1 Corinthians 15 - 11.7.24
S - 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (NIV) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.
O – Paul wrote this letter to correct the thinking of the Corinthian Christians about what resurrection from the dead means for born-again believers. The Church of Corinth had difficulties with the concept of bodily resurrection, and Paul wrote this letter to instruct them in several areas. First, Scripture tells us that Christ died for our sins and without that truth, His death was worthless and those who believe in Him are still in their sins and without hope. Secondly, He was buried in a tomb, and he was raised on the third day. Many unbelievers will tell us that Jesus did not rise from the dead, but He was SEEN, not by one or two people, but by SEVERAL people…Peter, the Disciples, more than 500 Christians, James, the Apostles and Paul. Those facts were documented and the RESSURECTION is a historical fact.
A – I know there was a lot of fear, anxiety, tension and even hatred, surrounding the elections on Tuesday, but we do not need to live in that space as Christian believers! Regardless of who you voted for, or whether your candidate won, we have NO reason to fear whatever is to come. One of the grandest name descriptions of our God is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” It is used to declare God’s authority over all creation and reminds believers of His power and might.
Rev. 11:15
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.”
FOREVER as in Eternity! We should not be discouraged by any doubters who deny the Resurrection. We as Christians should be filled with HOPE and the knowledge that one day we will see the living proof when Jesus returns.
Rev. 1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[b]
So shall it be! Amen.
Let’s not allow discouragement to keep us from working for our Lord. Let’s do the good that we have the opportunity to do, knowing that the work will have eternal results. Hopefully you all did your part in this election and got out there and voted, now let’s leave it there. What’s done is done. Continue to pray for God’s hand to be upon our President, helping to guide Him/Her to do the things that are good! As we continue to do the works that we have been called to do, we can find peace and freedom in letting Jesus handle the rest of it.
P – Jesus comfort those who are feeling fearful right now; those who may not know you yet; those who question the validity of your Resurrection. Open their eyes to see you God right in front of them…the God who loves them so much and wants to give them a hope and a future! Help my Christian brothers and sisters to stay the course, to stay focused on you and not anything that would distract them from the work you have called them/us to do. Give us your Shalom Peace and place a hedge of protection around us. May we do our very best to stay united as the Church, praying always to share the Gospel and the love of Jesus with anyone that we are given opportunity. Thank you that we do not need to live in fear! My heart is so GRATEFUL to you for leading my paths straight, from saving me from MY sin, for giving me Victory over the enemy, and for providing everything that we need! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
- Crystal Flory
1 Corinthians 14 - 11.6.24
Scripture
I Corinthians 14:1
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
Observation
The church in Corinth seems to have fallen into a pattern of doing what was good or right to each of them rather than working in unity. Paul is encouraging them to seek gifts of the Spirit in order to serve others instead of focusing on themselves.
I Corinthians 14:4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
Application
I Corinthians 14:6 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?
“14:6 how will I benefit you. This principle of benefiting others by edifying them becomes the key point of the passage. Paul is applying the teaching of 12:7 that God has granted a variety of gifts “for the common good.”” ESV Reformation Bible
There is so much in this chapter: unity; serving others; putting others’ needs above yours; not seeking gifts that draw attention and glory to yourself but instead asking God use you in your gifting to serve the body – but it all comes down to Love One Another. Follow the way of love. Love God, love people. There’s a reason those are the first two commands. If we follow them, everything else falls in place.
1 Corinthians 14:3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
Let’s be people who strengthen, encourage and comfort others.
Prayer
Father, help me to focus on others more than myself. Fill me up each morning with your love for people so I can be used by you. Help me to humble myself and put away my pride, self-centeredness, comparison, and envy and to truly love instead. Fill me with gifts of the Spirit so I can serve others.
- Debbie Dunn
1 Corinthians 13 - 11.5.24
SCRIPTURE: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7
OBSERVATION:
This is probably the most quoted Scripture used in weddings, on signage, and in many sermons. The word “love” in today’s usage can be about how we feel about a person, place, a time of year, a sports team, the food you eat, or anything else in life. Many of those are common topics but God’s love is much deeper. Paul wrote this Scripture to the Corinthian church for many reasons. One topic was the Corinthian church was placing value on certain acts and gifts being superior over others which then elevated certain people above others. Obviously this would create a lot of tension and disagreements. God directed Paul to write this Scripture as a way to put an end to all the bickering, disagreements, and lack of unity.
God’s message to us is based on love. God’s forgiveness is based on love. Jesus’ death and resurrection is based on love. The entire foundation of our Christian faith is love.
This weekend I had the honor of attending a memorial service for a beloved pastor. The running thread of his celebration of life was that “he loved” on everyone. He showed God’s love in a real and tangible way which had an immediate and long lasting impact on everyone he knew. This is God’s message: love one another.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Remember, “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
APPLICATION
The application of this scripture is simple: use God’s love as the basis for everything in life and how to treat others. There isn’t much more that can be said to elaborate on this Scripture because it covers every aspect and says it all in a plain and simple way.
1 Corinthians 13 begins with two action words:
Love is patient
Love is kind
The Scripture then shows what love isn’t:
Not envy
Does not boast
Is not proud
Does not dishonor others
Not self-seeking
Not easily angered
Keeps no record of wrongs
The Scripture concludes with four actions that show what love “always” is:
Protects
Trusts
Hopes
Perseveres
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for your love which is never ending, doesn’t change, and is the foundation of my faith. Help me to always reflect your love and show your love in everything I do and with everyone I encounter in life. In Jesus name! Amen.
- Mary Oberg