Collection and a Conclusion
Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 16
As we finish our study of the Book of 1 Corinthians, we should keep in mind that someone had written a letter to the Apostle Paul about things going on in the Church at Corinth, and the Apostle Paul had written or dictated to a scribe the answers to their questions and had sent this epistle in the hands of Timothy a young preacher to get this church headed in the right direction.
All the epistles of the Apostle Paul are written to the Church established by the Lord Jesus Christ and are, in fact, the written Word of God established by the Holy Spirit.
It should have been clear to the Church in Corinth that it was from that first church in Jerusalem that the source from which all the blessings of the Gospel had flowed.
It was fitting for the early church to help the poor people of the first church in Jerusalem if they were able.
Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Gal 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
As we saw in Chapter 13, the Book of Love, the lovers of God give freely to Him. If we have the love of the Holy Spirit, then we will give to the Church.
What had the Lord Jesus said? Act_20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Psalms 41: Psa 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
Psa 41:2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
Psa 41:3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
Pro 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
The Lord Jesus is serious about this: Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Every child of God, even if they are poor, is also a saint of God!
At this time, it was the poor Christians in Jerusalem who struggled the most.
They were being persecuted by the members of Judaism and fellow Jews.
In Jerusalem was a sharp contrast between the rich and the poor, with the saints of God being the poorest of the poor.
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
It is said many times that God will provide our needs, and many times He expects the Church to help in this matter.
Remember this was to help the saints of God in the church at Jerusalem and not a handout to all the poor, even though at times we can help them, but the Church comes first. It is the Church that has the promises of God!
This was to be a special gift for the poor in the church at Jerusalem, which we would call today a love offering.
Paul had given these same instructions to other churches he had established.
It had been thirty years since the church at Jerusalem had begun to practice the common ownership of goods, but this thing had soon ceased.
Many believed this had failed and caused widespread poverty among the Jewish Christians.
Whatever the cause, the believers in Jerusalem were in desperate need of help.
God has a special place in His heart for those who give unselfishly!
Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
What is being a good steward? 1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
*****1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
This lesson is clear: the Church is to help meet the needs of the poor believers.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
We can also see from this Scripture that the churches gathered together on Sundays, the first day of the week.
The Jews met on Saturdays as commanded in the Laws of Moses, but the Church has no such command, and the Church meets on the Lord's Day. The church can also gather again on any other day, for where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus Christ, we can have church.
Rev_1:10 I was in the Spirit on “the Lord's day”, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
It was on Sunday when the Lord Jesus Christ walked out of that grave.
Joh 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
It was on Sunday that the Apostles gathered after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Act 20:7 And upon “the first day of the week”, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Paul preached on the first day of the week, which is Sunday.
Notice the believers were not to make occasional offerings; they were to give regularly, every Lord's Day, on the first day of the week.
They all were to give, even the poor were to give as they were able.
2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
2Co 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
2Co 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
It is giving that builds a strong fellowship among believers, as verse 14 states.
Any offering that was made was to be kept at God's storehouse.
2Ch_31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
During the week, these believers were to lay up what they could and deliver it to the storehouse when they gathered together.
Today, this would be the treasury of the church.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
*****1Co 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
1Co 16:4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
Notice that those who were to handle this money going to Jerusalem were to be hand-picked by the church.
This offering was to be handled very carefully.
They must choose men of character.
They must be men whom the church could approve and “trust" to handle the money.
They were to be men whom the Apostle Paul could commend through letters of commendation.
Paul would write letters on their behalf to the church in Jerusalem.
If Paul could not go with them, he would write letters of introduction for them.
This was something that was done so brothers could be received as brothers in the Lord and not as strangers.
Act 18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
Rom 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
Rom 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
That phrase "your liberality" means the things we talk about in Chapter 13.
If this offering were not voluntary, it would mean nothing to the Lord and bring no reward to this church at Corinth.
It was not to be a gift of obligation but rather a gift of brotherly love for one another.
Paul himself would not touch this offering so he could remain above reproach at all times.
Even if his schedule allowed him to make the journey to Jerusalem, those men would be personally delivering that offering to the believers in Jerusalem.
*****1Co 16:5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
1Co 16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
1Co 16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
1Co 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
1Co 16:10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
1Co 16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
We must know that there is always a need to keep in touch with God's people.
All of us need strengthening and building up from time to time.
This world will wear us down, and it is just going to get worse!
We see here that God does not always want us to do as we plan to do.
God's will must be the rule of our lives as we minister for Christ!
God is not too busy with all the things He does to not get personal with us.
We are wrong when we do not listen to Him!
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him "who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will":
We must understand that all things are brought to pass by the will of God!
God has a purpose for each one of us, and also as a group!
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, "but according to his own purpose and grace", which was given us in Christ Jesus "before the world began",
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
What the Holy Spirit is saying is "it's our time to shine" as we are brought into the plan God has had from the beginning, way back before Genesis.
No one upon this earth is as wise as God!
We can only be wise if we yield to the will of God!
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
God does as He pleases, but everything He does is the right thing to do!
God does not adjust His plan according to events that happen upon this earth!
Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
1) There is the directed will of God; these are the things God actively brings about.
He creates. Isa 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
He controls this universe. Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and no one can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
He establishes rulers and governments. Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
He calls those to be saved. Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2) There is the permissive will of God.
This means that even though God has determined all things, He may do them Himself, or He may bring them about through secondary causes.
Sinful acts do not frustrate the plan of God; they just cause us to suffer the wrath of God. God does not ever cause sinful acts!
Man is responsible for all sinful acts that happen in this world.
All the things that God created have one purpose: they are designed to reveal the glory of God!
Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Our Lord Jesus died, was buried, and has risen and returned to Heaven because this was the plan of God for our redemption.
Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Act 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Act 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Act 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
The Apostle Paul knew he could return to this church in Corinth only if it was in the will of God for him to do so.
At this time, they had Timothy, a young preacher who preached just as Paul did, and they would get the truth of the Gospel.
We would rather run our own lives, but once we recognize these truths of God, we know it is best to yield to His will for us, as did the Apostle Paul.
As we learned from Chapter 13, Paul expressed love rather than division.
*****1Co 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
1Co 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
1Co 16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
We should understand that this Christian family of Aquila and Priscilla was greatly involved in establishing the churches in Corinth and in Ephesus.
They were also Paul's partners in a trade that provided Paul with the funds for his journey. He accepted very little help from the churches.
They had established a church in their own home.
Many churches have begun in the humble surroundings of someone's home.
Gethsemane met first in the home of a church member.
A holy kiss is the kiss of peace that should reign in all the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
The body of Christ is supposed to be one body, but we know that is not the case in today's world.
We are all supposed to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ!
We all have the same Heavenly Father.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are all supposed to have the same Scriptures. There is only one true Word of God!
We are all going to the same New Heaven and New Jerusalem.
We are all filled with the same Holy Spirit.
We have to wonder why we do not act like it.
Paul's signature on these epistles was a sign of the authenticity of the Word of God coming by the Holy Spirit.
2Th 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
Anathema in this passage means that those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ are objects of hatred, from disgust to all holy beings. They are guilty of rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ and deserve condemnation.
They have exposed themselves to the sentence of "everlasting destruction” from the presence of the Lord, which is what Maranatha says.
The word Maranatha means the Lord Jesus is coming, and He will judge all those who have made Him seem meaningless in this world, all those who are Anathema.
God is very serious about how we treat His Son!
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment