Rev. David Holwick ZL
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 18, 1990
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
1 Corinthians 16:1-24
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I. Closeness at Thanksgiving.
A. College days - befriended by local families, felt like an orphan.
B. It's great to have family and friends who care for you.
II. The value of Christian friends.
A. We needs friends.
According to a study reported by Newsweek magazine:
Lonely people are more likely to get sick.
The death rate is three times higher among those with the
fewest close relationships.
Having good friends and relatives seems to afford a measure
of protection from stressful life events.
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B. Paul travelled widely, but he kept in touch with friends.
1) Almost all of his letters end with greetings and plans to
visit.
III. Giving friends their due.
A. Material needs. 16:1
1) For poor believers in Jerusalem.
a) The early Christians took up several offerings for the
"mother church" in Jerusalem.
b) Hint that "Christian socialism" of Acts 2 was no cure-all.
1> But they also suffered from famine and persecution.
2) Purposeful - they saved up for a specific task.
3) Periodic - first day of every week. 16:2
a) Hint that worship was already on Sundays.
b) Giving was done as a body, not for personal glory.
4) Proportional - as God has prospered them. 16:2
a) "in accord with income" is too modern.
5) Personal - church members took the gift to Jerusalem. 16:3
B. Emotional needs (honor).
1) Honor those who help in your local church.
a) Most churches were in homes, like Stephanas'. 16:15
b) Submit to those who labor in the Lord. 16:16
c) Recognize the good work they do. 16:18
2) Christian friends refresh our spirits. 16:18
IV. Intimacy with Christian friends.
A. Visiting God's people. 16:3
1) Paul wanted this to be a quality visit. 16:7
a) Paul continually "touched base" with churches he had
established. 16:5
2) His primary concerns:
a) Taking advantage of opportunities for the gospel. 16:9
b) Looking out for his friends like Timothy. 16:10
1> Accept him. 16:11
2> Send him on in peace. 16:12
B. Building intimacy with God's people. #456
1) Intimate friends can share openly about themselves.
2) There is a sense of acceptance by one another.
3) There is a sense of evenness (mutuality) in the relationship.
4) Past events are shared in their lives.
5) Includes accountability and challenge.
a) Proverbs 27:17 -
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
b) Paul - Be watchful, firm, courageous, strong. 16:13
1> Do everything in love. 16:14
6) Allows people to disagree and get hurting angry, with the
expectation the other person will stick around.
7) Results in a willingness to share the other person with others.
a) Paul had his differences with Apollos. 16:12
b) Yet Paul encourages him to answer their request for a visit.
C. Holy kiss. 16:20
1) Dropped due to abuse, lack of sincerity.
2) Small rituals can be important. Tokens of friendship.
V. Making up for distance.
A. Greetings from other churches. 16:19
1) [tradition in Russian Baptist churches for outsiders to
give greetings. In past, only way for them to preach.]
2) We are not alone. Others also believe.
B. Greetings from believers. 16:19-20
1) Aquila and Priscilla.
a) Remarkable couple. Kicked out of Rome, went back, now
in Ephesus with Paul.
2) All the brothers. 16:20
a) "Brother" was a distinctly Christian term to show how
close we should be.
b) Closeness is often lacking.
1> Spiritual immaturity and selfishness.
c) Proverbs 18:24
"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there
is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
C. Greeting from Paul. 16:21
1) Personalized letters.
a) Normally he used a secretary.
b) His signature showed it was really him.
c) Will your Christmas cards be personal?
1> Will they witness to Jesus?
2) What is at stake: curse and blessing. 16:22
a) Curse.
1> Aramaic, "anathema."
A> Not so much a curse, as prediction of judgment.
2> Reflects early church in Palestine.
b) Blessing.
1> Also Aramaic, "maranatha."
A> "Come, O Lord."
2> Strong belief in Second Coming.
A> Not something for speculation, but motivation.
3) Grace and love to all. 16:23-24
a) Grace = free gift.
b) Grounded in Jesus Christ.
VI. Challenge to be a friend.
A. Do you value Christian friends?
1) Visit of Glenn Gunderson boosted me.
2) Christians often have Elijah complex - "I'm all alone."
3) Other Christians can give us confidence, help.
a) Accountability.
B. Are you a friend, in Jesus' name, to others?
Bob Laurens, teacher at ABC's Judson College.
Girl followed him after concert.
He did not get a chance to talk but gave her his address.
She wrote him a letter saying how good she felt hearing him.
But she was still lonely, and had thoughts of suicide.
Bob announced a "pop" quiz in his class.
- Then he read the letter.
Bell rings, all but one leave.
She asks for address, corresponds.
They became good friends.
Girl gets saved and attends Bob's New Testament class at
Judson College.
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