The Fabric of Christian Fellowship 1 Corinthians 1 : Spiritual Priorities in the Church

Background Rampant Sexuality, Occult, Money, Alcoholism, Incest, Postmodernism…

God to Paul: “…I have many people in this city!” Acts 18:10

Corinth Today “Is that all there is?”

Paul’s Approach 1 Cor. 1:1-3 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, [2] to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: [3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace (  s ) -- Charity. “The undeserved help to someone who is not worthy of the help and with no thought of repayment.” -- Theological Lexicon of the New Testament.

1 Cor. 1:4-9 I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, [5] that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, [6] even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, [7] so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, [8] who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 We’re hopelessly alienated… “So I’ll take care of it…” “I’ll just forgive you…” “Will you receive it?”

The Fabric of Christian Fellowship

1 Cor. 1:10-17 [10] Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. [11] For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.

1 Cor. 1:10-17 [12] Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." [13] Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ….

Unity: the Fabric of Fellowship Unity Is Not: Organizational. Complete Agreement. Is Relational: Based on Love. Includes friction. " Closeness. Spiritual So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:5

Unity: the Fabric of Fellowship Unity Is Not: Organizational. Complete Agreement. Is Relational: Based on Love. Includes friction. " Closeness. Spiritual Accountable Inclusive Outward-focused and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:21

The Fabric of Fellowship Our witness to the world.Our witness to the world. Easy to tear apart…Easy to tear apart… “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35 Grace (  s ) -- Charity. “The undeserved help to someone who is not worthy of the help and with no thought of repayment.” -- Theological Lexicon of the New Testament.

The Fabric of Fellowship Our witness to the world.Our witness to the world. Easy to tear apart…Easy to tear apart… Vital to spiritual health.Vital to spiritual health. For you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 1 Cor. 3:3

Strengthen the Fabric of Fellowship Understanding Our Loyalty is to Christ. –“I am of Paul…”, “I am of Apollos” Moral character… (Titus 3:10) Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self- condemned. Titus 3:10-11 Sri Lanka Army Kills 45 Civilians Sri Lanka Terrorist Attack Kills 93 Sailors al Qaeda No. 2 Lashes Out At Arab Leaders

Strengthen the Fabric of Fellowship Understanding Our Loyalty is to Christ. –“I am of Paul…”, “I am of Apollos” Moral character… (Titus 3:10) Diligence, not relational passivity. being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

Strengthen the Fabric of Fellowship Understanding Our Loyalty is to Christ. –“I am of Paul…”, “I am of Apollos” Moral character… (Titus 3:10) Diligence, not relational passivity. Holding to a worthy purpose. Philip. 2:2 Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Philip. 1:27 …that I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. The Purpose of the Church, according to Christ: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are downtrodden, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19

the Fabric of Fellowship