Saturday, March 30, 2013

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

New International Version (NIV)

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
  I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.


When I was married we applied this principle to our children.  If she punished the children I would not do it again and vice versa.  If there was a major failure in my marriage on my part was not reaffirming my wife after a disagreement.

Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

I'm imagining my Pastor saying "The reason I preached to you was to test that you would be obedient.  So when I come to visit next month we won't be confrontational."  What things in my room here would I put away if I were to host my pastor for a week or so?

  10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

I think here Paul is trusting the judgement of the church at Corinth.  He's not going to approach the trouble makers and stir up more trouble.  So for me when something is over, I need to let it go and not allow Satan a tool to use against me.

God Bless.

Friday, March 29, 2013

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.  13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Reading Paul's words here makes me think of how I treat people.  And not every interaction has left me with a clear conscience.  I am grateful that God had taught me about his grace that now it is easier for me to share it with others.

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

I need to make sure my message is clear and that my message is what God would have me say.  God is not a flip flop politician who changes his mind depending on what the people want.

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Paul's previous letter had not been "fun" so he did not visit them right away.  He gave them time to work it out so that his next visit could be one of encouragement.  My time with my children is limited so when I have to discipline them I need to give them time to work it out with me "on their case".

God Bless.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just yesterday Pastor Bernie and I prayed about my future.  I still don't have a full time job and I also don't have a specific ministry beyond the choir.  Here I see that Paul is fulfilling "the will of God".  Dear God please show me where you want me to work and where you want me to join you in ministry.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

During the past two years I have turned to many things for comfort.  Food and all I got was fatter than I started.  Alcohol and all I got was scared of becoming and alcoholic.  Cigars and all I got was my limited income being burned.  God and what I got was peace and grace.  The grace to forgive my spouse for divorcing me and the grace to accept Christ's forgiveness for my part in the bad marriage.  I am free from bitterness (most of the time) and I have been able to help others with their pain.

 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Everything Paul endured was for the sake of leading others to faith and encouraging and building up others in their faith.  I'm convicted of the times that I did not want to get up to go and teach Pioneer Club.  My focus was not on the children but on me.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.

Paul and Timothy were under so much pressure they wanted to die. I know I've been there and I take comfort that Paul felt that way too.  I'm not broken or abnormal or bad Christian.

I also often hear 1 Cor 10:13 misused saying God is not going to give us more than we can handle.  That's only applies to temptation and he will provide a way out if we look for it.  In ministry and day to day life, God wants us to turn to Him for everything.  I don't know if I will have a job before April 18th.  I do know that God is in charge and I do not have to worry.

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

My hope is in the same God that Paul's was.  The same God who raised Jesus from the dead.  I will trust Him to meet my needs.

God Bless.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16
Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

When I get paid, I've been writing a check to give to the church.  It's the first thing I do.  Sometimes I struggle with giving because my income is so limited and there is so much I want to do with "my" money.  The percentage I give is between God and I, however I know that God knows why I hold back sometimes.  He is not fooled.

I also note that this money seems to be a special collection.  Over and above the normal giving because this is money to help others.  The phrase "men you approve" reminds me to be careful with whom I entrust my money.  Many charities today take vast chunks of every dollar given for "administration".


After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Sometimes I forget that much of the Bible is a collection of letters and not just an instruction manual.  I get to the "personal stuff" and don't think there is much I can glean from it.  Yet here we see Paul really yearning to see the people in Corinth and he does want it to be a quick visit.  He wants to spend time with them.  He was willing to leave it to God's will.

I think about what I do.  If I wanted to go visit my family in TN, I'd give no thought to what God wanted.  I'd get on a plane and go.  I'll admit I rarely consult God with my plans.

10 When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

I'm thinking of  1Tim 4:12 where Timothy is encouraged to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth.  Anyone preaching God's word should be treated with respect.

12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Verses 13 and 14 are coming with me today.  I want to keep my guard up for the attacks of the devil, this world and my own fleshly desires.  I want to stand in my faith and cling to what I know is right.  I want to have courage in my faith.  Some times I'm just a wuss.  I want to be motivated by love.

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Here Paul is recognizing those who are doing it right.  I'm good at correcting and instructing, now I want to work on encouraging and acknowledging those who are doing it right.

God Bless.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

1 Corinthians 15:35-58
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

We have a small idea of what our resurrected body will be like in what we read about Jesus after his resurrection. We will have a recognizable form.  We will be able to be touched.  We will eat.  These are all things that we know that Jesus did after he was raised to life.  To paraphrase verse 38, "Don't worry, God has got this."

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

Our physical being gets its life as a descendent of Adam.  Our spiritual being gets its life through what Jesus Christ did on the cross and being raised from the dead.

