INTRODUCTION.
THE FIRST BOOK OF CORINTHIANS.
If you are a Christian, or have been specifically called by God to the Ministry these books penned by Paul are written primarily for you.
It will demand a –
SUPERNATURAL, SUPER HUMAN SELF ABASEMENT.
See 1 Corinthians chapter 4:9-13.
Why? Because you step up in to the area of being a spectator of all men, and to the heavenly host who are watching from the realms of glory.
“FOR WE ARE MADE A SPECTACLE UNTO THE WORLD, AND THE ANGELS AND TO MEN.”
This drama of life and death is being played out in the theatre of life for all to see.
Theatre is the very Greek word for “spectacle” used here.
“We are a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.”
That’s how it’s supposed to be!
The unseen witnesses above are bending to gaze upon the life struggle between:
LIGHT AND DARKNESS.
SIN AND HOLINESS.
FAITH AND FALSEHOOD.
SUFFERING AND TRIUMPH.
“These things which the angels look into.”
What a contrast between the angelic Spectators and those of us who struggle in the Arena.
The world sees us as: “Filthy, the off-scouring of things this day.”
That is how they viewed Jesus and how they view the Christian today.
Paul was very much alive to this and has encouraged us through these wonderful EPISTLES TO THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH OF HIS DAY.
BACKGROUND.
Corinth at the time of Paul was rather a very rich commercial city. It was the capital of the Roman province of Achia.
It as a good sized city with moral issues as were many other cities in Greece.
Corinth was nicknamed,
“SIN CITY”
This culture of ungodly worldliness was still very much a part of this church and many easily slid back into that type of thinking and put aside the truth they once knew.
They didn’t seem to mind that some of the members were committing adultery with no correction from the Leadership. Unbelievers around them had higher morals and better characters than those within this four year old Church.
Some schisms (divisions) caused dear friends to separate from each other, all over which preacher they should follow: Paul, Apollos, Peter or Christ. The choice of whom they should follow caused a Spirit of superiority to rule, forcing them to judge each other instead of loving and accepting one another unconditionally.
They were suing one another in public courts.
You will never find the Perfect Church, nor will you find the Perfect Christian. No, not ever!!
So, Don’t have a performance base for acceptance for other people. They will never measure up to your legalistic expectations.
Stop looking and praying about the faults in other sisters and brothers in Christ; instead, as Paul admonishes.
“JUDGE YOURSELF SO YOU WILL NOT BE JUDGED.”
Our goal is, to love one another with a “pure heart fervently”
The Church at Corinth were in decline.
The sacred ordinance of the Lord’s supper a Holy and blessed institution had become a secular party where they were celebrating themselves and the food they ate in a glutterous way rather than the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual gifts had become a contention. They were divided on the issue of speaking in tongues. This is still prevalent today, with some Christians teaching that you cannot be saved if you do not speak in tongues. Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
LOVE IS THE SUPERIOR GIFT.
Paul supported himself financially in the trade of tent 🎪 making so that he would be beyond reproach in this divided Church.
What can we learn from this ancient struggling Church.
BE FAITHFUL.
BE LOYAL!
BE KIND, FORGIVING.
BE HOLY!
BE CAREFUL!
BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!
LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY!
Amen.
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Heather Dalzell on 61 0417858814.
Light in the Darkness! 