READ : I Corinthians 1: 1 – 24

Paul was hearing that conditions in the fledgling church of Corinth were in chaos. People argued over which leader to follow or what preaching style was best. Some attendees wanted to continue in the sinful sexual practices of their community and they justified this by maintaining they were free in Christ. Many folks argued over what behaviors were still permitted since they were no longer under the Jewish law. Folks would disrupt the worship service. Some people wanted to dismiss all talk of miracles that Jesus had performed, including the miracle of the resurrection, and denied that miracles were even possible. Paul loved the people of the Corinthian church and he sat down to write a letter that would be a calm voice in the midst of all this conflict. Paul wanted the people to realize that Christ was the reason for all the things they wanted to feel proud about such as Bible knowledge, earthly success, wisdom, financial success and self-righteousness. Paul knew that personal preferences become less important when we are overwhelmed by Jesus and the meaning of His death on the cross. Paul wanted the people to see that their allegiance should be to Jesus and they should make their personal convictions secondary to the gospel.

Q1: Using your own words, write out a clear, concise definition for the gospel.

Q2: What are some basic fundamental truths where you think it is important to have unity within the congregation.

Q3: Why do you think Paul would advise a church to put away disagreements over “non-essentials” and focus on the gospel message?

Q4: Is it really possible to have unity in a church made up of people coming from such diverse backgrounds? What is required of me in order to experience this unity? 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for coming to earth and dying on the cross so I don’t have to face the punishment of death. I pray that I never hinder the gospel message by making my feelings or my preferences more important than sharing your sacrifice with folks who desperately need to hear about what you did. Final thought: Any church that is successful in reaching lost people for Christ will have problems. Faith in the gospel is the cure regardless of the problem. The gospel can be a lighthouse to guide us through the many problems and struggles we face in this corrupted world where we live.

READ: I Corinthians 1: 25 – 31

A careful study of scripture will surely show that God is always concerned about His glory. He has glory – we don’t. God loves us and knows that the best thing for mankind is that we see His glory and have proper respect and reverence for who He is. God has a history of picking humble and insignificant folks to do His work. Peter was a fisherman. Mathew was a despised tax collector. Gideon wasn’t a “mighty warrior” at all. Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the miracle of the empty tomb. The little boy with a small lunch got to be part of a great miracle. God’s tendency to pick the insignificant and humble puts Him in conflict with the world who will always chose the mighty and wise and powerful. The world, and specifically the people we share the gospel with, are often going to think our message is foolish. The message of Christ and the cross and a free gift just doesn’t make sense to a world trained to seek out rich and powerful and wise story lines. Often, our pride keeps us from sharing the life-changing message of the gospel because we don’t want to appear foolish in front of our family and friends. Our pride can’t take the hit of not fitting in or risk being called “weird”. We must overcome our pride and be willing to share our “foolish” message of the gospel so that the Holy Spirit can drop the scales from the eyes of our friends and make Jesus make sense.

Q1: How have you been hurt by the pride and arrogance of friends and colleagues? How has your pride damaged relationships in the past?

Q2: Do you find it easy or awkward to share the gospel message with acquaintances? Is it even more difficult to share with a family member or close friend?

Q3: Colossians 3:12 tells us to “clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” If that is the life-style that God wants for us, what specific steps could you put into place to live out that command in your daily relationships?

Prayer: Lord, I realize that pride is at the root of most of my sin. Please help me identify pride in my life which has become a habit for the way I see myself and the way I interact with the folks you have called me to love. Final thought: God wants us to serve Him with humility and joy. If you want to see God’s blessing on your service to Him, make sure your motives are pure and your attitude humble. God always looks on our hearts and He sees beyond the shroud of false humility that we attempt to use to hide our pride.

READ : I Corinthians 2: 1 – 5

Imagine Paul’s concern when he heard the reports of chaos and disfunction coming from this group of believers that he loved. He probably felt like a parent who is aware of acrimony and fighting among his children. Paul realized the insufficiency of words and logic to target the source of unbelief in a sinner’s heart. Paul makes the point that all the spiritual wisdom we may possess has been given to us by God. The gospel is a revelation, not a discovery.

In Acts 17 we read about Paul’s experience on Mars Hill (Athens) where he tried to use logic and reason to discuss the crucifixion and resurrection. The crucifixion was a major problem for the Jews and the resurrection was a major stumbling block for intellectuals. As Paul came to Corinth, he determined to change his approach. He resolved to keep his message focused on the work of Christ for us. Paul was not a super-saint or great orator. He was often terrified by the mission he was called upon to complete. At least three times, God had to send an angel to Paul to encourage him not to be afraid and to continue to proclaim the message of the gospel (Acts 18:9, 23:11; 27:23 – 24). Paul probably suffered from many of the same inadequacies that you and I feel affects our ability to share the gospel.

Q1: Have you ever felt inadequate and discouraged when you tried to use logic and reason when you witnessed to an unbeliever? Do you see value in just presenting the claims of the gospel – i.e., Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected – and letting them stand on their own?

Q2: Who in your circle needs the life changing message of the gospel? How often do you pray for these folks and ask God to use you to share the good news with these folks?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me the message of the gospel and for cutting through my doubts and making Jesus make sense. Lord, I desperately want everyone in my family and all my friends to hear and believe and have the hope for the future that you have given me. Give me the courage to carry forth that message and proclaim to everyone that you put in my path. Give me a sense of urgency to pray and share and make the gospel a priority each day.

