Sexual Immorality
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1Corinthians6:15-20.
Paul when writing to the Corinthians knew he was writing to believers surrounded by more than it’s fair share of sin. At its height Corinth had 1000 priestess prostitutes working in the temple to Aphrodite.
So widely known was the immorality in Corinth that the Greek verb “to Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality.”
Here Paul warns the Corinthians against sexual immorality.
“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
I remember a doctor friend of mine once telling a youth group that you take a part of the person you have sex with, with you. Not just emotionally but physically.
This was at the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic when little was known about it. He was warning them to beware that they could easily get a sexually transmitted disease.
That saving themselves for marriage was the best possible thing.
It hit home to that youth group when one of their number a young girl only sixteen got pregnant to a guy she didn’t really like. A boy she’d simply had a carnal fling with.
Not only that but another this time a sixteen year old, a boy, got AIDS.
For the girl it meant that she would have in her life for many years to come, a guy that she had no real feelings for, but had fathered her child.
For the boy who’d contracted AIDS back then it was a virtual death sentence and the worse case scenario did come to be. A few years later he died. A tragic thing that didn’t have to be.
Fortunately to the credit of the youth leaders and the church leader they forgave the two and stood by them giving them as much help as they could.
They were young. They’d made a mistake and both confessed their sin and asked God’s forgiveness. What more could they do?
As Christians living in the twenty-first century we are surrounded by sex. It is easy to get access to it. Every city in the world has it’s seamy side, not to mention the internet.
Men especially seem to fall into sexual impurity easy. Still it is avoidable.
It was not necessary for Christians in Corinth to visit the prostitutes at Aphrodite's temple. Nor is it necessary for Christians to day to pick up prostitutes or engage in any kind of sexual immorality.
As the writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9.
The temptation of sexual immorality has been around since man started living in villages and probably even before that.
The vast majority of people, Christians and none Christians do not fall into it.
It is therefore up to the individual to resist temptation and to ask God for the strength to overcome.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Monday, 14 July 2014
Inside the Church
Inside the Church
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Here’s something I feel is sometimes missed on Christians. I’ve heard numerous sermons telling Christians not to associate with those “who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” outside the church.
We can’t avoid these people as Paul says we would have to leave this world. In any case we are called to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” that does not mean just to the “good People” of the world. It means to everyone especially sinners, of which we are all.
What Paul is saying here is do not associate with anyone who calls himself a believer and is, “Sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
Such a person is not a Christian and in a worse case scenario can cause others to fall into sin. Paul is calling us to expel those who claim to be Christians and are doing immoral things from among the congregation.
Paul makes special note here,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside”
When it comes to those outside the church it all comes down to Matthew 7:1,2 where Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Inside the church we have the right to hold all the brethren up to God’s standards. We have the right to correct them and if they do not accept correction to expel them from the church.
Think about it.
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Here’s something I feel is sometimes missed on Christians. I’ve heard numerous sermons telling Christians not to associate with those “who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” outside the church.
We can’t avoid these people as Paul says we would have to leave this world. In any case we are called to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” that does not mean just to the “good People” of the world. It means to everyone especially sinners, of which we are all.
What Paul is saying here is do not associate with anyone who calls himself a believer and is, “Sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
Such a person is not a Christian and in a worse case scenario can cause others to fall into sin. Paul is calling us to expel those who claim to be Christians and are doing immoral things from among the congregation.
Paul makes special note here,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside”
When it comes to those outside the church it all comes down to Matthew 7:1,2 where Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Inside the church we have the right to hold all the brethren up to God’s standards. We have the right to correct them and if they do not accept correction to expel them from the church.
Think about it.
Sunday, 13 July 2014
Christian Attitude
Christian Attitude
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21.
Do you Love? Is your love sincere?
Many years ago when I was a young teen in the sixties I watched the movie Good by Mister Chips. It was a musical remake of a nineteen thirties movie.
The opening song was called In the morning of my life. These were the words,
From the Musical Good by Mr Chips
Those words stayed with me until this day. I believe we must fill the world with Love our whole life through.
By profession I am a professional clown and magician. From the very first day I started in the business I said this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
Please let me perform to the best of my ability. Let me bring a little Joy, Laughter, and Happiness to those whom I perform in front of today.
Let people see the Love of Jesus reflected in me.
