1 Corinthians 15-16

 Chapter 15 – Resurrection

Paul taught about the resurrection of Christ.  He wanted Corinthian believers to remember the gospel by which they were saved.  He wanted them to remember the importance of it.  “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scripture, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” – 1 Corin. 15:3

The gospel means “good news”.  That “good news” is that we can be saved from the punishment we deserve from God because of what Jesus did for us.

Jesus appeared several different times after His resurrection: 

to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)

to Mary mother of James (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10)

to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corin. 15:5)

to disciples on road the Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

to the disciples without Thomas, (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)

to the disciples with Thomas (John 20:26-29)

to seven disciples at the Sea of Tibernas (John 21:1-23)

to eleven disciples at mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-17; 1 Corin. 15:6)

to His brother James and the apostles, to over five hundred (1 Corin. 15:7)

to the disciples before the ascension (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 3-11)

to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-4)

There are 3 basic beliefs of a Christian found in 1 Corin. 15:3-4:

Christ died for our sins according to scriptures.

He was buried according to scriptures.

He was raised on the 3rd day according to scriptures.

Why are these facts important to your Christian faith?

How are you encouraged by these facts?

Resurrection isn’t merely life after death.  It is victory over death!  It is the continuation of life after death in glorified bodies.  Do you believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus?  If not, there is no hope.  You cannot be a Christian and deny the resurrection of Jesus.  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  If Christ has not been raised, preaching is useless and so is your faith.  If there is no resurrection of the dead, we have been found as false witnesses about God.  If the dead are not raised, then neither was Jesus.  “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” – 1 Corin. 15:13-18

We are secure in that one day that we shall rise from the dead just like Jesus.  We are eternally secure because Jesus saves.   We will be resurrected just like He was.  We are secure until we see Him face to face.

The End Time Events will take place in the right order:   Christ was the first to rise from the dead.  He will come again.  Then God will raise all those who belong to Christ.  Then the end will come when Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroys all dominion, authority and power.  He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  Satan will be made subject to Christ.  God put everything under Christ, so that God may be all in all. – (1 Corin. 15:23-28)

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, the believer’s body will be raised imperishable, raised in glory and power, and raised in a spiritual body.  It will bear the likeness of Jesus and will be changed in a flash, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. – (1 Corin. 15:42-54)

Christ’s last words on the cross were “It is finished” (John 19:30).  He had destroyed the power of death.  God raised Him from the dead.  So He will also raise those who belong to Christ.

How can you show you believe in the power of Resurrection?  You could stand firm, let nothing move you, always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, be on guard, standing firm in faith, be men and women of courage, be strong and do everything in love.

Principle:  Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the resurrection of all believers.

Are you gratefully surrendering to Him as Lord?

What is going on in your life today that you need to call upon God?

How does the body of Christ look different than the world?

Does your life look different from the world?

Who in your life needs to hear about the resurrection?

Chapter 16 - Collections

Paul asked for a collection to be taken for the poor Christians in Jerusalem.  It should be done on the first day of the week according with their income.  This should be the business of all Christians to relieve the poor members of the church.  This is the Christian moral duty. (1 Phil 4:18). 

Paul had promised the church in Jerusalem that he would remember the poor people (Gal. 2:9-10).  The church supported a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6).  They were also in the middle of a famine (Acts 11:27-30).   In 1 Tim. 5 Paul spoke of the responsibility of the church to honor widows. 

How do you help those in need?

Do you tithe and give offerings each week?

Does your giving reflect God’s love?

Paul planned to visit Corinth when he comes through Macedonia.  For now God had given him an opportunity in Ephesus.  Paul didn’t rely on his desires, but on God’s leading.  God had opened a great door for him in Ephesus.  He said he would be sending Timothy and asked that they respect him when he comes.   Paul also urged Apollos to go to Corinth who will go when he had the opportunity.

Do you rely on God’s leading?

Do you recognize when God opens door for you?

