1. I Corinthians Week 1 -The Point: Paul introduces this great theological letter with wonderful truths about our great God! His grace, peace and faithfulness are the highlights. -The Memory Verse (due today): I Corinthians 1:9 -The Assignment (due next week): Take the time to write 6 ways that Paul describes the Corinthian believers in this passage. Include the phrase, a short description of what it means and a cross- reference for each.

2. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 1 Paul is authoring this letter along with Sosthenes, a fellow believer. -The words “to be” do not appear in the original text. They are added to focus on the meaning. -It should read: “Paul, called an apostle...” -This sets up Paul’s authority to write this letter for the Corinthians and for us today, to submit to its truth. -He was called by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. -Acts 9:3-6 -He was called through the will of God.

3. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 1 -This could be the Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 18:17. -Sosthenes was described as the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. -He was beaten by the gentiles because of the way he brought Paul to trial for his testimony for Christ. -If this is the same man, what a testimony of God’s grace! Not only is he now a believer, but he also seems to be the messenger that would be taking this letter back to Corinth for Paul.

4. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 2 The letter is focused toward a specific group of people. This must be kept in mind during the study of this book. “The church of God” -This is a description of people who were born-again, not necessarily anyone who came to the meetings of the church. “At Corinth” -The location of this group of believers (Corinth) helps us to indentify this as a “local church” inside the body of Christ. -This affirms local church independence but also encourages thought to be given to the entire body as well, not becoming an island to ourselves.

5. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 2 Paul further describes this church at Corinth. -They are sanctified. -Phil. 3:21, Rom. 12:1-2: Being slowly changed into the image of Christ -Hebrews 10:10-14 *Sanctification describes the moment of positional sanctification (Heb. 13:12, Acts 26:18, I Cor. 6:11) * The process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ in a “practical” way. (Heb. 2:11, I Thess. 4:3-4, 5:23) -They are called to be saints. -Believers are called to become more like Christ. -Romans 8:29, Col. 3:15. II Tim. 1:8-10 Paul links this local church with the Church universal again. -“With all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ”

6. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 3 “Grace to you and peace” -God’s grace is what Paul begins all his letters with. -Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-11) was such an amazing act of God’s grace. He has never forgotten it! -It is the grace of God that we are to grow in (II Peter 3:18) and so it makes sense that Paul always emphasizes it. -The grace of God is the doorway to peace. -From the God of peace (Phil. 4:9)

7. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 4 We can learn a lot from Paul’s thankfulness. -It was often. -It was for many people (Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Romans, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus…). -It was always to God. -It was a result of the grace of God, salvation of peoples’ souls.

8. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 5 After salvation there is another work the grace of God provides in the life of a believer. -As believers, our speech and our knowledge of God can and should be changing (being “enriched”). II Cor. 8:7 -Speech -Titus 2:6-8 Healthy or truthful -Col. 4:6 Full of grace and tactfulness -Knowledge -Col. 1:9-10 to gain it is a never ending task -Phil. 1:9 knowledge that produces love

9. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 6 “Even as” could be translated “when.” -The start of this journey to growth in Christ begins at the moment of salvation. something that is evident, or testified Testimony = 3142, marturion = something that is evident, or testified establish, to make stable Confirmed = 950, bebaioo = establish, to make stable The confirmation of “the testimony of Christ” is a great way to describe the point in time when a person places their trust in Christ and “establishes” or begins his relationship with God. -Jesus called this being “born again” (John 3:3).

10. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 7 This verse correlates to verse 5. -A believer’s salvation has a purpose other than just entrance into heaven. -Coming “short of no gift” is a great benefit of salvation. -To not lack deliverance from danger or passion Because of verse 5 we see that the knowledge we are enriched in helps keep us from danger. -This is not a one-time thing, but an ongoing deliverance till Christ returns!

11. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 8 This verse is a great description of the saving and sustaining ministry of Jesus Christ as it has to do with the forgiveness of our sins. -Christ is our very life before the Father. (Col. 3:4) The only way we can get into heaven is to be blameless. The only way any human can be blameless is to be in Christ. -(II Cor. 5:17) When Christ returns, it won’t matter what we have “done,” it will matter who we “know.” (Luke 13:26-27)

12. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 9 God is faithful!!! -Our salvation and the grace of God that enriches us in knowledge and speech, relies upon the faithfulness of God. -The faithfulness of God is the bedrock of these truths. -A look at God’s faithfulness: -II Tim. 2:11-13 God is faithful to the salvation he offers to us because it is His salvation, tied to His own faithfulness. -I John 1:9 We never have to worry that God will hold a grudge or will withhold forgiveness from us. -I Peter 4:19 God is our faithful Creator fully reliable! -I Thess. 3:3 God is faithful to guard us from the evil one. -I Thess. 5:24, Phil. 1:6 God’s faithfulness is why He is committed to finishing the work of sanctification in our lives.

13. I Corinthians Week 1 Verse 9 Take some time (if there is time left) to use the concordances to find a few more references concerning the faithfulness of God.

14. I Corinthians Week 1 Conclusion: Our faithful God is the focal point of Paul’s foundation for his description of salvation and the teaching contained in this letter.

15. I Corinthians Week 1 Challenges: 1) If there has never been a time when you repented of sin and accepted the truth about Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins, fully forgiving them all; take the time right now to be born again! God is faithful to forgive you; place your trust in His faithfulness. 2) God is faithful to sanctify you; are you yielding to Him? If not, make a commitment today to allow the grace of God to begin to conform you more and more into the image of Christ.