Posts Tagged ‘Divisions’

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 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.