Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today, we’ll conclude our study of 1 Corinthians. This letter is an encouragement to the body of Christ. It is not only an encouragement, but also a correction, a teaching and promise all rolled into one. 

Purpose: We’re in this together, called to be holy, empowered to serve and blessed by hope. 

1. We’re in this together

1 Cor. 1:10-13 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions (schisma) among you, but thatyou be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Cor. 3:3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

• Divisions = Schisma – tearing apart
• Contentions = erides – strife
• The church was never intended to be one of tears and strife
• God’s desire: PERFECTLY JOINED = katartizō – complete

2. Called to be holy

1 Cor. 6:15-20 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

• We are not “members” of a cult or a club, we are members of Christ
• Therefore, we should never subject our lives/bodies to the sinful pull of the world because it not only damages us, it damages the body of Christ

1 Cor. 9:18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

1 Cor. 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

• Every area of life is intended to be lived to the glory of God

3. Empowered to serve

1 Cor. 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

• Spiritual = pneumatikōs – spiritualities
• God wants us to be aware of how He has gifted us so we can understand how He has called us
• Ignorance of the gifts of God lead to neglect of the call of God

1 Cor. 12:4-7 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all

• Key word – ALL

4. Blessed by hope

1 Cor. 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures

1 Cor. 15:50-52 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed

1 Cor. 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Victory is encompassed in several important truths
  • Victory over sin – 1 John 2:16
  • Victory over self – Romans 6:6-7
  • Victory for eternity – Rev. 21:4

Action points:

1. Seek unity, even when difficult

• Be the “bigger” person

1. Avoid the temptation to…

• Do whatever it takes

1. Get engaged