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Oh that the trumpet would sound today and this imperfect body with its scoliosis and pinched nerve and hydrocephalus and blurry vision would be transformed into its perfect immortal body.  We have the hope of eternity with Christ in a perfect body.  But not everyone has that hope.  That is why we must, as verse 58 tells us, to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.  Tell others before it is too late.

God Bless.

Monday, March 25, 2013

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

1 Corinthians 15:12-34
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

There were some sects in Jesus' day the were teaching there would not be a resurrection.  Paul is saying, without it then Christ himself has not been raised.

14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

Without Christ's resurrection, we have faith in nothing.

15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.

If there is no resurrection, the apostles are liars.

16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Not only would we be lost, but all those who have died believing in the coming messiah would have died in vain as well.

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Thank God that Jesus was raised and Paul proved that with his testimony about the 500 witnesses.

21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.  23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

Because Adam chose to disobey God, all of us who have followed have a sin nature and are spiritually dead.  Those who chose Christ will be made alive spiritually.
  
24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

God has given Jesus power over everything, but Jesus is still under the authority of God.  One day Jesus will give it all back to God.  I was asked recently why God does not just destroy his enemies now.  God is long suffering.  He wants to give EVERYONE as much time as possible to come to repentance. 

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?

I admit having to seek commentary on this.  Guess what.  Bible scholars have been debating this verse and even they disagree on it's meaning.  The best explanation I found is that Paul was refering to the PAGAN practice of being baptized for the dead.  As if Paul was saying to the people, "Even the pagan know there will be a resurrection from the dead."   Baptism for the dead was NOT a Christian practice in the church of Paul's day.

30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”

Without the resurrection, Christians are wasting there lives by risking all for Christ and may as well join the world and party till they die.  Thank God for the resurrection.

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

It is we who are supposed to be effecting the world not the world effecting us.

God Bless.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Some days we don't "feel" saved or like God even cares.  Some days we are bombarded by life and we no longer even care.  It is at these times that we hold to what is true.  We live by truth, not by emotions.   There are people all over the world who preach different paths to heaven.  Only the gospel is the truth and we must cling to it.
 
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

How appropriate that we get to this portion of scripture as we get ready to remember Christ's crucifixion and to celebrate his rising from the dead.

In Jewish law all one need was two or there witnesses for something to be entered into court and be proven true.  Here the risen Jesus was seen by over 500 people.  His resurrection could easily be proven in a Jewish court.  In fact some of the witnesses to his resurrection were still living at the time of the writing of this letter. 

"Big deal.", you say.  "We can't talk to the witnesses today.".  That is true.  Who was the first president of the USA?  George Washington.  How do we know?  Because of the written testimony of those who were there.  The historical accuracy of the Bible has has been proven over and over.   Jesus did die and he did raise from the dead.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

Do you sometimes struggle with your past?  Here we see that even Paul did.  Yet by the grace of God and through His power Paul preached the gospel.  You and I can as well.

God Bless.

Monday, March 18, 2013

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

1 Corinthians 14:26-40
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

At this time the church is new.  The structure of how a service was to run had not yet been developed.  I'm not sure they even had specific pastors in each church yet, so everyone shared.  And being human, everyone wanted to share.  Which, even among those who were serving the Lord was devolving into chaos.  Our God is a God of order, so Paul is leaving instruction of how a gathering should be run.

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Each was to take their turn speaking and those gathered were to evaluate what was said.  When we are in a service we too need to evaluate what is being said.  Bible should be out and we should be weighing what the speaker is saying compared to what they are reading.

34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

The man is still the head of his home, how ever women being silent in church was a cultural thing along the same idea of the wearing of  head covering that we addressed several chapters ago. 

36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.

Paul knew he was speaking the words of God.  Therefore those who agreed with his instructions were true prophets and those his did not were not.   This is THE test for us.  Does a person, preacher or pastor agree with what is written in the Bible.  If they do not we can dismiss what they have to say.

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

People who wish to speak should be given a chance.  My church does this very well.  If I had something I wanted to share, I would speak to my elders who would weigh what I had to say and see if it is appropriate for the entire church.  Then they would find a time that I could share with the congregation.

God Bless.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

1 Corinthians 14:1-25
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

Love comes first.

  For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Because love comes first, the edification of others comes first.
 
Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

My church, for a time, gave the use of our building to a local Chinese church.  They held their services a a time different than ours and the entire service was not in English.  I am sure I could have attended their service.  I am sure I would have taken great joy in seeing the worship of our God in another language and culture.  When the pastor would preach I am sure I would see his passion for God.  But what benefit would his message be for me that day?

Make your message clear and build one another up.

13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

"Edify stupid."  That phrase was a running joke my second year at Word of Life School of Youth Ministries and School of Evangelism. We used this oxymoron to get the point across that our goal was to lift one another up.

