1 Corinthians Author: Apostle Paul Origin: Ephesus Date: Mid 50s Purpose: To respond to reports about prideful posturing, and to answer local church questions. Theme: Humility-based unity. Author: Apostle Paul Origin: Ephesus Date: Mid 50s Purpose: To respond to reports about prideful posturing, and to answer local church questions. Theme: Humility-based unity.

1 Corinthians Themes Unity/oneness in the local church Relationships in the local church Righteous living/church discipline Interacting with unbelievers/marriage Lord’s Supper and baptism Spiritual gifts Worship wars The Cross/Resurrection Themes Unity/oneness in the local church Relationships in the local church Righteous living/church discipline Interacting with unbelievers/marriage Lord’s Supper and baptism Spiritual gifts Worship wars The Cross/Resurrection

1 Corinthians “You know I love you, but we need to talk!”

Why We Should Count Our Blessings

The Church of God Is Holy Why We Should Count Our Blessings

1 From Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes, our brother, 2 to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 (NET Bible)

Why We Should Count Our Blessings “The apostle had full authority in oral and written proclamation.” –Harold Hoehner “The apostle had full authority in oral and written proclamation.” –Harold Hoehner

Why We Should Count Our Blessings Paul’s 1-1/2 year ministry in Corinth 1 Corinthians=lost Paul receives reports and written questions 2 Corinthians=“1 Corinthians” Paul’s painful visit after unfavorable reports 3 Corinthians=lost 4 Corinthians=“2 Corinthians” Paul’s final visit Paul’s 1-1/2 year ministry in Corinth 1 Corinthians=lost Paul receives reports and written questions 2 Corinthians=“1 Corinthians” Paul’s painful visit after unfavorable reports 3 Corinthians=lost 4 Corinthians=“2 Corinthians” Paul’s final visit

Why We Should Count Our Blessings Creed of Constantinople: “We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.” Creed of Constantinople: “We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.”

Why We Should Count Our Blessings “In too many ways they look far more like Corinth than they do God’s holy people in Corinth.” –Gordon Fee “In too many ways they look far more like Corinth than they do God’s holy people in Corinth.” –Gordon Fee

The Church of God Is Holy Why We Should Count Our Blessings

The Church of God Is Holy The Church of God Is Blessed The Church of God Is Holy The Church of God Is Blessed Why We Should Count Our Blessings

4 I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus. 5 For you were made rich in every way in him, in all your speech and in every kind of knowledge – 6 just as the testimony about Christ has been confirmed among you – 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (NET Bible)

Why We Should Count Our Blessings We have received: Grace Riches Speech Knowledge Spiritual gifts We have received: Grace Riches Speech Knowledge Spiritual gifts

Why We Should Count Our Blessings “The ancient city had a reputation for vulgar materialism. In the earliest Greek literature it was linked with wealth and immorality.” -BKC “The ancient city had a reputation for vulgar materialism. In the earliest Greek literature it was linked with wealth and immorality.” -BKC

Why We Should Count Our Blessings First Corinthians was written to a local church in a city characterized by immorality and materialism.

1 Corinthians Applications: Read/study 1 Corinthians 1: [ Ask yourself if holiness is a word others would apply to you. Identify and exercise your spiritual gifts. Give thanks for your blessings this week. Determine if you are faithful with your material blessings. Applications: Read/study 1 Corinthians 1: [ Ask yourself if holiness is a word others would apply to you. Identify and exercise your spiritual gifts. Give thanks for your blessings this week. Determine if you are faithful with your material blessings.