A great door for effective work

1 Corinthians 16:1-24
Key Verse 16:8

In this passage we can consider a few factors that are critical to serving the Lord effectively in the days to come.

[For effective work, Paul mainly refers to the discipleship ministry at the lecture of Tyrannus in Ephesus. Please consider, however, that it was after his experience there that he acquired the vision to pioneer even the entire Roman Empire. So when he used the expression "a great door for effective work" he might have had in mind the vision to reach out to even Spain, which was considered the ends of the earth of Paul's day. It was in the grips of this vision, while he was seated in Ephesus that he was writing to the Corinthians. Thus effective work refers to not just the work in Ephesus but the work in all the mission fields Paul prayed to reach out to.]

1.  In verses 1-4 the Apostle Paul encourages the members of the church in Corinth to make  organized efforts in supporting the poor in Jerusalem. What can we learn from Paul in serving God's work (including the matter of giving to the needy) effectively?

** We learn from Paul:

1) The shepherd's love in giving sheep material training, in order that they overcome materialism by faith in God.

It is not easy for a shepherd to talk about money to his sheep. But Paul urged them to make offerings for the poor in Jerusalem, so that they would grow and overcome  materialism, learn to put God and men above money, and thereby be truly blessed by God, not just physically but also spiritually.

[Background information]

a) Who initiated the idea of making offerings for the poor in Jerusalem? (Acts 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-27; 2Co 8:1-5)

b) What was the problem of the Corinthians? (2Co 8:7-15)

c) How will the Lord reward those who are generous in giving to the needy? (Ecc 11:1; Mat 25:40)

2) The wisdom to build up the body of Christ by sharing all the resources with each other. Read Acts 4:32

We can apply Paul's point by sharing what we have  among our brothers and sisters in the Downey ministry and in all other chapters worldwide.

2.  Verse 8 indicates that Paul was in Ephesus. While he was there, he wrote to the Corinthians saying, "I will come to you", "perhaps I will stay with you awhile", "or even spend the winter", or "you can help me on my journey, wherever I go". (5-7) The Scriptures indicate that eventually Paul went there and established it as a launching pad for pioneering the Roman Empire. (Romans 15:25-27; Acts 20:1-6) What can we learn from Paul in serving God's work effectively?

** The importance of making the most of what the Lord did in the past, is doing now, and is going to do in the days to come.

Paul made the most of what the Lord had already done, that is, spreading synagogues all around the Mediterranean Sea. (Acts 18:7-8)

Corinthian brothers and sisters caused lots of trouble for Paul and  greatly worried him. Yet, he bore them all, regarded them as his partners, and eventually he went there and most likely wrote the book of Romans there. 

What he did reminds us of Elisha asking the widow to use the little oil she had as the basis to produce tons of oil, as seen in 2 Kings 4:1-7.

Paul's example also teaches us the importance of being faithful with a very small thing such as one to one.

We need to be thankful to God for all the work He has been doing all over the world. We need to open our eyes to what God is doing thus far and learn to capitalize on it, so we can go for what more God is going to do in the future.

3.  Referring to his ministry in Ephesus as described in Acts 19, Paul says in verse 9, "A great door for effective work has opened for me." Paul's ministry in other areas was not as effective as it was in Ephesus. What made his ministry in Ephesus so effective? (Acts 19: 9-10; Judges 7:7; Mark 9:35) What can we learn from Paul in serving God's work effectively?

** He focused on disciple-making ministry.

** To repent and believe in Jesus, even be baptized by the Holy Spirit and perhaps speak  in tongues is not enough. It is just the beginning.

The idea (and the bottom line) is this: 1) Little babies will never get God's work done; Each person must grow in Jesus by being fed with God's word; 2) The principle of multiplication. We must help each person to grow and feed sheep, so he or she would not remain spiritually retarded but do even greater work than Jesus was doing.

4.  Consider Paul's coworkers: 1) Timothy (10-11); 2) Apollos (12); 3) Stephanus, Fourtunas, and Achaicus (15-18); 4) Aquila and Priscilla (19); and 5) all other brothers (and sisters) in the Lord.  What does Paul say about them? What can we learn from Paul in serving God's work effectively?

** 1) Timothy - he has a fear problem, but he is a man of God doing God's work;

2) Apollos - brother

3) Stephanus... - first converts; devoted themselves to the service of the saints; deserve recognition

4) Aquila and Priscilla - leaders of a house church

5) all other brothers and sisters in the Lord - saints

** Paul learned to work together with others. The key word to remember is "together." God's work is never one man's work; it requires teamwork.

5.  Meditate on the five exhortations in verses 13-14: 1) be on your guard; 2) stand firm in the faith; 3) be men of courage; 4) be strong; and 5) do everything in love. What wisdom do these exhortations teach us in serving the Lord effectively?

** These exhortations give us a picture of a good Christian. 
The passage tells us that in order for us to be able to serve the Lord effectively, we must first be a good Christian, for the Lord can work in and through each person exercising self-control, with  personal faith in the Lord, learning to encourage others, despite many discouraging events, acting all in God's love.

6.  In verse 20 we find the expression, "Greet one another with a holy kiss." What does it mean to greet one another with a holy kiss? Why is this necessary for those who are already in the same fellowship? What can we learn here in serving the Lord effectively?

** Kiss has to do with the "breath of mouth" which is attached to nostrils, through which the Lord God breathed into man His Spirit so man would become a living being. Greeting one another with holy kiss then denotes the idea of the members of Jesus' body becoming one in God's Spirit, and thereby becoming a living entity, through which God's life is being breathed out to the dying world.

Read Gen 2:7; 2Ki 4:34.

7.  In verses 20-24 the word love is repeated twice. What does this passage suggest to us about the secret of Paul's fruitfulness in the Lord?

** He deeply knew God's love, accepted it, abided by it, and thereby was compelled by this love, so that by it he became so fruitful.

The end.