1 Corinthians

 


  1. 1.Christ wisdom of God

    1. a.Grace and peace, thanks be to God for your ministry

    2. b.Watch out for divisions in your church. There is only one Christ.

    3. c.Some people don’t “get” the Cross and think it’s all silly

      1. i.God frustrates intelligent people

      2. ii.But to us who are being saved, it is wonderful

    4. d.Boast only in the Lord

  2. 2.Holy Spirit wisdom of God

    1. a.I’m not the best public speaker. But this is fine, because I know people trust in God’s power and not my mere smooth words.

    2. b.The Holy Spirit gives a mysterious wisdom to some.

    3. c.Heaven is going to be good.

      1. i.“No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” v.9b referencing Isaiah 64:4

    4. d.Be spiritually discerning of teaching and doctrine, this is the correct type of judging.

  3. 3.Divisions in the Church

    1. a.Some of you are still acting like Baby Christians- grow up

    2. b.When we spread the Gospel, we plant a seed, and then God waters it and does the gardening

      1. i.Each of you will be rewarded for your work “in the field”

    3. c.You are God’s temple, and the Spirit lives in you

    4. d.God doesn’t care about worldly wisdom

  4. 4.Apostles

    1. a.Men should see us as little servants of Christ

    2. b.Don’t judge, the Lord will do that at the right time

    3. c.Do not go beyond what is written

    4. d.We are fools for Christ

      1. i.Our lives stink right now, but we have hope for God’s Kingdom

    5. e.When I come to talk with you, do you want me to be harsh or gentle?

  5. 5.Beware fake Christians

    1. a.I am not with you physically, but with you in spirit

    2. b.There are wicked people in your church, get them out quickly

    3. c.But don’t judge people outside of the church

  6. 6.Settling disputes between believers

    1. a.Are two Christian brothers suing each other?

      1. i.Deal with this in the church. Not in a public court.

      2. ii.The very fact that there is a lawsuit means that evil has crept into your church.

    2. b.I have freedom in Christ to do many things, but I will not be mastered by these pleasures.

    3. c.Most sins harm others. Sexual sins harm ourselves.

    4. d.You were bought at a price

      1. i.Wages of sin is death Romans 6:23

      2. ii.Christ’s blood is the atonement (payment) for sin

      3. iii.So be a good steward and honor Christ with your body

  7. 7.Marriage

    1. a.It’s good to stay single if you can control your desires, but God has provided marriage as a fulfillment of these desires

    2. b.To married people: Fulfill those desires, have lots of sex

    3. c.Outward appearances of religion are useless; “keeping God’s commands is what counts” v.19b

    4. d.You were bought at a price, so don’t become slaves of men.

    5. e.If you get married, you will face many troubles. Single people, consider yourselves forewarned!

  8. 8.Causing to sin

    1. a.Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.

    2. b.Many things are not inherently sins. But be careful that the exercise of your freedom to do these things does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

      1. i.Example: you wouldn’t drink in front of a recovering alcoholic would you?

    3. c.I try my best not to sin. And I also try my best not to cause others to sin.

  9. 9.Rights of apostles

    1. a.Some people are criticizing me because my ministry is not full-time.

    2. b.There is nothing wrong from profiting from your work, even the ox gets some of the grain he is working with.

    3. c.Likewise, those in ministry are fed through the church.

    4. d.For me, preaching the Gospel is its own reward.

    5. e.I change my teaching style depending on the people group I am talking to. I have found that this is an effective way of sharing my testimony and faith in Christ.

  10. 10.Warnings from Israel’s history

    1. a.You are God’s people in Christ. But even His people in the Old Covenant, Israel, displeased Him. So don’t be like them.

    2. b.Here are some of their main flaws:

      1. i.Worshipping people/things other than God

      2. ii.Committing sexual sins

      3. iii.Testing the Lord

      4. iv.Complaining

    3. c.These are common temptations, don’t fall into them.

    4. d.Did you know that God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear? He will always provide a way out.

    5. e.The believer has unique freedom in Christ because of the replacement of sinful desires by the Holy Spirit.

      1. i.Nevertheless, do not do anything to cause others to sin through this freedom. Believers and non-believers alike.

    6. f.Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.

  11. 11.Communion

    1. a.Communion is the Lord’s supper. What is the point of it?

      1. i.The remember Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. To remember why we follow him.

      2. ii.Christ’s body and blood are the atonement (payment) for sin in the New Covenant. By receiving communion, we are cognizant of the atonement as we eat and drink.

    2. b.Anyone who takes communion and denies Christ will be judged.

    3. c.If you judge, humble, and discipline yourself, the Lord won’t have to. It is a win-win situation.

  12. 12.Spiritual Gifts

    1. a.Many different gifts, one Spirit

    2. b.Holy Spirit chooses the gifts, not us

    3. c.God has arranged the body of Christ how He wants it

      1. i.People have different roles in the church, all are important

      2. ii.Not everyone has the same calling

      3. iii.Don’t let people twist your God-appointed purpose for their benefit

  13. 13.Love

    1. a.Spiritual gift use without love does nothing

    2. b.Attributes of love: patient, kind, humble, content, not rude, is others-focused instead of self-centered, slow to anger, forgiving, truthful,

    3. c.Love is the trump card

  14. 14.Spiritual Gift usage instructions: some assembly required

    1. a.Use your gifts maturely

    2. b.Use them to edify believers and non-believers alike

    3. c.Conduct worship and ceremony orderly, so that non-believers will by intrigued and not repelled

  15. 15.The Resurrection

    1. a.Christ died, was buried, and raised bodily on the third day.

    2. b.He appeared to many witnesses:

      1. i.The Twelve disciples

      2. ii.Over 500 witnesses

      3. iii.James and all the apostles

    3. c.Why is the resurrection so important anyways? If there was no resurrection:

      1. i.preaching Christ is useless

      2. ii.faith in Christ is useless

      3. iii.all witnesses of the event are liars

      4. iv.nobody is redeemed from sin

      5. v.all former believers have perished

      6. vi.Christians “are to be pitied more than all men”

    4. d.The Resurrection gives credibility to Jesus’ outrageous claims

    5. e.If there is no afterlife, then the Ecclesiastical view is right: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” v.32b ref. Isaiah 22:13

    6. f.Christ’s resurrection was literal, bodily. Our resurrection will be the reception of a heavenly body in God’s kingdom, not just a temporary makeover on Earth

    7. g.“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” v.58b

  16. 16.Conclusion

    1. a.Set aside some money relative to your income for supporting the ministry.

    2. b.“Do everything in love” v.14