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TODAY'S STUDY
What should Christians believe about hope beyond the grave? There are many different perspectives in our culture, but what do the Scriptures have to say? Let's find out.
The Corinthian Christians had been forgiven much, but some of them weren’t livin’ forgiven. So, Paul writes this letter to answer their questions and address other concerns. We complete our study through this incredible letter, reminded how followers of Jesus are to BE THE CHURCH. While there aren’t many specific commands in this closing chapter, there are implications that point back to what was previously stated throughout the writing.
A GIVING CHURCH
The Corinthian Church was meeting on the first day of the week - that’s a Sunday, the day that Jesus rose from the dead (Mt 28:1; Mk16:2; Lk 24:1; Jn 20:1). The Church of Troas met on “the first day of the week” as well (Acts 20:7). The day of Jesus’ resurrection was so significant that it became the primary meeting day for the early Church. (Some say God changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday - this is NOT TRUE.)
This collection for the saints was meant to bless the mother church in Jerusalem, the place from where the Gospel went out. If it weren’t for faithful Jewish followers of Jesus who carried His message from Jerusalem, the Church in Corinth would not have existed (Rom 15:25-28).
- This mother Church faced persecution. Jews who followed Jesus were banished by their families, fired from their jobs, and pressured by their culture to leave Jesus and return to B.C. Judaism. These people needed food, a place to live, and a job. Many widows were being taken care of by the Jerusalem Church (Acts 6:1). Some had even sold possessions & property to help take off other Christians (Acts 2:44–45; 4:34).
- James (the apostle) was beheaded and Peter was thrown in prison - right there in Jerusalem. Most of the Church fled from Jerusalem because of persecution from people like PAUL (Acts 8:1-3).
- Just a few years before Paul penned this letter, a massive famine that impacted the entire Roman Empire, including Jerusalem (Acts 11:28). Where do people head when they are starving? LARGE CITIES to get help.
- There here been been a wide divide between the Gentiles and Jews among the Church of Jesus. This sacrificial gift from Gentile Christians to Jewish Christians went a long way to demonstrate that the Church of Jesus is not divided by ethnicity, color, culture, nor social status.
How much were the Corinthians to give?
It depended on how a person was prospering. They were to give what they could. While all Christians should give consistently and generously for Kingdom work, as taught in the New Testament, this passage is not a command for all believers to give - but meant to address financial needs in Jerusalem at the time.
Many grew up with the idea of giving our “tithe,” but this is not a New Testament Practice.
Go listen to it HERE.
How much should YOU give? That’s up to you. Be generous & consistent. Don’t give God your leftovers.
John MacArthur writes:
“Despite the claims of those who advocate mandatory tithing, Christian giving is entirely voluntary. Paul did not require a fixed amount or percentage from either the Macedonians or the Corinthians, nor does any other New Testament writer. The argument for tithing is based on a misunderstanding of the Old Testament.”1
A Christian’s giving corresponds to that in ancient Israel. We are required to give taxes to support the government under which we live (Rom. 13:6), just as the Israelites were to give tithes to support the divinely ordained system under which they lived (Matt. 17:24–27; 22:15–21). And we are to give to the Lord whatever we purpose in our hearts, “not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7), just as the Israelites gave out of their hearts to the Lord. The Lord has always loved a cheerful and sacrificial giver. No amount or percentage is ever required in the New Testament. Rather, each believer is to give from his heart.2
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- John F. MacArthur, Jr., 2 Corinthians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2003), 281.
- John F. MacArthur, Jr., 1 Corinthians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1984), 455.
AN ACCOUNTABLE CHURCH
Paul is careful to make sure there is accountability regarding this gift, asking the church to recommend people to travel with him to carry the gift to Jerusalem. Paul wants this accountability and so should we.
- Accountability - where others know what is going on in our lives. Accountability is not a lack of trust, but a road block that keeps us from losing trust. Do you have anyone who you are being accountable to (how you spend money, keeping your thoughts & actions pure, etc)?
A RELATIONAL CHURCH
Paul modeled relationships to the Corinthians. He wanted to spend some time with his brothers & sisters in Corinth. Making time for people is the difference between friendships/family and acquaintances. The early church was built on TIME TOGETHER - hearing the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, eating and celebrating the Lord’s Supper, & prayer (Acts 2:42). Paul modeled a relational approach to the churches he started.
Every Christian NEEDS relationships with other believers, but that CAN’T HAPPEN if we don’t make time for each other outside of a large group.
