1 Corinthians 16:5-11

                                                     1 Corinthians 16:5-11

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.  For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.  But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.  When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.  So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Ministry and advancing the Gospel requires cooperation in the body of Christ.  This cooperation depends on clear communication.  I find it interesting that Paul wants to make sure that both his plans and expectations are clearly understood.  There are times when we fail to communicate well because of timidity or simply presuming that our expectations are already understood by others.  Paul does not want to presume anything.

 

PAUL COMUNICATES PLANS FOR THE FUTURE: The plan is to visit Corinth on his return visit to Macedonia.  He hopes to make it and extended stay and may even spend the entire winter, a period not favorable to travel, with the believers there.  He wants them to know that he is on his way but not immediately and that he will be with them for a long period of time.  Expected arrival times as well as departure times are important for us to provide for one another.  There are things that he would like for the church to do to prepare for his arrival.  There are things he would like to have accomplished prior to his departure.  This kind of communication is helpful and necessary.  

 

PAUL REQUESTS PRAYERS FOR THE PRESENT: Paul is writing from Ephesus.  His ministry in this city was one of his most extensive as well as productive.  He spent over two years teaching in a school of missions and theology.  He operated great miracles in the city to the point that even pieces of his clothing were taken to those who were sick and they were healed.  The Gospel spread throughout the entire region as a result of his ministry in Ephesus.  However, there was much opposition and the entire city was put in an uproar and many sought to take his life.  Paul is requesting prayer for this time of ministry.  He wants prayer for productive ministry as well as protection from the enemies he faces.  One of the keys to effective ministry in prayer is communication.  We need to make sure others know how to effectively pray for us.

 

PAUL MAKES PREPARATIONS FOR A FRIEND: Timothy has been sent to Macedonia to prepare Paul’s future visit, give Paul news as to the condition of the church, and to minister to them in whatever way was required.  Timothy is a young minister who might easily be overlooked or taken lightly.  Paul does not want this to happen.  Paul trusts Timothy and has invested heavily in him as a minister of the Gospel.  People learn and grow from being tasked with important and significant responsibility.  When we invest in people, we need to be willing to trust them with important tasks and to promote their success with other people.

 

APPLICATION: Be faithful and clear communication with detailed information.  Don’t presume that others understand our expectations, make them clearly understood.  Let people know how they can pray for us in our lives and ministry.  Allow others to participate in how the Lord is using us.  Invest in others and help them to be successful in ministry by leveraging our relationships and reputation and affirming our support for those we mentor.

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