Bible notes January 17th to February 7th 2016 by Rev Barrie Morley

Paul's Letters to the Churches at Corinth

Throughout the weeks leading up to, and the first weeks of Lent, the RCL uses four different Pauline letters,  1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, and Philippians, as well as the gospels of Matthew, Luke and John.   The most frequently used Epistles in the early post Chritmas period of Lent Year  C  are the two to the church in the Greek seaport of Corinth.

It is well understood that the congregation at Corinth gave Paul more heartache than any of his other daughter churches, and so his letters  there produce some of the most moving and noblest sentiments of the New Testament.  These pearls produced by the pain of his relationship with the Corinthians, show us the cost of Christian ministry, the dedication required in true Christian leadership, and the flawed character of the leader.  We might ask,  'Am I anywhere near as dedicated as Paul?   What faults of his are also found in my leadership?'

JANUARY 17th   Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians  12:  1-11

It would be easy to describe the Church at Corinth as a 'Charismatic' congregation, though to do that might well be an oversimplification, and to look uncritically at the early church through twenty first century western spectacles.    However without doubt, at Corinth the Gifts of the Spirit were not only used (good), but abused (bad).  Some members used them as trophies in a game of congregational 'One upmanship'.  The gifts of tongues was particularly prized.  Paul counselled a broader,  more inclusive approach to the Gifts of the Spirit.  Rather than  being given for the use of individuals, as some Corinthians imagined, the Apostle understood that the gifts were meant for the edification of the church as a whole.   Chapters 12-14 should be treated as a whole in order to get a balanced picture of the place of spiritual gifts and fruit in the church.  

The passage for today lists those spiritual gifts which the Corinthians recognised as special manifestations of the work of the Holy Spirit.

A humble and sensitive  examination of their place in the Christian Church today might be a useful thing to work at prayerfully.

SERMON IDEAS.

Ask and examine whether this list is exhaustive, taking account of other lists in the NT.

Ask how sharp the line between 'natural' and 'supernatural' gifts used in Christian service should be drawn.

Ask whether we as a congregation make the most of either a) 'natural' gifts or b) supernatural gifts.

Is service and ministry in our church dominated by a number of strong individuals who refuse to allow others to use their gifts, or are people failing to use their abilities properly in Christian service?

JANUARY 24th   Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians  12: 12-31

Would it be an exaggeration to claim that the New Testament can be divided into two parts?   Part A,  the establishment of the Church and its message,  (Gospels and Acts). Part B the problems of the early church?   Paul and others write to young Christians in new churches to help them live in harmony together, and to turn from their former pagan lifestyle to a Christian one.  This was not easy.   AND....it is not easy today either!   Especially in these days when, as in New Testament times, the Christian faith is a minority religion under pressure from the dominant culture around.

These few weeks when the RCL works it way through  Corinthians will allow preachers to look at some of the causes of friction in that ancient church, and find advice for believers in fellowships today.

PREACHING THEMES AROUND HARMONY WITHIN THE FELLOWSHIP ABOUND.

How truly is our Church a true fellowship (Body), of interdependent equals?

Are we a hierarchical pyramid, an inverted pyramid or a flat structure of command?

 When I examine my own motivation, In the privacy of my heart  during a time of prayer.  What would I say was the motivation for my Christian service?

Does my church get the best out of the gifts of all its members?

Which gifts are most evident, and which least in evidence where I work and worship?  What can be done to redress the balance?  (v27-31)

JANUARY  31st   Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians   13:  1-3

This, one of the most famous and loved passages in the whole of Scripture is a pearl produced by the irritation in the church described in chapters twelve and fourteen.   The abuse of gifts, and a motivation of self promotion cause Paul to remind his readers of the only valid motivation for Christian service - love.    However, whilst such a theme for a sermon this week would suit the G.Ro.W. philosophy of searching for the themes running week by week through the lectionary passages, there are other valid themes which are too often neglected in this chapter.

Whilst this chapter may indeed be a 'Hymn to love', Paul mentions two other Christian keystones which are eternal, namely HOPE and FAITH.   Commentators have so focused on Love that the other two have been neglected.  Only a few weeks ago Christian worship was infused with Advent Hope.   Is it time to consider what that Christian Hope means over 2,000 dark years after it was first born?   What IS Christian hope, and how can we maintain it after 2,000 years of waiting?

FEBRUARY  7th   Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians 3: 12 - 4:2 

 

WHAT KIND OF BUILDING HAS OUR MINISTRY PRODUCED?

 

Many at Corinth were eager to abandon 'their' apostle, Paul,  because his public image and skills of oratory were not good enough for them.   These church members would have preferred a professional orator to represent them, one who could bring them respect and attention among their pagan neighbours on the Corinthian philosophical circuit.    Paul, the founder of the church at Corinth had to watch as his relationship with his Corinthian 'children' deteriorated.  

But what kind of building was this Church?    Perhaps it was not half as good as some of its members imagined.  (3: 10-15)

And what really was  the role of an Apostle?  (4:1)

In the end Paul claimed not to be interested in his own status or glory.  All he wanted was to be able to play a part in helping to build more stones into the eternal Church of Christ.

Preaching points.

How do we judge the 'success' of congregations today?   Numbers?  Money?  Size of leadership teams?    Leaders whose salary and life style fit into the success culture of their secular contemporaries?      Or humble Christian service and character?

How do we judge those who lead us?   Faithful service?   Costly pastoral care?  Or do we judge by the values of 21st Century celebrity culture  

Looking back over our time of Christian service what do we feel we have built which is of lasting worth?   (3: 13)

FEBRUARY 14th

Barrie Morley - December 2014