<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Special Place with Special People<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing Pains: The Struggle of a Culturally Relevant Church \/ Church: Nature \/ 1 Corinthians 1:1\u20133<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Church, Attending<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many believers don\u2019t see the importance of regular church attendance. Members of Northend Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Seattle received a special announcement in the mail, listing the many things that would be done for them at church on the following \u201cno-excuse-to-stay-home Sunday.\u201d
\nAccording to the pastor, cots would be available for those who say Sunday is their only day to sleep. Eye drops would be supplied for those who have red eyes from watching late Saturday-night TV shows. There would be steel helmets for those who say the roof would cave in if they ever went to church, blankets for persons who think the church is too cold, fans for those who say it is too hot, scorecards for those wishing to list all the hypocrites present, TV dinners for those who can\u2019t go to church and also cook dinner. Finally, the sanctuary would be decorated with Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who have never seen the church without them.169<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tonight we begin a study through the Book of 1 Corinthians. This letter from Paul has a lot of rebukes to be sure, but it also contains very pointed instruction and critique to a growing church that was desperately trying to be culturally relevant and reach those around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the greeting of the letter we find some nuggets of truth regarding the very special people who belonged to the Church of God in Corinth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This Letter is for the Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 1:1\u20133 KJV
\nPAUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Assembly
\nekklesia (????????, 1577), from ek, \u201cout of,\u201d and klesis, \u201ca calling\u201d (kaleo, \u201cto call\u201d), was used among the Greeks of a body of citizens \u201cgathered\u201d to discuss the affairs of state, Acts 19:39. In the Sept. it is used to designate the \u201cgathering\u201d of Israel, summoned for any definite purpose, or a \u201cgathering\u201d regarded as representative of the whole nation. In Acts 7:38 it is used of Israel; in 19:32, 41, of a riotous mob. It has two applications to companies of Christians, (a) to the whole company of the redeemed throughout the present era, the company of which Christ said, \u201cI will build My Church,\u201d Matt. 16:18, and which is further described as \u201cthe Church which is His Body,\u201d Eph. 1:22; 5:23, (b) in the singular number (e.g., Matt. 18:17, RV marg., \u201ccongregation\u201d), to a company consisting of professed believers, e.g., Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:13; 1 Thess. 1:1;2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:5, and in the plural, with reference to churches in a district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 16:18 KJV
\nAnd I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ephesians 1:22 KJV
\nAnd hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ephesians 5:23 KJV
\nFor the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is God\u2019s Church<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a Local Church<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This Letter is to the Sanctified In Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV
\nUnto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Hallow
\nhagiazo (??????, 37), \u201cto make holy\u201d (from hagios, \u201choly\u201d), signifies to set apart for God, to sanctify, to make a person or thing the opposite of koinos, \u201ccommon\u201d; it is translated \u201cHallowed,\u201d with reference to the name of God the Father in the Lord\u2019s Prayer, Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2. See SANCTIFY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hebrews 12:14 KJV
\nFollow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This Letter is to the Saints<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV
\nUnto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not Only Set Apart for Holiness But Called Holy Ones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All Who Call on the Name of The Lord Are Saints!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Holiness, Holy, Holily<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever struggles the Church at Corinth had, they were a very special group. These folks were a physical manifestation of the Body of Christ, they were set apart for Holiness By Christ, they were called the Holy Ones of Christ. Though they struggled, they like us, were a very special place with special people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 9:20 PM January 25, 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A Special Place with Special People Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General Growing Pains: The Struggle of a Culturally Relevant Church \/ Church: Nature \/ 1 Corinthians 1:1\u20133 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Church, Attending Many believers don\u2019t see the importance of regular church attendance. Members of Northend Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Seattle received … Continue reading A Special Place with Special People<\/span>