1 Corinthians 16:1-24
Over the last 8 months, we’ve been walking through 1st Corinthians together, and all along we’ve had as our goal to understand what it means to be a “gospel-shaped church.” In other words, how is our church formed by the gospel, and in turn how is that expressed at all levels of ministry?
Paul has addressed a lot in this letter. It’s one of the hardest and most controversial books that we have in the New Testament. It has caused disagreements that have led to denomination splits, and relational brokenness. A misunderstanding and misapplication of the text can lead some to become progressive in their theology, molding culture into the words of Paul rather than reading theology into our culture.
In this letter, Paul has talked about arrogance and unhealthy allegiances, worldly wisdom vs. Godly wisdom, a right understanding of spiritual gifts, judgment of believers and non-believers. He called them out for their affirmation of sexual immorality in the church, as they celebrated a relationship between a man and his mother-in-law. He talks about the dangers of ALL types of sexual immorality, including homosexuality. He talked about how to deal with conflict between believers in the church, singleness, marriage, separation, divorce, and widows. He addresses idol worship, caution in taking advantage of our Christian liberties to the destruction of our brothers or sisters. He addressed submission to authority, glorifying God in all things, an abuse of the Lord’s Supper and how to properly think about it. He teaches on a healthy body of believers and how they all function together in unity through the uniqueness of their giftings. He talks about how to love like Christ. He talks about prophecy, and speaking in tongues, and what a healthy church service looks like. He reminds them of the most important thing, the resurrection of Christ, and how that ensures our future resurrection.
It seems that Paul has said just about everything that he needed to say. He climaxes with the resurrection of Christ. But then he gets to this final chapter and has just a few more things to say.
Big Idea: A healthy church consists of generosity, partnership, faithfulness, and love.
Because we have so much Scripture to cover this morning, we are going to read it in chunks, rather than reading all 24 verses at the front end.
Read 1st Corinthians 16:1-4
1. Generosity (1-4)
A bit of context would be helpful here. We see in Acts chapter 11 that there was a famine that affected many people throughout Judea. So the disciples came up with a plan to collect funds to help families that were most affected by the famine. This became a regular thing in the early church, a collection that was sent to Jerusalem to help believers that were struggling. Paul also mentions this in Romans 15:25-27.
This is what Paul is addressing here. And while there is specific context, I do believe there are principles for giving that we can live by as well.
A. Consistent - On the first day of every week
It wasn’t long before the early church began meeting on Sundays, or as they called it, the “Lord’s Day.” They called it that because this is the day that Jesus was resurrected. But that isn’t important for this morning. What’s important is that the early church was instructed to set aside money every week, on the first day of the week. This would imply that when they gathered on the first day of the week, Sunday, part of their worship was financial giving.
In our day and age it has become easier to give, and there are various schedules that everyone follows for their giving. Some give weekly in the tower right outside the doors. Some give bi-weekly, and some monthly. I don’t believe Paul is telling us that we must give every week, but I do think he is telling us to be consistent in our giving.
B. Collective - Each of you
This means that we each have a personal responsibility to give to the work of the ministry. This includes the needs of those in our body, as well as staff, and everything we need for ministry. And while each of us has the responsibility to give, it’s going to look different for each of us.
C. Proportional - As he may prosper
We don’t believe in a 10% tithe rule. What we do believe is that there are seasons for all of us. Dry seasons, and seasons of plenty. We also believe that our giving should be out of the overflow of what the Lord is doing in our hearts. We believe that giving should be an act of joy, not of obligation. We believe that giving should sometimes be sacrificial. But we also believe that it is more about the posture of the heart than the amount that is given.
A healthy church is comprised of people who buy into the mission and vision set by the Lord, and consistently and proportionately give financially to that mission.
Read 1st Corinthians 16:5-12
2. Partnership (5-12, 19-20)
Can really be found throughout the whole chapter. Specifically, though, we see 3 names in this section, men who have had some sort of influence in the life of this young church.
A. Paul
Planted the church. Stayed to ensure a healthy beginning. Continues to minister by addressing issues that arise. Provides accountability.