In Jesus name I Pray
Amen.
Paul’s call in Romans 12 is to ensure our love is sincere. Going on to say,
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is the call that is placed on the Christian to show love even to our enemies. That we may at least point them the new life in Jesus Christ and an eternity with God.
Think about it.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21.
Do you Love? Is your love sincere?
Many years ago when I was a young teen in the sixties I watched the movie Good by Mister Chips. It was a musical remake of a nineteen thirties movie.
The opening song was called In the morning of my life. These were the words,
In the morning of my life
I will look to the Sunrise
At a moment in my life
When the world is new.
And the Question
I shall ask only God can answer.
Will I be brave and strong and true,
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
In the evening of my life
I will look to the sunset
At a moment in my life
When my life is through.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer
Was I brave and strong and true.
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
By Leslie Bricusse From the Musical Good by Mr Chips
Those words stayed with me until this day. I believe we must fill the world with Love our whole life through.
By profession I am a professional clown and magician. From the very first day I started in the business I said this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
Please let me perform to the best of my ability. Let me bring a little Joy, Laughter, and Happiness to those whom I perform in front of today.
Let people see the Love of Jesus reflected in me.
In Jesus name I Pray
Amen.
Paul’s call in Romans 12 is to ensure our love is sincere. Going on to say,
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is the call that is placed on the Christian to show love even to our enemies. That we may at least point them the new life in Jesus Christ and an eternity with God.
Think about it.
Saturday, 12 July 2014
Christian Conduct
Christian conduct.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
As I originally wrote this there was an extremist minister of a small Florida church congregation threatening to burn the Koran on September 11th.
Both Christian leaders and politicians of every stripe around the globe are angered at what he is about to do.
It was said that his actions could lead to more attacks on N. A. T. O. soldiers in Afghanistan. And there were protests in that country.
Christian leaders around the world from the Pope on down are saying this could lead to more persecution of Christians in, particularly in Muslim countries.
This pastor may think he is doing the will of God. He is not.
Sadly he is not the only extremist claiming to be a Christian out there who are not. Other pastors and evangelist have attacked other groups, the homosexual community being a frequent target.
People who do this are not Christians in my opinion.
Jesus clearly states in Matthew,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22,23
Neither Jesus or any of his apostles ever spoke out against any other religion or group of people in the Roman world.
True Jesus a Jew, said things about the practices of Jewish religious leaders but he was a Jewish teacher speaking to other Jews. In the same way Christians have the right to correct and debate our teachings with other Christians.
Jesus went as far as giving Christians some basic rules to live by.
1/So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12
2/“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1,2.
3/But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5: 44,45
Love is the key to Christianity. Jesus said,
Paul defines what true love is in Corinthians 13 when he writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, 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.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
In my mind anyone who claims to be a Christian and is spouting hate toward any individual or group is not a Christian.
Christ went to the cross asking God to forgive his persecutors.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17
As Christians we have a message of eternal significance. Upon us lies the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with. It is our duty to God to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Think about it.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
As I originally wrote this there was an extremist minister of a small Florida church congregation threatening to burn the Koran on September 11th.
Both Christian leaders and politicians of every stripe around the globe are angered at what he is about to do.
It was said that his actions could lead to more attacks on N. A. T. O. soldiers in Afghanistan. And there were protests in that country.
Christian leaders around the world from the Pope on down are saying this could lead to more persecution of Christians in, particularly in Muslim countries.
This pastor may think he is doing the will of God. He is not.
Sadly he is not the only extremist claiming to be a Christian out there who are not. Other pastors and evangelist have attacked other groups, the homosexual community being a frequent target.
People who do this are not Christians in my opinion.
Jesus clearly states in Matthew,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22,23
Neither Jesus or any of his apostles ever spoke out against any other religion or group of people in the Roman world.
True Jesus a Jew, said things about the practices of Jewish religious leaders but he was a Jewish teacher speaking to other Jews. In the same way Christians have the right to correct and debate our teachings with other Christians.
Jesus went as far as giving Christians some basic rules to live by.
1/So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12
2/“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1,2.
3/But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5: 44,45
Love is the key to Christianity. Jesus said,
“Jesus replied:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 Paul defines what true love is in Corinthians 13 when he writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, 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.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
In my mind anyone who claims to be a Christian and is spouting hate toward any individual or group is not a Christian.
