City of God

Aim: To be members of and spreaders of the city of God.

Doctrine: Corinth was a most-unlikely city of God because of its notorious immorality and its pagan worship.

Exegesis: The characteristics of the city of God: it is populated by believers in Christ (vv. 7-8); it is filled with yet-unsaved elect souls (vv. 9-10); it is graced by the church's gospel preaching (v. 11).

Further application: How God's making Corinth His city inspires us today: if Christ could be embraced there, God may decree the same thing to happen here.

Key verses: vv. 9-10 ''And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, 'Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 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.' ''