- Schedule a time to with another person. Show up to one of our GROUPS (Sundays 10am, Wed 6:30pm).
- REACH OUT and invite those who are new or those who aren’t plugged in.
AN ENCOURAGING CHURCH
Paul wrote a personal letter to Timothy, saying “Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.” (1 Tim 4:12 NET) The Church was to encourage this young minister while he was there and send him on his way in peace - encouraged and ready for the next task that lays ahead of him. Apollos was eventually coming to Corinth to encourage them and be encouraged by them.
A FAITHFUL & LOVING CHURCH
Culture pressures Christians to conform to their ways, but if we’re not different, we won’t make a difference. Christians are to stand firm [lit. act manly] and strong,- being faithful to the One Who gave His life for us. Throughout this letter, Paul has encouraged the Church to do the right things for the right reasons. We obey the Lord, confront Christians living in sin, and put our spiritual gifts to work, making sure to do everything in love.
A SUBMISSIVE CHURCH
Stephanas and others from his household were some of the only Corinthians whom Paul had personally baptized (1 Cor 1:16). They were the firstfruits of Achaia, the first to surrender to Jesus in Corinth (capital of the the region of Greece called “Achaia”). Stephanas and these other brothers were visiting Paul in Ephesus when this letter was written (bringing him questions and returning with answers).
Paul tells the Church to submit to godly servant-leaders like these men who refresh others. Christians are to recognize, respect, imitate, & submit to those who submit to Jesus.
- Christians are people who submit to our Lord and anyone He tells us to submit to…governing authorities (Rom 13:1; 1 Pet 2:13), other Christians (Eph 5:21), wives to husbands (Eph 5:22), children to parents (Eph 6:1-3), employees to employers (Titus 2:9), younger Christians to older Christians (1 Pet 5:5), to spiritual leaders (Heb 13:17).
Corinth - capital of Achaia
Many of the Christians in Corinth knew of Aquila and Priscilla, the Jewish Christian couple Paul stayed with and worked with as a tentmaker in Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). Far or near, Aquila and Priscilla were known for welcoming others with warm greetings.
Christians are to welcome one another & demonstrate genuine care for one another. In their day, they would greet one another with a holy kiss, although our cultural customs are acceptable (hugs, high-fives, handshakes, smiles, & words of greeting).
- We should be known for our kindness to & WELCOMING of others.
If anyone does not love the Lord, He does not obey the Lord, and that person is a false follower. Those who claim to love Jesus must obey Jesus. Jesus said it this way:
John 14:21 (CSB) The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.
Matthew 7:21 (CSB) Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Luke 6:46 (CSB) Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?
For those who DO love Jesus & walk in obedience to Him, there is a GREAT HOPE that we await: Our Lord come!As we await the return of Jesus, we walk in obedience & bask in His grace.
Now, let’s go BE THE CHURCH!
Have questions and need some help? …real soon…how about now? Please call or text us soon!
discussionquestions
Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.
- What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.
- Read Mt 28:1, Mk16:2, Lk 24:1, & Jn 20:1, & 1 Cor 16:1-2. What is the significance of the fledgling church meeting on Sunday, the “first day of the week”?
- Read 1 Cor 16:1-4. Why was the Corinthian Church expected to give to the Jerusalem Church? Why should Christians give to help churches/missionaries in other places (e.g. we give to missionaries all over the world)?
- Read 1 Cor 16:5-9 & 1 Cor 27a-8, 12. Why is it important to make time for relationships rather than just showing up to the Worship Gathering? What can we do as a church to get more people plugged into relationships?
- Read 1 Cor 16:10-18. Talk about why these characteristics of a church are so important: encouraging, faithful, loving, submissive.
- Read 1 Cor 16:19-21. What was your first experience at Fellowship like? Were the people welcoming to you? Why must we be aware and be welcoming to folks who are new to Fellowship? How should we treat others outside of our church family?
- Read 1 Cor 16:22a, John 14:21, Matt 7:21, & Lk 6:46. Why should we listen to and share the warning to those who might /might not claim Jesus, yet show no evidence in obedience? How dangerous is it for us to affirm those who claim Jesus but don’t follow Him? Who do YOU need to approach to warn them of this Biblical truth?
- Go back and read 1 for 16:22b-24. What is the advantage to us expecting “Our Lord, come!”? What are some practical ways you are living/need to live like Jesus is returning?
- What other questions has this teaching or discussion prompted for us to talk about?
- Share prayer needs and pray for one another.
