The Saints and the Ain’ts is a sermon teaching us that we become saints when we believe and live for Jesus Christ. The church is the congregation of the saints.

Paul wrote to the church of God at Corinth to give them direction. The city is known for its immorality and the one church is in its midst. But who or what is a saint? Would we want to be a saint? How do we become a saint? According to the Roman Catholic Church, a series of requirements must be fulfilled to qualify for sainthood. But is that what really makes a saint? None of these requirements are mentioned in the bible.

At the time Paul wrote to the church, Sosthenes was the ruler of the synagogue was with Paul. The churches were purchased by the blood of Christ, and all believers are purchased by the blood of Christ. Paul writes to the sanctified — the cleansed, set apart people of the church.

The people in the church are called to be saints. Paul says they are a chosen generation, called out of the world. The saints are the priesthood. We need to communicate with God for the forgiveness of sin. The Old Testament way was through the priests and high priest. But when Jesus died on the cross the Temple veil was torn symbolizing we can have direct access to God asking for forgiveness of sin without intercession by priests. God treasures our prayers and we are a royal priesthood able to go to God directly.

Paul calls the people of God, a holy nation, a peculiar people not like others. He says we are to show the praises of God because we are called out of the darkness of sin and into the Light. Jesus called us unto Himself. We are a holy nation, people who believe in Jesus Christ. The church is the congregation of the saints. Paul wants us to know the grace of God and calls us a holy generation.

Christians ought to take care of their own differences. Saints should reconcile their differences among themselves. We should acknowledge the sin and ask God for forgiveness, but if that does not suffice, ask fellow Christians’ help, otherwise bring it before the Church to decide. Christians will eventually judge the world and Paul says the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Those who are not forgiven will not inherit the Kingdom of God. We understand that no one is righteous. All have sinned, everyone; and sin separates us from God. We were separated from God but now are justified, washed in the blood by the Lamb, and are sanctified. When we believe, God makes us a saint.

The first church that ever existed was at Jerusalem which was under heavy persecution. Paul asked for other churches to donate to help the church in Jerusalem. He tells them to take up offerings on the first day of the week when the church meets, the same day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The saints give to the work of the Lord and help others.

Paul’s letter shows us there is one kind of good addiction. The house of Stephanos was addicted to the ministry of the church, serving the Lord. We can become a saint by believing in Jesus and living for Him. Are you a saint or an ain’t? Are we helping to bring in others to Christ? We must believe in the Son of God and put our trust in Him.

The Saints and the Ain’ts sermon starts with verses from I Corinthians 1:1-3:

¹ Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

² Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

³ Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Also verses from I Corinthians 6:2:

² Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

I Corinthians 6:9-11:

⁹ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

¹¹ And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 3:10, 23:

¹⁰ As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

I Corinthians 16:1, 15:

¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

¹⁵ I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

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