Paul gave final instructions for them to stand fast in the faith, be watchful, be brave, to love and to be strong.  This is a good lesson for us all.  We should be watchful, faithfully and eagerly for Jesus’ return.  Always be ready, because we don’t know when He will return.  He told them to love the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul means to watch out for the enemy of Christ.  The devil is like a lion looking for someone to destroy (1 Peter 5:8).  Don’t allow people with wrong ideas and beliefs make your faith weak (Acts 20:30-31). 

How can you grow in your love for the Lord Jesus?  You can make it a habit to pray, study His Word, claim His promises, love as He loved, serve as He served and wait patiently and eagerly for His return.

How do you stand firm and remain strong in your faith?

Principle: Believers have the privilege of loving like Jesus through giving.

Join me here next week as we go back to our study of Acts -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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1 Corinthians 8-14

Chapter 8-10 – Freedom in Love

We can only live and love like Jesus if we surrender to Him.  Surrender means to give one’s self up to the power of authority.  Jesus gives us freedom.  With freedom comes responsibility.  Paul teaches us how to handle freedom.  Paul taught principles about relating to other Christians who are not strong in their faith.  Paul said he knew the Corinthians had knowledge and that knowledge had made them conceited and proud.  He calls attention to their pride and said that love trumps knowledge.   Paul said that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.  (1 Cor. 8:1)  Paul’s message is even though we have freedom in Christ; we are not to do anything that might cause a weaker Christian to stumble.  

The Corinthians had some questions about eating meat offered to idols.  The Christians knew eating such meat was ok, but some new to the faith thought that eating food sacrificed to idols was a sin and didn’t want to take any chances.  Paul said, “We know an idol is nothing in the world at all and that there is no God but one” (1 Cor. 1:4).  Food does not bring us closer to God.  We should not participate in eating such food so we won’t cause others to stumble.  We should not do anything that might cause them to judge our actions.  He also said we should not be conceited about our knowledge.  We should be sensitive to our fellow brothers and sisters.  Love always supersedes freedom.

Paul set examples in his life and ministry.  He made sure his actions didn’t cause anyone to sin.  He sacrificed his own rights and freedoms and made himself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible.  He became like a Jew to the Jews.  He became weak to the weak.    He met people at their level so he could relate to them and them to him.  He became all things to all people for the sake of the gospel.

Are you puffed up in your knowledge and look down on others who are not as knowledgeable as you?

Paul had the right to receive financial support from the Corinthians as all people in the ministry do.  He chose not to accept any pay.  He said he was compelled to preach and does it voluntarily.  He didn’t want anything to hinder the gospel.  He only seeks heavenly rewards.

Do you seek earthly or heavenly rewards?

We learn many lessons by Paul example.  One being he reached people with the gospel by being all things to all men.  He met them where they are so he could better relate to them and gain their confidence.  Then they would be more apt to listen when he told them about Jesus and how they should live.

Paul gave the Corinthians warnings from Israel’s history.  In Exodus 32, Numbers 16-17, Numbers 21 and other Old Testament scriptures we learn that the Israelites were idolaters.  The Israelites were sexually immoral, tested the Lord, and continually grumbled.  As a result they were killed by the destroying angel.  These things happened to them as warnings for us.  We act the same way today – grumbling when things don’t go the way we think it should.   Many people test the Lord by living together outside the covenant of marriage.  We as a nation have become sexually immoral.  Just look at the movies and TV shows we watch.  Sexually immorality is everywhere and we condone it and are tempted every day.

So Paul said if you think you are standing firm and can’t be tempted, be careful.  God’s promise to us is when we are tempted – and we will be tempted - He will provide an escape.  “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  (1 Cor. 10:13) 

Our temptations are not unique; others are having and will face the same temptations.  They have found strength in God to overcome.  You too, can fight temptation through the power of Jesus.  God will limit your temptation and provide a way of escape, but you have to take His way.  He will not force you.

This escape is available to all, but involves surrender.  Does that describe the reign of God in your life?  If you think you are strong enough not to be tempted – you’re not.  If you think you can’t possible begin to doubt Him – you’re wrong.

