1 Corinthians   Message 2   May 2, 2021

We are reminded this morning that through all of the trials, he saw, and we see, as always that –

  D.  Faithful is the Lord.  God’s grace is seen in –

    1.  The promise to be with him throughout his ministry

We see the –

      a.  Specific promises to the church.      Paul was included in this promise as we are!

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We also are told of the grace of God in His –

      b.  Special promises to Paul –

In danger among those that hate the truth of the gospel –

Acts 23:11  And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

In danger in travel and on the sea –

Acts 27:23-24  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

In danger when deserted by those who should have stood with him –

2 Timothy 4:16-18  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Help and encouragement from the brethren is wonderful, but help from the Lord is that which is necessary!

God’s faithfulness and power is seen in –

    2.  The preparation to face difficulty in his ministry.

Acts 9:15-16  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

The grace and power of God experienced in life is seen in –
   

    3.  The Proclamation of God’s faithfulness to the churches.

Paul learned as he took God’s Word to the world that God is faithful and he encouraged the churches and us as he testified of God’s constant faithfulness to him –

1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

We experience God’s blessings through –

    4.  The practice of faithful service unto the Faithful God.

We should understand the practical ministry of God in us and through us as Paul did –

2 Corinthians 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Paul had arrived in the city of Corinth and took up residence with Acquila and Priscilla. He worked with them in their tent making business. He was immersed in the Jewish community and shared the Gospel as he had opportunity.  The faithfulness and grace of God is seen again the power, comfort as he faced –

      a. The profanity of the Jews.

Acts 18:5-6  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

      b. The Preaching to the Gentiles.

Acts 18:7-11  And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

      c.  Protected by the Lord.

Acts 18:12-17  And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. And he drave them from the judgment seat. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

And finally the faithfulness and grace of God in –

      d.  Parting from the church.

Acts 18:18  And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

We learn today that we should not be discouraged by the difficulties facing us, but we are to learn from them and help others who face the same things!  God used Paul to instruct this struggling church, to help them see that they were completely out of order and needed to repent and set their hearts on the Lord and His will, not setting their hearts on their will for the Lord to build them up.

We have set forth last week and today that through the promises and the power of God, Paul was able to preach to the church with authority and demand that they repent and turn back to God according to His Word.

We should understand God’s love and patient work with His People.

We should understand Paul’s love and patient work with God’s people. 

We should understand that the desire was that those in the church who had sought their own preeminence instead of humble submission to the Lord and His Word should repent and turn back to the Lord in confession and contrition.