Christ went to the cross asking God to forgive his persecutors.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17
As Christians we have a message of eternal significance. Upon us lies the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with. It is our duty to God to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Think about it.
Friday, 11 July 2014
God's Temple
God’s temple
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God."
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Here is a simple truth. We who have accepted Christ as our Lord and saviour are the church. The church is not an organization or building.
Paul make it clear that
“If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”
If I were those who opposed to Christians I would be scared at reading this. God will defend His church. Ultimately everyone will stand before God but woe betide those who have persecuted the church.
The book of Acts record a wise man’s speech at the trial of two apostles. The Sanhedrin wanted to put them to death but he stood up and the book of Acts records,
“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:34-39.
Gamaliel’s words are true and I believe history is proving that the Church of Jesus Christ is true. For no one in history has stopped it. Today it is in every corner of the world. Why because the builder of this church is God not man.
Think about it..
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God."
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Here is a simple truth. We who have accepted Christ as our Lord and saviour are the church. The church is not an organization or building.
Paul make it clear that
“If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”
If I were those who opposed to Christians I would be scared at reading this. God will defend His church. Ultimately everyone will stand before God but woe betide those who have persecuted the church.
The book of Acts record a wise man’s speech at the trial of two apostles. The Sanhedrin wanted to put them to death but he stood up and the book of Acts records,
“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:34-39.
Gamaliel’s words are true and I believe history is proving that the Church of Jesus Christ is true. For no one in history has stopped it. Today it is in every corner of the world. Why because the builder of this church is God not man.
Think about it..
Thursday, 10 July 2014
God Lays the Foundation
God lays the Foundation
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Here Paul talks about him laying the foundation of the church. That, that foundation is Jesus Christ nothing else and no one else can lay that foundation.
Paul states that
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
Simply put if we start to put superfluous things worldly things as part of the church it will be burned away.
And that doesn’t just mean material things, ornate church buildings, fine vestments for the priest, or pastors. It means I believe especially things like traditions, customs and habits that tend to slip into our worship sometimes without us realizing it.
All to often in our churches we get into habits and traditions that mean nothing to our faith. Yet we become it seems, married to them.
Our faith in Christ is still there yet we embellish it with a lot of bells and whistles. And over the centuries we have put a lot of embellishment on what we call the church.
Many church services consist of elaborate rituals that can mean a lot to the faithful, but when it comes to our salvation it doesn’t amount to anything.
I know people in the evangelical world that call themselves fundamentalist point especially to the Catholic church and their practices such as infant baptism, first communion and other things. They point out that these things do not save. Only faith does.
At the same time these evangelicals are also guilty of some rituals. Many insist on raising of hands during worship. Some have gone as far as moving away completely from traditional hymns to ‘songs of worship’.
Some insist on singing only traditional church hymns. Other churches don’t even allow instruments as part of the worship service.
In other churches one kneels to pray while others stand.
I know of many churches that insist you dress up in fine clothes for church, one’s ‘church clothes’. They consider it an insult to God if you enter the church dressed casually.
None of the things I’ve mentioned above effects our salvation. Such things are a kin to adding gold and silver, precious jewels to the foundation.
Our foundation should be in Christ Jesus. Paul reminding us in Ephesians that,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
Read the words of Paul to the Corinthians again,
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
What is important to the overall resting place of the individual is whether or not they have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their life.
When we stand before God it will not matter how eloquent of speech we are. It will not matter how well dressed we were in church. How good or bad we sung the hymns.
It will however matter whether or not we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
There is an old expression that says.
“Only one life it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will Last.
Think about it.
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Here Paul talks about him laying the foundation of the church. That, that foundation is Jesus Christ nothing else and no one else can lay that foundation.
Paul states that
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
Simply put if we start to put superfluous things worldly things as part of the church it will be burned away.
And that doesn’t just mean material things, ornate church buildings, fine vestments for the priest, or pastors. It means I believe especially things like traditions, customs and habits that tend to slip into our worship sometimes without us realizing it.
All to often in our churches we get into habits and traditions that mean nothing to our faith. Yet we become it seems, married to them.
Our faith in Christ is still there yet we embellish it with a lot of bells and whistles. And over the centuries we have put a lot of embellishment on what we call the church.
Many church services consist of elaborate rituals that can mean a lot to the faithful, but when it comes to our salvation it doesn’t amount to anything.
I know people in the evangelical world that call themselves fundamentalist point especially to the Catholic church and their practices such as infant baptism, first communion and other things. They point out that these things do not save. Only faith does.
At the same time these evangelicals are also guilty of some rituals. Many insist on raising of hands during worship. Some have gone as far as moving away completely from traditional hymns to ‘songs of worship’.
Some insist on singing only traditional church hymns. Other churches don’t even allow instruments as part of the worship service.
In other churches one kneels to pray while others stand.
I know of many churches that insist you dress up in fine clothes for church, one’s ‘church clothes’. They consider it an insult to God if you enter the church dressed casually.
None of the things I’ve mentioned above effects our salvation. Such things are a kin to adding gold and silver, precious jewels to the foundation.
Our foundation should be in Christ Jesus. Paul reminding us in Ephesians that,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
Read the words of Paul to the Corinthians again,
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
What is important to the overall resting place of the individual is whether or not they have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their life.
When we stand before God it will not matter how eloquent of speech we are. It will not matter how well dressed we were in church. How good or bad we sung the hymns.
It will however matter whether or not we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
There is an old expression that says.
“Only one life it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will Last.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 9 July 2014
The Foundation
The Foundation
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Here Paul talks about him laying the foundation of the church. That, that foundation is Jesus Christ nothing else and no one else can lay that foundation.
Paul states that
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
Simply put if we start to put superfluous things worldly things as part of the church or our of our faith, it will be burned away.
And that doesn’t just mean material things, ornate church buildings, fine vestments for the priest, or pastors. It means I believe especially things like traditions, customs and habits that tend to slip into our worship sometimes without us realizing it.
All to often in our churches we get into habits and traditions that mean nothing to our faith. Yet we become it seems, married to them.
Our faith in Christ is still there yet we embellish it with a lot of bells and whistles. And over the centuries we have put a lot of embellishment on what we call the church.
Many church services consist of elaborate rituals that can mean a lot to the faithful, but when it comes to our salvation it doesn’t amount to anything.
I know people in the evangelical world that call themselves fundamentalist point especially to the Catholic church and their practices such as infant baptism, first communion and other things. They point out that these things do not save. Only faith does.
At the same time these evangelicals are also guilty of some rituals. Many insist on raising of hands during worship. Some have gone as far as moving away completely from traditional hymns to ‘songs of worship’.
Some insist on singing only traditional church hymns. Other churches don’t even allow instruments as part of the worship service.
In other churches one kneels to pray while others stand.
I know of many churches that insist you dress up in fine clothes for church, one’s ‘church clothes’. They consider it an insult to God if you enter the church dressed casually.
None of the things I’ve mentioned above effects our salvation. Such things are a kin to adding gold and silver, precious jewels to the foundation.
Our foundation should be in Christ Jesus. Paul reminding us in his letter to the Ephesians that,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
Read the words of Paul to the Corinthians again,
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
What is important to the overall resting place of the individual is whether or not they have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their life.
When we stand before God it will not matter how eloquent of speech we are. It will not matter how well dressed we were in church, or how good or bad we sung the hymns.
It will however matter whether or not we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
There is an old expression that says.
“Only one life it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will Last.
Think about it.
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Here Paul talks about him laying the foundation of the church. That, that foundation is Jesus Christ nothing else and no one else can lay that foundation.
Paul states that
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
Simply put if we start to put superfluous things worldly things as part of the church or our of our faith, it will be burned away.
And that doesn’t just mean material things, ornate church buildings, fine vestments for the priest, or pastors. It means I believe especially things like traditions, customs and habits that tend to slip into our worship sometimes without us realizing it.
All to often in our churches we get into habits and traditions that mean nothing to our faith. Yet we become it seems, married to them.
Our faith in Christ is still there yet we embellish it with a lot of bells and whistles. And over the centuries we have put a lot of embellishment on what we call the church.
Many church services consist of elaborate rituals that can mean a lot to the faithful, but when it comes to our salvation it doesn’t amount to anything.
I know people in the evangelical world that call themselves fundamentalist point especially to the Catholic church and their practices such as infant baptism, first communion and other things. They point out that these things do not save. Only faith does.
At the same time these evangelicals are also guilty of some rituals. Many insist on raising of hands during worship. Some have gone as far as moving away completely from traditional hymns to ‘songs of worship’.