So what are you to do? – recognize your weaknesses, recognize the dangers around us, be alert to our enemy recognizing Satan and his demonic forces, run from temptations, be prayerful, study His Word, listen to the Holy Spirit and keep the right association with fellow Christians.   God is faithful.  He loves you and wants what’s best for you.  He will protect you.

Paul gives us more principles that we can practice today.  “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.” (1 Cor. 10:23)  We have freedom in Christ, but that doesn’t mean we should do all things, because it may not be constructive or good for us.  It may even cause others to sin.  We should do everything for the glory of God.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as savior, but not let Him be Lord in your life?

When is the last time you denied yourself for the sake of others?

Do you do everything for the glory of God?

Principle:  True freedom is submission to Jesus as Lord.

Chapter 11 – Church Worship

Paul talked about men not covering their heads and women covering their heads while worshiping.  In Corinth the culture influences were in the church.  Women went around bared headed which was identified with prostitutes.  They were enjoying their freedom to do so, but Paul said they should cover their heads in order to be a witness.  Paul was speaking of traditions in church worship, but told them to be the judge.

The point Paul gave here is the “Head” is a part of the body.  It represents the authority.  Paul gave God’s appointed order of authority for husbands and wives.  The head of Christ is God.

The head of every man is Christ.  The head of the woman is man.

To me this also means that we are to be focused on true worship and honoring God without any physical distractions.  We should not dwell on male-female attractiveness and should dress modestly not drawing attention to ourselves.  Today women don’t dress modest enough in church or outside the church.  We may not have to worry about covering our heads like in Paul’s day, but we should be concerned about how we dress and not dress in revealing clothing.

Are you honoring your husband, your church and God in the way you dress?

God created everyone and everything.  We exist to give praise and honor to God.  We all come from Him and are all equal in His eyes.  No one is more important than another.  He is the head of the church and we are to worship Him. 

Paul addresses their participation in Lord’s Supper.  As their custom they gathered together for a meal and followed it with the Lord’s Supper.  There were cliques in the church.   They ate with friends instead of merging with others in Christ.  They ate to fill their stomachs.  There was a lot of drinking and by the time they celebrated the Lord Supper, they were drunk.  This didn’t look very well to those outside the church.  Was there anything different from believers and nonbelievers? 

Paul says before taking the Lord Supper we should examine ourselves first making sure we have confessed our sins and are right with God.  We should not take it in an unholy manner, which is a sin against the body and the blood of the Lord.  We should remember its purpose – Jesus shed His blood for our sins.

Where is your focus when you partake in the Lord Supper? 

Is it a mechanical thing for you?

There is nothing routine in what Jesus did for us.  We should be in awe every time we partake in the Lord Supper.

Principle:  Christ is glorified by true worship.

What’s your attitude about your church?

Are you focused on self when you go to church?

Is church just not working for you?  It’s not about you.  It’s about God.  We all have needs and we want them fixed.  Start serving others and you will be changed.

Are you willing to serve even if no one thanks you?  Jesus thanks you and He is the only one that counts.

Chapter 12-14 – Spiritual Gifts

Paul reminds them that spiritual gifts are used to build up the body of Christ not individuals.  There are varieties of spiritual gifts like snowflakes or fingerprints are different from every other.  God has gifted you to do what He wants you to do.  Christ not only died to give you the gift of eternal life, but also so you could serve Him with your spiritual gifts.  Your gift could be service, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:4-11)  There are other gifts mentioned throughout scripture.

What is your spiritual gift?

Are you using your gift to build up the church body?

Paul talked about the Holy Spirit.  There are many different gifts, but the same Spirit and the same Lord.  Each person is given a gift for the common good.  He compared the church body with all its gifts with the human body and all its parts.  We all have different gifts, but make up 1 body and all the parts work together.

Every Christian should be active in some way in the body of Christ.  “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corin. 12:27.  We each have different gifts and we should all work together in unity.  The purpose of spiritual gifts is to strengthen the body and edify believers.

