PARTAKING CHALLENGES (I Corinthians 16: 5-24)

 

Rev. Luis S. Notario
Glencairn Baptist Church,
Glencairn, N. York, Canada

 

 

THERE are 3 challenges in the Corinthian Church to change from a problematic to a productive church:

1. Open door of opportunity - (vv. 8-9) We are reminded not to forget that the primary responsibility of Christians is to be faithful in evangelism. We should always look for an open door of opportunity to share the Gospel.
“But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”
Paul was in Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey, physically tired, needing an appropriate vacation but something hindered him.

Ephesus was then a major pagan center of religion with Diana as their goddess of love (Acts 19: 34)
- it was full of gross immorality
- it was gripped by superstition & black magic

God blessed Paul’s ministry in Ephesus where thousands were saved. His priority was to evangelize.

*Be faithful and don’t forget your priority – that is, to evangelize or to win souls for Christ.
- You are not attending church services just to fellowship with one another;
- You are not there just to listen to the Pastor’s sermon;
It is not only for pastors to win souls, every Christian is obliged to do so.

2. Be steadfast and immovable in the faith (vv 13-14.)
Don’t live like a jellyfish Christian, boneless or spineless;- influenced by the outside world.

Live by what you ought to be, because if you don’t,
a) you will be frustrated
b) you will be empty-handed at the end because you accomplished nothing.
Stand firm where God has led you.

3. Be personally involved in serving the Lord or in a ministry (vv 15-18)
Timotheus, Apollos, Estephanas were among the first converts in Achaia. You can be like anyone of them wherever you are.
There are many things to be done, you can be personally involved in a ministry where you think you could serve the Lord: in counseling, giving, witnessing, etc. *The mark of a true Christian is ministry