The phrase Amen, means "I agree.".  One would be a liar to say amen to what they don't understand.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues is not something to be ashamed of, but clear communication that benefits your brother is of higher importance.  

20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

Every get that look of shock for being ignorant about the latest fad show on TV or not understanding the punch line of a crude joke?  Be happy.  That is a good thing.

  21 In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
    and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
    but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Tongues is a proof gift so that unbelievers will see the message is from God.  Prophesy and interprettion of scripture in a language that the inquirers understand, is what convicts toward repentance and a change in course of their actions. 

God Bess.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Paul is showing the "most excellent way".  It does not matter what you seek or achieve if your motive is not one of love.  In God's eyes you have nothing.
 
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

After reading the paragraph above, how good are you at love?  Love does carry some of those romantic feelings that is so pushed in our society, but true love, Godly love, is a choice.  Nothing the loved does prevents you from loving them.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Remember that Paul just told us in the previous chapter to eagerly seek the greater gifts. Here he tells us that love is greater and will out last them all.

  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Things here on earth are not as clear as the will be in heaven.  In heaven our bodies will be complete.  Now we need to grow up.  Put away childish thing and be an adult.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

When all is said and done all we have left is our faith in God, our hope in Christ as our Savior and love.  Love is the greatest of them all.  We must remember to love the unlovable and to make sure our motive for what we seek is love.

God Bless

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

1 Corinthians 12:12-31
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Paul is continuing is message concerning the distribution of gifts.  Explaining that we who are in Christ are one.  Yet, like a body, we are different parts of that body.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

Saying something or feeling something does not make it true.  There are days we will look at our lives and feel alone and worthless.  We may feel we are not part of anything because we're not as good or as smart or as talented as another.  That is when we need to turn to scripture.  We ARE part of the body.  It's in God's word.  When we feel like dirt, one is wrong.  Either our feelings or God's word.  Our feeling need to flow from who we are, not from the current events in our lives.

  17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

How would church run if everybody got up to preach?  What if everybody wanted to be the song leader?  The church works when each person does the job God has assigned them.  When I say church I mean the people.  The body of Christ does not exist within the walls the we in the USA call a church.  We are more than the 4 hours we gather on Sunday.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

How long would people attend our worship service if the janitor stopped cleaning the bathroom? 
We need each other.  We were not meant to go through this life alone.  We need to take joy in those who are publicly honored and we need to appreciate the folks behind the scene. 

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.  And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

I smile when I read this because some of out brothers and sisters in Christ insist that a person speak in tongues as a "proof" of salvation.   Yet here Paul lists some of the gifts and tongues is dead last on his list.  And when you real his list of questions in verses 29 and 30 the obvious answer is no.  Paul does say we can desire to speak in tongues but that is not a requirement.

Paul ends with a promise to show the most excellent way.  We will dive into that tomorrow.


God Bless.

Monday, March 4, 2013

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

God the Holy Spirit will never speak against himself.  At the same time no one can truly say that Jesus is Lord without the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
 
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

We are not all going to have the same gift because we're not all going to have the same job.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

The gift given you is not a badge that you wear and show off.  It is given for you to use in the church for the benefit of all.
 
To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

All gifts are of the Spirit.  All gifts are given as He determines.  Do not be jealous of another person's gift.  It was given to them for their job that is given to them by God. Just as your gift was given to you for your job.  Neither of you can do the other's job, so you did not receive the other's gift.

God Bless.

Friday, March 1, 2013

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

1 Corinthians 11:17-34
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

The Lord's supper in this time period was a full meal.  All would bring what the could and then all would eat from the table.  And just like our churches today there were conflicts among the members.  Some groups would break off from the main group and only share with their friends because they did not get along with other.  Paul told them they may as well stay home if that is their attitude.

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Sounds so familiar as I grew up in the church.  I need to pay attention to vs 26 and remember exactly what I am participating in when my church celebrates the Lord's supper.

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

If you chose to take part, examine yourself.  To fail is to invite God's wrath.  Some have died for being so flippant.

31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.

I love when I forget that it is communion Sunday and when I see the table I actually think, "Yay, I don't have a laundry list to get right with God.", because during that time I've been more discerning with my actions.

32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

Discipline is never fun, but it serves a purpose for our good.

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
And when I come I will give further directions.

Paul was telling them to use the meal as a chance to share with the right heart and not be a glutton.

When we gather in church for a meal, let it be for the benefit of others.  Make sure we come together in mind and body.  Don't use the church meal as a chance to be a glutton.

At the Lord's table examine yourself, but live in such a way that it is a brief survey of the last few minuets/hours instead of the past few weeks/months/years.

God Bless.