What is love?  We love our children.  We love shopping.  We love America.  We love chocolate.  The word Love is much overused today.  We think love is a warm fuzzy feeling, but in 1 Corin. 13 love refers to action.  Love is something we do rather than something we feel.  Love in the Bible refers to how we treat people.  Love should be evident, because God is love and He commands us to love.  Paul says this is the greatest gift of all.  If we have not love, we have nothing.  “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.” – (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

Do you love your elderly neighbor?  Then go over and shovel snow off their sidewalk. 

Do you love your church?  Then get involved.  Send a get well card to a sick brother or sister. 

Do you love Jesus?  Then lead someone else to love Him.

Paul gave principles about the use of spiritual gifts:

All spiritual gifts should be used to build up the church.

The gift of speaking in tongues – if you speak in tongues, there should be someone to interpret or you should be quiet.  When speaking in tongues, you’re not speaking to man, but to God.  When you speak in tongues, you are edifying yourself.  The gift of tongues is secondary to the gift of prophesy.

With the gift of prophesy – if you have the gift of prophesy, you are speaking to men for their strength, encouragement and comfort.  When you prophesy you are edifying the church. 

There should be order in our worship.  There should be no confusion.  If everyone is talking or checking their cell phone or doing their own thing, no one will know what’s going on.  They will not hear or learn instructions from God and His Word.  God is a God of order and peace.  We need to do everything to honor God.

Do you contribute to disorder during worship?

Are you talking and disrupting others as they are worshiping?

Are you on your cell phone when you should be listening?

Principle:  God is glorified when His people use their spiritual gifts and display His love.

Join me here next week as we finish our study of 1 Corinthians -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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1 Corinthians 5-7

1 Corinthians 5 – 6:1-8 – Judging Sin and Disputes

Paul confronts the Corinthian believers with actual reports he had received.  There was a man in the church who was having sex with his step-mother.  This was against Jewish and Roman law.  He was disgusted with this situation, but they seemed to be proud of the man’s actions.  They probably thought as a Christian, they had freedom from the law and it didn’t really matter.  Paul told them they should punish the man by making him leave the church.  This may make him realize his sin and then he would ask for forgiveness. 

Paul told them to not associate with immoral people who call themselves Christians - people who are sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.  Christians are to judge those inside the church and God will judge those outside the church.  When Christians continually do wrong things, they must be removed from the church (1 Corin. 5:5, Deut. 17:17; 24:7).  That may seem harsh, but the goal is for redemption.  God’s will in discipline is never hate, only love.  God wants purity in the church.  Believers are set apart from the world and should act differently.  Naming a sin in agreement with God’s Word is wise, never wrong.  If people like this are left in the church, they can corrupt others.   They would be no different from those of the world.

We are not to judge unbelievers, because only God knows their hearts.  We are to trust God to judge unbelievers.  It’s right to judge those who claim to be Christians yet practice sin.  Otherwise, sin may destroy the congregation and its witness.

What sin do you bring to church -- pride, gossip, criticism, entitlement? 

Is there a sin that keeps coming up?  Bring the power of the cross to that sin.  You must give it to Him.  It will be taken away by His power not yours.

Paul gave instructions to believers about lawsuits.  The Corinthians were suing fellow believers over frivolous matters and doing it for all the world to see in the courts of the ungodly.  He said Believers should not bring lawsuits against another believer.  It should be settled among believers.  Believers were to judge those inside the church and not those on the outside.  Some day they will judge angels so they ought to be able to settle disputes among themselves.  He said they are very capable to judge each other.  Paul told them it was bad to bring a lawsuit and that it would be better to accept wrong and be defrauded. (1 Corin. 6:1-8).  Christians are to be known for their love, not their rights.

Principle:  God calls His people to fight sin.

1 Corinthians 6:9-20 – Lack of Purity

Paul warned the Christians in Corinth against mistaking freedom in Christ as power to continue sinful behaviors.  If they continued in sin, they were in danger of judgment.  He said the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God.  “Do not be deceived:  Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offender nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corin. 6:9-10.  There is hope.  He continued, “And that is what some of you were.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corin. 6:11.