B. Timothy
Planted the church with Paul. Was sent to Corinth as Paul’s representative, and was there to help teach further the things that Paul wrote in his letter. These were hard things to hear, which is why Paul told the believers not to despise Timothy.
C. Apollos
Had picked up where Paul left off. Paul “planted” and Apollos “watered.” Factions broke out because some began to follow Apollos in an unhealthy way. It seems that this might have driven Apollos away for a season, which is why he didn’t feel like it was the right time to come and visit them.
D. Other Believers
Paul also mentions Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. He mentions Aquila and Priscilla, husband and wife church planters and leaders. The aforementioned bringing refreshment to Paul as well as the Corinthian church. Aquila and Priscilla most definitely praying for this church.
A healthy church has healthy partnerships. Planters, preachers, and mentors to both. We are a part of a network that provides accountability, financial support, counseling, encouragement, and training. A healthy church cannot exist on an island.
Read 1st Corinthians 16:13-18
3. Faithfulness (13-18)
A. Be watchful
A more close translation would be “be on the alert.” Another translation is “refrain from sleeping.” Be vigilant. Contextually Paul is referring to everything that he has addressed in his letter. The evils that had crept into their midst that led to all the issues. Don’t just sit back and wait for trouble to come. Be like the guard in the watchtower who diligently peers out over the horizon to see trouble coming from a distance. This requires great discernment. We must know the truth of the Scriptures so we know what does not align culturally. We must know the truth of the Scriptures so we can recognize those who try to twist and pervert it. This goes right along with Paul’s next instruction.
B. Stand Firm in the Faith
This implies an immovable foundation. Have you ever stood at the water line at the beach and dug your feet into the wet sand? We used to do that, and we’d keep twisting our feet, and we would sink further down until we were almost knee deep. You could lean all the way forwards or backwards without falling. Why? Because our foundation was secure. It’s the same idea. When the wind and waves of culture come flying in, we stand immovable on the Word of God. When culture tells me to trust my feelings, I trust in the truth of Scripture. When culture tells me that I only have one life to live, so live it to the fullest, I trust in the purposes and plans of the Lord. When culture tells me to pursue power, position and wealth, I trust in the provision of the Lord.
“The righteous man is like a tree, planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
(Psalm 1:3)
C. Act Like Men
Paul isn’t saying to act like a member of the male species. He is telling them to act like adults. Quit acting like children! Paul addressed this in chapter 11 when he said, “when I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. Have maturity in the way you think. Have self-control in speech and conduct. Grow in knowledge and understanding. Grow in conviction and faith. But above all, be bold and courageous!
D. Be Strong
I think back to Joshua taking over the leadership of the nation of Israel, in a moment in their history when the promises of God were about to come to fruition. The instruction given to Joshua over and over again, was to be strong and courageous. And how did he do that? By trusting in the faithfulness of the Lord. To be strong, and act like mature believers, and stand firm in our faith, and discern what is of God and what is not, we must trust in the character and nature of the Lord. We must trust in the promises of the Lord. And above all else…
Read 1st Corinthians 16:14, 21-24
4. Love (14, 21-24)
Paul addressed this at great length in chapter 13, but he circles back one more time. Everything you do, it must be covered in love. Stand strong in the faith, not with an attitude of condescension or judgment, but with an attitude of love. Be strong in conviction and faith, and let it pour out in love. Jesus was the ultimate example of sacrificial love, and we are to emulate him.
But it isn’t just our attitude towards others coming from a place of love. In verse 22 Paul has a pretty tough statement to digest: “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed.” If anyone denies the deity of Jesus, essentially what Paul says is that that person is cursed. If anyone denies the resurrection of Christ, that man is cursed. Why? Because the Spirit of the Lord is not in him, therefore the curse of sin still prevails.
The key to all of this is to understand the sacrificial love of Jesus, love that drove him to die for sinners who openly rejected Him. But it isn’t just about understanding, it’s about letting Christ-like love be a marker in our lives. Everything that Paul talked about in this book, none of it will be effective without love.
The bottom line is this: If we want to be known as a healthy, gospel-shaped church, it must begin with our hearts and minds being aligned with Jesus, and it pours out as we love and serve one another. It flows out of these walls as we attempt to reach a dying world with the gospel.
