{"id":86,"date":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/02\/7th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-310-17\/"},"modified":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","slug":"7th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-310-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/02\/7th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-310-17\/","title":{"rendered":"7th Sunday after Epiphany &#8211; Year A &#8211; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"paragraph\">\n<font size=\"3\"><strong>The Word This Week:<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/font><a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=19#hebrew_reading\" style=\"color: rgb(148, 138, 84);\">Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=19#psalm_reading\" style=\"color: rgb(148, 138, 84);\">Psalm 119:33-40<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=19#epistle_reading\" style=\"color: rgb(148, 138, 84);\"><br \/>\n1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=19#gospel_reading\" style=\"color: rgb(148, 138, 84);\">Matthew 5:38-48<br \/>\n\u200b<\/a><br \/>\n<font size=\"3\"><br \/><\/font>Read or watch the sermon below!\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wsite-content-title\">Watch:<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div id=\"551026633765717711\" align=\"left\" style=\"width: 100%; overflow-y: hidden;\" class=\"wcustomhtml\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwwanglican%2Fvideos%2F1615370541826457%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=270\" width=\"270\" height=\"600\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wsite-content-title\">Read:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"paragraph\">\n<font size=\"3\" color=\"#2A2A2A\">Well good morning again everyone.\u00a0 Today we are going to be Finishing continuing our mini series on these opening few chapters of focus on Paul\u2019s first letter to the church in Corinth.\u00a0 Today we are focusing\u00a0on verses 10 &#8211; 17 of1-9 of chapter 3. It may seem like a rather odd place to finish our series \u2013 part way through a chapter.\u00a0 However the reading that the lectionary has provided for us today is a good one on which to finish \u2013 and to sum up what we have discovered Paul has been highlighting Paul\u2019s call to the church in Corinth over the last few weeks.to turn back to Jesus, rather than caving into the call of the world.\u00a0 Before we begin looking too closely at this chapter though as we have each week, I think it is important that we recap what we learnt in our readings from the readings over the last fivefew weeks leading to this point.exploration of chapter one.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To recap Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth in around the year 54AD while he was in Ephesus on his third missionary journey.\u00a0 Corinth was the capital of the Roman province of Achaea.\u00a0 You will remember that the letter was written to this church because Paul had received reports that the church in Corinth was suffering under factionalism and placing great emphasis on the gifts certain members had over others. Others claimed superior knowledge and wisdom. While others were living immoral lives while still claiming membership of the church.<\/p>\n<p>You will recall we read in our first week about Paul setting out who the Corinthians were in the eyes of God, and emphasising that though their knowledge and gifts are wonderful things they are all from God.\u00a0\u00a0 They enable us to see that we are called into a whole body of believers, that we are set apart \u2013 sanctified by God, that the spiritual gifts we have are from God, that our knowledge and abilities in the faith are from God.\u00a0 Paul wanted them to understand the great truth that it is God at work in us that redeems us \u2013 that it is God\u2019s grace \u2013 his unmerited, or unearned favour towards us that is what saves us \u2013 <em>that is the very key to the Gospel!<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Having set the scene for his letter to the Corinthian Church by letting them know that it is God who is at work in them, and their salvation, their knowledge and their gifts are all from God, and that they are all one body of believers \u2013 the body of Christ \u2013 Paul moved into discussing factionalism and division in the church.<\/p>\n<p>Paul called the church to unity, to be of one mind. Now remember Paul \u00a0when he says that we as the church should all be of one mind wasn\u2019t calling us to blind faith or conformity \u2013 rather he was calling the church to focus on the core thing \u2013 the Gospel. He was also emphasising that what we do and how we behave matters and effects how we are able to promote that Gospel \u2013 <em>that is important!<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Remember he also gave us that model of evangelism \u2013 that being straight forward and honest about the Gospel without embellishment and without compromise.<\/p>\n<p>Then we focussed heavily on how the cross of Christ is foolishness to the world.\u00a0 We focussed on how it is through that cross we are reconciled to God.\u00a0 That it is at the cross where the consequences for our sins are dealt with.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It is at the cross where God incarnate says \u2013 even though you may think it is foolish, <em>here I show you my love, here I do what I must to bring us back together.<\/em>\u00a0 <strong>It is at the cross that the bill we owe is paid.<br \/><\/strong><br \/>\nTwo weeks ago we readLast week in chapter 2 Paul continued talking to the church in Corinth about how the Gospel does not conform to the wisdom of the world.\u00a0 Paul explainedIn the opening five verses of our reading today Paul continued to explain to the them how he didn\u2019t come to them trying to appear wise and distinguished \u2013 he didn\u2019t come to them trying to look and sound like someone who would be deemed respectable by the standards of the world &#8211; rather he came to them from a place of weakness \u2013 with a story that would seem implausible to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Then he explained to us that it is through the spirit that we begin to fully understand what God has done for us.\u00a0 It is through God\u2019s Spirit working through us and guiding us that we begin to comprehend the magnificence of what God has achieved through becoming a human being and taking upon himself the consequence for sin.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Through opening ourselves up \u2013 being willing to hear God\u2019s call, being willing to let the Spirit guide us we begin to understand that what seems like foolishness to the powers of this world \u2013 is actually the very thing that will overthrow them.