Final Notes

Pastor Cal Callison

Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

1 Corinthians 16

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Notes

Transcript

Introduction:

As we come to I Corinthians 16, we enter the final chapter and final sermon in our series that we call Wild Times in Corinth. The apostle Paul has spent the previous chapters answering and dealing with issues that he had gotten word about going on in the church at Corinth. But now, as he wraps up the letter, he does what he does with many of his letters and closes with some final instructions, personal news, some encouragement, greetings, and some personal acknowledgements.

1 Corinthians 16 ESV

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people. The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

I. Paul addresses the collecting of support for the saints.

The collection’s purpose was to supprt the Christians in Jeruslame wh were impoverished. This collection was one of the major enterprises of his thrid missionary journey. It is likely that Paul saw this as an opportunity to bring greater unity within the church across ethnic boundaries.

The Outline Bible Section Outline Sixteen (1 Corinthians 16)

PAUL’S COLLECTION (16:1–4): The apostle gives directions concerning an offering the Corinthian church is taking.

A. Why it is being received (16:1): It is for the needy believers in Jerusalem.

B. When it is to be taken (16:2a): On the first day of every week.

C. What amount is expected from each person (16:2b): The amount will depend on each person’s income.

D. Who will deliver the money to Jerusalem (16:3–4): The Corinthian church will choose these individuals.

II. Paul details his travel plans and those of his coworkers.

The Outline Bible Section Outline Sixteen (1 Corinthians 16)

PAUL’S COMMITMENT (16:5–9)

A. He promises to visit them in Corinth in the near future (16:5–7).

B. He plans to stay in Ephesus for the present (16:8–9).

1. When he will leave (16:8): He plans to stay until Pentecost.

2. Why he will stay (16:9): God has opened up a great preaching opportunity for him.

The Outline Bible Section Outline Sixteen (1 Corinthians 16)

PAUL’S COWORKERS (16:10–12, 15–20): He mentions seven of his companions.

A. Timothy (16:10–11): Paul requests two things in regard to Timothy.

1. “Treat him with respect” (16:10): When he comes, they are to warmly welcome this servant of the Lord.

2. “Send him on his way with your blessings when he returns to me” (16:11).

B. Apollos (16:12): Paul has begged Apollos to visit the Corinthians, but the latter feels the timing is not right.

C. Stephanas (16:15–16): This godly man and his family, Paul’s first converts in Greece, will soon visit the Corinthians.

D. Fortunatus and Achaicus (16:17–18): These fellow believers have just arrived to encourage and assist Paul.

E. Aquila and Priscilla (16:19–20): They and the church that meets in their house send greetings.

III. Final instructions/principles for living. (challenges)

Within this passage there are two verses in particular that give us Paul’s encouragements to the Corinthians in how to live as he wraps up the letter.

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 ESV

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

The Outline Bible Section Outline Sixteen (1 Corinthians 16)

IV. PAUL’S CHALLENGES (16:13–14)

A. “Stand true to what you believe” (16:13).

B. “Everything you do must be done with love” (16:14).

V. PAUL’S CLOSING WORDS (16:21–24)

A. Anathema (16:22a): “If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed.”

B. Maranatha (16:22b–24): “Our Lord, come! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.”

Sermon Outlines on 1 Corinthians Paul’s Principles for Living (1 Corinthians 16:5–24)

I. Be On Your Guard

A. This can mean to guard against things that would be a threat to the church and the Christian life.

B. It could also mean to be alert.

1. Alert to false teachings.

2. Alert to opportunities.

3. Alert to the Second Coming.

II. Stand Firm in the Faith

A. This, I believe, has to do with doctrine.

B. What we believe determines our lifestyle.

C. Later, Paul told Timothy to watch his life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16).

III. Be Men of Courage; Be Strong

A. He is telling them not to give in to the pressures of this world.

B. The Christian is to be transformed (Romans 12:1–2).

C. The Christian is to set his, or her, heart and mind on things above (Colossians 3:1–2).

IV. Do Everything in Love

A. Love is the great problem-solver.

B. His teaching in Chapter 13 would enable every church or individual to solve their problems.

Conclusion

A. He greets people who have served with him and who have refreshed him (vv. 15–18).

B. He extends greetings from others with a special mention of Aquilla and Priscilla (vv. 19–20).

C. He closes this epistle with a greeting written in his own hand (vv. 21–24).