In the Corinthian church, prideful boasting and eloquent religious entertainment had replaced solid biblical teaching. Paul made it clear that he did not want to shame these believers, but to warn them because he did not want to see them led astray. Alistair Begg echoes Paul’s warning and outlines eight lessons for today’s Church, noting that faith involves humility and action as enabled by the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
14I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15For though you have countless2 guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17That is why I sent3 you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ,4 as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Series: Firm Foundation, Volume 1
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 1
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In volume one of this series, we meet a prideful, divided church whose people had divorced belief from behavior, preferring self-promotion over service. In contrast to such spiritual darkness, Paul taught that the light of God’s wisdom, faithfulness, and power exposes hypocrisy, reminding us that the Church’s only firm foundation is in the finished work of Christ.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 2
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In volume two of this series, we consider 1 Corinthians 5-6, in which Paul confronts sexual immorality and lawsuits within the church. Exploring the biblical meaning of Christian freedom, Alistair Begg reminds us that once we become believers, we are not merely patched up versions of our pre-converted selves. Instead, we are brand new creations and should live in light of our redeemed nature.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 3
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth but by the time he wrote his first letter, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of very practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In Volume Three we examine God’s plan for marriage and singleness, Christian contentment and what it means to have freedom in Christ, and the rights and responsibilities of pastors and churches. We’re reminded that adaptability and discipline are necessary as we strive to reach others and run the race of life. In all, we must remain focused on eternity and compelled by the love of Christ.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 4
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
It’s said that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. In 1 Corinthians 10–11, Paul warned the church that they were flirting with the same issues that had tragic consequences for their ancestors. These messages review Paul’s warnings and ground rules for Christian freedom, biblical headship, and communion. In all things, love and God’s glory must take precedence over selfish indulgence.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 5
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In volume five of this series, we examine spiritual gifts: What are they? What purpose do they serve? Are some better than others? In Corinth, misguided answers to these questions produced discrimination and pride rather than unity in purpose and spirit. Paul, however, taught that when we use our gifts and fulfill our roles, the Church can most effectively reflect Christ to the world.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 6
The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians may be one of the most beloved and most widely recognized portions of Scripture, but it also may be one of the most misapplied. When it is taken in isolation, this chapter becomes vulnerable to all kinds of interpretations, many of which are incomplete or misleading. In the first part of this volume of Firm Foundation, Alistair Begg connects Paul’s description of love to the immediate concern that the apostle had for the church in Corinth. By doing so, he gives us a richer and more faithful understanding of what Christian love should be like. In the second half of this series, we see that the God of love is also the God of order.
Paul continues his challenge to the Corinthian church in chapter 14 by giving them specific instructions on how to conduct themselves in worship. Since the function and focus of the church has not changed since the writing of this letter, Paul’s words on love and the gifts of the Spirit remain equally applicable to us today.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 7
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
What does the Bible have to say about life after death? What will happen to our bodies? Do believers go immediately to be with Christ? In volume seven of this series, we turn to Paul’s teaching on Christ’s death and resurrection to discover the significance of these events for the Christian. Because Jesus conquered death, we no longer need to fear it.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 8
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In closing his letter to the Corinthians, Paul taught that the reality of Christ’s resurrection has a direct impact upon ordinary life. Some consider the study of doctrine a “Sunday-only” activity, but Paul’s final words challenge such a mindset. In volume eight of Firm Foundation, we learn that if our faith is to be believable, our behavior must reflect our beliefs.
