Under Gods Command
Paul Addresses Church Problems (1:1-6:20)
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Through various sources, Paul had received reports of problems in the Corinthian church, including jealousy, divisiveness, sexual immorality, and failure to discipline members. Churches today must also address the problems they face. We can learn a great deal by observing how Paul handled these delicate situations.
(1) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, Paul’s purpose for writing was to correct those problems and to answer questions church members had asked in a previous letter. Paul was given a special calling from God to preach about Jesus Christ. Each Christian has a job to do, a role to take, or a contribution to make. One assignment may seem more spectacular than another, but all are necessary to carry out God’s greater plans for his church and for his world.
(2) To the Church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:
A personal initiation makes a person feel wanted and welcome. We are “called to be holy.” God personally invites us to be citizens of his eternal kingdom. But Jesus Christ, God’s Son is the only one who can bring us into this glorious Kingdom because he is the only one who removes our sins. Sanctified means that we are chosen or set apart by Christ for his service. We accept god’s invitation by accepting his Son, Jesus Christ and by trusting in the work he did on the cross to forgive our sins.
(3) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace is God’s free gift of salvation given to us in Christ. Receiving it brings us peace (see Romans 5:1). In a world of noise, confusion, and relentless pressures, people long for peace. Many give up the search, thinking it impossible to find, but true peace of heart and mind is available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
Lets Bring It Home: Be available to God by placing your gifts at his service. Then as you discover what he calls you to do, be ready to do it.
Under Gods command 