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What’s Your Calling? (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)

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by

Brian
in

The following are my notes from Pastor Dan Tuttle’s message this week.  Click on the link below to listen to the audio of the message.

mp3Sunday, October 18, 2009 – Pastor Dan Tuttle – What’s Your Calling? – 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Scripture References
Acts 19, Acts 18, 2 Peter 1:10,  Acts 18:17, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Romans 12:1, Matthew 1:21,  2 Corinthians 8:9

My Notes

First Corinthians was written by Paul when he was on his third missionary journey.

  • vs 1: Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
    • The people of Corinth didn’t know Paul or his ministry or authority as an apostle.
    • In Acts 18:17 Sosthenes was the head of a Jewish synagogue which went after Paul and was dragged into Paul’s beating.
      • Acts 18:17 NASB And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.
      • God can take someone who is totally against you and turn him into a fellow laborer for the Lord, for the love of Jesus Christ and the power of God.
      • Some scholars believe Sosthenes acted as Paul’s secretary and took dictation of this letter.
  • vs 2: To 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:
    • He establishes this calling of God as an authority in our lives.  There is a direction in this calling.
    • He isn’t standing on his own authority, but that right which God has established in him in Jesus Christ.
    • 2 Peter 1:10 NASB Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
      • Diligent: work hard at it
      • Satan wants to distract you from your calling and election by God.  These thing are so important because if we do them, we’ll never stumble.
      • God calls us to walk humbly, acknowledge God, and to repent… but we also should find our priority calling of our lives.
      • There is nothing more important than to know the will of God and the calling in our lives.
    • The Church of God, he says he instead of just the Church as he does in 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
      • He uses this phrase to distinguish the gathering of the church from secular.
      • called out ones — OF GOD
      • the word was also used for secular meetings and gatherings
    • Saints — when you come and are sanctified by the Holy Sprit, you are called of the Lord and you’re a saint
    • Sanctified — hagiazo;  hagios — saints: “set apart for exclusive use”  — we’re to be used specifically for his use in this world
      • Hebrew word for this speaks of a holy separated one who is a sacrifice.
      • Romans 12:1 NASB Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
  • vs 3: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • Grace was a Greek greeting; Peace: shalom — Hebrew greeting.  Paul was about the purpose of unifying the church.
    • Openings of letters had four parts.  Introduction of the author, the person to whom the letters was written, the salutation, and the thanksgiving.
  • vs 4: I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
    • We can’t get anywhere without grace which we received from Christ Jesus.
      • Christ is His title; Jesus is His name.
      • Christos, (Strong’s number 5547) Greek — anointed one
      • Mashiach (Strong’s number 4899) — Hebrew — anointed
      • Jesus (Strong’s number 3091) — Jehovah is salvation
    • Hebrews 12:2 NASB fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • vs 6: even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
    • God is faithful —
    • 2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
    • We’re called to share the life of Jesus
    • We’ve gained fellowship with one another and with those who were once enemies.
    • Greek: koinonia (Strong’s number 2842) — fellowship, oneness
    • Love overcomes every obstacle. (1 Corinthians 13)
    • We’re called to be set apart ones — exclusive for Jesus Christ.