The Big Read – 1 Corinthians

Powerpoint Pictures: Pictures of objects being reflected

What can you see being reflected by the following things? *[A mirror reflecting a bed; a river reflecting a hot air balloon; a glass reflecting some trees; a spoon reflecting a parasol/umbrella].*

In the Bible we are told that the church is meant to reflect someone.  When people look at the church they are not meant to see a group of people but a person.

1 Corinthians was a letter the apostle Paul wrote to a local church in Corinth.  This local church had lots of problems such as divisions, immorality and a lack of love.  But more serious than these individual problems was that they weren’t doing what they were supposed to be, they weren’t reflecting the person they were supposed to.

So Paul writes to them, and he give them a command:

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

The church in Corinth was meant to be reflecting Christ, but they weren’t doing a very good job of it.

They were divided – but Christ has one body not multiple ones.

They were worldly and immoral – but Christ is holy and pure.

They were unloving – but Christ is love and has shown His love in the most amazing of ways by dying for their sins.

As Paul writes to correct their behaviour, by telling them to be like Christ, Jesus is revealed to us as the one who is One, Holy, and Loving!