1 Corinthians 16

Maranatha!

Would you open your Bibles to…

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

Pray

Intro

√ Maranatha!

As Paul winds down his letter to his friends at Corinth he shares with them some practical advise and his personal plans for the future.

It might be tempting to the modern reader to rush through this section and onto the doctrinal discussions in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.

However, that would be a mistake for Paul provides us with great insight regarding our Christian stewardship in the areas of…

Presents (money!)

Plans (the future)

People (the Churches greatest resource)

Reminding us that how we use our time, talent and treasure is important to God.

Ap. Giving

This isn’t a sermon to guilt you into giving! Rather, as we work through the Bible when we come to sections that deal with giving then I want to faithfully cover it.

If you’re a visitor please understand that I rarely deal with the issue of giving because it’s been so abused by so many in the Church.

So, you who know me understand that I’m not up here to beat a drum, rather, I’m just a faithful messenger of God’s word.

Presents (vs. 1-4)

1Co. 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

1Co. 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

1Co. 16:3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.

1Co. 16:4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

√ Presents

During Paul’s time at Corinth the church there, along with the other Gentile fellowships that Paul ministered to, had begun a collection to help the Christians in Jerusalem.

Now we find Paul writing to encourage the Corinthians to finish what they’d begun.

To put something aside each week so that when Paul was able to visit they wouldn’t have to try to pull off a collection at the last minute, or be embarrassed that they hadn’t met their boasted contribution.

The purpose of the gift (present) was to help the Jewish believers at the church in Jerusalem who were in great need as the result of…

Famine (ref. Acts 11:28)

Persecution & loss of employment (ref. Acts 8)

Additionally Paul hoped their gift of love would strengthen the ties of the Jewish and Gentile believers, as he writes in his letter to the church in Rome…

Rom. 15:25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.

Rom. 15:26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

Rom. 15:27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Paul understood that the cultural and religious differences between the Jewish and Gentile Christians was a constant threat to the unity of the Body of Christ.

He also realized that they both needed one another!

The Jewish believers contributed their knowledge of God and the Scripture to the Gentile believers who were spiritually impoverished…

While the Gentile believers contributed their material wealth to help their Jewish brothers who were financially impoverished.

As each group gave what the other lacked they would both recognize their need for one another…

…and grow in their bond of love.

√ Giving

Before we move on to Paul’s plans for his future visit to Corinth, it would be beneficial to make a few observations about Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians regarding their present to the saints in Jerusalem.

1) Their gift was an act of worship ~ notice in vs. 2 that Paul instructs them to “lay something aside” on the first day of the week.

The early Church met on Sunday, the first day of the week, to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost…

Both of which occurred on the first day of the week.

The point is that giving was a regular part of worship in the early Church as they recognized that there is a spiritual element involved in the giving of material goods, as Paul later writes concerning the freewill gift of his friends at Philippi…

“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.” ~ Phil. 4:8

2) Giving was personal

Note vs. 2…

“…let each one of you lay something aside”

Paul’s point is that every member of the fellowship was called to participate, not just the rich, or the leaders in the church.

That was a hard lesson for me to learn as a young believer because I wasn’t making much money.

I figured that when I started to make good money then I would start to participate in giving to the work of God.

Ah, but just like every other area of faith God calls us to step out first…

…and then He meets us!

The people of Israel had to learn the same lesson that I did because they too neglected the house of God by refusing to give their presents to the Lord…

Mal. 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try (“test”) Me now in this,”

Says the LORD of hosts,

“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it.

The reality is that you will never be able to out-give God! He blesses those who express their love for Him and His people through the act of giving.

Ex. Kelly’s braces

3) Giving is proportional

Back to vs. 2…

“…storing up as he may prosper”

Paul understood that many of the believers at Corinth were slaves and that they may not have the means to give much to the collection.

So, to lift any burden that might be imposed by others Paul instructs his friends to give in proportion to their level of prosperity…

…the poor a little, and the rich more.

