1 Corinthians 1:1-3 - Homiletics

To feel, to be, and to desire.

"Paul, called to be an apostle," etc. This salutation of Paul suggests

I. WHAT ALL MINISTERS SHOULD FEEL . They should feel:

1. That they have a call to their mission. Paul did so. "Called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God." No man will do his work effectively in any sphere unless he is assured in his own mind that he is called to it. The inner evidence of this call is sympathy with the work and aptitude for it.

2. That their call is Divine. Paul felt called "through the will of God." It is one thing to feel you have a call to a mission, and another thing to feel that call is Divine. The predominence of the sympathy and the pre-eminence of the aptitude will give this assurance. No man succeeds in any mission unless he feels called to it.

II. WHAT ALL MEN SHOULD BE . The description given of the persons addressed suggests what all men should be. What?

1. Religiously social. They should be identified with a religious community. "The Church of God which is at Corinth." All men should be in fellowship with the good, not isolated.

2. Consecrated to Christ. "Sanctified in Christ Jesus." Set apart to him, devoted to him, and thus "called to be saints." Called to live holy lives. "In every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord." A reverent, conscious dependence on him everywhere.

3. A catholic participation in Christ. "Both theirs and ours." There are those who feel that Christ is their special property, they would monopolize him. An un-Christly feeling this. The feeling should be our Christ. "Our Father which art in heaven." There is no personal Christianity that is not catholic in spirit.

III. WHAT ALL MEN SHOULD DESIRE . "Grace he unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." In this we have the highest philanthropy—a philanthropy that desires for man:

1. The highest good. "Grace and peace." If men have these they have all.

2. The highest good from the highest Source. "God the Father." Men need this good; Heaven only can bestow it.