Paul’ Encouragement

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

IntroductionGeneral Theme of 1Corinthian is in the form of:- rebuke correctionChap 1-14 deal primarily with:- Errant behavior

Chap15 deals with:

Errant theology

Rebuke and correction givenout of Paul’s love for them.

Author – PaulPioneer the church

1. Baptism – dead2. No resurrection

Five Encouragements

1. Watch

2. Steadfast

3. Quit you like men

4. Be Strong

5. Love

All Positive Imperative commands

of Paul after his rebuke

and correction to

encouraged them.

All present continuous tense.

1. Watch - gregoreuo (gray-gor yoo'-o) Be vigilant Be awake Be on the alert

Mentioned22 X in NT

In the NT, 6 things to watch:-

1. Satan:1 Pet 5:8-92. Temptation: Mk 14:38

3. Apathy/Indifference: Rev 3:1-3

1.Four negatives2. Two positives

4. False teacher: 2 Pet 2:1, 2 Tim 4:3-5

1) Watch – Be on alert

5. Escape temptation: Mark 14:38

6. For the Lord’s return: Matt 24:42, 25:13 2 Pet 3:10-12

Positive encouragement that: strengthened bring hope

Negatives must continually avoidbecause harmful and damaging

Used figuratively meaning: to stand firm in faith and duty, to be constant, to persevere, to remain steadfast, to continue in a state

2. Stand fast - steko

The present imperative is a command.

To continue to persevere and remain firm in the faith

Faith - (pistis) is synonymous with: trust or belief

and is the conviction of the truth - Bible

Faith is at the foundation of all Christian living.

Faith has to do with the:

1. Character of God,2. Nature of God

To stand fast in the faith, must:1. Grounded in the Word. Looking at everything Judging everything

2. Cultivate intimate relationship communion through prayer

1. Culture of the time2. Law of the land3. God’s ministers

3. “quit you like men” - Be Mature

A matured believer has a sense of : control confidence

Paul describes Corinthian believers as: carnal childish

discernment

babes

How does a believer grow and mature? by the milk and meat of the word of God – 1 Co 3:1-2, 1 Pet 2:2

4. Be Strong - krataioo Frequently used in NT to mean: inner growthPassive verb –literally mean: be strengthened be empoweredPassive means it is the workof the indwelling Spirit.

spiritual growth

Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

By someone

4. Be Strong - krataioo

Encouraged the Corinthians believersto be strengthened by the Lord toovercome the battle of the flesh: immorality jealously

strife division

Believers must submit and yield to the Holy Spirit so He can strengthened them.

As long as we yield to the Holy Spirit, we will always have His strengthen.

5. Love - AgapeIs unconditional, sacrificial love

and Biblically refers to a love: that God is (1Jn 4:8,16), that God shows (Jn 3:16, 1Jn 4:9) and that God enables in His children to live by – Rom 5:5

People do not care how much we know until they know how

much we care.

Love like spiritual strength comes from the Lord – 1 John 4:7

5. LoveNote: Let all that we do.

serving in the church ministering to one another working in the homeMotive of why we do certain things is more important than the task itself.

When tasks are done out of love thenno obstacles and hindrances can stop us.

Without lovePaul’s encouragementWould be legalism

Conclusion

Five Encouragements of Paul

1. Watch

2. Stead fast in the faith

3. Quit you like men – Be Mature

4. Be Strong

5. Love