Unity and Sacrificial Living in the Church
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the final chapter of 1 Corinthians, where Paul addresses the church at Corinth with a stern yet loving call to action. Paul is urging the church to correct their divisions, selfishness, and pride, emphasizing the importance of unity and sacrificial living. He begins by discussing the collection for the saints, encouraging the church to give generously and sacrificially, not out of compulsion but out of love and obedience to God. This act of giving is more than just a financial transaction; it is a demonstration of unity and support for the broader body of Christ.
Paul then shifts to the importance of living like a family within the church. Despite the church's issues, Paul expresses his desire to spend time with them, emphasizing the need for relational growth and unity. He highlights the importance of supporting and welcoming fellow workers in the ministry, such as Timothy and Apollos, showing that the church is a collective body working together for the gospel.
Finally, Paul underscores the importance of serving one another. He lifts up the household of Stephanas as an example of mature believers who are devoted to serving the saints and being a refreshing presence. Paul calls the church to recognize and emulate such dedication, reminding them that true greatness in the kingdom of God comes from serving others. He concludes with a powerful exhortation to be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act with courage, and do everything in love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sacrificial Giving as Worship: Paul emphasizes that giving should not be done reluctantly or under compulsion but as an act of worship and obedience to God. This sacrificial giving is a practical way to participate in the gospel and support the broader body of Christ. It reflects a heart that prioritizes God's kingdom over personal wealth. [24:53]
2. Unity in the Church: Paul stresses the importance of unity within the church, urging the Corinthians to live like a family. Despite their divisions and issues, he expresses his desire to spend time with them and grow relationally. This unity is crucial for the church's mission and reflects the love of Christ to the world. [37:54]
3. Serving One Another: True greatness in the kingdom of God comes from serving others. Paul lifts up the household of Stephanas as an example of mature believers devoted to serving the saints. Serving others is a tangible expression of our love for God and our commitment to the gospel. [45:37]
4. Living Sacrificially: Paul calls the church to live sacrificially in every aspect of their lives, not just financially. This includes giving of their time and resources to serve others and support the church's mission. Sacrificial living is a reflection of our obedience to God and our trust in His provision. [50:07]
5. Perseverance in Faith: Paul concludes with an exhortation to be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act with courage, and do everything in love. This call to perseverance is essential for maintaining a strong and vibrant faith, especially in the face of challenges and difficulties. [54:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:50] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians
[19:47] - The Avengers Analogy
[21:10] - Christian Maturity and Practicality
[21:56] - Collection for the Saints
[23:10] - Macedonian Offering
[24:03] - Sacrificial Giving
[25:56] - Old Testament Tithing
[27:00] - New Testament Giving
[28:02] - Giving as You Prosper
[28:41] - Pure Motives in Giving
[29:52] - Cheerful Giving
[30:37] - Personal Testimony of God's Faithfulness
[32:02] - Surrender vs. Control
[32:50] - Materialism and Obedience
[35:01] - Living Like Family
[36:30] - Paul's Desire to Visit
[37:54] - Unity and Relational Growth
[39:16] - Timothy and Apollos
[40:46] - Raising Up Leaders
[42:57] - Strange Relationships to the World
[44:12] - Serving One Another
[45:37] - Example of Stephanas
[47:03] - Welcoming and Serving at LifePoint
[48:40] - Mimicking Jesus
[50:07] - Sacrificial Living
[51:31] - Faithfulness in Little Things
[53:26] - Pressing into Jesus
[54:59] - Exhortation to Stand Firm
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 16:1-14 (ESV)
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions does Paul give regarding the collection for the saints in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4?
2. How does Paul describe his relationship with the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 16:5-9?
3. Who are the individuals Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 16:10-12, and what roles do they play in the ministry?
4. What qualities does Paul highlight about the household of Stephanas in 1 Corinthians 16:15-18?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of giving as an act of worship and obedience to God? How does this reflect a heart that prioritizes God's kingdom over personal wealth? [24:53]
2. How does Paul’s desire to spend time with the Corinthians, despite their issues, illustrate the importance of unity and relational growth within the church? [37:54]
3. In what ways does Paul’s commendation of the household of Stephanas serve as a model for mature Christian living and serving others? [45:37]
4. What does Paul mean when he exhorts the church to be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act with courage, and do everything in love? How does this call to perseverance apply to our daily lives? [54:59]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own giving habits. Do you give sacrificially and cheerfully as an act of worship, or do you give out of compulsion? How can you align your giving more closely with Paul's teachings? [24:53]
2. Think about a time when you experienced division or conflict within a church community. How did it affect your faith and relationships? What steps can you take to promote unity and relational growth in your current church community? [37:54]
3. Identify someone in your church or community who exemplifies the qualities of the household of Stephanas—devotion to serving others and being a refreshing presence. How can you emulate their example in your own life? [45:37]
4. Paul calls the church to live sacrificially in every aspect of their lives. What are some specific ways you can give of your time and resources to serve others and support your church's mission? [50:07]
5. Consider the challenges you face in standing firm in your faith and acting with courage. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your perseverance and ensure that everything you do is done in love? [54:59]
6. How can you foster a sense of family and support within your church, especially towards new members or those who may feel isolated? What actions can you take to build stronger relationships and unity? [37:54]
7. Reflect on your current level of service within the church. Are there areas where you can increase your involvement or take on new responsibilities? How can you ensure that your service is a tangible expression of your love for God and commitment to the gospel? [45:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Sacrificial Giving as Worship
Giving is not just a financial transaction; it is an act of worship and obedience to God. Paul emphasizes that giving should be done generously and sacrificially, not out of compulsion but out of love. This kind of giving reflects a heart that prioritizes God's kingdom over personal wealth and demonstrates unity and support for the broader body of Christ. When we give sacrificially, we participate in the gospel and show our trust in God's provision. This act of worship is a tangible way to express our love for God and our commitment to His mission. [24:53]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Think about your current approach to giving. Are you giving out of love and obedience, or do you feel compelled? How can you shift your mindset to see giving as an act of worship?
