|
1 Corinthians
Introduction Part 2
The Church’s
Identity and Eternal Purpose
As Paul continues his letter to the Corinthians, he reminds them—and
us—about the significance of the church. In 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, he
refers to the church of God
which is at Corinth, addressing those
sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints. This church was not just a random
collection of believers; it was the intentional, organized body of
Christ in that location. Corinth, despite being a commercial and
immoral city, was home to a congregation of faithful Christians.
Paul emphasizes that identification with the church matters. Many
today reject organized religion and claim spirituality apart from
the church, but Paul would reject that thinking entirely. The church
is where Christians belong. It’s not optional—it’s essential.
The beginning of
the church traces back to Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost, when the
gospel was preached and souls were added by the Lord. In Acts 11:26,
disciples in Antioch were first called Christians. No one can be a
Christian outside the church. Likewise, the church consists only of
Christians. The false doctrine of premillennialism claims the church
was a contingency plan, but scripture declares otherwise. Ephesians
3:10–11 makes it clear that the church was part of God's
eternal purpose. It
reflects the manifold wisdom of God, both in its origin and
operation. The church of the New Testament was perfectly designed
and divinely instituted.
Sanctification and the Gospel Call
Paul writes that the Corinthians had been
washed, sanctified, and
justified (1 Corinthians 6:11). Many of them had once lived
sinful lives, but in Christ they were made clean. Sanctification
cannot occur outside of Jesus Christ. To be sanctified is to be set
apart for God’s use, and that only happens within the church. There
is no sanctification in manmade religion or in personal moral
effort. It is the result of responding obediently to the gospel
message.
In 1 Corinthians
15:1–4, Paul reminds them that the gospel—Christ’s death, burial,
and resurrection—was the message that saved them. This same message
is what calls every Christian. 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 reinforces
that believers are called to salvation through the gospel. No one is
called by visions, dreams, or mystical experiences. The gospel is
God’s power to save. That same gospel was preached in Corinth, just
as it is preached today. Saints, disciples, and Christians are all
the same people—those who have answered that call.
Unity of
the Church and the Common Calling
Paul’s greeting includes all
who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both
theirs and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2). This teaches the
universality of the church. Whether in Corinth, St. Louis, or Cairo,
a saint is a saint. There are no localized or cultural divisions in
the church of God. All true Christians share a common faith, a
common calling, and a common hope. Paul’s greeting—grace
to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ—is
both warm and spiritual. Grace and peace are found in Christ alone.
God’s Grace
and the Spiritual Gifts of the Early Church
In verses 4–7, Paul thanks God for the grace given to the
Corinthians. Grace is unearned favor. It was shown to them when
Jesus died, when He rose again, and when the gospel was preached to
them. Paul also says they were enriched in all speech and knowledge,
and that they came short in no gift. These gifts were spiritual
gifts—miraculous abilities given by the Holy Spirit before the New
Testament was completed. Their purpose was to confirm the testimony
of Christ. These gifts were temporary. As 1 Corinthians 13 later
teaches, they were like scaffolding during construction. Once the
full revelation of the gospel was completed, those gifts were no
longer needed and were removed by God.
People today who
claim to have miraculous gifts are mistaken. No one can speak in
tongues, heal the sick, or raise the dead as they did in the first
century. Those gifts served their purpose. However, they also caused
problems, which Paul will address later in the letter. The church in
Corinth had these gifts, but they were still called to use them
properly and with humility.
Faithful
Waiting and the Promise of Confirmation
Paul acknowledges that the Corinthians were
eagerly waiting for the
revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7).
Christians must live with that same eager anticipation. Sadly, many
today twist end-times teachings into false doctrines like the
rapture, Armageddon, and dispensational chaos. But Jesus clearly
stated in Matthew 24 that no one knows the hour of His return. There
will be no physical wars, no beasts or dragons rising literally.
Those images are symbolic, especially in the book of Revelation.
Christ will return once, and that will be the end of all things.
There will be no second chances.
Paul says that
Christ will also confirm you
to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus
Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8). This does not teach unconditional
security. It is a promise for those who remain faithful. Revelation
2:10 exhorts us to be faithful
unto death, and only then will we receive the crown of life.
Even Paul himself feared becoming
disqualified (1
Corinthians 9:27). Our faith must endure to the end. Salvation can
be forfeited if we turn back.
God’s
Faithfulness Is Our Assurance
Paul concludes by reminding the Corinthians that
God is faithful, by whom you
were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord
(1 Corinthians 1:9). That faithfulness is our security. Satan cannot
steal salvation from a faithful Christian. But God’s promises
require our cooperation. If we continue in the gospel, we will be
confirmed in the end. If we abandon Christ, we forfeit what He
offers. Paul wants every Christian to be assured that God keeps His
word. We can trust Him completely. What He promises, He delivers.
1
Corinthians Introduction Part 2 Sermon Outline:
-
The Church’s
Identity and Purpose
-
Sanctification and Gospel Calling
-
Washed,
sanctified, justified (1 Corinthians 6:11)
-
Called
by the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1–4; 2 Thessalonians
2:13–14)
-
Saints in
Every Place
-
Grace and
Spiritual Gifts
-
Waiting for
Christ and Endurance
-
Eagerly
awaiting the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Peter 3)
-
No
rapture or earthly battles—Christ returns once (Matthew 24)
-
Confirmation requires faithfulness (Revelation 2:10; 1
Corinthians 9:27)
-
God’s
Faithfulness
Call to
Action
Have you answered the gospel call that sanctifies and saves? Are you
living faithfully in the body of Christ, the church that was planned
from eternity? God's grace has been extended through the gospel.
Your part is to obey, endure, and trust in God’s faithfulness. Stay
ready for Christ’s return and remain faithful until the end.
Key
Takeaways
-
The church
was part of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10–11)
-
Sanctification happens in Christ and in His church (1
Corinthians 6:11)
-
All
Christians are called by the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1–4; 2
Thessalonians 2:14)
-
Spiritual
gifts confirmed the gospel but were temporary (1 Corinthians 13)
-
Faithfulness
is necessary for salvation (Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:27)
-
God is
faithful and will confirm the obedient to the end (1 Corinthians
1:8–9)
Scripture
Reference List
1 Corinthians 1:1–9 – Paul’s introduction: church, grace, calling,
and faithfulness
Acts 2:47 – The Lord adds the saved to the church
Acts 11:26 – Disciples were called Christians in Antioch
Ephesians 3:10–11 – The church was part of God’s eternal purpose
1 Corinthians 6:11 – Washed, sanctified, justified
1 Corinthians 15:1–4 – The gospel that saves
2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 – Called by the gospel to salvation
Hebrews 2:3–4 – Signs confirmed the word
1 Corinthians 13:8–10 – Miraculous gifts ceased
Matthew 24:36 – No one knows the day of Christ’s return
Revelation 2:10 – Be faithful unto death
1 Corinthians 9:27 – Paul’s concern about being disqualified
2 Peter 3:12 – Eagerly waiting for the coming day of God
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
