“An Unchanging Picture of Christian Service” 1 Corinthians 16:5-9 Sunday, June 25, 2017

Introduction: You would think that if you were trying to obey and serve God that you would not have problems and opposition. That is not what the teaches.

1. The Old Testament prophets faced tremendous opposition serving God.

• The prophet Jeremiah obeyed and served God, but he was despised and persecuted by his countrymen.

• Jewish tradition says that the prophet Isaiah was placed in a hollowed trunk of a tree and sawed into (Heb. 11:37). No prophet of God was more obedient than Isaiah.

• The apostle Paul obeyed and served God and experienced unbelievable opposition (2 Cor. 11:24-27).

• obeyed and served God the Father and He was crucified on a cross.

2. In my own ministry, the greatest difficulties have come to me when God opened new doors to share Christ and meet needs in His Name.

T.S. There is one verse in the Bible that has been my help again and again at this point. The verse is an unchanging picture of what it is like serving God. By “serving God” I mean being serious about souls and about needs.

• Open your Bible please to 1 Cor. Chapter 16. • Paul founded the church in Corinth (). • He ministered at the church a year and a half. • He left the church and travelled through the inner regions to . • The church back in Corinth begin to have problems so they sent a group to Ephesus with a letter asking for Paul’s counsel and advice. • The book of 1 Corinthians is Paul’s response. • At the end of Paul’s letter to them, he shared some personal plans and things.

Text: 1 Cor. 16:5-9

• The unchanging picture of Christian service is 1 Cor. 16:9.

• Two things are made clear.

1. In Christian service, there are endless open doors of opportunities.

2. In Christian service, there are endless adversaries.

No church faced more fierce opposition than the church at Ephesus. (Acts 19:1-21).

• At the time of Paul’s visit, Ephesus was no longer a leading commercial center. • It popularity and stability was the worship of Diana, a multi-breasted goddess of fertility. • The temple of Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. • Almost four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens. • The people were making silver shrines of Diana and selling them. • Paul’s preaching was hurting business. • A man named Demetrius who was a silversmith and owned a large business that made silver shrines of Diana called other craftsmen owners together and stirred up a riot against Paul.

Paul realized that there was a golden opportunity in Ephesus for serving Christ at this time in Ephesus. At the same time, he realized that there were many adversaries.

Conclusion: You would expect Paul to say, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, but there are many adversaries.” That is not what Paul said. Look in verse nine (1 Cor. 16:9) and underline the word “and.” Paul said “and” not “but.” The presence of many adversaries challenged Paul to remain longer.

When God gives new opportunities, there will always be adversaries. Paul knew that. You must know that. Your adversary the devil and his forces are always active, looking for ways to overwhelm believers.

Beyond These Walls is a new opportunity God has given our church. Each one of you can be part in some way.

• The staff alone can’t do it, and that is a good thing.

• Every member can be part personally, financially, or both. Let me illustrate with two of our opportunities.

1. The Radio ministry.

• Jon Redmond and Brent Shore do the radio program each Tuesday afternoon. • Gifts that people give pay for the airtime. • Prayer for the radio ministry is important.

2. Pasadena Community Ministry

• Needs volunteers • Needs money to buy food • Thanksgiving meals for 200 families ($40.00 each). • Prayer

There are ten other opportunities that God has given us and adversaries will come. We will not be surprised.

Invitation: Some of you have an opportunity to be saved this morning. Others have an opportunity to come for your baptism this morning. Others have an opportunity to join the church this morning. I will meet you at the front of the church. The opportunity is yours.