READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | God is faithful. He will keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (v8-9)
Picture your delight when an application to join a programme you desire is met with a coveted letter of acceptance! You are filled with gratitude knowing you were chosen because someone had faith in you, and will provide full support so you will not have to journey alone. Such is God’s grace towards us. He calls and guides us even before we are perfect.
Christian converts in Corinth formed cliques in church, each following a different personality. They did as they pleased, disregarding the weaker conscience of some members among them. Wealthy members behaved exclusively, ignored the lonely poor. Fellow Christians would take each other to court. Discipline in the church was lax as members refused to follow authority, had poor morals and weak doctrine. Seeking the more dramatic gifts of the Spirit they failed to love one another. Such was the church that Paul graciously greeted (v1-2), prayed for (v3), gave thanks to God (v4-9), and appealed to for unity (v10).
Retelling what God had done for them, Paul’s challenge for the Corinthian church was to live faithfully and accountably to God. The same applies to us today.
1. Called by God’s Grace (v1-3) – Made spiritual heirs in our adoption, Christians are called to holiness and community. Paul’s greeting demonstrates God’s grace and mercy toward those who appear unlikely candidates for salvation. Gifted and growing but deeply flawed, they were directed to God whose will it is to transform all who call on the name of Jesus to be more like Him. By God’s grace, they would set themselves apart as His distinctive people, forsaking worldly pursuits to fulfill His divine purposes for them. It is God’s grace that calls us to Him and grants us His peace. We are adopted not by striving or achievement but by gratefully receiving God’s love. Grace-driven, our redemption from beginning to end is not a reward but a gift.
2. Continually strengthened by God’s Grace (v4-7) – Paul thanked God for His gracious work among the Corinthians. His thanksgiving reframed the issue of their immature faith by reminding them that whatever knowledge or ability they had was from God and that their spiritual gifts were a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence. As modern-day Christians, God endows us with His good gifts so that we are not lacking but actively strengthened and enriched in Christ in every way – even in our struggles. Past grace of God that saves flows into ongoing grace that strengthens to keep us standing strong.
It is by quietly confessing our weakness and humbly depending on the Lord that we recognise His everyday mercies otherwise overlooked – e.g. the ability to arise from bed, a warm meal delivered by a friend when we’re sick, or the joy of spontaneous laughter! God’s never-ending grace sustains us to echo His promise: “My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God’s grace is not a backup plan for the weak. It intentionally carries us through our suffering, anchors our faith when worries threaten to pull us under, fills our empty void with enough peace, hope and faith. God’s grace transforms us to know that strength lies not on certainty or control but on trust. We become neither fearless nor flawless, but faithful!
3. Completely sustained by God’s Faithfulness (v8-9) – Thank God we are not left alone to remain faithful and blameless in the long journey ahead till the “revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ”. Faithful God promises to strengthen to the end those “called into the partnership of His Son”. Held securely from start to finish – whether confident, weary, mature or struggling, we can trust that our unchanging God is reliable to help us endure victoriously to the end.
Faith is like trusting that our God-initiated, long-distance journey will be safe, even though we neither built the train nor lay its tracks. Though the journey through tunnels, sharp turns, and long stretches of unchanging scenery isn’t always smooth; and the passenger is tired, restless and uncertain how far more to go, the train with its reliable engine eventually arrives at its destination. Safety does not rest on a passenger’s endurance but on the faithfulness of the one who built the train, planned the route, and promised the destination. God is faithful to guarantee our arrival. He never withholds grace, but actively strengthens us as we wait for Christ’s return. He fills, sustains, and supplies what we need along the way.
The God who called you will keep you.
The grace that saved you will strengthen you.
The faithfulness that began this work in you will bring it to completion.
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. According to verses 4-5, what does Paul say God’s grace has already given and enriched the church with?
b. In verses 7-8, what promises does Paul make about God’s role while believers are waiting for Christ’s return? - Recall Sermon
a. The sermon highlighted three movements of God’s work. Which point connected with you most deeply, and why?
• Called by God’s grace
• Continually strengthened by God’s grace
• Completely sustained by God’s faithfulness
b. What new insight did you gain about grace that you had not considered before? - Relate Personally
a. Are there areas where you are tempted to rely more on your own effort than on God’s grace?
b. How does knowing that God is faithful to sustain you to the end affect the way you face uncertainty, failure, or waiting? - Commit to Action
a. What is one practical way you can live this week in greater dependence on God’s grace rather than self-effort?
b. Is there a fear, burden, or responsibility you need to consciously entrust to God’s faithfulness?
