God's Church: To the Church in Corinth

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘to the church in Corinth’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 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: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge — God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT:What is one way this week that you can demonstrate that Jesus has sent you? WARM-UP Can you remember a funny example of a time when you made a bit of a mess of things?How had the church in Corinth made a mess of things? Yet, how does Paul speak of it?Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-4 - Called by GodWhat was the city of Corinth like? What was the history of Paul’s connection with Corinth?Whose church was it? Whose church is St Bart’s? Why is it so important to recognise this?For what reason does Paul give thanks for the church? Does this surprise you at all?How can you give thanks for the same in our life together at St Bart’s? Can you think of examples?How is being called by God to be his church fundamental to our ultimate identity?Read 1 Corinthians 1:5-7 - Supplied with GiftsIn what way does Paul say that the Corinthian church (and us!) have been enriched?What were some of the issues for the Corinthian church when it came to gifts? Can we be similar?When it comes to God’s gifts, do you usually have a view of scarcity or abundance? Why or why not?How do you see God’s gifts at work in our life together at St Bart’s? Is there anyone you could encourage or enable to use their gifts in the life of God’s church at St Bart’s?For what reasons should our gifts never be a source of boasting?Read 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 - Kept BlamelessWhat does it mean for God to keep us firm? In what way will we be blameless? On what basis?Does this guarantee give us freedom to obey rather than freedom to rebel?How does belonging to Jesus shape your identity on one of your frontlines?APPLY:  How would others recognise that your identity is shaped by your relationship with Jesus? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you for the grace, gifts, and guarantee of a secure future that we have in Jesus. Please shape the identity of our lives and church on the basis of who you are and what you have done in the Lord Jesus. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone? Listen, Watch, and Read: Summoned by Grace by Andrew Each1 Corinthians 1:1-9 by Andy GemmillOur Confidence by Grahame Johnson1 Corinthians 1 by Peter Adam1 Corinthians 1:1-9 by John StottSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook