Sermon Tone Analysis

A. Introduction to Text

In Paul’s greeting to the church of God in Corinth, he introduced the authors of this letter, the audience of this letter, and the acknowledgements of this letter known as 1 Corinthians.

It is a letter from Paul, who is called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, [a special messenger of Jesus], and the brother Sosthenes.

It is a letter to the church of God, sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is a letter acknowledging grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

After greeting the church, Paul then gives thanks for them.

Pray

Hear this reading from God’s Word, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9:

I. Reading of Scripture

This is God’s Word - Thanks be to God! Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 “God Is Faithful”

II.

Introduction

B. Introduction to Theme

The title of this message is lifted from verse 6.

It is that declaration and wonderful truth about God: “God is Faithful.”

We sing these words from Lamentations 3:

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

God is faithful!

This means God is trustworthy (LN, GCM).

God is dependable.

God is reliable (LN).

This is more than just a theme for this introductory thanksgiving, it is also the foundation upon which this entire letter of 1 Corinthians is written.

It is what will compel the commands at the end.

God is faithful!

And like many of the words used to describe God, the word "faithful” is a relational word.

It is a word that is understood as God relates faithfully with His people who are often not dependable, not reliable, and not trustworthy.

Nevertheless, God is faithful.

Whenever Scripture uses a word to describe God, we should pay close attention to that word and not pass over it too quickly.

As a relational word, that word is saying something about God in relationship to us.

It is saying something about God that is not natural to us.

Scripture does not waste adjectives.

If God is “faithful,” — if this is the word and the revelation about God’s character given for this introduction to 1 Corinthians, out of all the other words that could have been used to describe God, what might the Scriptures be saying about the audience of this letter, as it relates to God?

In the singing of the Church, and the worship of the Church, we look for whatever words we can find to describe God (who is indescribable) and praise God (who is worthy of all praise).

So we go to our theological thesauruses and pull out all kinds of words — holy, righteous, worthy, faithful, loving, kind, and so on.

And every one of these words is true about God.

But these words are most meaningful, not when they are chosen to fit a melody or rhyme, but when they praise God for what He is as we consider what we are not without Him.

Every descriptor of God in Scripture is intentionally inspired and purposefully placed right where it is, for a reason.

That word “faithful” is saying something about God in relationship to us.

It is saying something about God in contradiction to us!

Why do you think there might be a need to reveal this truth about God at the beginning of 1 Corinthians?

Is Paul just looking for another way to describe God?

If so, He could have chosen a number of other words!

But why this word?

If this text is telling us that “God is faithful,” what do you think it might be saying about the audience of this text?

What do you think this might be saying about us?

Paul was inspired to use the word “faithful” to describe God in relationship to His church.

And because God is faithful, Paul has reason to be thankful.

III.

Exposition

A. 1:4

“I give thanks”

Paul gives ongoing thanks to God.

This is the verb [ εὐχαριστέω ].

You hear the word “Eucharist.”

It describes the action of giving thanks — not to the Corinthians, but to God.

This is the kind of thanksgiving that belongs in praise to God alone.

And it seems contrary to the the events taking place on the ground in Corinth.

The church in Corinth is a divided, disturbed, dysfunctional assembly, but you would not know that yet!

Because Paul does not begin his letter to them berating them, rebuking them, or even disciplining them.

Instead, he begins by thanking God for them!

He doesn’t give thanks for what they are currently making of themselves.

He gives thanks for what God has already made of them.

What God has already given to them!

God’s actions.

God’s grace!

This is something very helpful for all of us to apply.

Start with giving thanks, in all circumstances.

Not because the circumstances are praiseworthy, but because God is praiseworthy!

This is God’s will for us!

(same word).

I don’t have to like what I am seeing or experiencing in order to give thanks to God.

When I give thanks, I am submitting myself and my situation to God.

It is one of the most freeing things we can do because thanksgiving gives us the right frame of mind to address any challenge!

Thanksgiving is not reserved only for good times.

It is especially reserved for bad times too.

In this way, thanksgiving is a Gospel proclamation over whatever we face.

Try this out for yourself and see if this works.

Think about something you are not thankful for.

Something you could do without.

And try giving God thanks for it anyway.

Watch what happens not to that situation, but to your own soul.

It’s like Jesus teaching:

Don’t hate your enemies, love them.

Pray for those who persecute you!

You think you are blessed in receiving.

It is more blessed to give!

God’s ways are contrary to the the ways of the world.

And that is how you know something is of God in the world.

Thanksgiving to God may not change your circumstances, but it will transform you!

And with thanksgiving, you will begin to see that with God, there is a good in all things for those who love God, for those who are called according to God’s purpose (Rom 8:28).

Because the one in control of all things, and the outcome of all things — is God!

And God is faithful!

Before diving in to address the church’s division and dysfunction, Paul decides to approach those things not from a perspective of anger, but from a perspective of thanksgiving.

He attacks the problems not from human weakness and emotion, but from a position of strength appealing to God through the act of thanksgiving.

Recognizing in praise, what God has already done, is doing, and what God will do on the basis of His faithfulness.