SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 1
INTRODUCTION:
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth while he was in Ephesus in A.D. 55. The city of Corinth was a wealthy trading center located on the Mediterranean and known as the most wicked and corrupt city throughout the Roman world. The church in Corinth was new and had some problems. The members were not getting along with one another. They were taking sides and some of them were living in sinful lives. Paul wrote this letter to teach them how Christians should act and confronted the Corinthians about their sins and shortcomings. He also gave practical lessons about the Christian life for them to distinguish right from wrong.
MEMORY VERSE:
“Let him who boasts boasts in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31)
THANKSGIVING (vs. 4-9)
Paul is an apostle of Christ Jesus called by the will of God. He wrote this letter thanking God for the Corinthian church:
- His grace given to them in Christ Jesus. (v. 4)
- They were enriched in every way – in speaking and knowledge. (v. 5)
- They do not lack any spiritual gift. (v. 7)
- God will keep them strong to the end so that they will be blameless on the day of Jesus Christ. (v. 8)
- God, who is faithful, has called them into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. (v. 9)
DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH (vs. 10-12)
Paul was appealing to the brothers in Corinthians church to agree with one another so that there were no divisions and they will be perfectly united in mind and thought. Chloe had informed Paul that their quarrelling was due to the different preachers that they follow. Among the preachers mentioned were: Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ. The brothers I baptized were: Crispus, Gaius and Stephanas. But remember, Christ is not divided. No one crucified for you. And Christ did not send Paul to baptize but to preach the gospel.
CHRIST THE WISDOM AND POWER OF GOD (vs. 18-31)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (v.19) Since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greek Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
When you were called, not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (v. 31)
THOUGHTS:
Paul was given a special calling from God to preach about Jesus Christ. Likewise, each Christian has a role to take and a contribution to make for Christ. All are necessary to carry out God’s greater plans for his church and for the world. Are you available and ready to offer your gifts for God’s service?
Corinth is a great city with a great diversity of wealth, religions and moral standards. Because of its strategic seaport, Roman emperor Julius Caesar rebuilt Corinth and made it the capital of Achaia (present day Greece). But the city prosperity made it became all sorts of corruption, idolatry with more than a dozen pagan temples employing at least a thousand prostitutes.
Grace and peace are the two most precious gifts of God. Grace is God’s free gift of salvation given to us by Christ. Receiving it brings us peace. In this world of turmoil, confusion and pressures, we long for peace. True peace of heart and mind is available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul began his on a positive note of thanksgiving. He affirmed their privilege of belonging to the Lord and receiving his generous gifts. He wrote this letter to address the problems and to clear up confusion about right and wrong so that they would remove the immorality from among them.
CAUSES OF CHURCH DIVISION AND CONFLICTS:
- Forgetting the calling we have in Christ which is to be humble and love one another.
- Following human leaders and developing a fan club mentality instead of giving Christ the preeminence.
- Depending on human wisdom and philosophies to interpret the Word of God instead of abiding to the wisdom of God.
Paul’s appeal “that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in minds and thought” (v. 10) does not mean that everyone is to believe and agree exactly the same. There is a difference between having opposing viewpoints and being divisive. People may not completely agree on every issue, but they can work together harmoniously if they agree on what truly matters. In church, we have to speak and behave in a way that will reduce arguments and increase harmony. Don’t let petty differences divide Christians. Don’t let your appreciation for any preacher lead to disunity in church. Our allegiance must be to Christ alone.
Paul was against those who try to impress others with their knowledge or speaking ability. He stressed solid content and practical teachings as more important than impressive words. As you preach, concentrate on the essentials not the non-essentials.
Many Jews considered the Good News of Jesus foolish because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering king accompanied by signs and miracles. Jesus was executed as a criminal and how could a criminal be a Savior? Greeks too, considered the Good News foolish because they did not believe in a bodily resurrection. They did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods. And they thought no reputable person should be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory.
The Good News of Jesus Christ also sounds foolish to many today. Death seems to be the weakness and the end of everything. Yet Jesus came to die for sinners and offered his Kingdom to those who have faith, not to those who try to earn salvation through good deeds. This sounds foolish. But Jesus did not stay dead. His resurrection demonstrated his power over death. He is the only way we can be saved from eternal death and give us everlasting life. Knowing Christ personally is the greatest wisdom anyone can have. Do you believe in Jesus? Have you accepted Him as your Savior?