Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Sermon notes
II THE REASONS WHY SUCH A MINISTRY WAS NECESSARY.
Paul was responding to sources of concern within his own heart.
1. Trouble, v3-4. Inevitably, trouble had come to these believers. Paul wirtes to indicate that he too shared in these troubles! Cp John 15:19-20. Opposition is the expected lot of the Christian. Here is a stabilizing truth to grasp. Cp 1 Peter 4:12. Without this doctrine, trouble tends to move the Christian! Notice the emphasis on this line of instruction. Paul had preached it while present, v4; he had sent Timothy to teach them the same thing, v2-3; he was now writing the same truth them in the wake of Timothy’s departure from them.
2. Satan’s temptations, v5. The devil exploits the Christian’s wrong response to trouble. His work is certainly behind the hostility of the ungodly to the saints of God. See how again Paul identifies their faith as being critical in this matter. Weak faith leaves the Christian vulnerable to the devil’s attack. Cp 1 John 5:4. The great danger posed by the devil in this was that he would destroy the gospel work among them. Contrast 2:1 & 3:5. A fruitful gospel work can be undone as faith weakens and the devil gets in. This vulnerability meant a ministry like Timothy’s was critical to preserve the fruitful ministry they had enjoyed.
III THE STRENGTH OF PAUL’S DESIRE.
How great//real was this burden for them?
He could no longer forbear, v1, 5. He could no longer patiently sit by without acting on these concerns. Every other interest was eventually overcome till it was impossible to do anything else. He had to act!
Ready to forfeit Timothy’s support and help. Timothy was a fellow-labourer. Cp Phil 2:20, 22. He was willing to be left alone in order that they might have the benefit of this necessary ministry. This meant going back on an earlier intention, Acts 17:15. As a corollary to that Timothy was willing to leave him and go!
In these ways Paul indicates the strength of burden he carried for these saints, that they might be strengthened in their faith through the ministry of the word.
IV HIS FEARS RELIEVED.
Cp v6-8. Timothy brought back good tidings.
The evidences of faith that delighted Paul, v6, 8.
- Love, v6. Cp Gal 5:6. Trouble had not soured or stifled their gracious love. Primarily this love has God as its object.
- Good remembrance, v6. Their memory of Paul was good and continual—always. Forgetfulness and unbelief go together. Cp Matt 16:8-9. Remembering Paul and his ministry was part of the evidence of the faith that enabled them to overcome trouble and the tempter.
- Desiring to see Paul again. This mimicked Paul’s own desires for them! This indicated a desire for further instruction and Apostolic teaching. Faith always wants to learn more of the truth. Faith is an appetite for Christ and His word. Remember the nature of his ministry, Acts 17:2-3.
- Stand fast in the Lord, v8. Cp Gal 5:1, Phil 4:1, Col 2:4-7. Here is a chief evidence of faith. Faith connects to the Lord. There is a stability derived from the Saviour that is in contrast to Eph 4:13-16.
This news comforted Paul in his own trials, v7-8. Cp 2 Cor 11:28. It had a reviving effect, v8. Conversely, we might say that it would have killed him to hear otherwise!! He could live if they stood for Christ. Let the devil do as he might; let trouble come; Paul would survive if the saints he ministered to continued to stand. Here is something that every Christian can do to aid the work of the ministry!