Book of 1 Corinthians - Ch. 16, Vs. 1-24 (03/11/2001)

The Collection for the Saints and Paul’s Travel Plans

This is the sixteenth chapter of the book of Corinthians. Now concerning the collections for the Saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

The great duty which the Apostle directs care of and provision for the poor Saints of Jerusalem to receive the poor members of Christ, especially such as suffer for his namesake, is a necessary, is necessary, yea, it's an important duty.

We indicate our love and affection to the Lord by our compassion toward the members. The only way that we have of serving the Lord is to others. For when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring you liberally unto Jerusalem.

And if it be meet that I also go, they shall go with me. It's not in us to affect our own ends. It is by God's power and under his direction that we must do everything. The scripture reminds us that a good man, the steps of a good man are ordered by God.

Now I will come unto you when I shall pass through Macedonia, for I do pass through Macedonia. And it may be that I will abide yea and winter with you, that you may bring me on my journey safely whithersoever I go, for I will not see you now by the way, but I trust to tarry a while with you if the Lord permit.

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. This is a Jewish festival occurring 50 days after the Passover, hence called Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

Watchfulness, Courage, and the Great Door for Ministry

What's that mean? All right. But what's it mean, a great door is opened unto me? Absolutely. Absolutely. God gave him a grand opening to preach the gospel. But he was not to expect that either Satan or wicked men would leave him unmolested.

Now if Timotheus comes, see that he may be with you without fear, for he worketh the work of the Lord as I also, without fear. This was commenced by the opposition or neglect on your part. And he worketh as a wise and faithful minister.

Eleven. Let no man therefore despise him, but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me, for I look for him with the brethren, accompanying him upon his journey, that he may come to them in peace.

As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desire him to come unto you with the brethren. But his will was not at all to come at this time, but he will come when he shall have convenient time. So it's very possible that we see here that everything didn't go the way Paul wanted it.

It's not Apollos' will to come, but he will come later. Watch ye, stand fast in the law of faith. Quit ye like men, be strong. Watch you. Watchfulness is necessary in daily duty. We are to watch every day.

Now we watch for what, Jesse? All right. We cannot be safe one moment without it. We have to watch. Something we must watch over. Something we must watch against. All sin. All appearances of sin. All temptations to sin.

All occasions of sinning. We must watch for all opportunities of glorifying God. For opportunities of doing good to others. In case you're wondering, I have coffee in that cup. I've got a long ways to go today, so I have to, I hope, keep my voice clear.

Doing Everything with Charity

Fourteen, let all your things be done with charity. The sum of all the commandments is what? Love. Without love, you can do nothing. Both toward God and toward our neighbors. It is not praying, if you thought that was first.

It's not hearing, if you thought that was first. Or receiving at the Lord's table, which is fulfillment of the commandment. But when these duties are done in love. And we may do many things commanded toward men.

Yet if we do them not in love to men. We do nothing as the Lord commanded. It's all very simple, unless everything's done with love. Then you can go through all of the others. But without love, they mean nothing.

Honoring the House of Stephanus and Those Who Labor in the Gospel

I beseech you brethren, you know the house of Stephanus. That it is the first fruits of Achaia. And that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints. That's a rather interesting phrase.

They have addicted themselves. Greg, what's that mean? That you submit yourselves unto such and to everyone that helpeth with us and laboreth. Submit yourselves unto such. That is, give reverence and honor to them.

Consider them as standing closer to the Lord than you. And to all such as are like unto them. Who labored with the apostles in the furthering of the gospel. All of those that labored with me, I command you to love them.

Submit yourselves, treat them with respect. And be suitably influenced by them. I am glad of the coming of Stephanus and Fortunus and Archaus. For that which was lacking on your part, they have supplied.

They have supplied what was wanting on your part. They have performed the offices of love, which you could not by reason of your absence. They loved, but they could not be with him. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours.

Therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. Acknowledge. Render them due acknowledgment by a kind reception of them. Know them in their true worth and treat them accordingly. The churches of Asia salute you.

Aquila and Priscilla salute you. Much in the Lord. Who was Aquila and Priscilla? Great and too long missing. Deborah. The nature and manner of this salutation, they salute you in the Lord. That is with a spiritual affection.

For the grace of God that is in you. That is why they salute you. And wishing you an overflowing stream of spiritual blessings from Christ. And they all come from Christ. All the brethren greet you. Greet you one another with a holy kiss.

All the Christians with whom Paul was connected in Ephesus. They felt a deep interest in the church of Corinth and sent to them Christian salutations. The salutation of me, Paul, with mine own hand. If any man love not his Lord, love not the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let him be anathema, maranathema. What in the world, Greg, does that mean? What's that mean? What do you suppose maranathema means? Yes, that's revolting, all right. Everything connected with being cursed.

He made it very, very strong. Observe here how those who do not sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ. Are under the heaviest and bitterest of divine curses. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

My love be with you all in Jesus Christ. Amen. My love and so forth. After having administered some severe rebukes. He closes with expressions of love. His very rebukes were prompted by love. How can that be?

Joy. Debbie. That's right. Therefore are all together in harmony with the profession of love made here. Paul truly loved them. It was love in Christ Jesus. And therefore he embraced all who loved him.

Well, we finished rather quickly. Is there any questions? No questions. Then let's stand. Greg, will you dismiss us please? Jesse. Yes, sir. Would you come up here please? I'm going to go to 2 Corinthians.

You're number four. Will you be ready to read that during the service? Yes, sir. Okay.