Five Important Admonitions (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Introduction:
1. We learn from the first 2 verses of this letter (1:1-2) that it was written: a. by the apostle Paul b. to the church in Corinth. 2. This letter addresses a number of issues. a. Paul was told about several issues (1:11; 5:1). b. He was asked about others (7:1). 3. As Paul was concluding his letter, in the verses we read (16:13-14) he gave "five important admonitions" that we are studying today. Discussion: I. THE FIRST ADMONITION IS "WATCH YE"
A. "Watch" means to be cautious and to be alert (see 1 Thessalonians 5:6). B. The Scriptures teach us to be alert concerning: 1. the Lord's return (Matthew 25:13) 2. the activities of the devil (1 Peter 5:8). II. THE SECOND ADMONITION IS "STAND FAST IN THE FAITH"
A. "Stand fast" means to persevere and to stand firm in maintaining a right relationship with the Lord (see Galatians 5:1). B. Christians are to be united in standing fast in the faith (Philippians 1:27-28a). III. THE THIRD ADMONITION IS "QUIT YOU LIKE MEN"
A. "Quit" means to acquit, act, or behave. B. This is an admonition for Christians to be brave (2 Timothy 1:7). C. To be victorious we must be brave, as illustrated by the Philistines when they fought Israel (1 Samuel 4:9-10). IV. THE FOURTH ADMONITION IS "BE STRONG"
A. This is another admonition for Christians to demonstrate bravery. B. A more detailed appeal is given in Ephesians 6:10-13. V. THE FIFTH ADMONITION IS "LET ALL YOUR THINGS BE DONE WITH CHARITY"
A. A failure to do everything with love had gotten the Corinthians into trouble. B. We must do everything with love because: 1. without love we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) 2. we show others that we are the Lord's true disciples (John 13:34-35). Conclusion:
1. We pointed out earlier that the apostle Paul wrote these "five important admonitions." 2. According to 1 Corinthians 14:37, they are "the commandments of the Lord." 3. Let us put forth our best effort to practice these admonitions because they are designed to help us: a. stay on guard against our enemy, Satan b. remain faithful to Christ, our Savior.
