1 Corinthians

Describe the three kind of men that God recognizes.

The natural man—the unregenerate man.

The carnal man—the Christian who is ruled by the flesh.

The spiritual man—the believer controlled by the Holy Spirit.

The carnal man though not making spiritual progress was not anti-spiritual. They were babes, spiritually immature, lacking in spiritual understanding.

Because of this condition Paul fed them with milk. There is only one period in our Christian life that we can rightly be called babes.

To remain a babe is to be carnal. The marks of a carnal believer are jealousy, strife, and divisions. If we display these traits (sins) we are walking according to human standards.

v. 5-8—In these verses the Spirit of God cuts down to size those men whom the carnal had places at the head of the faction. They are servants and are nothing in God’s estimation. As servants or instruments they planted and watered, but God, who is everything, gave the increase.

v. 8—There were those who believed that the servants named were not in fellowship with each other. Paul refutes that “we are one.”

Each servant will be rewarded for his own work.

v. 9—The dignity of our calling and position in Christ. We are God’s fellow-workers. We, the church, are God’s cultivated field. We are God’s building.

v. 10—This verse sets the context for what follows. Paul has in mind here the Corinthian assembly. He says that as an architect he laid the foundation. Then others came along and built on it. Then comes the admonition, “But let every man take heed.”

Lesson 221: The Ascension Of Christ
Acts 1:1-11
Golden Text: Acts 1:11

I. The Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 10.

1. The Person Who gave it. He had the right by virtue of His Person and His work.

2. The power for it—“Himself;” v. 18. Note the “power” as seen in (1) His birth; Luke 1:35. (2) Ministry; Luke 4:32. (3) Miracles; Luke 4:36. (4) Forgiveness; Matthew 9:6. (5) Death; John 10:18. (6) Resurrection. Romans 1:4; Colossians 2:13-15. (7) Ascension; Ephesians 1:20. (8) Coming; Matthew 24:30.

3. The plan of it. (1) The command “go ye.” (2) The scope, “world.” (3) The theme, “the Gospel.” (4) The persons, “every creature.”

4. The persons to whom given—His disciples. (1) Chosen. Mark 3:14; John 15:16. (2) Saved; Matthew 16:16. (3) Taught. (4) Commissioned. (5) Equipped.

5. The privilege of it. Ambassadors, co-workers, witnesses, trustees, servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. The price of it. “Go” means leave. Cp. Luke 14:26.

7. The promise with it. “I am with you.” Cp Hebrews 13:5.

II. The Promise. Acts 1:4, 5.

1. Promised in O. T. Isaiah 32:15; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezek 11:19; Joel 228.

2. Promised in N. T. John 15:26—16:14.

III. The Questioning Disciples. Vs. 6-8.

1. The question; v. 6. (1) An earthly kingdom expected; Isaiah 2:2-4. (2) The King being rejected, the kingdom is in obeyance. Luke 19:14; Acts 3:14. (3) He will yet be King over the Earth; Psalm 2.

Lecture 11 True Apostolic Succession 1 Corinthians 4:6-16 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye ar...

Lecture 16 The Time Is Short 1 Corinthians 7:18-40 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant...

Lecture 21 The Table Of The Lord And The Table Of Demons 1 Corinthians 10:15-30 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that th...

Lecture 26 Spiritual Manifestations 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations...

Lecture 31 Godly Order, In The Assembly Of The Saints 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, a...

Lecture 36 How Are The Dead Raised Up? 1 Corinthians 15:35-50 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of...

For nearly two years, 1934 and 1935, it was my privilege to attempt to expound the Corinthian epistles at the regular Sunday morning gatherings, numbering from twenty-five hundred to thirty-five hundred people, in the auditorium of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. With radio equipment these addresses were broadcast over a large stretch of territory, thus reaching many thousands more. So insistent has been the demand for their publication in printed form that I have decided to send them ou...

Lecture 1 Sanctified In Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, (vv. 1-3) The two letters to the Corinthians, th...