corinth. Why did he strive to make himself “decrease” and Jesus Christ “increase”? Why would that build their faith?
  • Do you rely on Jesus Christ to get you through fearful situations? Who gets the glory when it is over?

The Mind

  • Read 1 Cor. 2:12-13. Who is the spirit who rules this world? Read Ephesians 2:2. Why does Paul describe believers before salvation like this? What happens at the time one is saved? Read Romans 12:2. Why do we see things differently than unbelievers?
  • Read verse 14. Why are we so surprised when unbelievers commit evil actions? Don’t we usually desire that everyone act in a way that reflects morality? Spiritual concepts are only able to be understood through what means?
  • Read verses 15-16. Why do we have no excuse for bad behavior, or for allowing sin to rear its head in our lives? What should we do immediately when we sin? 

Close

There is probably no one you can think of who does not—consciously or subconsciously—put someone on a pedestal because of their personality, gifts, power, or wealth. It seems to be (unfortunately) part of our makeup. In circles of Christ-followers, one of those past heroes we hold high would be the apostle Paul.

He had gone to the city of Corinth nearly twenty years after Jesus had risen from the grave and ascended back to the Father. Now, a few years later, he hears of rampant sin among the believers, and he is grieved. Paul did not hesitate to correct them, as we read in the opening of this letter written to the Corinthian church.

As he wrote of his original visit to Corinth, we see him confessing that he had been filled with fear, weakness, and much trembling. We can hardly fathom the great apostle experiencing these same inner agonies that we, too, endure. Perhaps it is at the thought of witnessing for the first time: what if we blow it, and drive the person away from salvation? What if they have real hurts or habits, and we feel we won’t know what to say? We tremble, we feel weak, and we fear.

A beautiful lesson can be learned from this glimpse into Paul’s life and be incorporated into our own: when God calls us “out of our grave” and into the light of salvation, He knows exactly what we have done, are doing, and will do in the future. Nothing surprises Him because He has “authored and finished” our story. So, He calls us to perform a task for Him, knowing our faults, but He still is willing to use us, flawed though we may be. As we need to remember, “Whom He calls, He equips!” We don’t have to worry about our lack of “enticing speech” or “wisdom”. He will give us the words we need at the right time. Not too early, not too late. He is a good, good Father!

 

 

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