Will Vaus

Listen for God’s word to you from 1 Corinthians 1:18 to 2:16… For the message of the cross is foolishness   to those who are perishing,   but to us who are being saved   it is the power of God.   19  For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;      the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20  Where is the wise person?   Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?   Has not God made foolish   the wisdom of the world?   21  For since in the wisdom of God the world   through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save   those who believe.   22  Jews demand signs   and Greeks look for wisdom,   23  but we preach Christ crucified:   a stumbling block   to Jews and foolishness   to Gentiles,   24  but to those whom God has called,   both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God   and the wisdom of God.   25  For the foolishness   of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness  

The honeymoon was short lived. Already in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 we begin to see what the problems were in the Church at Corinth. But even this is good news. It is a healthy reminder that even the first followers of Jesus were not perfect. If God could use them to win the Roman Empire to Christ, then maybe God can use us in our own day. Listen for God’s word to you from 1 Corinthians 1:10-17… I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,   in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.  11  My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.  12  What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?  14  I thank God that I

You know what they say about the perfect church. If you search for the perfect church and find it, don’t join it because then it won’t be perfect anymore. If we needed any evidence that the church of Jesus Christ in this world is not perfect, well then, The Church at Corinth is exhibit A. But before we wade into the mud, Paul reminds us of seven positive characteristics of the church. That is what we will look at today in 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. Listen for God’s word to you…   Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2  To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere 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. 4  I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  5  For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds