Final Words
1 Cor. 16:13-24

Sermon Outline from the Evening Service - 2 April 2000

I. Admonitions (13-14)

A. Watch -- a general alertness is asked for

1. for the Lord's return (Mt. 24:42; 25:13; parables , 1 Thess 5).

2. in prayer (Mt. 26:38ff) in the Garden of Gethsemane. Col 4:2

3. oversight of the flock, lest wolves enter (Acts 20:28-31)

4. Satan (1 Pet. 5:8) -- vigilant = watch

5. "Be watchful, strengthen things that remain ( Rev. 3:2)

6. Behaviour & the Lord's return (Rev. 16:15; 1 Thess 5:6ff)

B. Stand fast in the faith

1. The faith is what the apostles delivered to them (2 Thess. 2:15).

2. Standing firm requires roots. In the Bible, faith is not contrasted with reason, but with sight.

3. Some who didn't stand fast ship-wrecked their faith. 15:2.
1 Tim. 1:19; 2 Tim. 2:18

C. Act like men (quit = acquit = perform or act)

1. Maturity and resolve are the qualities needed. 14:20

2. Examples -- 1 Kings 2:2-3; Heb. 11:32-34

3. We need to act like the men/women God created & quickened us to be. Unredeemed men have darkened minds; we are enable to do more / better!

D. Be strong -- Spiritual strength is strengthened by exercising your spiritual abilities. Our strength is the Lord's strength -- 2 Cor. 12:10. Dan. 10:19; 11:32.

E. Act in love -- all of ministry is nothing if it is not done in love

II. Examples (15-18) -- Stephanas' household

A. First-fruit (15) -- There is the idea of Stephanas bearing more fruit. He did not just believe the truth, but walked in it.

B. Devoted to serving (15) -- This family appointed themselves as responsible to serve others.

C. Worthy of submitting to (16) -- By their commitment to serving others, this household was worthy of spiritual leadership. Ours is a serving religion, a sacrificing religion. "Many work, a few toil."

D. Encouraging (17-18) -- Stephanas took the effort to seek out Paul (in foreign city) to pass along news and material help to him.