In this study we launch a new teaching series on the book of 1 Corinthians. In this introductory paragraph (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) we learn of God’s rich grace for His unworthy children.
Teaching Notes:
Grace For the Undeserving
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Background to 1 Corinthians:
- Paul had written a previous letter to them. This is not Paul’s first letter to them. We have a record of it in 1Cor.5:9.
- Paul had received a letter from them. 1Cor.7:1 Paul had received a visit from Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus who brought a financial gift and probably a letter.
- About the same time he received a visit from members of Chloe’s household of certain problems in the Corinthian church. 1Cor.1:11.
- In 1 Corinthians 1-6 Paul seeks to correct the problems that he had learned from the members of Choe’s household.
- In 1 Corinthians 7-16 Paul seeks to answer the questions on practical Christian living he had received from Stephanas and company. These answers are all introduced by the word “Now”. 7:1; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1.
Outline:
Reproof: The Report of Sin In The Church:
1) Divisions in the church – chapters 1-4
2) Discipline in the church – chapter 5
3) Disputes in the courts – chapter 6:1-8
4) Defilements in the world – 6:9-20
Replies: Answers to Their Questions:
1) Marriage – chapter 7
2) Food offered to idols – chapters 8-10
3) Head Coverings – chapter 11:2-16
4) The Lord’s Supper – chapter 11:17-34
5) Spiritual Gifts – chapters 12-14
6) The Resurrection – chapter 15
7) The Offering – chapter 16
The Corinthians (1:2):
Notice: churches in the 1st century did not have names like (First Baptist, or Calvary Chapel or Stonebridge). They were simply called “the church of God” and then their location “at Corinth”. At this time there were not hundreds of different denominations splintering the church. There was 1 church in a city which met in different homes. All the believers saw themselves as members of the 1 Church in a city, regardless of whether they actually met with them or not.
They are identified as “those that have been sanctified in Christ Jesus.” Not, “those that are being sanctified”. This must be referring to “saints by calling” mentioned next. “Sanctified” is to be “set apart”. These people were set apart from the world (church means ‘called out ones’) by being called by God. “Saints” and “sanctified” have the same original root. The way these people were set apart is by being called by God. Sanctification, like salvation, can be understood in 3 tenses. We have been sanctified when we were called to be saints, we are being sanctified as we are more and more set apart from sin to God, and we will ultimately be sanctified when we are in heaven with no more sin. Original, Progressive and Ultimate Sanctification. These Corinthians were anything but practically holy. They were taking each other to court, allowing someone to fornicate with his mother-in-law without discipline, divorcing, using spiritual gifts with no love. The church there was a mess! But in God’s sight they were sanctified!
This letter is also intended for “all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here is a description of a true believer. He calls on the name of Jesus Christ. You can’t get more basic than that. Do you call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you recognize Jesus Christ as your Lord, and do you call on Him? A follower of Christ prays to Him.
1:3 If grace and peace are coming jointly from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, then Jesus must be God. Both persons communicate grace and peace to believers.
1. How Did God’s Grace Come To Them? 1:4 It is given us in Christ Jesus. What does Paul do? Thanks his God concerning them. When? Always. Why? For the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus. Do we continually thank God for people we know who have received God’s grace?
2. What Did God’s Grace Result In? 1:5 How did Paul know God had given them grace? Because in everything they were enriched in Him. In what areas specifically? In all speech and all knowledge. “Speech” refers to spiritual gifts like tongues, prophecy, word of wisdom and knowledge, interpretation of tongues.
3. What Was God’s Purpose In Bestowing This Grace? 1:6-7 God wanted to confirm the testimony concerning Christ (the gospel). In order to validate the truthfulness of the gospel, God granted grace to those who believed it by giving them supernatural gifts.
1:7 How was the testimony concerning Christ confirmed in them? They were not lacking in any gift. Their spiritual gifts were an evidence that they had received the gospel. What is another evidence? They were awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of setting their hope on the world, and the things they could gain from it, they set their hopes on the world to come and the coming of Jesus. Where is our hope fixed today? What are we most looking forward to?
Notice that spiritual gifts are not dependant on our spirituality, righteousness or holiness, but on God’s grace. 1:4,7. These believers were not very holy. They were divided under different personalities, allowing fornication, and taking each other to court. But God “graced” them with many supernatural gifts. Just because someone has a dramatic spiritual gift doesn’t mean they are worthy of our emulation! Someone may have dramatic prophetic or healing gifts, but that doesn’t mean we should imitate him. God’s gives His gifts to whom He chooses, not just those that are holy.
4. What Will God’s Grace Do For Them Ultimately? 1:8 God’s grace will confirm them to the end. His grace found them, saved them, is sanctifying them, and will keep them to the end. Jesus Christ. Jesus will complete the work He started in them, and bring them to glory, so that they are blameless when He returns. The “day of our Lord Jesus Christ” must be the same as “the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1:6 God confirmed the testimony concerning Christ. 1:8 Jesus will confirm them.
God confirms the gospel; Jesus confirms those who receive this gospel.
1:9 How can we know that we will be confirmed to the end? What attribute of God can we rely on? His faithfulness! He called us into fellowship with His Son, and He will keep those He calls. If He called us, it must have been part of His divine purpose. It doesn’t make sense that God would call someone, and then not keep them.
Notice our calling is into fellowship with Christ. This salvation we enjoy is really fellowshipping with a person, the Divine Son! If there is no fellowship with Christ, there is no calling, and no confirmation to the end. Are you enjoying fellowship with Christ?
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