Some insist on singing only traditional church hymns. Other churches don’t even allow instruments as part of the worship service.
In other churches one kneels to pray while others stand.
I know of many churches that insist you dress up in fine clothes for church, one’s ‘church clothes’. They consider it an insult to God if you enter the church dressed casually.
None of the things I’ve mentioned above effects our salvation. Such things are a kin to adding gold and silver, precious jewels to the foundation.
Our foundation should be in Christ Jesus. Paul reminding us in his letter to the Ephesians that,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
Read the words of Paul to the Corinthians again,
“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
What is important to the overall resting place of the individual is whether or not they have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their life.
When we stand before God it will not matter how eloquent of speech we are. It will not matter how well dressed we were in church, or how good or bad we sung the hymns.
It will however matter whether or not we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
There is an old expression that says.
“Only one life it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will Last.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
About the Chruch
About the Church
"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building."
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Paul here is noting the Corinthians are infants in Christ and that he taught them accordingly.
There is no use placing on young Christians deep spiritual truths at first a foundation has to be laid. It’s like trying to teach a child in elementary school advanced physics. They wont understand.
Paul point out they are arguing among themselves and this is a trait of worldliness.
They are saying one follows Paul and one follows Apollos. He points out that Paul and Apollos are only servants of God each assigned a task.
He notes that the what they do is of God but it is not them that makes a person grow in faith, only God can do that.
Paul saying very clearly,
“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
The lesson here is also for today. Within the church today there are divisions with some saying they follow such and such an evangelist or pastor. That, that person is doing things right while others disagree saying others are right.
We should not be following an evangelist, pastor or pope. We should be following the word of God. We should be studying the scriptures to discover the truths there in.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t listen and learn from teachers, evangelist, pastors etc. We need their input into our learning process.
What I find when it comes to people listening to especially men and women in the media, is that they only listen to those who think like them. Pentecostals for example tend to only listen to Pentecostal ministers. Baptist to Baptist leaning preachers. Catholics to the Pope.
All earthly preachers are fallible no denomination or church congregation is perfect. We in order to grow need to listen to people we disagree with from time to time.
We need to question why they believe what they believe. We need to ask ourselves why they are questioning what we believe and is their a flaw in what we are teaching. If we find one as we will from time to time if we are honest, we need to correct things.
It’s all part of the growing process.
The important thing however is to remember the words of Paul that,
“...neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building."
We are God’s field, God’s building not and evangelist, pastors or popes. We belong to God. It is he who makes us truly grow.
Think about it.
"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building."
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Paul here is noting the Corinthians are infants in Christ and that he taught them accordingly.
There is no use placing on young Christians deep spiritual truths at first a foundation has to be laid. It’s like trying to teach a child in elementary school advanced physics. They wont understand.
Paul point out they are arguing among themselves and this is a trait of worldliness.
They are saying one follows Paul and one follows Apollos. He points out that Paul and Apollos are only servants of God each assigned a task.
He notes that the what they do is of God but it is not them that makes a person grow in faith, only God can do that.
Paul saying very clearly,
“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
The lesson here is also for today. Within the church today there are divisions with some saying they follow such and such an evangelist or pastor. That, that person is doing things right while others disagree saying others are right.
We should not be following an evangelist, pastor or pope. We should be following the word of God. We should be studying the scriptures to discover the truths there in.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t listen and learn from teachers, evangelist, pastors etc. We need their input into our learning process.
What I find when it comes to people listening to especially men and women in the media, is that they only listen to those who think like them. Pentecostals for example tend to only listen to Pentecostal ministers. Baptist to Baptist leaning preachers. Catholics to the Pope.
All earthly preachers are fallible no denomination or church congregation is perfect. We in order to grow need to listen to people we disagree with from time to time.
We need to question why they believe what they believe. We need to ask ourselves why they are questioning what we believe and is their a flaw in what we are teaching. If we find one as we will from time to time if we are honest, we need to correct things.
It’s all part of the growing process.
The important thing however is to remember the words of Paul that,
“...neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building."
We are God’s field, God’s building not and evangelist, pastors or popes. We belong to God. It is he who makes us truly grow.
Think about it.
