2. Paul’s Second Mission Trip

3. High level overview: not heresy; immaturity Divisions in the church (ch. 1-4)Disorders in the church (ch. 5-6)Difficulties in the church (ch. 7-16)Diligence in the church (ch. 16)

4. A Key Word: Wisdom 18 times in I Cor.; 9 in chap. 1; Be wise about:- 1.Christian’s Calling (1 Cor 1) 2.Christian Message (1 Cor 2) 3.Local Church (1 Cor 3) 4.Christian Ministry (1 Cor 4) 5.Church Discipline (1 Cor 5-6) 6.Christian Marriage (1 Cor 7) 7 in chap 2; then 3:19; 12:8 7.Christian Liberty (1 Cor 8-10) 8.Personal Priorities (1 Cor 9) 9.Church Order (1 Cor 11) 10.The Church Body (1 Cor 12-13) 11.Using Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 14) 12.The Resurrection (1 Cor 15) 13.Christian Stewardship (1 Cor 16)

5. A Little more Detail  GREETING - 1:1-3  REPROOF: THE REPORT OF SIN IN THE CHURCH - 1:4-6:20  Divisions in the church - 1:4-4:21  Discipline in the church - 5  Disputes in the courts - 6:1-8  Defilement in the world - 6:9-20  INSTRUCTION: REPLY TO THEIR QUESTIONS - 7:1-16:12  Marriage - 7  Food offered to idols - 8-10  Church ordinances - 11  Spiritual Gifts - 12-14  The Resurrection - 15  The offering - 16:1-12  CONCLUSION 16:13-24

6. What was going on at Corinth ?  Incest – not only ignored but possibly encouraged!  Legal suits against fellow believers  Hellenistic dualism  gluttony, prostitution  Sickness leading to death  Mistreatment of slaves  Abusing Lord’s Supper  Disputes over role of wives & husbands in church

7. Questions from Corinth – “mirror reading”  How to avoid contact with immoral people ? (5:9-11)  Does avoiding immorality mean no sex at all ? (7:1-5)  What about unsaved spouses? Should divorce? (7:12-14)  What about marriage ? (7:25-28)  Are we allowed to eat meat? (8:1-4)  Can we eat at pagan restaurants / temples ? (8:9-11)  Is Paul a real apostle? How come he has to work? (9:6)  What to do about Lord’s supper & waiting for late workers?

8. Order in Church!  I Cor 14:40 But all things should be done decently and in order.  Contrast I Cor 14:26 with most churches today  Is it possible to be Spirit-led and organised ?  One of main Corinthian faults: one-upmanship!  Way of love is opposite – cf. Rom 12:10; Phil 2:3  Was Paul a misogynist ? I Cor 11:10; 14:34; I Tim 2:11-12

9. Why Tongues ? ~ 10 reasons 1. It is Scriptural ~ I Cor 14:5, 39 2. Promised by Jesus ~ Mk 16:17 3. God speaks supernaturally to men ~ I Cor 14:21 4. Men speak supernaturally to God ~ I Cor 14:2 5. Allows us to magnify God ~ Acts 10:46 6. It edifies us ~ I Cor 14:4 7. With interpretation it edifies the church 8. Allows spirit to pray to Spirit ~ I Cor 14:14-15 9. To by-pass the intellect in praise ~ I Cor 14:21 10. As a sign to unbelievers ~ I Cor 14:22

10. Importance of the Resurrection of Jesus  Red herring: I Cor 15:35 – what sort of body?  Cf. Sadducees’ question to Jesus in Matt 22:24-32  Paul deals with root issue head on – 15:14-19  Main distinction between Christianity & world religions ?  The Empty Tomb!  Explain that if you can – many have tried & failed!