Let's get started.

On Sunday mornings we're going through 1 Corinthians.

We're almost done with Paul's first epistle and today we're in chapter 16 and our text

will be verses 15 and 16.

But I'll actually for the sake of context want to begin back in verse 13.

So if you'll turn there and once you do if you're able

I'll ask you to stand you can follow along as I read. The Apostle Paul by the Holy

Spirit beginning in verse 13 says, be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong, do everything in love.

You know that the household of Stephanus were the first converts in Akeye and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord's people.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins

in the work and labors at it. Let's pray. We'll ask God's blessing on our understanding

if you would join with me. Loving Heavenly Father, we are looking to you, the author and the

finisher of our faith to settle our hearts and focus our attention on you and your

Word and that which you desire to minister to us in and through your Word today.

Lord, we want to give you our undivided attention so that you can speak very clearly into our lives, in and through

your word. So Lord, will you speak? Your servants are listening. In Jesus' name, amen. You can

be seated. Thank you.

So today's teaching is going to be part two of a new series we began last week titled How to Survive the Last Days. And the reason I chose that title is because here at the end

of Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth, we have his parting words. And his parting words

are that of exhortation as well as encouragement. And not only is he exhorting and encouraging

the Corinthian Christians as it relates to the days that lie ahead for them, he's also

exhorting and encouraging them for the last days, the last days of the church age,

...