Paul said, “Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial.” – 1 Corin. 6:12.  This statement can be confusing.  It means that Christians are free people because of their relationship with Christ (Rom. 8:1-2).  Christians are free from sin’s bondage.  God’s purpose is not to control people.  He gives everyone free choice.  We may be free, but some want to do the wrong things.  Christian liberty is not an open excuse for any behavior or attitude.  After you are saved, the Holy Spirit should guide your live.   A mature Christian wants to do whatever God wants him to do.

Paul told them the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.  Their bodies were members of Christ Himself.  He told them to flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins are committed are outside the body, but sexually sins are against his own body.  Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  (1 Corin. 6:12-20).

Paul doesn’t say to be brave and resist lustful desires, but to flee from its presence.  We should follow the example of Joseph in Gen. 39 and run from temptation.  He doesn’t say flee sex, only sexual immorality.  God gave sex for bonding a husband and wife in marriage.  Sexual immorality works against God’s purpose.  Sexual immorality means more than sex outside marriage.  It means flee from sexual gratification from pornography found on the internet, movies, books, and magazines.

Because our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we belong to God.  You are not your own, because you were bought at a price.  Honor God with your body.

For whom does your body belong?

Principle:  We are to glorify God with our body, because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 7 – The Marriage Question

Since the Corinthians were confused by the immorality around them, Paul told them it was better not to marry, unless they cannot control their sexual desires.  This might make them give in to sexual immorality.  He knew those who marry would face many troubles in life.  Marriage is hard work.  He said if you do want to get married, you should think long and hard about it.  Make sure you know the other person seeing them in all kinds of situations.  Marriage is not between 2 people, but between husband, wife and God.  For more on marriage see Ephesians 5:21-33 and Colossians 3:18-19.

A man should have 1 wife and a wife should have 1 husband.  Paul advises that husbands and wives should fulfill marital duties.  Her body doesn’t belong to her but to her husband and the same for the husband.  They should not deprive each other so Satan will not tempt them.  If the unbelieving partner chooses to leave, the Christian must let him go.  He said that it is good for the unmarried and widows to stay unmarried unless they can’t control themselves.  A wife must not separate from her husband.  If she does she must remain unmarried and a husband must not divorce his wife.

Paul seems to not like marriage at all.  Some believe that Paul was likely to have been married at one time.  He had been a member of the Sanhedrin and one of the requirements was to be married.  In 1 Corin. 7:33-35 Paul explained that being unattached is better for a Christian so they may serve the Lord without distraction.  Then a believer’s entire life can be absorbed in service to the Lord.  So is marriage a good thing?  Of course.  It was instituted by God in a perfect world, but it’s not for everyone.  If you are gifted with singleness, you can serve Him wholeheartedly while not having to worry about neglecting a family.  Just remember God should be the center of your life whether married or single.  Both marriage and singleness are gifts from God.  I think Paul was totally devoted to spreading the gospel as God had called him to do.  So when you think about it.  He had no time for marriage.

How will you use your marriage status for His purposes? 

What about divorce?  Here are some Bible verses on this subject:  Luke 16:18; 1 Corin. 7:10-11, 15; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Rom. 7:2; Malachi 2:16.  God doesn’t command but does allow for divorce of two Christians when one severed the union through sexual immorality.  If you find that you have sinned in this area, remember God forgives sins.  If you are struggling in your marriage, stay in His Word and on your knees in prayer asking God for guidance.  He will guide and comfort you, give you strength and can change your hopeless situation.  If He doesn’t change you situation, He will use it for your good.

Principle:  God’s gifts fully satisfy.

This chapter addresses the most intimate of relationships that people experience.  Maybe it makes you feel unloved and uncomfortable.  You may be struggling in marriage or in celibacy.  Remember God grieves with you.  He offers peace and hope.  If you have sinned or have concerns in your relationship, seek prayer and counsel from your church pastor.  Trust God to develop in you right relationships with others.

Join me here next week as we continue our study of 1 Corinthians  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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