Remember the widow’s mite!

Ex. Robert Gilmore LeTourneau

I know from personal experience that the Lord blesses a cheerful giver!

4) Giving with integrity

Note vs. 4…

“And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.”

Every church that participated in this collection for the saints in Jerusalem sent a representative to present the gift to the church.

In that way each fellowship was assured that their gift was handled with integrity and that the money reached it’s intended recipient…

…and that Paul wasn’t skimming off the top like the false apostles working the churches in the 1^st Century.

Money can corrupt people, even God’s people, and Paul set up procedures to protect the integrity of his ministry.

Ap. How gifts are handled here

So, Paul’s instructions concerning the present of the Corinthians reminds us that we’re to be good stewards of the resources that God has blessed us with.

Plans (vs. 5-9)

1Co. 16:5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).

1Co. 16:6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.

1Co. 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.

1Co. 16:8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

1Co. 16:9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

√ Plans

Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians from Ephesus where he and a group of ministers were working.

Ephesus was a tough town to minister in!

It was the center of the Roman Empire for idol worship, witchcraft, and sorcery (Eureka Springs!).

Yet, God had opened a door for Paul to reach the lost people there!

“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” ~ vs. 9

So, much as the elders of the church at Corinth wanted Paul to come and personally resolve the many problems there…

…Paul recognized that God was leading him to stay put in Ephesus and minister there.

Later, as he wrote, he planned to work his way through Macedonia, north of Corinth, visiting and strengthening the churches there…

…and finally come to Corinth perhaps a year from the time of his writing!

(ref. stay in Ephesus until Pentecost – Spring, then off to Macedonia, and then Winter in Corinth).

That decision to delay his visit to Corinth caused him more trouble with the arrogant and high-maintenance people there (ref. 2 Cor. 1:15-2:1)…

…but Paul knew the Lord wanted him to focus his energy on the lost people at Ephesus, not the self-centered believers at Corinth!

Ap. Spirit-led vs. people-driven

√ Opportunities and opposition

Before we move on I’d like to make one more important point from vs. 9, Paul writes…

“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

He reminds us of a very important spiritual truth, that is, whenever God opens a door of opportunity for us…

…there will always be opposition!

I think that Christians, especially us Western believers who are accustomed to living in a predominantly Christian culture…

…often forget that we’re engaged in a spiritual war!

That is, every move of God to advance His Kingdom through our lives will be resisted by the Devil!

Sometimes that opposition will be overt, like in Ephesus where the pagans rioted and sought to kill Paul

Other times the opposition is covert, where the Devil works by stealth and deceit to undermine the work of God like the false teachers did of whom Jude warned against.

So, whether overtly or covertly you can be sure of this…

…whenever God opens a door of opportunity for us there will be opposition!

Paul understood that principle so when opposition rose against him in Ephesus, rather than retreat and run…

…Paul held his ground knowing that God had placed him in the battle!

Ap. Make the most of opportunities

Battles are never won by retreating from the conflict!

Nor does opposition to the work you’re doing for the Lord indicate that God isn’t for you!

Rather, we ought to interpret opposition as a sure sign that we’re right where God wants us!

While some of you may know this to be true I’ve also discovered that when the battles are long we often lose sight of God’s presence with us and begin to doubt that we’re really doing the work of God and will be tempted to quit.

My encouragement to you today is this…

…don’t quit!

Keep fighting and continue to do what God has called you to do until He calls you home, the battle is won, or He gives you a new assignment!

“His thoughts said, the way is rough.

His Father said, but every step bringeth thee nearer to thy home.

His Thoughts said, the fight is fierce.

His Father said, he who is near to his Captain is sure to be a target for the archers.

His thoughts said, the night is long.

His Father said, but joy cometh in the morning”

Amy Carmichael

So, Paul reminds all of us that we are to be good stewards of the time and opportunities that He gives us…

…let’s not waste them!

