06-14-06 1 Cor. 1 1-9

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1 Cor. 1:1-9

Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

Understanding your Identity in Christ: Who Am I In Christ Jesus?

 

1. I am CALLED!  Called and Calling  in vv 1 & 2 mean to be “appointed” or “selected.”

 

Paul was appointed or called on the Damascus Road. (See Acts 9:1-15)

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

 

Recount your Damascus Road. When were you called and numbered among the “saints?” How is your life different due to your “calling?”

 

 

Romans 1:6 (NLT) 

    You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ,

 

 

2. I Am SANCTIFIED! Literally means “to be made holy.” I am one who has been set apart to serve God’s righteous cause and I am destined to share in His eternal kingdom.

Leviticus 19:2

"Say this to the entire community of Israel: You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

 

 

 

3. I Am a Saint! A “saint” is chosen, is a priest, is a member of God’s holy nation, is God’s possession (See 1 Peter 2:4-12).

1 Peter 2:9

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

 

 

 4. I Am a Recipient of God’s DIVINE FAVOR!

His Divine Favor is demonstrated through exceptional giftedness. List the gifts delineated in the Bible passage (v. 5).

 

 

5. I Am a TROPHY of God’s Grace! My life is being changed by His Grace.

1 Cor. 1:6 (MsgB) 

    The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.

 

In What Ways Has my Relationship with Jesus Christ Changed My Life?

 

6. I Will Be  Declared BLAMELESS when Christ Returns!

 

Day of our Lord is a reference to the Return of Christ.

Joel 2:31

The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.

 

Amos 5:18-20

How terrible it will be for you who say, "If only the day of the Lord were here! For then the Lord would rescue us from all our enemies." But you have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will not bring light and prosperity, but darkness and disaster. 19In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion—only to meet a bear. After escaping the bear, he leans his hand against a wall in his house—and is bitten by a snake. 20Yes, the day of the Lord will be a dark and hopeless day, without a ray of joy or hope.

 

 

 

7. I Am in FELLOWSHIP With Jesus Christ. (v. 9) See Acts 2:42-47. We are literally able to relate to God through Jesus Christ as personally as we can each other. As matter of Fact it is our Fellowship with Jesus Christ that enables us to be in deep relationship or fellowship with our fellow Christ-Followers.