DysFunctional Grace

This morning we are beginning a series on the New Testament letter of 1 Corinthians. Church planting in first century Corinth had to be an adventure. This city was a hot mess---a city filled with all kinds of idolatry and immorality. The city was a seaport and had all the stereotypes of a sailor's town. There is not a more dysfunctional group of people in all of Scripture than the followers of Jesus in Corinth. But Paul preached the Gospel and led this church, staying there for a year and a half. He loves these people deeply. Furthermore, Paul knows that the Gospel is enough, and God's grace is being poured into their lives. While these people have followed Jesus, they are still influenced by the values and attitudes from their culture. Is the Gospel sufficient for changing these people? Of course! The same is true of us as we live in a culture that is more and more like Corinth. God is still saving dysfunctional people and transforming them by His amazing Functional Grace.