Nine verses...
Nine references to Jesus...
This is a Christ-centered passage!
I doubt many of the regulars here will preach this next Sunday.
Here is a text which I think follows well on the Baptism of the Lord. As we consider the significance of our baptism, Paul reminds the Corinthian church, and us, that we are "gifted" by God and are saints, holy people. We have everything we need for living, maybe not individually, but collectively. We have the promise of sustenance until the "revealing" of the Lord Jesus. And we are called into a community a "koinonia."
In a commentary by Hayes in the Interpretation series, he quotes Bonhoeffer in "Life Together" as saying that the church is not the ideal which we are to create, but rather the reality given by God in Christ in which we are invited to participate.
Seems like this text gives us a perfect opportunity to celebrate, with Paul (to give thanks), for God's grace giving the church everything we need to sustain our life together and to witness to the world until the "revealing" of the Lord.
Paul will focus on problems later, but now is the time for thanksgiving for the theological truth . . . Mark in NC
This text identifies the most difficult theological question that any preacher/pastor will face in his/her ministry.
Someday, and this will happen to everyone, someday each of us will step into the pulpit, look over the congregation, see someone, and for whatever reason, will ask "How can that person be a child of God?"
God faced the same question in the wilderness......how can these people be MY PEOPLE? But the truth is, they are!!
Paul....to the church....to those who are sanctified.....who are Gods's children....even though they have done and engaged in all of the stuff that the lettdr goes on to talk about....They are Children of God!! Declared to be by God himself.....
The Greatest Heresy.....to believe that we can do something so bad that God Himself cannot love us and will disown us!!!
DP in DL
In a fit of inspiration (as I my mind is focused primarily on ordination questions!) I discovered what I will use as an outline for this passage: (1) We are called (2) We are Sanctified (3) We are Blessed and Equipped (gifted) (4)We are Kept. Boy, if that doesn't sound like a United Methodist sermon! Just thought I'd share that with you all as I now work on expanding my ideas. By the way -- I'm thinking of a particular story that Corrie Ten Boom tells I think -- where her father told her something about our being "kept" -- as a coin in her pocket or something. Is that vague enough? Anyone know what I may be thinking of? RevKK
12 JAN 99 I agree with Mark in NC on the timely follow up to last week's "Baptism..." (In fact, we're all leaning in a similar way so far). Why does Paul give thanks for his people (or Corinth)? Because they're his "best buddies"? Because he likes them so much? Because they have donated so much to his ministry? Because they give him something to do (e.g., responding kerygmatically to all their conflicts and controversy)? Verse 4 says he is thankful because of "the grace of God that has been given" to them. Given in Baptism (albeit, not only via baptism). This is a lesson for all of us loving one another--not always (maybe never) "liking"--but loving, as we look upon "the other" and see a child of God, "graced" by the same generous God who has called us into existence and willed us to be adopted as God's children (Eph. 1:4). Might preach on loving and being thankful for all "others". Peter in CA
I'm also just in the first stages of thinking about this text. I had to turn in a sermon title. It is " What a Body?!" Also thinking of using the difference in Paul's praise and then the later discussions to hold the two in creative tension. I was told once not to equate the church with God. Also, it seems some use of C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape letters when Screwtape discusses the church as the great army...and to have the patient to see the church as the butcher who places his thumb on he scale or the one with squeeky shoes. Also, Nouwen's , The life of the Beloved, as in our baptism,each and of us, God claims us as the beloved daughters and sons. This is UM Human Relations Day . This text seems to fit that as we consider that reality that all are God's beloved...
oops. forgot to sign the above. rrinnc
Friends, remember to keep the whole context of this letter in mind. It's a letter to a church in trouble: divided between the "charismatics" and not, the rich and poor, etc. Paul is buttering them up to hear hard words when he talks about their many gifts ... not that the gifts aren't authentic, but that they don't realize how good they've got it, and they'd better not take it for granted! V. 5 "in speech and knowledge of every kind" is a veiled reference to "gnosis" and "speaking in tongues" (two things that certain church members think they have "over" others); v. 7 "you're not lacking in any spiritual gift" (which they're so sure they have) "as you wait for the the revealing" (i.e., you don't have it all yet, hold your horses!) ... etc.
