1 Corinthians: Conclusion

Conclusion

text: 1 Corinthians 16

Outline:

A. 16:1-12, Unity in three gifts of God: material (1-4), time (5-9), people (10-12).

  B. 16:13-14, final encouragement to the Corinthian congregation.

A'. 16:15-20, Unity through greetings.

  B'. 16:21-24, Blessings.

Comments: At the very end St. Paul returns to the ultimate concern he had for the congregation in Corinth – unity. He will address it in a way of caring for the ministry – utilizing the three main gifts: material resources or money, quality time spent together, and people who dedicate their talents to the work in the Lord's field. At the same time unity can be seen in or even experienced through mutual participation in life of each other. All of this is surrounded by blessings and encouragements.

A. Three gifts. The apostle starts with a remark concerning fundraising for the benefit of Jerusalem church (at that time the believers underwent a period of persecution in Judea). He wants the fundraising to be organized ahead of time – then the collection of the offerings would be complete before his arrival. Same as he commanded the church in Galatia (16:1). This shows that, being in Ephesus, he encouraged all of the churches he had relations with collect donation for the sake of their brothers in Christ in Judea.

Also, he talks about the time he wants to spend with them. He openly states that he doesn't want to see them in passing. His intent to spend quality time, maybe even the whole period of winter (16:6-7). This phrase presents him not a modern fundraiser, concerned about money only, but a father caring for his spiritual children (cp. 4:14-15).

The third gift of God to the church is people or the ministers. At this point St. Paul brings up the names of two of them – Timothy and Apollos. We know that Timothy will eventually settle in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). As of right now, he is a helper of St. Paul, and comes wherever the apostle needs him. Being young, probably even younger than he was during the time when St. Paul wrote him (cp. 1 Timothy 4:12), he needs an emotional support from more experienced minister, which Paul proved with gladness, ensuring that the congregation would care for Timothy.

Concerning Apollos, the apostle looks loose – Paul wanted him to come to Corinth earlier, but allows for the personal inputs from his colleagues. The mission can not be raced, it should be guided by the Holy Spirit (cp. Deuteronomy 20:8).

B. Final encouragement. The apostle lists 5 features of a Christian living:

Be watchful – be vigilante, stay awake

Stand firm in the faith – a posture of being ready for whatever comes one's way (the word appears only 7 times in the NT).

Act like men – meaning, being mature

Be strong – resembles Joshua 1:6,7,9,18

all should be done in love (cp. Chapter 13)

A'. The unity of the church is not an abstract thing – it can and should be seen in the involvement of the congregations and districts (dioceses) in each other's life: praying for each other, helping and supporting the ministry of each other. St. Paul reminds Corinthians the people they new from previous or resent engagements. He starts with Stephanas and his household, the most resent convert in Achaia (the South Greece region around 1 Corinthians). He and two others (Fortunatus and Achaicus) came to see the apostle, which made him happy enjoying fellowship (16:17).

The churches of Asia (current Turkey) – Ephesians, Galatians etc. He also mentiones Aquila and Prisca (short for Priscilla), who at this time hosted a church gathering in their house (in Ephesus). They spent time with Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). It is always good to hear the familiar names – people you know who continue to work in the field of the Lord in every circumstance.

Then he concludes “all the brothers send you greetings” (16:20). All the brothers – wherever St. Paul is [most likely in Ephesus] + the people he knows about and associates with – they all extend their greetings to the congregation in Corinth. The unity of the brothers is an encouragement in itself to Corinthians to keep peace and unity among themselves.

B'. The blessing. It begins with acknowledgments that the greeting is written by his own hand – see more on this in “Epistolary Opening” lesson. Therefore, the concluding words have a special weight when he again reinforces the theme of love (cp. chapter 13). Yet, here it come even stronger – it is not simply meaningless to engage without love, but the person should be anathematized, same terminology he brings up in the Letter to Galatians talking about the Gospel (1:6-9).

Two last lines are grace of the LORD and my love be with you [in Christ Jesus]. God's grace IS the foundation of the Christian faith and life. And it should be expressed in love (once more, showing how much this word, theme, and attitude means to him). Amen – which is truly so.

PSALM 23

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd…

There are many hymns based on the hymn.

There are many services – visiting the sick, funeral, Good Shepherd Sunday… Good for Sunday school and good for adults, and good for Christians and good for unbelievers…

 

First, let us figure out who the psalm is about?

The LORD, YHWH, and we need to compare it in the whole Bible – John 10:11, 14, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. 

When Jesus calls Himself a shepherd His disciples could relate it to many Biblical and historical examples: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Saul, and David. Most of them after attending the flocks became the leaders of Israel. Joshua – Numbers 27:12-23.

When we understand that shepherding is a “military leadership,” we better understand Psalm 23:4-5.

Two things: (1) He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. He is not simply waiting on the other side, cheering for us – He walks with us (for You are with me).

