Category: sermons

Background

The Corinthian Christians are special to Apostle Paul. Their relationship goes back when together with Aquila and Priscilla, established the church of the Lord at Corinth, a progressive city in the province of Achaea in Greece (Acts 18:1-8).   Apostle Paul spent three years and six months preaching there to help the Corinthian church of Christ to grow and mature. One of his major work there is the conversion of Crispus, ruler of the synagogue and all his household (Acts 18:8).

Finally, because his presence and preaching troubled the Jews, Paul left Corinth for Ephesus (Acts 18: 18-23). After this, no subsequent visits to Corinth were mentioned by Luke (the writer of the book of Acts) except that which Paul himself recorded in 1 Corinthians 4:19, 1 Corinthians 16: 5-8 and 2 Corinthians 12:14 and 2 Corinthians 13:1.

His love for this congregation is evident having written them twice. And so, after having left the Corinthian congregation, Paul surprisingly received news from the household of Chloe that problems inside the church caused divisions among its members (1 Corinthians 1: 11). Paul wrote the first time to the Corinthian Christians primarily to address this disturbing news. The second epistle was written by Paul to express his thanksgiving to a repentant majority and to appeal to a rebellious minority to accept his authority as an apostle. Apparently, some teachers that visited them casted doubts regarding Paul’s apostleship. They influenced the Corinthian Christians and said Paul is not a true apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Theme and Purpose of Writing. Chapter 1 verses 12 to 24 is a large part of Paul’s introduction in his second letter. He tells them why he is writing. Yet, he did not waste time to establish the very foundation of this letter. He writes to them, so this rebellious minority of church at Corinth will repent and accept his apostleship (verses 12-14)

He begins his humble defense against his detractors in verse 12 when he said that his ministry is anchored on SIMPLICITY AND GODLY SINCERITY. Apostle Paul emphasized here that inasmuch as he SUFFERED much for the cause of Christ and for the cause of salvation (verses 3-11), he continued in his ministry with a character of a true apostle. This is something that the Corinthian Christians will have to have to recognize for the following reasons:

1. Paul is not like the other teachers peddling the word of God (2 Cor. 2:17)
2. Paul loves them sincerely like his own children. (1 Cor. 4:14)
3. Paul’s desire for them is to simply mature (1 Cor 3: 2-4)
4. Paul desires to see them again and look at them eye to eye and prove his case.

Secondly, Paul wanted them to know that he plans to visit them soon (verse 15). He said that his desire to win them back is his motivation to come and visit. His intention is to stay with them before going to Macedonia and then from Macedonia revisit again the second time before proceeding to Judea. His visit is characterized by the following:

1. Thoroughly planned (verse 17)
2. Truthfully planned (verses 18-19)
3. Gloriously planned (verses 20)

Thirdly, Paul wanted them to know through this letter that it was God who established the Corinthian church of Christ and he himself together with the Corinthian Christians are anointed by God (verse 21). And the proof of this, is the guarantee of the Holy Spirit who was given to them as a seal of their faith.

Lastly, Paul wanted to restore them to God and this is his top priority (verse 23, 24).

The Gospel of Mark is presentation of Jesus as the Messiah not only to the Jews but even more elaborate to the Gentiles (Roman). Mark centers his presentation of Jesus as the messiah on two very important areas of His ministry – SERVICE AND SACRIFICE
His presentation of the accounts of Jesus’ ministry that started in Galilee and ended on the cross in Calvary and capped by His resurrection and ascension.
The gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, Paul’s companion when he made his first missionary journey together with Barnabas (Acts 13 :1-5). It was believed that Mark’s full name is John Mark (Acts 12:25). He was very young when he joined Paul and Barnabas in that first missionary journey and so he left them and went back home to Jerusalem.
John Mark continued joining Barnabas in missions (Acts 15:36-41). His major contribution to Christianity is the Gospel according to Mark written probably between 67 -69 AD in Rome. His experience as a companion to the apostles in mission to the gentiles helped him to write this very important book in the New Testament.
Mark 10: 17-31
The key word to understand this section of the Book of Mark is in verse 26, when the disciples asked the question “Who then could be saved?” Apparently, the central figure in this discussion among the disciples is the rich and young Jewish ruler who came to Jesus, knelt down and asked the question “what shall I do to inherit eternal life” (Mark 10: 17)? Jesus, fully aware of the Jewish Law, told him exactly God’s plan of salvation to the Jews. Take note that the Old Testament Law is God’s covenant for the nation of Israel (Malachi 4:4). Here in this account you have a young Jewish ruler, (probably a ruler of a synagogue or maybe Pharisee or a scribe) who just like Jesus, is familiar with the laws of the Old Testament scriptures. His personal assessment of himself, having followed to the letter the Jewish laws even from his youthful years was a total hypocrisy to the Man he chose to judge him. Apparently, the rich young ruler was simply seeking laud and recognition from Christ, who people believed was a prophet from God. However, seeing this hypocrisy in his heart, Jesus told him he is still a total failure because he lacks – “LOVE”. You see, “the purpose of the commandment is love, from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). The Jewish young ruler, who is a figure here representing Israel’s failure to keep the laws of God simply because they were not doing it out of Love but because it is their duty to do so.
And so, Mark, the writer of this gospel presented this account of the rich young ruler to his Roman readers (Gentiles), in the view that we can see God’s plan for the gentiles to be grafted in the family of God. For if a man like the rich young Jewish ruler, who knows the law and keeps it, would still be deemed a failure base from God’s standard, then the question “Who then shall be saved?”
Jesus’ answer to this question is remarkable. He said (and I am paraphrasing) “If you think that salvation is no longer possible, you are mistaken because with God everything is possible” (Mark 10:27). Peter who is very Jewish, responded according to the same character that makes him really Peter. He lauds himself saying, (again I am paraphrasing) Well, how about us? We left all and have followed you Lord”?
Jesus answers him in verses 29 and 30. (paraphrase again) The road to following Jesus is difficult whether you are a Jew or a Gentile. A disciple of Jesus is characterized by the word PERSECUTION (verse 30).
Jesus concluded his lesson by saying “The first will be the last and last will be the first”. And this is in reference to the long-standing enmity between Jews and the Gentiles. See that God chose the Jews first, but they rejected God and so God turned to the Gentiles.
And so, the main point of Mark in his presentation of this account is answer to the question “Who then shall be saved” And that is one who becomes a disciple of Jesus whether a Jew or a Gentile. One who is obedient to God through Christ. One who follow God because he loves God and He loves his neighbor.
Thus, one who is in Christ!