Archive for the ‘1 Corinthians’ Category

Spiritual Training 02 April 20141

Posted: April 2, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God (1:26-31)

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were Influential; not many were of noble birth. (27) But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Is Christianity against rational thinking? Christians clearly do believe in using their minds to weigh the evidence and make wise choices. Paul is declaring that no amount of human knowledge can replace or bypass Christ’s work on the cross. If it could Christ would be assessable only to the intellectually gifted and well educated, and not to ordinary people or to children.

28-31) He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, (29) so that no one may boast before him. (30) It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (31) Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Paul continues to emphasize that the way to receive salvation is so simple that any person who wants to can understand it. Skill and wisdom do not get a person into God’s kingdom-simple faith does-so no one can boast that his or her achievements helped him or her secure eternal life. Salvation is totally from God through Jesus death.

Lets Bring it Home: God is the source of and the reason for our personal and living relationship with Christ. Our union and identification with Christ results in our having God’s wisdom and knowledge, possessing right standing with God, being holy and having the penalty for our sins paid by Jesus.

There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation; we need only accept what Jesus has already done for us.

Spiritual Training 31 March 2014

Posted: March 31, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:20-24  Where is the wise man? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

Many Jews considered the Good News of Jesus Christ to be foolish, because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering king accompanied by signs and miracles. Jesus had not restored David’s throne as they expected. Besides, he was executed as a criminal, and how could a criminal be a savior? Greeks, too, considered the gospel foolish: they did not believe in a bodily resurrection; they did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods; and they thought no reputable person would be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory. The Good News of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many. Our society worships power, influence, and wealth. Jesus came as a humble, poor servant, and he offers his kingdom to those who have faith, not to those who do all kinds of good deeds to try to earn his gifts.

 

Lets Bring it Home: This looks foolish to the world, but Christ is our power, the only way we can be saved. Knowing Christ personally is the greatest wisdom anyone could.

Spiritual Training 27 March 2014

Posted: March 27, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.

Paul summarizes Isaiah 29:14 to emphasize a point Jesus often made: God’s way of thinking is not like the world’s way (normal human wisdom).  And God offers eternal life, which the world can never give.  We can spend a lifetime accumulating human wisdom and yet never learn how to have a personal relationship with God.

Lets Bring it Home: We must come to the crucified and risen Christ to receive eternal life and the joy of a personal relationship with our Savior.

Spiritual Training 26 March 2014

Posted: March 26, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 

When Paul said that Christ didn’t send him to baptize, he wasn’t minimizing the importance of baptism.  Baptism was commanded by Jesus himself (Matthew 28:19) and practiced by the early church (Acts 2:41).  Paul was emphasizing that no one person should do everything. Paul’s gift was preaching, and that’s what he did.  Christian ministry should be a team effort; no preacher or teacher is a complete link between God and people, and no individual can do all that the apostles did.  We must be content with the contribution God has given us to make, and carry it out wholeheartedly.

Some speakers use impressive words, but they are weak on content.  Paul stressed solid content and practical help for his listeners.  He wanted them to be impressed with his message, not just his style (see 2:1-5).  You don’t need to be a great speaker with a large vocabulary to share the gospel effectively.

Lets Bring it Home: Paul was not against those who carefully prepare what they say (see 2:6), but against those who try to impress others only with their own knowledge or speaking ability.

Spiritual Training 25 March 2014

Posted: March 24, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:11-16 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul” another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas” still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?  I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.  (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)

 

In this large and diverse Corinthian church, the believers favored different preachers.  Because there was as yet no written New Testament, the believers depended heavily on preaching and teaching for spiritual insight into the meaning of the Old Testament.  Some followed Paul, who had founded their church; some who had heard Peter (Eephas) in Jerusalem followed him’ while others listened only to Aollos, and eloquent and popular preacher who had had a dynamic ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:24; 19:1).

Paul wondered weather the Corinthians quarrels had “divided” Christ.  This is a graphic picture of what happens when the church (the body of Christ) is divided into factions.  With the many churches and styles of worship available today, we could get caught up in the same game of “my preacher is better than your!” To do so would divide Christ again. But Christ is not divided, and his true followers should not allow anything to divide them.

Lets Bring it Home: Don’t let your appreciation for any teacher, preacher, or author lead you into intellectual pride. Our allegiance must be to Christ and to the unity that he deserves.

