Today we see a beautiful arched gateway … leading from one area of a lovely shopping center to another. What a wonderful place. Palm trees and sunshine! Warm gentle breezes!
The city of Corinth was much like our background photo today. Sunshine and palm trees! Wonderful climate! Fabulous shopping!
In fact, the city of Corinth was the perfect gateway to commerce! Major trade routes passing through the city offered shopping which was unrivaled! The dining must have been superb as well.
A strong Roman military presence added to the dynamic nature of the city, as well as sailors and merchants arriving at nearby ports. The citizens of Corinth were highly educated, and Greek philosophy and ideas shaped society.
It was here, in this city of Corinth, the Apostle Paul started a church. (see Acts 18:1-18)
What a wonderful city to start a church. Great economy, great job opportunities, wealth, affluence. Imagine being part of a church started by the Apostle Paul! The teaching must have been incredible!
Surely the church at Corinth must have been a strong church!
We open the book of 1 Corinthians to discover that the church at Corinth was anything but strong. On the contrary, the church at Corinth was fractured and weak. The people struggled with sexual immorality, there were divisions within the church. There was pride. There was a lack of generosity.
Believers within the church at Corinth were filing lawsuits against each other and taking each other to court.
Additionally, the people were struggling with many confusing and complicated questions:
– What about marriage and divorce?? – 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
– What about social complexities?? – 1 Corinthians 8:1 – 11:1
– What about propriety in worship?? – 1 Corinthians 11:2-34
– What about Spiritual Gifts?? – 1 Corinthians 12:1 – 14:40
– What about certain doctrinal matters?? – 1 Corinthians 15:1-58
– What about financial matters?? – 1 Corinthians 16:1-9
No church is perfect. Because there are no perfect people.
Every church will have its fair share of issues … because every church is comprised of people who are still a “work in progress.”
The message of 1 Corinthians is this: Even though we make mistakes, even though we mess up, God’s grace is enough!
God’s grace saves us out of our sin.
God’s grace helps us to grow, to become more and more like Jesus.
God’s grace confronts us when we wander from the truth!
God’s grace restores us when we repent.
God’s grace helps us start over, again … and again … and again.
We might not be perfect … but God’s grace won’t give up on us.
Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians
– Jesus is the foundation upon which the church is built – 1 Corinthians 3:11
– Jesus cleanses us from our sinful past and makes us new – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
– Jesus is the source of unity for believers – 1 Corinthians 12:12-13;
– Jesus is the first-fruits of the Resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 20-25
– Jesus is the Last Adam – 1 Corinthians 15:45-57
