1 Corinthians 1:1-9
In this episode, Pastor Shawn opens up 1 Corinthians with a powerful reminder that God’s grace doesn’t avoid the mess—it steps right into it. Corinth was known for its wild lifestyle and moral chaos, yet Paul doesn’t open his letter with condemnation. Instead, he calls these believers “sanctified” and “saints,” even as they struggle deeply with sin. Pastor Shawn reminds us that God’s strategy isn’t to shame sinners into changing but to root them in their true identity in Christ. We’re not transformed by fear or pressure—we’re changed from the inside out as God lives in us and reshapes our desires by grace.
As the message unfolds, we hear how Paul introduces himself not as a spiritual giant, but as a servant called by God’s will. His authority is grounded in suffering and humility, not power. Pastor Shawn challenges us to rethink what it means to follow Jesus—not a life free of pain, but one aligned with God’s heart and purpose. Even suffering becomes a gift when it forms us into people who live by grace. And Paul’s companion, Sosthenes, is a picture of this too—beaten for protecting Paul, but ultimately brought into the family of faith.
Finally, the episode dives into what grace actually looks like. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they lack no spiritual gift, not because of their behavior, but because of the richness of Jesus' life in them. Pastor Shawn emphasizes that our salvation is secure, not because we perform well, but because Jesus promises to confirm us to the end. We're not sinners trying to be saints—we are saints who sometimes sin. And through grace, God keeps calling us back to the truth of who we really are in Christ: forgiven, empowered, and loved.
