If your church building were sold and turned into an auto repair shop in six weeks, would the church still exist? Paul's opening words to the Corinthians answer that question.
Paul's letter to the church at Corinth spends sixteen chapters correcting real problems, yet he begins by describing what he sees in them. In this message from 1 Corinthians 1, we lay the blueprint of that first-century church beside our own. The church belongs to God, its people are sanctified in Christ, they partner with other believers, they live in grace and peace, and they carry a testimony that others can see.
What you'll take away:
- The church belongs to Jesus, and the building is only a building.
- Being made holy is Christ's work, not something religion can help you practice into existence.
- Salvation is where the Christian life begins, and God keeps working on his people after that.
- Grace and peace let very different people stand side by side next to Christ.
- A church's testimony shows in how its people live and how they care for one another.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Acts 18:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:47