Spiritual Training 21 March 2014

Posted: March 21, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:10-11 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no division among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

 (11) My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.

Like a frustrated coach watching his team bicker on the court, Paul called for a time-out.  He saw the danger of divisions and arguments.  The Corinthian believers’ lack of unity was obvious.  They may have been playing in the same “uniform,” but they were doing as much as the opposition to bring about their own defeat.  The problems weren’t so much differences of opinion as divided allegiances.  They were arguing over which position on the team was most important in a way that made them ineffective as a unit.  They were on the field, but out of the game.

Lets Bring it Home: Divisions between Christians work like brick walls and barbed-wire fences to undermine the effectiveness of the message that believers are to proclaim.  Focus on your coach, Jesus Christ, and the purpose he has for you.  Strive for harmony.  Keep arguments and bout allegiances off the team.

Spiritual Training 20 March 2014

Posted: March 20, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHURCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no division among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 

Paul founded the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey.  Eighteen months after he left, arguments and divisions arose, and some church members slipped back into immoral lifestyle.  Paul wrote this letter to address the problems, to clear up confusion about right and wrong, and to remove the immorality among them.  The Corinthian people had a reputation for jumping from fad to fad; Paul wanted to keep Christianity from degenerating into just another fad.

Lets Bring it Home: By saying “brothers,” Paul is emphasizing that all Christians are part of God’s family.  Believers share a unity that rounds even deeper than that of blood brothers and sisters.

Spiritual Training 19 March 2014

Posted: March 18, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

PAUL ADDRESSES CHRUCH PROBLEMS (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:7-9 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

The Corinthian church members had all the spiritual gifts they needed to live the Christian life, to witness for Christ and to stand against the paganism and immorality of Corinth.  But instead of using what God had given them, they were arguing over which gifts were more important.  Paul addresses this issue in depth in Chapters 12-14

Before tackling the problems, Paul described his hope for the Corinthians.  He guaranteed these believers that God would consider them “blameless” when Christ returns (see also Ephesians 1:7-10). This guarantee was not because of their great or their shinning performance, but because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for them through his death and resurrection.  All who believe in the Lord Jesus will be considered blameless when Jesus Christ returns (See also 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 9:28) Today’s struggles, difficulties, and failures don’t tell the whole story.

Lets Bring it Home: Keep the big picture in mind.  If you have faith in Christ, even if it is weak, you are and will be saved.

Spiritual Training 18 March 2014

Posted: March 18, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Paul Addresses Church Problems (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:4-6 I always thank god for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  For in him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

Paul thanked God for the Corinthian believers.  During the Thanksgiving holiday, we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them.  But thanks should be expressed every day.  We can never say thank you enough to parents, friends leaders, and especially to God.  When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that you attitude toward life will change.  You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and humble.

Lets Bring it Home: Whom do you need to thank today?

Spiritual Training 17 March 2014

Posted: March 17, 2014 in 1 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Paul Addresses Church Problems (1:1-6:20)

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Through various sources, Paul had received reports of problems in the Corinthian church, including jealousy, divisiveness, sexual immorality, and failure to discipline members.  Churches today must also address the problems they face.  We can learn a great deal by observing how Paul handled these delicate situations.

(1) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, Paul’s purpose for writing was to correct those problems and to answer questions church members had asked in a previous letter.  Paul was given a special calling from God to preach about Jesus Christ.  Each Christian has a job to do, a role to take, or a contribution to make.  One assignment may seem more spectacular than another, but all are necessary to carry out God’s greater plans for his church and for his world.

(2) To the Church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:

A personal initiation makes a person feel wanted and welcome.  We are “called to be holy.” God personally invites us to be citizens of his eternal kingdom.  But Jesus Christ, God’s Son is the only one who can bring us into this glorious Kingdom because he is the only one who removes our sins. Sanctified means that we are chosen or set apart by Christ for his service.  We accept god’s invitation by accepting his Son, Jesus Christ and by trusting in the work he did on the cross to forgive our sins.

(3) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is God’s free gift of salvation given to us in Christ.  Receiving it brings us peace (see Romans 5:1). In a world of noise, confusion, and relentless pressures, people long for peace.  Many give up the search, thinking it impossible to find, but true peace of heart and mind is available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lets Bring It Home:  Be available to God by placing your gifts at his service.  Then as you discover what he calls you to do, be ready to do it.

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