TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH              

IHOP BIBLE STUDY

# 19/20 - 1 Corinthians 16: 1 - 24, “Applying the Context,” –  with commentary.  The purpose of the 1^st Corinthian letter is “Identifying and Solving the Deeper Barriers To Living in Christian Community.”

 

According to our Study Chart: This is the last major section of our chart, “Applying A Solution Based On A Deeper Problem.” This is a new sub-section based on Our Life Together. This is the fourth of four lessons in this last subsection.

 

ABOUT THIS LESSON: There is one thing about Paul, he never gives up. Here is the 16^th chapter he is still working to “Apply the context of respectful living” by giving us a last few tidbits on which to chew.

 

I.          The first activity is to read the assigned reading at one time:

            1 Corinthians 16: 1- 24

 

Identifying and Solving the Deeper Barriers to living in Christian Community
Applying the context of Respectful Living – 1 Cor. 16: 1 - 24
Jerusalem offering plans	Paul’s personal journey plans	Travel plans for colleagues	Encouraging words	Admonitions	Greetings and salutations
Vs. 1 – 4	Vs. 5 – 9	Vs. 10 – 12	Vs. 13 – 14	Vs. 15 – 17	Vs. 18 - 24

 

 

THE FOLLOWING FORMULAS ARE CRUCIAL TO UNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNED SCRIPTURE. PLEASE RE-READ AND APPROPRIATE THE MESSAGE. Please keep in mind these statements identifies “Gut Trip Analysis.”

“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.

Rather, we are spiritual beings on a human journey.”

 

This does not deny our human nature. It helps to put our human nature in perspective to the testimony of the New Testament Scriptures, and the demonstration of Jesus’ death and resurrection as the Christ. Our purpose as Christians is to synthesize the Outer Life and the Inner Sanctuary. This is living the Awakened Life!

 

“We live from the inside out.”   This is living the synthesized life.

 

II.         Identify and ground the following words:

1.         Vs. 13, Stand firm in the faith

WS: The phrase “in the faith” is understood in Gut Trip Analysis as living the surrendered life. Paul is cutting against those who keep falling out of their central commitment to Christ. The evidence is that the Corinthian Church is attempting to control their development and creating the antithesis of At-One-Ment.

            One IHOPer noted the messages can be summarized as “Stop bitching!”  Another person noted this phrase concludes, “do everything in love.”

 

2.         Vs. 16, Submit to such as these

WS: The reference mentioned in this statement is Staphanas who was the first convert. The implications being that Staphanas has been around longer, and is committed more deeply “to the service,” and this makes him worthy to be the one to whom the Corinthian Church submit themselves.

            One IHOPer reminded us that Paul was addressing a “stiff necked” people. This term comes from oxen that made it difficult to wear the yoke.

 

3.         Vs. 17, They supplied what was lacking

WS: Staphanas, the first convert, supplied for Paul the demonstration of support and in living At-One with the mission of the Apostles.  For Paul he brought affection and support for the mission. One IHOPer said, “Staphanas was a cheerleader for the cause.”

 

4.         Vs. 20, Holy Kiss

WS: The commentary noted that the “Holy Kiss” was not in style for long in the early church. However, at one time this was a part of the Eucharistic ritual. Even today, some people will kiss the cheek of each other. Perhaps, this ritual now is reduced to the “Holy Greeting” given to each other in preparation for Holy Communion.

            I told a story about experiencing a Holy Kiss during a jail interview with a 20 year old woman jail inmate. Because this was her first experience in jail, and she found her cell-mates were far more worldly than she had ever thought possible being a Kansas farm girl, she was scared and wanted to talk to a chaplain. Because of this conversation, I learned three things. First, she needed my ear just to listen as she shared her fears. Second, before prayer I asked permission to put my hands on her head, which was granted, in order to give me the opportunity to be physically be in touch with her in a sacred moment. At the conclusion of our conversation, I asked if she was a hugger, and she turned with open arms to be embraced. For me, this was a holy moment and explains my definition of living with a Holy Kiss.

 

III.        The third assignment is to answer the following questions in our usual format.

It is helpful to begin to brood about WHY the Corinthian church was unable to solve this problem themselves. When we get around to asking this question we’ll be dealing with one of the “contradictions” preventing their own solutions. These contradictions are not named in the scripture. However, Paul provides his solution which gives us some idea about this very deep barrier. At this point we do some intelligent intuitional work that always is revealing.

 

A.         How does this material express the surface barriers or problems?

WS: Paul writes (in 16:17) that he is glad when Staphanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived because they supplied what was lacking. The audience is Paul, and the implication is that these men have supplied information about what is going on in the Corinthian Church.

    From the perspective of the author of this material, what the church lacked (and they supplied) was surrendered obedience. The church in Corinth was doing its own thing while the necessary deed was to pull off the entire Christian ministry and not just the Corinthian Church.

     The IHOPers did not see this statement as adversarial, instead is was seen as descriptive.

Also, it might be added they brought to Paul collegiality and friendship.

   One IHOPer observed that the names of Paul’s colleagues can be associated with different backgrounds: Staphanas (Hebrew), Fortunatus (Roman) and Achaicus (Greek).

 

B.        Describe Paul’s solution.

WS: Paul is quite clear (in 16:13) here that the solution to the problems at Corinth was to “Be on your guard” (against contrary views), to “stand firm in the faith” (over against those with un-surrendered commitments), to be “people of courage” (as opposed to not standing up for the larger ministry), and to “be strong” (in the face of many challenges to the Christian ministry

 

      

C.        What does Paul’s solution suggest about the Deeper Problem? (Note: this usually results in new information.)

WS: In 16:22, the Salina IHOPers surmised that the unrecognized deep problem facing the Corinthian Church with the unnamed “impending disaster.” One IHOPer noted that this might be summarized as, “If you do not recognize Jesus Christ, then I can’t work with you.”

    Another view is that Paul threatens to turn his back (to curse) on those who refuse to live the surrendered life in Christ. Also the surrendered life requires them to do acts of compassion. Those whose work is contrary to Paul’s purposes--for the larger ministry of Jesus Christ-- will reap the rewards for their deeds.

 

Alright folks, talk to me.