Day 2: Unity in the Church
Paul stresses the importance of unity within the church, urging the Corinthians to live like a family despite their divisions and issues. He expresses his desire to spend time with them and grow relationally, highlighting that unity is crucial for the church's mission. This unity reflects the love of Christ to the world and is essential for the church to function effectively. When the church operates as a unified body, it can better support its members and fulfill its mission to spread the gospel. [37:54]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationships within the church. Are there any divisions or conflicts that need to be addressed? How can you contribute to fostering unity and relational growth in your church community?
Day 3: Serving One Another
True greatness in the kingdom of God comes from serving others. Paul lifts up the household of Stephanas as an example of mature believers devoted to serving the saints. Serving others is a tangible expression of our love for God and our commitment to the gospel. When we serve, we reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate our dedication to the well-being of others. This selfless service is a powerful testimony to the world and strengthens the church community. [45:37]
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: Identify one person in your church or community who could use your help or encouragement. How can you serve them this week in a way that reflects Christ's love?
Day 4: Living Sacrificially
Paul calls the church to live sacrificially in every aspect of their lives, not just financially. This includes giving of their time and resources to serve others and support the church's mission. Sacrificial living is a reflection of our obedience to God and our trust in His provision. When we live sacrificially, we demonstrate our commitment to God's kingdom and our willingness to put others' needs before our own. This lifestyle of sacrifice is a powerful witness to the world and brings glory to God. [50:07]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: Consider one area of your life where you can live more sacrificially. What specific steps can you take to give more of your time, resources, or talents to serve others and support your church's mission?
Day 5: Perseverance in Faith
Paul concludes with an exhortation to be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act with courage, and do everything in love. This call to perseverance is essential for maintaining a strong and vibrant faith, especially in the face of challenges and difficulties. By standing firm and acting with courage, believers can overcome obstacles and remain faithful to God's calling. Doing everything in love ensures that our actions reflect the character of Christ and build up the church community. [54:59]
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (ESV): "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
Reflection: Think about a current challenge or difficulty you are facing. How can you stand firm in your faith and act with courage in this situation? What would it look like to do everything in love as you navigate this challenge?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God can do a lot more with your surrender than you can with your control. That's tough. That's when I'm kicking the gut moments. God can do more with your surrender than you can with your control. I want to tell you today, God doesn't need your money. What he desires is your obedience. And he requires us to surrender everything, to him." [32:02] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can't come in here and claim that you're fully with everything that you have, worshiping Jesus, if you're not worshiping him with every aspect of your life. And Paul's words here command us that we are to give and step with our income, that we are to give. As we prosper." [29:52] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We all are to have relationships in our life that look strange to the watching world because we are both connected to Jesus and we're connected to each other. So our relationships coming to do this on a Sunday morning, going to community groups on a Sunday night, coming for equipping classes on Wednesday evenings, coming for students and LP kids and loop and all these things, that should look strange to the world." [42:57] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we have situations happen in life, we should double down on our relationship with Jesus. When things get really, really tough, when money gets tight, when time seems like we don't have enough or do anything, when relationally in the church we feel like we're disconnected, we should dive deeper into our relationship with Jesus. We should press harder in." [53:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're a young believer in here today, can I encourage you to find a mature believer and latch on to them and say, I need you to walk with me through life. If you're a mature believer in here, can I tell you something today? God ain't done with you. Find somebody to invest in. Amen." [54:59] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul is literally telling the church at Corinth here to participate in the gospel by giving. And some of you are rolling your eyes right now. And you're like, here it comes. The preacher's about to preach on giving my money. But it's so much bigger than that. And by the way, I am going to preach on you giving your money. But it's so much bigger than that. It is so much bigger." [24:03] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Above all, offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship towards God and a service to the body of Christ. I'm going to step on some toes for just a minute. But you can't come in here on a Sunday morning and do this to great music if you're not worshiping God with every aspect of your life." [28:41] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul has spent the majority of this letter to this point berating the people at the church at Corinth for their discorded worship, their division, their selfishness, their pride. He has spent the majority of this letter telling them, you cannot live in that way. And here he turns and he says, I want to come spend some time with you." [37:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We should be about pursuing the gospel together. And look, in every family, in every relational situation, there's always going to be issues. There's always going to be moments where we don't like crazy Uncle Ralph. There's always going to be moments when we don't like our brother or our sister. There are moments when we don't like our brother or our sister." [41:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have a saying here at LifePoint is you're never more like Christ than when you're serving someone else. And that is the truest thing that you could possibly speak because Jesus himself said, listen, in Matthew chapter 20, Jesus says he is talking to his disciples. These people that he's talking to here are people that literally left everything that they had to follow Jesus." [47:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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