Monday, 7 July 2014
We speak of God's Wisdom
We Speak of God’s Wisdom
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Corinthians 2:6-14
Here Paul makes an important point. The wisdom of the gospel is something quite often realized through the spirit. None Christians can’t understand it.
He points out that if the rulers that put Christ to death understood the wisdom of
God they would not have crucified Christ.
After all by man’s logic why would an almighty God allow his son to be crucified. It seems counter productive.
Paul continues by noting that man cannot conceive what God has prepared for us who love him. That this is revealed by his Spirit.
He compares it to us knowing what is inside another man. No one knows what is truly happening inside the mind and heart of someone else.
He notes that when we were saved. We received the spirit of God, “that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
Paul make it clear that he speaks of wisdom from God when talking about spiritual truths. Noting that
“man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
I think this last phrase here “man without the Spirit does not accept things that come from the Spirit of God... because they are spiritually discerned.”
Quite often people who are not of the body of Christ fully accept intellectually the fact that Jesus is the Christ. But they miss much of spiritual truths the scriptures talk about because something’s are indeed spiritually discerned.
It is not until we accept Christ into our lives as Lord and Saviour that we get that spiritual revelation.
There are many things recorded in the bible and especially in the New Testament that defy man’s logic.
Things that from man’s prospective that look counter productive to the furthering of God’s kingdom.
A good example is why would God allow Christ to be crucified when he could have come in power sending angels and making Christ the conquering Messiah.
The simple answer being that Jesus not only was their as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of man. But also that coming to know God on a personal level is an act of faith.
God does not want to force man into a relationship with him. It must be an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews noting.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it.
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Corinthians 2:6-14
Here Paul makes an important point. The wisdom of the gospel is something quite often realized through the spirit. None Christians can’t understand it.
He points out that if the rulers that put Christ to death understood the wisdom of
God they would not have crucified Christ.
After all by man’s logic why would an almighty God allow his son to be crucified. It seems counter productive.
Paul continues by noting that man cannot conceive what God has prepared for us who love him. That this is revealed by his Spirit.
He compares it to us knowing what is inside another man. No one knows what is truly happening inside the mind and heart of someone else.
He notes that when we were saved. We received the spirit of God, “that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
Paul make it clear that he speaks of wisdom from God when talking about spiritual truths. Noting that
“man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
I think this last phrase here “man without the Spirit does not accept things that come from the Spirit of God... because they are spiritually discerned.”
Quite often people who are not of the body of Christ fully accept intellectually the fact that Jesus is the Christ. But they miss much of spiritual truths the scriptures talk about because something’s are indeed spiritually discerned.
It is not until we accept Christ into our lives as Lord and Saviour that we get that spiritual revelation.
There are many things recorded in the bible and especially in the New Testament that defy man’s logic.
Things that from man’s prospective that look counter productive to the furthering of God’s kingdom.
A good example is why would God allow Christ to be crucified when he could have come in power sending angels and making Christ the conquering Messiah.
The simple answer being that Jesus not only was their as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of man. But also that coming to know God on a personal level is an act of faith.
God does not want to force man into a relationship with him. It must be an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews noting.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it.
Sunday, 6 July 2014
God's Wisdom
God’s Wisdom
“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.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? 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 miraculous 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.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
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.
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.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
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.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Here we have Paul pointing out that Christianity, and the preaching of the cross is foolishness to both Jew and Greeks.
The Jews were looking for a conquering Messiah not a suffering one. The Greeks by their way of thinking could not understand that a great man who claimed to be all Jesus did, would let himself go to the cross.
Even today one has to admit that for a someone who is to be saviour of the world to be put to death is illogical at least to man’s way of thinking. But then God does not do things the way man does them.
God did not have is son born to high birth. He chose a poor girl and her carpenter husband to look after his child. And while the message of Jesus is for all. His ministry reached the average person on the street first.
The message of the Gospel requires nothing from the individual but faith.
Kenneth L Barker states,
“The Corinthian Christians themselves were living proof that salvation does not depend on anything in themselves, so that those who are saved can only “boast in the Lord” (v. 31). Their salvation did not spring from the cleverness of human intellect or the centers of human power but from the free grace of God."
( Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible copy right 2002)
Paul makes it clear,
“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.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:30,31.
That is the beauty of Christianity it is God reaching down to man. Saying you are saved by My Grace not by your works.
