1 Corinthians 1 - 10.24.24
S – 1 Corinthians 1:10 - “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
O – This is a letter written by Paul to the Corinthians who were struggling with their environment. Paul had founded the church on his second missionary journey and just 18 months later arguments and division arose between the members. Some even slipped back to an immoral lifestyle. Paul wrote this letter to address these issues and to clear up any confusion regarding “right and wrong.” He began his letter with “Brothers and Sisters,” emphasizing that as Christians we are all part of God’s family. We have a bond, and that bond can even be deeper than the one we have with our biological families.
A – But agree with one another and let there be NO division among you? That seems like an impossible task! How can we possibly not disagree or quarrel? Well, I don’t believe that is exactly what God is saying. He knows our sinful nature and prideful ways, but He has expectations for how we live amongst each other.
If we truly believe we are God’s children and that our church family is made up of brothers and sisters, then we should at least begin with loving one another and caring for each other accordingly. This is not a request, but a command!
John 13:34-35 - “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (MSG)
Every family has a set of values and rules that their family follows. You just know that in your house you do or don’t do (fill in the blank). As God’s children He has his own standards (rules) for how we are to interact with our family. It’s not a suggestion (like these red lights and stop signs seem to be here in SCV). But I digress! As Christians, we are called to a higher standard because God IS the standard and He is the Most HIGH. This is what He calls us to do, plain and simple.
It does seem rather a difficult task, however, unity does not equal uniformity. Dwelling together in unity does not mean that we are all the same. Instead, we acknowledge that we have different gifts, personalities, and ministries, and we all live and work together peacefully. We are united in purpose, making every effort to use our unique giftings in harmony with all the others. The apostle Peter urged, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8).
God wants His people to enjoy the rich blessing of dwelling together in unity. He calls us to help and support one another, share resources as we are able, worship and fellowship together, pray for one another, and build each other up in the faith.
Above all, dwelling together in unity means loving one another deeply and sincerely. Such unity among the people of God gives off a pleasing aroma that is attractive to unbelievers (John 13:35; 17:21, 23; 1 John 2:10; 3:14), but the stench of division destroys our witness in the world and drives unbelievers away. (Gotquestions.org)
Let’s not be stinky!
Psalm 133:1 - “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
P – Lord would you help us navigate this world where we are taught that we must protect ourselves, we must “get ours,” and we believe it’s our way or the highway. We are so easily offended and shut people out when they have any difference of opinion or a way of doing something. Yet YOU Lord, created us to be uniquely and wonderfully made. You made us to have our own thoughts and to do things differently. That is what makes us beautiful to You. Oh Lord, would you help us see that beauty in the differences of others! Help us to embrace the qualities you have given others and help us to learn from them. We are living in such a state of division within our city, our state, and the entire country. With the upcoming elections we are more divided than ever! Help each of us, as your children, let go of our own ideas of what/WHO, is right and wrong and focus solely and Your Will, Your Way! Help us love one another EVEN when we don’t agree, EVEN when we are different, EVEN when we think WE are right! Help us not be foolish in our thoughts.
Proverbs 14:12-16
12 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
Give us a heart to bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another, and LOVE one another as you have COMMANDED! Amen.
- Crystal Flory
Psalm 81 - 10.23.24
Scripture
Psalm 81:8-10
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
if you would only listen to me, Israel!
You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not worship any god other than me.
I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
Observation
God is calling us to remember the times He has intervened and answered our prayers and to understand that He, and only He, is our source.
Application
On Sunday, during Pastor Levi’s sermon, I was reminded of some of the times that God has intervened on my behalf when the problems seemed insurmountable. Taking the time to remember and thank Him for things He has done for us in the past builds our faith (and the faith of others when we share those stories!), strengthens our relationship with Him, and helps prepare us for trials that are yet to come. When we stop and remember how much He loves us and how He has already proved himself faithful, it is easier to remember to take our problems to Him and trust that He is in control.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
But in Psalm 81 God also tells us to remember that He must be our only God. We can’t be searching for other things to fill our needs or put other things before Him. Jobs and relationships and possessions don’t meet our needs. He is the source of all we need. He says “open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”
Prayer
Father, thank you for all the times you have answered my prayers and come to my rescue. Help me to daily remember your goodness and faithfulness. Forgive me for the times I try to solve things on my own or run to others instead of running to you. Help me to humble myself and remember that every good gift comes from you. Build my faith. You are my God and the source of all I need. Amen
- Debbie Dunn
Romans 15 - 10.22.24
SCRIPTURE
Romans 15:5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
OBSERVATION
Paul is speaking to the church in Rome and speaks to us wholeheartedly being not only filled in our walk with the Lord Jesus, as Christians, but filled with care and concern for others. Pointing out Jesus as the example, Jesus ALWAYS put others first. As is stated in Romans vs 3:
“For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
APPLICATION
Our hope is in Jesus Christ. What He endured as the promised Messiah is unfathomable. HE IS THE GOOD NEWS and the GREAT ENCOURAGER!! We are left with HIS Holy Spirit as our guide and comforter. Our HOPE is in His words and we are on fire to pour out this hope and encourage others when we see the needs and the trials they are going through. AND of importance, at least to me, is to recognize when I am being CRITICAL of others and CHANGE to see them as Jesus does. And encourage them. And claim the word ENDURANCE.
PRAYER
Lord, when I read these scriptures and I think of all You and the disciples went through and the people who know you today because of YOUR ENDURANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT given to these twelve men to carry on your work of salvation, I fall on my face with love and humble gratitude and tears. Thank you, Father!
From these twelve men after Jesus was resurrected:
2022 statistics of people who Identify as a Christian in the world with a 1.17 percent growth rate, almost 2.56 billion people will identify as a Christian by the middle of 2022. By 2050, that number will top 3.33 billion.
Lord, today let me/each of us review our walk in this life and Lord, give us your encouraging words for others and if there is any one we feel critical of let us remember a previous teaching of Pastor Levi, Amen!
Luke 6:41-42
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye
- Charleen Zakarian