I don't know how this ties in for preaching, but it strikes me as important, especially if we follow the Cor. texts for the next several weeks. Kay
Rev KK,
I believe Corrie's father kept the ticket for her trip in his pocket and gave it to her just as she was to board the train. This was so it wouldn't be lost.
OKBob
Hope this is not to late to add to the thinking pots. I am looking at this as a very reassuring text. Paul, overall, is positive. Could it be he is laying the ground work in order to address the issues that need addressing. The Corinthians know what divides them and separates them...they need to be reminded of what unites them and in who they are grounded.
This resonates with the church today. Boy do we know what divides us. But how often do we take time to celebrate what unites us? The Corinthian church is not that unlike us today. There are many divisions, factions, discussions (arguments?) over morality, etc.
Perhaps we too need to lay down some ground work. God choose us..God called us. God's grace gives us peace. God calls us into fellowship.
Monday starts the week of prayer for Christian Unity, how timely are our Corinthian texts. TEEK
Date: 22 Nov 1999
Time: 03:32:48
There are times when we must step out in faith and act, take the bull by the horns, play the trump card, go for all the marbles. These can be acts of faith, trusting in Christ as the foundation and steadfast support.
There are other times when the act of faith is to wait. The risen Christ instructed the disciples to go into the city and wait till they have received power from on high.
Paul tells the church at Corinth that they already have the gifts (might be a little sarcasm here). All they need now is the revealing of how those gifts are to be used. They are to wait for revelation. Dont get ahead, as so-called "spiritual persons" are inclined to do.
Waiting on revelation is not some passive inactivity, a hiding of our talents, or refusal to step out. It is a holy wisdom, and active waiting and anticipating the instructions on how to best use the gifts.
Date: 22 Nov 1999
Time: 12:21:25
So, how do we live while we are waiting the return of Christ? Growing in grace, honing the gifts we have been given, living in fellowship with others who are waiting.... Somehow one finds oneself looking back at Matthew 25 and the readings there- - waiting bridesmaids, waiting stewards... people who either live to help others or not... Paul and the Corinthians waiting for that delayed return which Jesus talks about. Advent 1 seems to build on the readings before- now, how do WE build on this foundation? GFinSC
Date: 23 Nov 1999
Time: 04:02:57
I am reminded of a scripture, which talks about calling things as if they are. Perhaps this is what Paul is trying to explain. Maybe we are given spiritual gifts even though they are not presently visible. Just maybe, Christ sees beyond reality into spirituality. Maybe we just need the faith to believe that God has done through Christ that which needed to be done in us. Maybe we need to appropriate that which is in our spiritual bank account. Maybe we are like a racecar full of racing fuel but with the motor not running, or running at an idle, or running only half-throttle. Perhaps we need to begin to see the completed work of the Christ in ourselves and others - even though it is obvious to everyone that we have not yet been perfected. I'm think of a new book title, The Little Christian That Could. You know, with the line repeated over and over, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me." I am going to continue a ways in the text and tie in spiritual gifts with living in unity and harmony for the work of the church. However, my main thrust will be using verse eighteen and nineteen, " For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” I believe this ties directly to verse 5, " for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind ." Because in the worlds terms, in intellectual terms, in the wisdom of the wise, we Christians are losers. Just look at the recent stir that the Kansas' State School Board has made by allowing school districts to decide for themselves what will be presented to the students as to the scientific teaching about the origin of man and the universe. I am well aware of what God says in the Bible and what the "wisdom of the wise" postulates as truth. But by faith with which we have been "enriched in him," we can find the truth in Christ Jesus and in His word, the Bible. Dale in Ks