(2) He prepares a table for us – feeding us with Himself, while the enemy can observe it. He is fully confidant in the final result – so, we can celebrate the victory even before the final strike, that’s why the Eucharistic prayer talks about “a foretaste of the feast to come.” We can have it now, but it will be much better on the other side of dark death tunnel.

Book of Acts: Overview

Book of Acts: Overview

Hymn 517: 1, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13,15, 19, 21, 26, 27, 3

Author: St. Luke – the first church “historian”. It is the second volume of his work for Theophilus (1:1). Following the methodology of careful investigation, he composes the story that picks up at the same place where the Gospel of Luke ended up – Ascension.

Timeline: from Ascension of Jesus to Paul’s first two years in Rome.

Main characters:

Jesus, Holy Spirit, Peter, James, Paul, John Mark (gospel writer), Barnabas, Luke, Stephan, Dorcas, Lydia, Felix, Agrippa etc.  

Main themes: The reign of Ascended Christ reaching the ends of the earth: 

·       Who is the real rule – question to Sanhedrin, and the rulers.

·       The leadership of the church, Peter and Paul.

·       Fellowship of Jews and Gentiles.

Structure: Based on the 1:8 there can be set a geographical structure of Acts

Jerusalem: ch. 1 – 7

“Judea”: 8 – 15 (coming back to Jerusalem)

“Samaria”: 16 – 22:29 (coming back to Jerusalem)

Ends of the earth: 22:30 – 28 (toward Rome)

The Book of Acts as the New conquest of Joshua

Joshua	Action	Acts
1 – 2	Preparation	1
3 – 5	Conquering the city	2 – 4
7	Hiding gifts of God	5
9	Introduction of a new ministry	6
10	Attack on the new ministry	7
10:29-43	Conquering the South	8
11	Conquering the North	10 – 11

 

Overall chiastic structure of the Book of Acts (source is here):  

1. A. 1:1-11, Ascension of Jesus, [1:3, the Kingdom of God]

2.  B. 1:12-26, Mathias chosen to replace Judas, [1:18, Punishments against sinners]

3.   C. 2:1-13, The coming of the Holy Spirit, [27:14, Fierce wind]

4.    D. 2:14-39, Peter addresses the crowd, [Preaching]

5.     E. 2:40-47, Life among the believers, [righteousness of the believers]

6.      F. 3:1-4:4, Peter heals a crippled beggar, [3:14, accusation of innocent]

7.       G. 4:5-22, Peter and John before the council, [Apology]

8.        H. 4:23-31, The believers pray for boldness, [4:26, Conspiracy]

9.         I. 4:32-37, Believers share their possessions, [4:33, witness to the resurrection]

10.        J. 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira, [5:2, donation]

11.         K. 5:12-42, The apostles are persecuted, [5:18, arrest of apostles]

12.          L. 6:1-7, Seven are chosen to serve, [6:3, selection of ministers]

13.           M. 6:8-7:60, Stephen’s speech to the council, [7:60, death]

14.            N. 8:1-3, Saul persecutes the church, [8:1, the church expands to Israel]

15.             O. 8:4-25, Philip preaches in Samaria, [Simon’s conversion, the end of magic]

16.              P. 8:26-40, Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, [8:29, Instruction of mission]

17.               Q. 9:1-22, The conversion of Saul, [Conversion/Repentance]

18.                R. 9:23-31, Saul in Jerusalem, [9:25, Saul escapes]

19.                 S. 9:32-43, Peter in Lydda and Joppa, [9:34, Miracles of apostles]

20.                  T. 10:1-23, A vision of Cornelius, [10:3, calling through vision]

21.                   U. 10:24-48, Peter goes to the house of Cornelius, [10:45, Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit]

22.                    V. 11:1-18, Peter’s report to the church at Jerusalem, [11:4, reports of gentile mission]

23.                     W. 11:19-24, Barnabas goes to Antioch, [11:20, mission to the Gentiles]

24.                      X. 11:25-30, The church in Antioch, [11:30, Barnabas and Saul are sent]

25.                       Y. 12:1-24, Peter is delivered from prison

26.                      X’. 12:25-13:13, Barnabas and Saul are commissioned, [13:2, Barnabas and Saul are sent]

27.                     W’. 13:14-49, Paul and Barnabas in Antioch and Pisidia, [13:46, mission to the Gentiles]

28.                    V’. 13:50-14:28, Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe, [14:27, reports of gentile mission]

29.                   U’. 15:1-16:5, Council at Jerusalem, [15:8, Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit]

