Last time we concluded I Corinthians 15

 with these thoughts:

 

(I Cor 15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [that is, die], but we shall all be changed; [our bodies will be different] {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

 

“For the trumpet will sound.”  What a trumpet!

 

(Mat 24:30-31 NKJV)  "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. {31} "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 

It is the end of this world as we know it!

 

 

(1 Cor 15:53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." {55 (KJV) [correct translation in this case]} " O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” {56 (NKJV)} The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

 

 

(1 Cor 16 NKJV)  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: {2} On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

 

“the collection for the saints,” Indicates that this was something they already knew about.  This is a reminder call.  It may have been necessary because of all the divisions that were present in the church at Corinth.

 

“for the saints,” For the poor saints at Jerusalem.

 

(Rom 15:25-27 NKJV)  But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. {26} For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. {27} It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

 

Paul is basically repeating here

what he has said before:

 

(1 Cor 9:11 NKJV)  If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

 

Is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

 

For some people, the answer is a Huge “YES!”

Yes, it is a “great thing,” because they value the “material things” more than the spiritual things!

 

(1 Cor 16:2) “On the first day of the week”  We hang a lot on this expression.  In my own opinion, I think we have hung too much on this verse, and when others attack our “First day of the week stand,” we are left a bit frustrated.  It’s a bitter dose to swallow, but I think Paul addresses this issue in (Rom 14:5-6 NKJV)  One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. {6} He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. . . .

“in his own mind.”  That scares us to death!  That’s all we have?  Just our own “think so”?

 

So what do we say to that?  On one of the forums, I have “talked” to a lady in Arizona who believes we should keep the Sabbath (Saturday).  I have tried to convince her that we are not under the Sabbath, but  “in (her) own mind,” she thinks she is, so I asked her how she keeps the Sabbath and still attends the Church of Christ.  She said that she sets aside Saturday for the Lord.  She does the church bulletin, etc., and then worships with the saints on Sunday.  What would you tell her?

 

I think we are living in a day in which some are truly studying the Bible and are coming to the conclusion that some of the things we thought were “written in stone,” are not.

 

This last week, I have been in contact with a young man whose grandparents I knew at the Beverly Hills Church of Christ in 1970 - 73.  He has gotten involved in the “House Church” movement, and I am trying to help him.  His wife attends at Buckingham Road.  That’s tough for both him and her.  These are challenging times.

 

(1 Cor 16:2b) “let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”

 

Some have even suggested that this was a collection of food since there had been a famine in Judea.  I understand the reasoning, but I think it was probably money that could still be converted to food closer to Jerusalem.

 

(1 Cor 16:3) And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. {4} But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

 

 

Paul briefly gives them an idea of travel schedule.

 

(1 Cor 16:5) Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). {6} And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.

“That you may send me on my journey,”

 

That’s more of the exchanging of the material for the spiritual.  This time, someone else’s blessing.

 

 

(1 Cor 16:7) For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. {8} But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. {9} For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

 

 

(1 Cor 16:10) Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. {11} Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

 

 

(1 Cor 16:12) Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

 

Paul was a leader, but not a dictator!  He clearly expressed his wishes, but Apollos did not agree.

 

 

(1 Cor 16:13) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. {14} Let all that you do be done with love.

 

 

(1 Cor 16:15) I urge you, brethren; you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints; {16} that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

 

“That you also submit to such”  -- How and Why?

We don’t know of any office that Stephanas may have had.  He may have become an elder, deacon, or the preacher, but we don’t know.  In light of that, some have suggested that they submit to his leadership of example.  Be like him, and help him in the work.

 

 

(1 Cor 1:12 NKJV)  Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."

 

(1 Cor 16:17)  I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. {18} For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

 

Therefore acknowledge such men.  This may mean you need to get to know them better.  The NIV says, “Such men deserve recognition.”  In one way or other, get to know them and show your appreciation.

Greetings from Others:

 

(1 Cor 16:19) The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. [a house church]  {20} All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. {21} The salutation with my own hand; Paul's.

 

His Final Conclusion

 

(1 Cor 16:22) If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! {23} The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. {24} My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Where we are.

 

We began our study of I Corinthians because of a request to study Corinthians. 

We began this study on October 9, 2005.

Next week, we plan to pause to answer a question about “The Rapture.”  I haven’t done the lesson yet, and I’m thinking one week will be enough time for that.  The question is, what then?

 

 

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