> Roman Corinth was prosperous, cosmopolitan, and religiously pluralistic, accustomed to visits by impressive, traveling public speakers and obsessed with status, self-promotion, and personal rights.

# 1. The Church is Called

> The merchant who made his gain by all and every means, the man of pleasure surrending himself to every lust, the athlete steeled to every bodily exercise and proud of his physical strength, are the true Corinthians types: in a word, the man who recognized no superior and no law but his own desires.

> -- Stephen Um

# 2. The church is Gifted

# 3. The church is Promised

# 4. Implications

## Implication 1: God is at the core of the gospel

## Implication 2: Gracious encouragement and growth go hand in hand

*Gracious encouragement precedes Godly exhortation.*

* Encourage the effort that someone makes to obey God.

* Point out where the Spirit has granted Godly restraint or humility in a tough situation.

* Thank people for the way they serve Christ.

* Encourage any and every act of repentance you observe, even if it’s not perfect.

* Remind each other of the gospel promises.