Purpose Statement: Paul sums up short, and quick reminders for the Corinthians to learn and remember. A practice in the early church was to help people because there was a famine in the land. There was persecution. A prophet foretold about the famine. They were putting out the call for relief. The purpose of giving was to help those in need. The church came together on the Lord’s Day.

Theme of the Week: In David’s life he experienced some events. How did he address or define being a Christian? What happens when we experience Christ? When David experienced Christ the Lord he was brought up out of the pit. How did David feel? How do we feel when we are brought up out of the pit? When saved, we are saved from something and for something. What is that? Have you ever heard someone say, “you need to experience this!”? And you find out it wasn’t what they said. What song do we have since we came to know Jesus?

Purpose statement: In the first century Church, worship was a spontaneous experience. The printed Bible didn’t exist yet. The Corinthian Christians needed to wait on the Lord as the Holy Spirit swept through the church and their worship. All Christians were confident that whatever was spoken, sung, or taught was directly from God for the purpose of edifying, and building up the people and the church. What principles apply? What instructions and rules did Paul give in applying principles to the use of the spiritual gifts in worship? How did the Corinthians see themselves as pacesetters for truth? How do we see and experience worship today?

Purpose statement: We begin chapter 12 about spiritual gifts, and we discover the practice of them is significant in the Christian life and is crucial for worship. Who gives spiritual gifts? These gifts are for the common purpose. How does the Spirit distribute the gifts? Why do various gifts impact the body of Christ for a variety of purposes? What kinds of service is there? God is at work through the Holy Spirit influencing how we exercise our spiritual gifts in our serving God. The Holy Spirit and our spiritual gifts will flow in one direction. How are we building relationships and building up the body of Christ?

Purpose statement: This Scripture helps us to end the discussion on Christian freedom. Paul has said if you go to the meat market don’t ask if it was sacrificed to an idol or not. It’s ok. If (hypothetically) an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, then, do this: eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience (what would violate their conscience?) Don’t ask something that would conflict with someone’s conscience. Don’t ask something that would make someone uncomfortable and just not care. Don’t lead someone into doing something that is sinful. It’s better safe than sorry. How empathetic are we?

Purpose statement: Paul corrects the Corinthians with how they are messing up the Lord’s Table. The early Church had a love feast (Agape feast) and ate a common meal together. At the end of the meal, they would have the common cup. Paul addressed their love feast as they were doing more harm than good. The people in Corinth were getting sloppy remembering and celebrating what Christ did on the Cross. They violated what they were celebrating. They needed better self-examination. How do we celebrate various holidays? They expressed selfish, unloving, and uncaring in their relationships in the body of Christ. What should we be mindful of? (vs. 23-25). The past: Do this in remembrance of me, that Jesus died on the cross. (Other Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-6; 1 Peter 2:24). Vs. 26. Be mindful. How?

Purpose statement: Paul moves through his own example as the right way to utilize Christian freedom. Paul emphasizes the rewards. He boasts in the Lord. Paul claims his freedom, in order to win people to Jesus and that he belongs to no one but Christ. He is a slave to none but Christ. He gives up his freedom. He addresses the Jews, those under the law, those not having the law, and the weak. These groups have different cultural norms of what is acceptable. How does Paul win people to Christ?

God calls people to toil in the mission fields so that

His name can be known, and His word heard. All are called at

some level and asked to fill God’s evangelistic plan…have you

heard the call and will you accept the charges?