Join Pastor Sonny as we embark on a new preaching series through Paul’s letter to the Corinthians! This introductory message explores why this ancient text is surprisingly relevant to our modern lives, especially here in Toronto. Just as the Israelites faced cultural challenges in the Promised Land and the early church in Corinth grappled with the influences of a cosmopolitan city, we, too, encounter similar battles in our own context.
Pastor Sonny delves into the historical, social, and cultural backdrop of Corinth, a bustling trade hub much like Toronto, filled with diverse influences and competing worldviews. We’ll discover how the city’s culture of competition, consumerism, and success impacted the early church, and how those same challenges echo in our own church community today. By examining the various aspects of culture, from language and material possessions to values and worldviews, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of how culture can shape our beliefs and behaviors.
Get ready to learn how God’s warnings to the Israelites about cultural traps are just as applicable to us. We’ll explore how the culture of Toronto, much like Corinth, can subtly influence our faith and the way we do church. Join us as we unpack these important lessons from 1 Corinthians and discover how to navigate the cultural challenges of our time while staying true to the Gospel!
Acts 18:1–11
18:1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
1 Corinthians 1:1–3
1:1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.