A Great Door for Effective Work

1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Key Verses 16:8,9

But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

From this passage we would like to think about the wisdom the Lord God gave the Apostle Paul so he could serve the Lord effectively. In verse 9 we see the expression, “effective work.” By this expression Paul refers mainly to the discipleship ministry at the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus in Ephesus. After witnessing the powerful work in Ephesus, Paul saw the vision to pioneer the entire Roman Empire. 

At the Wharton Center at MSU, we heard mission reports from different continents. Through the reports we could see the Lord’s world mission vision. While listening to the messages and reports, I saw vivid signs that the Risen Lord Jesus the Savior was working with them. After the MSU conference we had a missionary seminar. There I saw more vivid signs of the Risen Jesus working with them. The greatest sign was the one written on the face of each of the missionaries attending the seminar: they were all bright. The challenges they were confronted with were unbearably great, yet they came out more than conquerors. 

Now we are glad that we had opportunities to meet them. We are looking forward to working with them. To work with them, in prayer and letter writing, we donated 120 soccer balls. We also gave out mugs which bear the logo, showing two persons praying face to face in a knelt down position. One person in the mug design refers to us, the other the missionary coworkers overseas. When we are faithful in praying for them, the Lord will open great doors for effective works. 

Today we would like to learn from the Apostle Paul, the first missionary to the Gentile world, so we would gain the wisdom that should enable us to work effectively for the Lord's world campus mission. One of the places for us to learn the Lord’s wisdom for effective world mission work is found in 1 Corinthians 16. Let us think about this passage in seven ways.

First, the wisdom to handle money effectively for the Lord’s world mission work

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. 

(1) We learn from Paul the shepherd's love in giving sheep material training, so they would overcome materialism by faith in God. It is not easy for a shepherd to talk to his sheep about money. But Paul urged them to make offerings for the poor in Jerusalem, so that they would grow out of materialism, learn to put God and men above money, and thereby be truly blessed by God, materially and spiritually. 

A little bit of background information will help us better understand Paul’s urging of his sheep in Corinth to make offerings sacrificially. In those days a famine hit Judea, so churches in Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. (Acts 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-27; 2Co 8:1-5) Corinthian brothers volunteered to participate in this service. But later they reneged on their pledge. So Paul encourages them to finish the work they promised to do. 

Why did Paul even push them to give? The answer is obvious. Paul did it because he knew that effectiveness (in financial success) begins with giving. Ecclesiastes 11:1 explains this concept: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.” When Jesus came he taught us the same thing saying, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). 

(2) We also learn from the Apostle Paul the wisdom to build up the body of Christ by sharing all of the resources together. The early church in Jerusalem set a good example, for as Acts 4:32 says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” We can apply Paul's point by sharing what we have together among brothers and sisters in the Downey ministry and in all other chapters world-wide.

Second, the wisdom to see and work diligently based on what the Lord has done in the past, is doing now, and is going to do in the future. 

We are living in the time domain. Until Jesus comes again we will have to live and work within this domain. Time is divided into three segments: past, present, and future. Because God's work is manifested in this time domain, in order to work with the Risen Jesus effectively we must take a look at what God has done in the past, is doing now, and will do in the future. 

The Apostle Paul had a keen sense of working with the Risen Lord this way. If Paul were here today in Downey, you would not be surprised to see him working with a small laptop or an electronic organizer, neatly tucked in a computer bag. Yesterday after the wedding reception, I saw Shepherd Daniel Lee walking around with a small brown bag. I noticed that no matter where he went he always carried it with him. I was curious so I asked him, “What do you have in that brown bag?” He said, “Laptop and the Bible.” I did not look inside the bag. But I can guarantee that in his laptop he has all the information about all of his sheep worldwide, particularly the missionaries in Africa and the missionaries in Mexico, especially those in Guadalajara and Monterey. And I am pretty much sure that although his body is here in Downey now, his mind is running to the four corners of the world. Already, I know he has a plan to visit Africa to officiate a wedding. My point is that as the Risen Lord promised to work with us, it is imperative for us to work with the Lord who makes his work manifested in three segments of time: yesterday, today, and forever. And we must be conscious of God's work in the past, God's work today, and God's work tomorrow.  

