1 Corinthians 1                                    Being the Body of Christ

Intro / Illustration: We are all the body of Christ (If you are a child of God), and each of us have a vital part to play.  Some body parts are more obvious than others, however each play a distinct part in the body.  Without each part we would not be able to function properly.  Sure there are some parts we think we can do without, but we can’t.  We must look at the church as a healthy functioning body, one that is not divided. (Not an unhealthy)  This is Bob, Considering Bob was real, what is missing?  Without arms he will never be able to hold those who are hurting, pick someone up who has fallen, reach out a hand to those in need.  This is often how the church is today, and we wonder why we are not being as effective as we should.  When you do not fulfill your purpose the church becomes handicapped.

Context

Apostle Paul is writing this during his 3^rd missionary journey while he was in Ephesus.  Just prior to his letter he spent 18 months in Corinth establishing 1^st Baptist Church of Corinth.  Corinth was a roman colony that was located between the Aegean Sea and Adriatic Sea with multiple ports.  Corinth was a trade center in which it had many routes going from the east to west.  It was a prosperous city; however it was very immoral much like our society today.

The church here was likely a smaller congregation, however it quickly became divided.  Once Paul departed the people quickly began to turn on one another, and pursue heresy and moral sin.

There were a few who were so bothered with what was taking place in their church that they made contact with Paul to notify him of the mess and seek his counsel.  In response Paul wrote 1&2 Corinthians.

Read & Pray: 1 Cor. 1:1-9

4 Phases of Being the Body of Christ

1. Accept the Call v. 1-3

• Repentance
• Holiness – Call to be Saints (hag-ee-os = pure, blameless, holy, consecrated
• Sanctification – Set-Apart (hag-ee-ad-zo = pure, set-apart unto holiness)
• Christ-Like

When you accept the call you:

2. Receive the Confirmation v. 4-9

• Established – Stabile
• Enriched in Speech and Knowledge
• Lacking in no Spiritual Gift
• V. 8 Keep you strong
• Blameless

3. Avoid the Crisis v. 10-13a

• Division
• Leadership Issues:
  • Pro-Paul – Straightforward, honest, evangelical 2:2 – Original Pastor
  • Pro-Appollos – eloquent / Mighty in Scripture Acts 18:24 – Contemporary
  • Pro-Peter – Original Apostle, Rich Hebrew Descent – Traditionalist
  • Self-Righteous – Christ as head – no human authority
• Possessiveness (Our Church syndrome)  
  • The Church does not belong to me, you, leaders, pastor, denomination, community, (The Church Belongs to God v.2)
• Agendas / Preferences –
  • Quote – “The Death of every church is personal agendas”
  • God, this is your church what do you have in store for us. 
  • Unrighteousness & Sin  6:8-11 (Paraphrase) (Does whatever he wants and don’t care)
  • Self-Righteousness (Does whatever he wants, but judges others to cover their own sin)

The underlying issue the Corinthian church faced is that they became so focused on themselves, their sinful desires, and their confused culture that they lost sight of the authority of Christ as head of the church.  Paul reminds them of Jesus 9 times in the first 9 verses, because the only hope for the church to survive and thrive is Jesus.  We must remain focused on Christ.

4. Remember the Cross v.18-21

• It is the Power of God (Christ Crucified)
• Power that leads unto Repentance
• Power that Sanctifies
• Power to Save those who believe. V. 21

Invitation

God Is Calling you.

Without Excuse v.26-28