Welcome to Corinth, a materialistic, highly competitive, status-centered, recognition-hungry, peer-driven; ethically uncentered, relativistic society. This multicultural town is deeply segregated into pockets of nationalities, religions, and social strata. Sound familiar? Add a few Teslas, iphones, and political ads, and we’re pretty much at home, right?
How did a church grow up in a place like Corinth? The same way the church grows everywhere – the Holy Spirit sent a believer, in this case, Paul, to share the gospel. Once they heard and believed, the new believers gathered into a community called the church.
Paul faithfully preached in Corinth for 18 months and then responded to the Spirit’s call to move on. Other teachers stepped in to continue the work, but they were different. For the most part, they taught the same message but had different styles of teaching and interacting. And something in our sin nature tells us that when something’s different, we have to choose which one’s better. Pick a side – who do you like – which one’s best? The church had begun to slip back into the world’s value systems and ways, which led to all sorts of disagreements and harmful choices.
Paul wrote these two letters to address those issues and to remind the believers that in the gospel, what we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God Himself. Having the Spirit of God produces countercultural living that puts the Jesus first in all things. It’s a powerful teaching is incredible relevant for all believer at all times.
Our study of these 2 letters begins on Thursday, January 16th, at 7:30pm. Registration is rolling, and all are welcome to join at any time. It’s a mixed adult study—men and women, young and not-so-young.