30.                  T’. 16:6-10, Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia, [16:9, calling through vision]

31.                 S’. 16:11-40, Paul and Silas in Prison, [16:18, Miracles of apostles]

32.                R’. 17:1-15, The uproar in Thessalonica, [17:10, Saul escapes]

33.               Q’. 17:16-34, Paul in Athens, [17:30, Conversion/Repentance]

34.              P’. 18:1-23, Paul in Corinth, [18:9, Instruction of mission]

35.             O’. 18:24-19:20, Paul in Ephesus, [19:19, the end of magic]

36.            N’. 19:21-20:2, The riot in Ephesus [19:26, the church expands to Asia]

37.           M’. 20:3-14, Paul’s farewell visit to Troas, [20:9, death]

38.          L’. 20:15-38, The voyage from Troas to Miletus, [20:28, selection of ministers]

39.         K’. 21:1-17, Paul goes to Jerusalem, [21:11, arrest of apostles]

40.        J’. 21:18-26, Paul visits James in Jerusalem, [21:24, donation]

41.        I’. 22:27-23:10 Paul tells of his conversion, [23:6, witness to the resurrection]

42.       H’. 23:11-35, The plot to kill Paul, [23:12, Conspiracy]

43.      G’. 24:1-26, Paul before Felix at Caesarea, [Apology]

44.      F’. 24:27-25:12, Paul appeals to the emperor, [25:7, accusation of innocent]

45.     E’. 25:13-22, Festus consults king Agrippa, [25:18, righteousness of the believers]

46.    D’. 25:23-26:32, Paul defends himself before Agrippa, [Preaching]

47.   C’. 27:1-44, The storm at sea [27:14, Fierce wind]

48.  B’. 28:1-15, Paul on the island of Malta, [28:4, Punishments against sinners]

49. A’. 28:16-31, Paul preaches in Rome, [28:31, the Kingdom of God]

Overview of the Bible: Joshua

 Book of Joshua 

Title: Joshua – “whose salvation is YHWH”, in Num. 13:16 he is called Hosea  

Date of writing: around 1400 BC, after the completion of the Conquest

Date of Narrative: 1406 – 1400 BC – period of the Conquest

Structure: David A. Dorsey, p. 93, 94

Conquest of Canaan, ch. 1 -12

Settlement in the Land, ch. 13-24

a. 1, Intro to first phase  b. 2, Believing Canaanite: Rahab     c. 3-4, stopping the Jordan    d. 5, ceremonies at Gilgal     e. 6, conquest of Jericho      f. 7:1-8:29, faithless Israelite       g. 8:30-35, conclus. of phase 1 a’. 9:1-2, Intro to phase 2  b’. 9:3-27, believe. Can.: Gibeonites   c’. 10:1-15, stopping the sun    d’. 10:16-31, ceremony Makkedah     e’. 11:1-15, conquest of Hazor      f’. 11:16-23, hardened Canaanite       g’. 12, conclusion of conquest

a. 13:1-7, Introduction  b. 13:8-33, Transjordanian tribes   c. 14:1-5, Levites    d. 14:6-15, personal lot – Caleb     e. 15, non-Rachel: Judah      f. 16 – 17, Rachel tribes: Joseph       g. 18:1-10, Allotment to 7 tribes      f’. 18:11-28, Rachel: Benjamin     e’. 19:1-48, non-Rachel: Simeon    d’. 19:49-50, personal lot – Joshua   c’. 20 – 21, Levites  b’. 22, Transjordanian tribes a’. 23-24, Conclusion

 

Main themes:

As the sixth book of the Bible the Book of Joshua picks up the theme of creation of man – we see the maturation of Joshua from the one who needs encouragement from the tribes (Ch. 1) to the one who has strength to challenge them (24:14-15).  

The theme of faithfulness in the service – both Achan (Ch. 7) and Joshua (Ch. 8 and 9) fall into the trap of “thinking for themselves”.

The desire of nations (gentiles) to join the covenant is depicted in the story of Rahab (Ch. 2) and Gibeonites (Ch. 9).   

Theme of unity of the tribes is reflected in the altar by the Jordan river accident (22).

Main Characters: Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Five Amorites kings.

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

Joshua first time appears in Ex. 17 where he leads the Israel army against Amalekites. He is the one out two spies who stays faithful in the outburst against the conquest the first time (Num. 13-14).

Rahab became a part of the genealogy of Messiah (Mt. 1:5).

Although Assyria took over the Northern Kingdom and carried the Israelites away (2 Kings 17:6) we meet the representatives of all twelve tribes around the throne of God (Rev. 7:1-8).

Jesus entering the Jordan river recapitulates the story of Israel entering the Promised Land.

The initial layout of the Book of Acts resembles the sequence of the first part of the Book of Joshua.       

Lutheran teaching: The Book of Concord has no reference to the Book of Joshua.  

Lutheran hymnody:     

LSB 494 See, the LORD Ascends in Triumph (v. 4).

LSB 918 Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (v. 3).

Relevancy of the Book:

Reading the Book of Joshua, we begin to comprehend the ginormous plan of God – just think of how the stories of Joshua and Rahab are intertwined with each other, but also how each of them influenced the future of Israel.  

Memory verses:

1:8 This Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.