Lectionary Year A
January 20, 2002
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Contemporary Address
Step VI - Contemporary Address
A. Goals
A. Goals
(JFC) A sermon from these lines from Paul might enlighten and inspire parishioners
to face winter doldrums more faithfully aware of God's personal care for them, etc.
B. Describing the Audience
(JFC) Any congregation needing encouragement to deepen their personal relationship
with God might benefit from hearing and pondering this sermon.
C. Contemporary Address
(JFC) A sermon, entitled for this early draft, "We've Got Mail"
Introduction
The Apostle Paul writes a very personal letter to the Christian community at Corinth in the first century, soon after he founded the Church there, see Acts 18.
I. God
A. Paul states that God is faithful. Here, he means God is reliable, trustworthy, etc.
B. God calls witnesses, like Saul of Tarsus, like Paul the Apostle and like you and me.
II. Jesus Christ
A. Jesus Christ is said by Paul to have been the context in which the recipients of this epistle have been enriched. He clarifies the enriching gifts include words and knowledge.
B. Paul further reports that Jesus Christ will be a revealer, beyond the life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
III. The Church
A. At Corinth, in the first century, there were problems with the people there and the various ways they had begun to practice the exercises of the faith, especially worship, etc.
B. Here and now, in this, our Church, we have a few problems, too. However, as Paul demonstrates, problems are for solving. After we discern the nature of our problems, discuss them openly, as Paul did with the first century Corinthians, we can strategize to solve them together and with God's leading.
Conclusion
This God who blesses us with the gift of this Church, shows us in Christ and through the Apostle Paul how best to take care of it.
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