THE MAIN IDEA
God is faithful when we are in Christ.

We must hold to three truths in order to build up a healthy church.

IN CHRIST WE HAVE GRACE AND PEACE
A community that is overflowing in grace and peace is what God wants to see in every church that calls on the name of Jesus Christ. And so we as a church of our Lord Jesus Christ need to promote and to nurture a culture of grace and peace in our community. Paul is talking about a holy grace, a holy peace, set apart by God so that the churches who call upon the name of Jesus may experience the unique blessing that can only come from being in Christ. It is to give us this grace and peace that Jesus Christ came. No one would be saved if it were not for the grace of God (Ephesians 2:4-5). And after Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). Such grace and peace can only come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

IN CHRIST WE HAVE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Paul thanks God for His grace that was given to the Corinthians in Christ Jesus (verse 4). And then he brings up the evidence of God’s grace in them, which are the spiritual gifts of speech and of knowledge that have been manifested in their community. “Speech” is mainly referring to their speaking in tongues. “Knowledge” is referring

to their spiritual insight. Paul celebrates these spiritual gifts that they have been given for two reasons. First, the gifts demonstrate that they are indeed saved. Second, the gifts indicate that they had been equipped with everything that they needed to do the will of God until Jesus returns. But while they were not lacking any spiritual gift, they were not practicing love. God’s people do not fulfill the purpose of God so much with the gifts of the Spirit as we do the fruit of the Spirit, the greatest of which is love because God is love. Without practicing love, whatever spiritual gift we receive doesn’t mean anything.

IN CHRIST WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
It is only the grace and peace that comes from God and the Lord Jesus that can sustain us until the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, when we are in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is coming to us again, because He came to us once already. No one knows when Jesus is returning but the Father, but for every single one of us, Christ Jesus is coming back soon enough. When Jesus Christ returns, He is not coming to save. He already did that when He came the first time. He is coming to bring the judgment that is in accordance with whatever decision we have already made concerning Him in this life. But for those of us who believe—those of us who are in Christ—we need not fear. God has already forgiven us and acquitted us of our sins. And it is only because we are in Christ through faith that we can have such an assurance of our salvation.

DISCUSSION: Read 1 Corinthians 13. What aspects of love do you most need to receive? Give?