1 Corinthians   Message Three   2021

This morning, in this third message, we begin to learn of the trouble in this church.  It is most important again to remember that this letter was written to a specific church that was having a great deal of trouble with spiritual understanding, with pride, and with personal relationships.  Be very careful to know the context of a verse or a group of verses before taking them as proof text for your actions.  In the first four chapters we learn of the –

II. Division among the members of the church.  1:10-4:21

Things had become so bad that some church members sought help from Paul.  We notice as we read the letter that there were those that asked the members who were going to visit Paul to present their questions to him also.  His reply began with an –

  A.  Admonition to unity. 1:10-3:23

Paul followed the pattern that he presented in the second letter to Timothy in chapter four, verse 2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Relied on God through His Word

Remained consistent

Reproved

Rebuked

Reminded them and reminded them again to obey the Lord always.

In his reply, he first commended them for the good things that they had done – the Word that they had obeyed – 

1 Corinthians 1:2-8  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He then began to correct them for the wrong that they were doing with an –

    1.  Exhortation to obey the Lord Jesus Christ –

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

That –

      a. They speak the same things

Truth should never be denied to accommodate anyone’s particular situation.  Satan was not satisfied with his position, so he denied the truth by changing it into a lie.  This patter has been followed by billions of people since that time –

Romans 1:17-25  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.

We are to know –

John 17:14,17  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world……..Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

… and obey the truth! 

John 14:15 ,21 If ye love me, keep my commandments………He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

When they speak the same things –

      b. They will be in agreement.

 “…perfectly joined together…” To mend a net, to put back into place (dislocated joint).

With every exhortation, there should be an –

    2.  Explanation. 1:11 – 3:20

Paul informed them of –

      a.  The report. 1:11 Reliable report of their contentions.

1 Corinthians 1:11  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

The report brought forth –

      b.  The reproof. 1:12-3:20     They had no reason to be divided.

        1). They could not claim special privilege through –

          a). Salvation. 1:12,13a

1 Corinthians 1:12-13  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

               One way of salvation. “I am the way, the truth…”

They could not claim special privilege through –

          b). Baptism. 1:13b-16 Ephesians 4:1-6   (a church ordinance)

1 Corinthians 1:13-16  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

They were united in the Lord and should have determined to be united with one another  –

Ephesians 4:1-6  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

They could not claim a privileged position through –

          c). Intellectual superiority. 1:17-31 Colossians 2:8

1 Corinthians 1:17-31  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. ……… For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

They could not claim a privileged position through –

          d). Eloquence. 2:1-5

1 Corinthians 2:1-5  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

They could not claim special privilege by claiming they heard a better –

          e).  Message.  There is one message   2:6-16

                Refer to Acts 13:26-33

1 Corinthians 2:6-16  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

And when each of us has the mind of Christ, we are single minded understanding that salvation is not by our own merit, but totally by His grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

One way of salvation –

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Note: The Apostles and preachers were united (in Christ) in their ministry unto Him.

When we follow God’s will in

Matthew 22:37-39  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

We will be one with Him and with one another, not seeking to exalt ourselves, but seeking to exalt the Lord and edify others.