In sending Jesus down to this earth to be born of parents of low birth, to live among and preach to average people, means God fully understands all that man is going through.
Think about it. Jesus experienced everything it is to be a man. Everything from the mundane such as walking along a dusty road. To feeling the sun and rain. To constantly being harassed by his enemies and ultimately suffering and dying for a crime he didn’t commit.
Man’s logic would be to come in power wipe out his enemies and attempt by force to convert those who didn’t believe.
I like the words of Napoleon when it came to Jesus he got it right saying,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Think about it.
“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.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? 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 miraculous 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.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
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.
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.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
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.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Here we have Paul pointing out that Christianity, and the preaching of the cross is foolishness to both Jew and Greeks.
The Jews were looking for a conquering Messiah not a suffering one. The Greeks by their way of thinking could not understand that a great man who claimed to be all Jesus did, would let himself go to the cross.
Even today one has to admit that for a someone who is to be saviour of the world to be put to death is illogical at least to man’s way of thinking. But then God does not do things the way man does them.
God did not have is son born to high birth. He chose a poor girl and her carpenter husband to look after his child. And while the message of Jesus is for all. His ministry reached the average person on the street first.
The message of the Gospel requires nothing from the individual but faith.
Kenneth L Barker states,
“The Corinthian Christians themselves were living proof that salvation does not depend on anything in themselves, so that those who are saved can only “boast in the Lord” (v. 31). Their salvation did not spring from the cleverness of human intellect or the centers of human power but from the free grace of God."
( Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible copy right 2002)
Paul makes it clear,
“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.
Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:30,31.
That is the beauty of Christianity it is God reaching down to man. Saying you are saved by My Grace not by your works.
In sending Jesus down to this earth to be born of parents of low birth, to live among and preach to average people, means God fully understands all that man is going through.
Think about it. Jesus experienced everything it is to be a man. Everything from the mundane such as walking along a dusty road. To feeling the sun and rain. To constantly being harassed by his enemies and ultimately suffering and dying for a crime he didn’t commit.
Man’s logic would be to come in power wipe out his enemies and attempt by force to convert those who didn’t believe.
I like the words of Napoleon when it came to Jesus he got it right saying,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Think about it.
Saturday, 5 July 2014
A Church Divided
A Church Divided
“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 divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
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.)
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.”
1 Corinthians 1:10-17.
I like the way Paul starts here. He points out the divisions. It’s the same in the church today.
We have people who hang on every word of various preachers and evangelist. At times they take the word of the interpretation of the evangelist or pastor over the bible clear statements.
Here in our city we had one big church fall apart. The senior pastor fell into sin. The situation was complicated but the short version was. That the pastor left to set up an independent church elsewhere rather than accept correction from his church board.
Many people fell away because of the incident to the point the congregation no longer exists. It left people questioning their faith.
Many people from that church no longer attend any church. I believe they fell away because they followed the pastor not Christ.
Pastors, evangelist and church leaders all make mistakes. That’s why we should not be following a man.
We must follow Christ. We must be studying the scriptures and following the teachings there in.
There is a saying that is very true. “The teachings of Christ and the Apostles are true. It unfortunately is the interpretation of them by modern teachers, evangelist and other Christians that are frequently in error.”
As Christians we must follow Christ not a man.
I’m old enough to remember Jones town. A situation where a very enigmatic preacher named Jim Jones lead followers from the United States down to a Jungle town in South America where they committed mass suicide. Hundreds of men women and children died.
This was admittedly a very extreme occurrence but is an example of what happens when one follows a man and not Christ.
There are other less extreme things happening in the Christian world all the time. Especially when it come to evangelist in the media.
We as Christians need I believe from time to time check ourselves and ask are we following a man, a movement or Christ.
If the answer is not Christ we need to turn from our error and turn back to Christ.
Think about it.
“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 divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
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.)
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.”
1 Corinthians 1:10-17.
I like the way Paul starts here. He points out the divisions. It’s the same in the church today.
We have people who hang on every word of various preachers and evangelist. At times they take the word of the interpretation of the evangelist or pastor over the bible clear statements.
Here in our city we had one big church fall apart. The senior pastor fell into sin. The situation was complicated but the short version was. That the pastor left to set up an independent church elsewhere rather than accept correction from his church board.
Many people fell away because of the incident to the point the congregation no longer exists. It left people questioning their faith.