People (vs. 10-18)

1Co. 16:10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

1Co. 16:11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

1Co. 16:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

1Co. 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

1Co. 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

1Co. 16:15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—

1Co. 16:16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

1Co. 16:17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.

1Co. 16:18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

√ People

Many of Paul’s letters close with personal greetings and salutations to his friends who worked with him to advance the Gospel.

Reminds us of the truth that Paul emphasized back in chapter 12, that is, that God made the Church a body of people who are all interdependent upon one another.

Even Paul, who before Christ was an independent, alpha-male, type of guy, had come to discover the value of people.

Beginning with Ananias of Damascus who was sent to pray for Paul that he might have his sight restored, to Luke the doctor that God added to Paul’s ministry team to patch him up, and the godly couple of Aquila and Priscilla who faithfully cared for Paul…

…Paul had discovered the beauty and value of people and that without them he could not do the work of God!

√ Different gifts

A look at the list here in our text reveals a great diversity of people who all contributed to Paul’s ministry…

Timothy ~ Paul’s faithful assistant who was often sent into trouble spots when Paul couldn’t go himself.

Appollos ~ the brilliant and eloquent scholar who was used so powerfully by the Holy Spirit to win people to Christ.

Stephanas, Fortunatus, & Achaicus ~ the humble servant-leaders of the church in Corinth who willingly served the difficult believers there.

Aquila & Priscilla ~ the godly couple who worked along side of Paul in many different cities to help provide the funds to support his ministry.

Each was different in personality, each had unique gifts and weaknesses, but together they made a cohesive team that God used powerfully…

…reminding us that the Churches greatest resource is the people whom God has given us!

Ap. Be content with who God made you to be!

I find that I tend to be a man more like Timothy than like Paul.

I tend to be too introspective, see my own weakness too clearly, don’t like conflict, and cry a lot when dealing with difficult people!

When I see guys like Paul who are bold, self-assured, out spoken, fearless, and un-swayed by mean people, I’m tempted to believe that I’m not really called to ministry.

There’s the spiritual value in the text before us!

We’re reminded that God made each of us in a unique way for His purposes.

He doesn’t want everyone to be like Paul.

In fact, “Timothy’s” are just as effective as “Paul’s” in the work of the Kingdom and both reach different kinds of people.

So, be encouraged that God designed you to fill a unique place in His work in these last days and stop comparing yourself and your gifting to others!

Partings (vs. 19-24)

1Co. 16:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

1Co. 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

1Co. 16:21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

1Co. 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

1Co. 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1Co. 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

√ Partings

Paul closes out his letter, a letter in which he has had to write some difficult and hard to receive words, with words of encouragement, warning and love.

That is, despite all the problems and sins of the people at Corinth, despite the fact that many there did not love or respect Paul…

…he still loved them as any father would love his own child no matter how disobedient.

To the church as a whole he writes…

“Greet one another with a holy kiss.” ~ vs.20

A kiss in that culture was a sign of family unity, so Paul encourages them to put aside their differences and to warmly greet one another with a kiss.

Ap. In our culture a sincere handshake or hug

To the false teachers who would continue to reject Christ he writes…

“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.” ~ vs. 22a

The Greek here is “anathema” ~ reminding us that anyone who doesn’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord remains under God’s wrath.

Ap. Don’t give false teachers a place to minister!

Finally, in a cry of expectation and longing Paul writes…

“O Lord, come!” ~ vs. 22b

The Aramaic word, “Maranatha!” ~ the greeting and prayer of the 1^st Century Church that looked with eager anticipation for the Rapture of the Church.

Ap. May we live with that same longing and desire to be with our King!

Close

√ Maranatha!

God has called us to be good stewards of the blessings that He has bestowed upon us, the…

Presents (money!)

Plans (the future)

People (the Churches greatest resource)

To use each wisely for the good of His Kingdom and that by keeping the word “Maranatha” on our lips that we’ll be daily reminded that how we use what He’s given us determines our rewards in the Kingdom Age.