AN OPENING BENEDICTION (3 OF 53)
by Mike Stone
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
This content is part of a series.
An Opening Benediction (3 of 53)
Series: Straight Up Truth for a Messed Up Church
Mike Stone
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Often times in church services we will close in prayer with what is called the ''benediction.'' The word means ''a good word.''
A few times recently, I have asked you to give a ''benediction'' to one another at the end of the service. Again, it means to give an encouraging statement, to give a blessing, to give a good word.
One web site has counted as many as 28 benedictions in the Bible. But they only count the benedictions at the end of books. I'd like to add another one to their count. Because in the book of First Corinthians we find an incredible benediction. But it's not at the end. It's at the beginning! So, from the opening 9 verses of this book, I want to begin a year-long study of this book by speaking about ''An Opening Benediction.''
If you understand language, the word ''benediction'' is related to the word ''eulogy.'' One tends to be a GOOD WORD at the end of a service. The other is a GOOD WORD at the end of a life.
I heard about a man who was a scoundrel and at his funeral the preacher went on about what a fine man he was. After the service the widow wanted the casket reopened. Someone said, ''You want a final kiss?'' She said, ''No. After all those kind words I want to be sure I came to the right funeral.''
In the first 9 verses of this book we find a GOOD WORD that is no less shocking... especially when you considered the recipient.
I want to remind you: This was a MESSED UP church!
They are MESSED UP doctrinally, morally, and relationally.
And yet Paul stands like a preacher to offer a good word.
But in Paul's case, he's not making it up.
Under Divine inspiration, Paul literally tells the gospel truth.
1. A Good Word of Greeting (1-3)
In our culture, we sign hand-written letters at the end. But in the ancient world the writer would let you know right up front who the letter was from. It's like a text ...
Series: Straight Up Truth for a Messed Up Church
Mike Stone
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Often times in church services we will close in prayer with what is called the ''benediction.'' The word means ''a good word.''
A few times recently, I have asked you to give a ''benediction'' to one another at the end of the service. Again, it means to give an encouraging statement, to give a blessing, to give a good word.
One web site has counted as many as 28 benedictions in the Bible. But they only count the benedictions at the end of books. I'd like to add another one to their count. Because in the book of First Corinthians we find an incredible benediction. But it's not at the end. It's at the beginning! So, from the opening 9 verses of this book, I want to begin a year-long study of this book by speaking about ''An Opening Benediction.''
If you understand language, the word ''benediction'' is related to the word ''eulogy.'' One tends to be a GOOD WORD at the end of a service. The other is a GOOD WORD at the end of a life.
I heard about a man who was a scoundrel and at his funeral the preacher went on about what a fine man he was. After the service the widow wanted the casket reopened. Someone said, ''You want a final kiss?'' She said, ''No. After all those kind words I want to be sure I came to the right funeral.''
In the first 9 verses of this book we find a GOOD WORD that is no less shocking... especially when you considered the recipient.
I want to remind you: This was a MESSED UP church!
They are MESSED UP doctrinally, morally, and relationally.
And yet Paul stands like a preacher to offer a good word.
But in Paul's case, he's not making it up.
Under Divine inspiration, Paul literally tells the gospel truth.
1. A Good Word of Greeting (1-3)
In our culture, we sign hand-written letters at the end. But in the ancient world the writer would let you know right up front who the letter was from. It's like a text ...
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