\u00a0 When we are willing focus on what God\u2019s spirit leads us to \u2013 we find ourselves drawn into an understanding of God that is astonishing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Then we also learnt that while there are those who Paul calls \u2018unspiritual\u2019 those who reject God and thus face the full consequence of sin. <em>God never stops calling us.\u00a0 He never gi<\/em><em>ves up<\/em><em>\u2013 it is not to late,<\/em> <em>for anyone &#8211;<\/em> <em>He is there waiting for<\/em> <em>us<\/em><em>, calling us<\/em> <em>\u2013 all<\/em> <em>we need do is turn back to him<\/em><em>.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Last week we read Paul chastising the Corinthians for making him and Apollos idols \u2013 placing them in front of God. Paul called the church in Corinth back to fidelity to the God \u2013 and he calls us to the same.\u00a0 We were reminded to search out the idols that we erect in our own lives \u2013 whether it be money, or reputation or our favourite sporting team \u2013 We need to identify anything that is in our lives that gets in the way of our relationship with God and set our priorities straight \u2013 because none of the <em>things<\/em> of this world mean anything next to the incredible love of God which saw him willing to die on the cross for us.<\/p>\n<p>Today Paul is beginning to sum it all up for the church in Corinth \u2013 and for us!\u00a0 You see what Paul has been trying to explain to the the Corinthians all along is that their salvation is not something that is built upon their own skills, or abilities. It is not something that is built on their own intelligence, their own knowledge or wisdom \u2013 you see no matter how knowledgeable, wise, skilled or able we are \u2013 <em>we can never come close to God.<br \/><\/em><br \/>\nSo Paul continues our section today having just finished explaining that he and Apollos and all the other preachers and teachers (including me) aren\u2019t the ones who need adulation and thanks \u2013 but God is.<\/p>\n<p>Paul says what he did in building a foundation of faith in the church at Corinth, was all through the Grace of God.\u00a0 That word is important \u2013 Grace \u2013 we have heard it a lot over the past few weeks, have you noticed?<\/p>\n<p>The word means unmerited favour.\u00a0 What Paul is saying is that what he did in establishing the church in Corinth, wasn\u2019t done through anything special about him. Rather he says that it was God at work \u2013 that he was a builder \u2013 yes a master builder \u2013 but a builder none the less, using the materials he had been given for free \u2013 the Gospel.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Paul is saying to them \u2013 don\u2019t you get it? You guys are arguing with each other, and getting caught up in petty squabbles, but the truth is that even Paul \u2013 the one who introduced you to Jesus, is no more special in God\u2019s sight than anyone else.\u00a0 Even Paul is completely reliant on the Grace of God.<\/p>\n<p>Brothers and sisters we so often get so caught up in the things of this world that we forget what God has done for us. We so often get so focussed on the things that we want or that we think we need that we forget what God has already given us.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Paul in this section of the letter is calling us back to God. He is calling us to remember that it is actually God who gives us all.\u00a0 It is God who is creator and sustainer of the universe \u2013 it is God who calls us to live lives of love and care and compassion.\u00a0 It is God who forgives us when we fail. It is God who became one of us and died on that cross in order to take upon himself the consequence of sin.\u00a0 It is God who rose from death and forever conquered it \u2013 granting us eternal life.<\/p>\n<p>Paul then says the most fundamental of things.\u00a0 Jesus is the foundation. It is upon Jesus and what he has accomplished that everything else is built.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Brothers and sisters we are called to be the very temples of God \u2013 each and every one of us \u2013 we are called to build upon that strong foundation that we have \u2013 that foundation that is Jesus Christ.\u00a0 We are called to build upon that lives that are worthy of the foundation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We are called to put aside the things of this world and instead be shining examples of love and generosity and care and respect.\u00a0 When Paul spoke to the people of Corinth about them being the temple of God, they didn\u2019t have images of a modest church building like this one \u2013 no they had images of the Temple is Jerusalem \u2013 towering over its surroundings, seen from vast distance from any direction, adorned with Gold and silver.<\/p>\n<p>Paul was saying to the people of Corinth <em>and to us<\/em> that we are called to stand out \u2013 just as the Temple in Jerusalem was sanctified \u2013 set apart as a dwelling place of God\u2013 and drew people from all nations, races and cultures to seek to know more of God \u2013 so too are we called to be set apart.<br \/>\nWe are called to set aside the wants and desires \u2013 the idolatries of this world and instead to be those who like the Temple of Jerusalem draw others to seek to know God.<\/p>\n<p>So let us seek to learn from the mistakes of the Corinthian Church of 2000 years ago.\u00a0 Let us be the church that God has called us to be \u2013 a church which is truly set apart, sanctified \u2013 with Jesus Christ as or foundation. Let us be a church of people who are truly Temples of God\u2019s Holy Spirit \u2013 who are adorned with the Gold of love, care and compassion.\u00a0 Above all let us be the church that acknowledges that it is the grace of God \u2013 and nothing more \u2013 that has set us free and redeemed us.\u00a0 Let us be the church that is willing to share that hope with others.<br \/>\n\u200b<br \/>\nThe Lord be with you.<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/font>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Word This Week: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119:33-40 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 \u200b Read or watch the sermon below! Watch: Read: Well good morning again everyone.\u00a0 Today we are going to be Finishing continuing our mini series on these opening few chapters of focus on Paul\u2019s first letter to the church in &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/02\/7th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-310-17\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;7th Sunday after Epiphany &#8211; Year A &#8211; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}