Paul’ Encouragement 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Introduction General Theme of 1Corinthian is in the form of:-  rebuke  correction Chap 1-14 deal primarily with:- Errant behavior Chap15 deals with: Errant theology Rebuke and correction given out of Paul’s love for them. Author – Paul Pioneer the church 1. Baptism – dead 2. No resurrection

Five Encouragements 1. Watch 2. Steadfast 3. Quit you like men 4. Be Strong 5. Love All Positive Imperative commands of Paul after his rebuke and correction to encouraged them. All present continuous tense.

1. Watch - gre ̄ goreuo ̄ (gray-gor yoo'-o)  Be vigilant  Be awake  Be on the alert Mentioned 22 X in NT In the NT, 6 things to watch:- 1. Satan:1 Pet 5: Temptation: Mk 14:38 3. Apathy/Indifference: Rev 3:1-3 1.Four negatives 2. Two positives 4. False teacher: 2 Pet 2:1, 2 Tim 4:3-5

1) Watch – Be on alert 5. Escape temptation: Mark 14:38 6. For the Lord’s return: Matt 24:42, 25:13 2 Pet 3:10-12 Positive encouragement that:  strengthened  bring hope Negatives must continually avoid because harmful and damaging

Used figuratively meaning:  to stand firm in faith and duty,  to be constant,  to persevere,  to remain steadfast,  to continue in a state 2. Stand fast - steko The present imperative ispresent imperative a command. To continue to persevere and remain firm in the faith

Faith - (pistis) is synonymous with:  trust  or belief and is the conviction of the truth - Bible Faith is at the foundation of all Christian living. Faith has to do with the: 1. Character of God, 2. Nature of God

To stand fast in the faith, must: 1. Grounded in the Word.  Looking at everything  Judging everything 2. Cultivate intimate relationship  communion through prayer 1. Culture of the time 2. Law of the land 3. God’s ministers

3. “quit you like men” - Be Mature A matured believer has a sense of :  control  confidence Paul describes Corinthian believers as:  carnal  childish  discernment  babes How does a believer grow and mature?  by the milk and meat of the word of God – 1 Co 3:1-2, 1 Pet 2:2

4. Be Strong - krataioo ̄ Frequently used in NT to mean:  inner growth Passive verb –literally mean:  be strengthened  be empowered Passive means it is the work of the indwelling Spirit.  spiritual growth Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; By someone

4. Be Strong - krataioō Encouraged the Corinthians believers to be strengthened by the Lord to overcome the battle of the flesh:  immorality  jealously  strife  division Believers must submit and yield to the Holy Spirit so He can strengthened them. As long as we yield to the Holy Spirit, we will always have His strengthen.

5. Love - Agape Is unconditional, sacrificial love and Biblically refers to a love:  that God is (1Jn 4:8,16),1Jn 4:8,16  that God shows (Jn 3:16, 1Jn 4:9)Jn 3:161Jn 4:9  and that God enables in His children to live by – Rom 5:5 People do not care how much we know until they know how much we care. Love like spiritual strength comes from the Lord – 1 John 4:7

5. Love Note: Let all that we do.  serving in the church  ministering to one another  working in the home Motive of why we do certain things is more important than the task itself. When tasks are done out of love then no obstacles and hindrances can stop us. Without love Paul’s encouragement Would be legalism

Conclusion Five Encouragements of Paul 1. Watch 2. Stead fast in the faith 3. Quit you like men – Be Mature 4. Be Strong 5. Love