Many people from that church no longer attend any church. I believe they fell away because they followed the pastor not Christ.
Pastors, evangelist and church leaders all make mistakes. That’s why we should not be following a man.
We must follow Christ. We must be studying the scriptures and following the teachings there in.
There is a saying that is very true. “The teachings of Christ and the Apostles are true. It unfortunately is the interpretation of them by modern teachers, evangelist and other Christians that are frequently in error.”
As Christians we must follow Christ not a man.
I’m old enough to remember Jones town. A situation where a very enigmatic preacher named Jim Jones lead followers from the United States down to a Jungle town in South America where they committed mass suicide. Hundreds of men women and children died.
This was admittedly a very extreme occurrence but is an example of what happens when one follows a man and not Christ.
There are other less extreme things happening in the Christian world all the time. Especially when it come to evangelist in the media.
We as Christians need I believe from time to time check ourselves and ask are we following a man, a movement or Christ.
If the answer is not Christ we need to turn from our error and turn back to Christ.
Think about it.
Friday, 4 July 2014
Paul to Believers
Paul to the Believers in Corinth
Paul to Believers today
“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:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“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.
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.”
1 Corinthians 1:2-9
I like the phrase, “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy,”
This was it seems a church that was a good solid believing church. Paul referring to it as being “sanctified”.
He makes it clear that “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.
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.”
Such a church one commentator I read said also had to be morally holy. This must have been hard for the church in Corinth. It was surrounded by sin.
We are in many ways in the same situation as they were. Especially those of us who live in large cities and towns.
We do not live in a Christian world.
The cities of today while not filled with temples to the gods such as Aphrodite, Asclepius, and to Apollo still have gods.
One only has to walk down the financial district of Bay street in Toronto here in Canada or Wall Street in the United states to see temples to the god of money.
We don’t have to go far in any major city to find the seamy side of life. Prostitution, and illegal drugs, are everywhere.
As are the legal sins, stripper bars and taverns, x-rated movies and live shows. The writer of Ecclesiastes was right when he wrote,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
It can be hard to be a Christian here even in the west as freedoms in the secular states of the west include the freedom to sin.
That is why Pauls letter to the Corinthians is so important to us today.
The Corinthian church was far from perfect and it made very real mistakes the same as we in the church do today.
It is precisely why we study such writings.
When Paul wrote this letter he aimed it at the Corinthians but he could just have easily written it to us.
“To the church of God in Corinth,” could just as easily been expressed as ‘to the church of the twenty-first century.
Paul say’s“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:” is something that can be said to us today. We are called to be holy together with believers around the world.
The question is however when it comes down to you as the individual and your church congregation could Paul say of you and your congregation,
“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”
Think about it.
Paul to Believers today
“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:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“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.
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.”
1 Corinthians 1:2-9
I like the phrase, “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy,”
This was it seems a church that was a good solid believing church. Paul referring to it as being “sanctified”.
He makes it clear that “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.
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.”
Such a church one commentator I read said also had to be morally holy. This must have been hard for the church in Corinth. It was surrounded by sin.
We are in many ways in the same situation as they were. Especially those of us who live in large cities and towns.
We do not live in a Christian world.
The cities of today while not filled with temples to the gods such as Aphrodite, Asclepius, and to Apollo still have gods.
One only has to walk down the financial district of Bay street in Toronto here in Canada or Wall Street in the United states to see temples to the god of money.
We don’t have to go far in any major city to find the seamy side of life. Prostitution, and illegal drugs, are everywhere.
As are the legal sins, stripper bars and taverns, x-rated movies and live shows. The writer of Ecclesiastes was right when he wrote,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
It can be hard to be a Christian here even in the west as freedoms in the secular states of the west include the freedom to sin.
That is why Pauls letter to the Corinthians is so important to us today.
The Corinthian church was far from perfect and it made very real mistakes the same as we in the church do today.
It is precisely why we study such writings.
When Paul wrote this letter he aimed it at the Corinthians but he could just have easily written it to us.
“To the church of God in Corinth,” could just as easily been expressed as ‘to the church of the twenty-first century.
Paul say’s“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:” is something that can be said to us today. We are called to be holy together with believers around the world.
The question is however when it comes down to you as the individual and your church congregation could Paul say of you and your congregation,
“I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”
Think about it.
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