CHRIST LOVES HIS MESSY BRIDE: Acts 18:1-11

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CHRIST LOVES HIS MESSY BRIDE: Acts 18:1-11

Acts 18:1-11

July 4, 2021 • Brett Baggett

OUTLINE
I. Because Christ loves His people, He got the gospel to Corinth (v. 1)
II. Because Christ loves His people, He gave Paul new friends so that he would not grow discouraged as he preached the gospel (vv. 2-4)
III. Because Christ loves His people, He made it so that Paul could preach the gospel everyday (v. 5)
IV. Because Christ loves His people, though many opposed and reviled Paul at first, God overcame their hard hearts and saved them (vv. 6-8)
V. Because Christ loves His people, He protected, commanded, & encouraged Paul so that His people would hear the gospel & be saved (vv. 9-11)

PERSONAL APPLICATION
I) If you are one of His people, the Lord Jesus Christ will never give up on you.
II) Christians grow more slowly than we would like.
III) When God reproves, rebukes, and exhorts you through His word, do not be
surprised—He is doing it for your good, so that you may be holy and happy.

EVANGELISTIC APPLICATION
I) Though sinners may oppose and revile you at first, God can overcome their animosity in an instant
II) Nothing can happen to hurt us without the Lord Jesus’ permission
III) You must not give up preaching the gospel, for God surely has many of His people in our cities also

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1. Read verses 1-4. Where did Paul come from and where did he end up?
What happened when he arrived at Corinth and how was this a kindness of
God toward Paul? What kind of activity did Paul engage in once he
arrived at Corinth? When did he engage in it and what, therefore, is Luke
trying to tell us? What can we learn from Paul’s example here?

2. In verse 4, what two verbs are used to describe Paul’s method of
evangelization to these Bible-believing Jews?

3. The NASB translation says, in verse 5, “But when Silas and Timothy
came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to
the word…” How does this help us understand what Silas and Timothy
brought with them when they came to Corinth from Macedonia? How do
Philippians 4:15 and 2 Corinthians 11:9 help clarify? What does this
teach us concerning the importance of supporting pastors, church planters,
and missionaries?

4. According to verse 6, how did the Corinthians initially respond to the
preaching of the gospel? How does 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 shine light on
why they initially responded in this way? How did Paul then respond to
their opposition and reviling? What does Paul mean by, “Your blood be on
your own heads! I am innocent”? How does 1 Kings 2:37 help clarify?

5. What happened immediately following Paul saying, “From now on I will
go to the Gentiles” according to verses 7-8? How does this highlight the
sovereignty of God in saving sinners? How do 1 Corinthians 1:24 and 1
Corinthians 3:7 help clarify what happened here?

6. Read verses 9-11. Why did Jesus appear to Paul in a vision? What can we
learn in these verses concerning the Lord Jesus’ love for His people?
According to verse 11, how well did Paul know this church that he writes
the letter of 1 Corinthians to?

SANCTIFIED IN CHRIST JESUS: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

July 11, 2021 • Brett Baggett

OUTLINE I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN? (v. 2b) I) To be a Christian means that you have been “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” If you are a Christian, you have been sanctified through being made holy by God with the righteousness of Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2). If you are a Christian, you have been sanctified by being set apart by God Himself for holy service to Him (John 17:19). If you are a Christian, you are being sanctified through being transformed by God the Holy Spirit to be more holy in your thoughts, affections, and actions (1 Pet. 1:2; Phil. 2:12-13) II) Therefore, to be a Christian means you have received a new identity and are now a “saint.” II. HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A CHRISTIAN? (v. 2c) I) A Christian calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy (1 Cor. 1:2c; Luke 18:11-13) II) A Christian submits to Jesus as Lord (1 Cor. 1:2c; John 14:15) III. WHAT IS PROMISED TO ME IF I AM A CHRISTIAN? (v. 3) I) If you are in Christ, you are promised "http://grace...from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 3) II) If you are in Christ, you are promised "peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 3) STUDY AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. According to verse 1, who wrote this letter? What is Paul, and why should these Christians listen to him? How does 1 Thessalonians 2:13 help clarify? Do you accept the word of Jesus’ Prophets and Apostles as the word of men or the word of God? 2. Who is Paul writing to, according to verse 2? Who does the church belong to? What has God done to the church? What has God effectually called the church to be? Who does the church submit to as Lord? 3. In verse 3, what does Paul pronounce upon the saints at Corinth? What does grace mean? What does peace mean? According to verse 3, who does grace and peace come from?

SAINTS ARE ENRICHED IN CHRIST JESUS: 1 Corinthians 1:4-7

July 18, 2021 • Brett Baggett

OUTLINE I. IN CHRIST, YOUR PAST LIFE IS PAID FOR BY THE GRACE OF GOD (v. 4) II. IN CHRIST, YOUR PRESENT LIFE IS PROVIDED FOR BY THE GRACE OF GOD (v. 5-7a) I) As a saint, you are richly provided for in every way (v. 5a) II) As a saint, you are enriched in all speech to speak the truth, especially the gospel (v. 5b) III) As a saint, you are enriched in all knowledge to understand the gospel (v. 5c-6) IV) As a saint, you are enriched in every gift you need to build up the body of Christ (v. 7a) III. IN CHRIST, YOUR FUTURE LIFE IS PROMISED BY THE GRACE OF GOD (v. 7b) QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION 1. According to verse 4, why does Paul give thanks to God? How frequently does Paul give thanks for the Corinthians? How did the Corinthians receive grace? Who did this grace come through? 2. According to verse 5, in how many ways were the Corinthians enriched in Christ? Was does it mean to be “enriched…in all speech and all knowledge”? 3. Read verse 6. What is “confirmed among” the Corinthians? What is “the testimony about Christ”? Do you personally confirm the testimony about Christ and trust in Him alone or do you still rely on your own works or the works of someone else? 4. For what reason are the saints “enriched…in all speech and knowledge” according to verse 7? What does Paul remind these believers of at the end of verse 7? How should this both sober and encourage you as you use the gifts God has given you to serve Him and His church?

SUSTAINED BY GOD TO THE END: 1 Corinthians 1:8-9

July 25, 2021 • Brett Baggett

OUTLINE I. If you belong to Jesus, God Himself will sustain you to the end (v. 8a) II. If you belong to Jesus, when Christ returns God Himself will exonerate you, presenting you guiltless at the judgement (v. 8b) III. God’s faithfulness is the reason Jesus’ people are presently sustained, and will be eventually presented guiltless (v. 9a) I) Because God is faithful, your present sustaining and your future blamelessness is secure. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” II) Because God is faithful, you can say no when tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” III) Because God is faithful, you will be guarded against Satan. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” V) Because God is faithful, you will not be thrown out of His family in moments of your unfaithfulness. 2 Timothy 2:13 “if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” VI) Because God is faithful, you can keep holding on to Christ and His gospel, knowing the promises will be fulfilled. Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” VII) Because God is faithful, you can entrust your soul to Him in the midst of even great suffering. 1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” VIII) Because God is faithful, He forgives sin and cleanses of all unrighteousness those who confess and come to Him through Jesus. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” IX) Because God is faithful, you can believe every Word of the Bible. Revelation 3:14 Jesus calls Himself, “the Amen, the faithful and true witness,” X) Because God is faithful, you can trust Him to make righteous judgements and war on His enemies. Revelation 19:11 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” IV. The same faithful God that called you into fellowship with His Son, is the One that will both establish and exonerate you (v. 9b) QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION 1. Read verse 8. What is “the day of the Lord Jesus Christ”? What do you need to be in that day, according to verse 8? How can you be found “guiltless” given that you have sinned against God (Rom. 3:23)? How does Romans 8:1 help clarify? How will you be sustained “to the end” in order to be presented guiltless, according to the beginning of verse 8? 2. Read verse 9. What does Paul teach us about God here? What does Paul mean by, “God is faithful”? What is the action that Paul ascribes to God in verse 9? What does it mean to be “called” by God, and how is that different than being called by a man? Into what does God call believers? What does it mean to be in “fellowship” with “Jesus Christ our Lord”?