We see the Apostle Paul doing the same thing. Look at verse 8. This verse indicates that Paul was in Ephesus. While he was there, he wrote to the Corinthians, "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 a launching pad to pioneer the Roman Empire. (Romans 15:25-27; Acts 20:1-6) 

In order to serve God's work effectively we must make the most use of what the Lord has done in the past, is doing now, and will do in the days to come. Paul made the most use of what the Lord has already done. For example, the seemingly tragic event called the "Diaspora" (that is, the Lord God dispersing the Israelites to heathen nations around the world, exporting them away from their mother land since A.D. 70), was nothing but God's preparatory work, preparing the environment in which the gospel can effectively spread. By spreading the Israelites to foreign territories such as the cities and towns developed around the Mediterranean Sea, the Lord God made it easier for the Apostle Paul to be shipped from one place to another, for each time Paul visited a synagogue in one place or another, and preached the gospel, some became rebellious and so Paul had to move to the next place where he could preach the gospel. Then more persecution followed. In this way virtually all towns and villages within the Roman Empire had an even chance to hear the gospel. (Acts 18:7-8) 

Now let us focus on Corinth, for Paul is writing to the saints in Corinth. By the time the Apostle Paul reached Corinth the Lord God had already planted lots of Jews who also maintained a synagogue there. Acts 18:8 says that Crispus, who was the synagogue ruler, and his entire household came to believe in Jesus. Paul then capitalized on the church there as a launching pad for a greater work of God. Of course, Corinthian brothers and sisters caused lots of troubles; they made Paul greatly worried. Yet, he bore their weaknesses; he then regarded them as partners for the gospel of Jesus, and eventually he went to Corinth again, and most likely wrote the book of Romans there. What he did reminds us of Elisha asking a certain widow to use the little oil she had as the basis of producing large amounts of oil, as found in 2 Kings 4:1-7. 

When we look around ourselves we too can find tons of signs that the Risen Lord is working with us. Let us be sensitive to what he has done thus far, is doing now, and is going to do further, for this is one of the important keys to serving the Lord most effectively.

Third, the wisdom of key member training

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"? We can find an answer to this question in Acts 19:9,10. "But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord." 

From Paul we learn that in order to serve God's work effectively, we must concentrate on making disciples. Some call this wisdom "key member training." To help people repent and believe in Jesus, and be baptized by the Holy Spirit is not enough. It is just the beginning. The bottom line is this: Little babies can never get God's work done. We must help each person to grow in Jesus by feeding them with the word of God. Then we need to encourage them to go and feed the flock so they too would make disciples. We call this the principle of multiplication. According to this principle we must help each person to grow and feed sheep, so he or she would not remain spiritually retarded but rather grow mature, even as their faith grows strong, for in John 14:12 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

In making disciples then Jesus set the greatest example for all to copy. Upon calling several disciples Jesus had life together with them. Through living together with them, Jesus fed them with God's word. He set an example to heal and preach. He also trained them to overcome fear by faith. He trained them to feed a multitude of people despite limiting circumstances. Eventually, the disciples developed strong faith in the Lord. By faith in God they fulfilled even far greater works than Jesus had done. 

Fourth, the wisdom of working together with coworkers around us

Let us think about this wisdom by considering the workers the Apostle Paul worked with: 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? 

1) Timothy

Look at verse 10. "If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.” This shows that Timothy had the fear of men which makes a servant of God ineffective. Yet Paul calls him a man of God doing God's work, just as Paul had done. When you look around, you will find a lot of people like Timothy. In human eyes they do not seem like candidates for effective workers. They do not look like good "soldiers" for Jesus' sake. But, let us remember Paul's wisdom, that is, he still calls a man as fearful as Timothy "God's servant doing God's work." In fact, Paul even decided to establish Timothy as his successor. 

2) Apollos

Paul calls him a brother in the Lord. Paul wanted him to go to Corinth and help the brothers and sisters there because Paul needed to stay in Ephesus a little longer, but Apollos did not want to go. Yet Paul did not get upset. He did not push Apollos either. He simply prayed that sometime later, at God's opportune time, the Lord might allow him to visit Corinth. 

3) Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus

Look at verses 15-18, "You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, To submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition." Paul mentions three names: Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. Paul says that they devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Paul mentions that they provided him with the supplies he needed. It is quite probable that they were lay shepherds working full time, still serving the Lord on important matters such as serving the poor in Jerusalem. They are like Dr. Abraham Han (whose wife is here on a short visit) in Seoul Korea, for he serves the Kyungsung chapter as a fellowship leader while still working full time as a medical doctor. 

4) Aquila and Priscilla

Look at verse 19. "The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house." Mother Barry prays to establish house-churches worldwide. After visiting St. Petersburg UBF, Shepherd Jonathan Pyles said that establishing a house church is the way to practically pioneer college campuses worldwide. This is true. In the days of Paul, Aquila and Priscilla set a good example of a house-church. They were a lay shepherd's family. Like many missionaries who are involved in international trade businesses such as Dr. Peter Kim of Kiev, or a number of missionaries in the middle east (whose names I would not mention), Aquila and Priscilla made a living of tent making businesses. Perhaps they too were involved in international trade. They made money out of hard work. With their earnings they bought a house, perhaps like that of Shepherd Mark Moran's Bible house in Berkeley. Then they offered their house as a church. 

5) All other brothers and sisters in the Lord, Paul simply calls them “saints.” They do not carry titles such as apostle or deacon. Yet they are important members of the Lord’s army, all supporting the Lord’s work, mostly behind the scenes, some through making offerings sacrificially, some praying faithfully and attending the worship services in quiet obedience. 

The way Paul calls each of the people listed above indicates that Paul became largely successful in serving the Lord for he learned how to work together with others. The key word to remember is "together." God's work is never one man's work. God's work we saw at the MSU conference serves as a good example. There we saw coworkers with all different backgrounds working together. After the MSU conference we had a missionary seminar. There I had the privilege of serving one Bible study group. There in the group I saw a modern day version of what the Apostle Paul was doing in his day. My group consisted of 12 people, and they were from different countries: Germany, Greece, Belarus, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Switzerland, and the U.S. The time spent together with them made me feel that I am a member of a truly international family where Jesus is the head of the household. 

Fifth, the wisdom of keeping one's personal faith in the Lord

Now let us 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 a personal faith in the Lord, learning to encourage others, despite many discouraging events, acting all in God's love. 

There is a Jewish saying, "You cannot chew with someone else's teeth." But, more important than this, is that you must make sure that your teeth are in good working condition, for if your teeth are not good, you cannot chew properly in the first place. The same is true in our spiritual race. In serving the Lord, we can capitalize on all other factors, such as working with coworkers. But the bottom line is still this: each of us must take deep root in Jesus, so that each of us would be a plus factor to the community of people called the "church". 

Sixth, the wisdom of establishing a unity in Spirit

At the MSU Wharton Center a large congregation gathered. Although the hall was filled with people from all different backgrounds, still we felt like one family. What (not who) puts them together? 

We can find an answer to this question in verse 20. 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"? “Kiss” has to do with the "breath of the mouth" that is attached to the nostrils, through which the Lord God breathed into man his Spirit, so that 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. (Genesis 2:7; 2Ki 4:34) 

Why is this necessary for those who are already in the same fellowship? Two things quickly come to mind. First, let us think about the word “holy”. The closer we are physically with one another the more we find other's sin problems, weaknesses, or character flaws. These factors render it difficult for us to get along with one another. But we can overcome this problem when each of us develops a godly character. Second, “kiss.” Paul exhorts for us to greet one another, even among those who are in the same fellowship, because although two persons can stay in the same room or even share the same bed, their minds and spirits can be a zillion miles apart. Then, even if they exist under the same roof, they are as distant as east is from west. So Paul says that we need to greet each other with a holy kiss. 

Seventh, the wisdom of founding one's ministry on the love of Christ

In verses 21-24 the word "love" is repeated twice. What does this passage suggest to us about the secret of Paul's fruitfulness in the Lord? The answer is obvious. It was his undivided love for Christ and his love extended to all. Let us read verse 22 and then verse 24. Paul deeply knew God's love, accepted it, and lived in it. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 describes 13 characteristics of love. The key characteristic of love is giving what is best to others. And nothing exceeds what is a greater gift than sharing Jesus Christ and his gospel with others. So, compelled by this love, Paul gave himself to the missionary work in his days. Let us pray that the Lord would strengthen us to engage ourselves in 1:1 ministry with the Lord Jesus' world mission in mind.