In our message, THE CALL TO BE SPIRITUAL (1 Cor. 16:13-24), we completed our series on the book of First Corinthians.
The Holy Spirit summarizes the message of this book here: “13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Cor. 16:13-14). The Greek word to “be brave” (andrízomai) is translated “quit you like men” in the old KJV and means literally “to make a man of… make brave,” to be courageous… This is the role of course of every godly husband to lead his house spiritually, strongly in the Lord, but it is also the role of every Christian to be “spiritual,” instead of “carnal” (1 Cor. 2:15; 3:1-15, etc.). God wants all of His kids whether we are husbands, wives or children to be mature and growing in Him- continually filled with the Spirit (Eph. 4:14-16; 5:18-22, etc.). That is, He wants us to be more like Jesus in His sanctifying grace today (Gal. 4:19, 5:16-18, 25, etc.).
Paul then spoke of “the household of Stephanas” who were some of the first people saved in the Roman province of Achaia which the city of Corinth was the capital of (1 Cor. 16:15). Some in that household, including Stephanas himself, had become elders in the church in Corinth and Paul urged the church there to “submit to such” (1 Cor. 16:16; Eph. 5:18, 21, etc.). “Stephanas” also along with “Fortunatus, and Achaicus” were used by God to deliver Chloe’s message to the apostle about problems in the church of Corinth as well as probably bring God’s Word (i.e. First Corinthians) back to them (1 Cor. 16:17). Paul was encouraged by these brothers in the faith and urged the church there likewise to “acknowledge” them (1 Cor. 16:18; Eph. 5:18, 21).
Paul also mentioned the greetings “Aquila and Priscilla” whom most in the Corinthian church would have known well as well as greetings from all the churches in Asia and other brothers as well (1 Cor. 16:19; Rev. 2:1-3:22), and Paul called the Christians in Corinth to be loving, forgiving, tenderhearted with one another as Christ is toward us (1 Cor. 16:20; Eph. 4:32, etc.) before concluding this book in his own handwriting (1 Cor. 16:21).
Like a thunderclap, Paul then reminded the Christians in Corinth that all who have not trusted in Christ sadly are “Anathama”- damned to hell (1 Cor. 16:22a; John 14:6; Acts 4:12, etc.), so we should seek to share the gospel fervently with the lost as we pray also earnestly for the Lord’s return (i.e. Maranatha) when He will come for His bride, the church, and swallow us up in life (1 Cor. 16:22b; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 35-57, etc.). In view of these truths, God’s holy love encourages us to live the life today walking in His sanctifying truth now (1 Cor. 16:23-24; Eph. 5:10; 1 Cor. 13; Rom. 12:9; 1 Cor. 15:58, etc.). *For more information on this message in God’s Word, please view SBFC’s January 26th sermon above.