Final thoughts: Our purpose in sharing the gospel with unbelievers is never to “argue them into faith.” That approach will never work because rhetoric and logic about the gospel will not make sense to the natural man. The Holy Spirit can use our love for each other, our prayers for unbelievers, and our willingness to present the truth of Christ crucified and resurrected to speak into the life and heart of unbelievers. We should be ready to defend our faith (I Peter 3:15) but the Spirit is the one who has to make Jesus make sense.

READ : I Corinthians 2: 6 – 16

Have you ever wondered what Paul was thinking about the epistles to the churches as he wrote them? He was ministering in the city of Ephesus when he sat down with a scribe to pen the letter to the church at Corinth to address some very real and immediate problems. Perhaps it is fair to assume that he had no idea his letters would be studied 2000 years later and be used by countless Preachers and Theologians as a model for how congregations should interact and worship. Paul may not have known the extent his words would be studied and analyzed but the Holy Spirit certainly did as he inspired Paul on just what to write. This can be just as true for us today. We don’t always know the impact of our love or our words of encouragement or the way we use our gifts in the service of the Lord. What we say and do for the Lord very likely has eternal significance if we do it with the right spirit and motivation. Paul worked hard to stay on message – i.e., the message of Christ crucified and resurrected. It should be clear to anyone who has lived through multiple decades that the wisdom of this world changes as time moves forward. What the world defines as correct thinking today will undoubtedly not be true in years to come. One of the assurances we have in following Christ is that God’s wisdom never changes. A Biblical world view will never go out of fashion, it will never be outdated. What the world may describe as “old fashion” is actually still true if it is based on the foundation of scripture.

Q1: If you are a Christ follower, can you look back and see the difference between the way you thought about issues before and after you said Yes to Jesus? What’s different?

Q2: The people of Corinth were using personality styles to decide who they would follow? Do we sometimes place too much importance on preaching style or music style in our worship today?

Prayer: Lord, help me keep my eyes on you and you alone. Jesus, I want you to be the main thing in my life. Please help me to keep the main thing, the main thing each day.

Final thought: As a Christ follower, we have been given the truth and it will never change. God is going to make all things right. The truth of the resurrection may seem silly to an intellectual but God has given us the assurance that it was true for Jesus and it will one day be true for us.

“Friday night they crucified the Lord at Calvary But He said don’t dread. I’m going to be kicken again you’ll see. When problems try to bury you and make it hard to pray. It may seem like Friday night but Sunday is on the way.” (Lyrics from a song by Carmen)

READ : 1 Corinthians 4: 1 – 13

Paul had a real problem with the Corinthians; they tended to look down on him and not respect his apostolic authority. Paul wanted to be looked on as a servant and steward of the gospel. For stewards, the important thing was faithfulness. They had to be efficient managers of the master’s resources. A steward never owned the property or resource he dealt with; he simply managed it for his master and had to manage it faithfully. Many in the Corinthian church were rejecting Paul’s leadership and had even started to judge and criticize their spiritual father, Paul. Paul insists that their low estimation of him really mattered little; it is what God judges that is important. When Jesus judges, it will be according to the motives of the heart, not only the outward action. This is another reason why human judgment is often wrong and why Paul feels free to disregard the harsh judgment of the Corinthian Christians towards himself. Paul knew he had little praise from the Corinthian Christians, but that did not concern him. He knew there was a day coming when our praise will come from God, not from man.

Paul devotes verses 6 – 13 to a scathing, sarcastic rebuke of Corinthian pride. Though Paul uses strong sarcasm, his purpose isn’t to make fun of the Corinthian Christians. He wants to shake them out of their proud, self-willed thinking. With contrast after contrast, Paul sarcastically shows how foolish it is for the Corinthians to think that they are more spiritually privileged, blessed, or endowed, than the apostles were. Paul’s description of his own ministry focuses on deprivation and humiliation. These were things that the Corinthian Christians, in their pride, wanted to avoid at all cost. Today, the church is heavy with this same attitude of the Corinthian Christians. They were concerned about the image of worldly success and power, and many of them despised Paul and the other apostles because they did not display that image. Today, there is no shortage of ministers who want to display the image of worldly success and power, and no shortage of Christians who will only value that in their pastor.

Q1: God often allows his choicest servants to suffer greatly as they minister for the gospel. Why do you think God lets folks, including his Apostles who he dearly loves, suffer on his behalf?

Q2: Many of the Corinthian Christians had been taught and saved under the ministry of Paul. Why do you think they had come to a point of embarrassment and rejection of his teaching?

Prayer: Dear Father, help me not to listen to Satan’s lies and judge myself. I know that when I judge myself, I am too harsh or too lenient and I often use the standards of the world when I judge my actions. Help me to live each day faithfully for you and leave the judging of myself and others to the only righteous judge who loves me and cares for me.

Final thought: The Corinthian Christians had two problems: they were proud of their own spirituality, and they were somewhat embarrassed of Paul because of his “weakness” and humble state. In today’s passage, Paul is trying to address both of these problems. Many Christians today want God’s power without the cost. God help us to choose Paul’s way, because it is really God’s way.

READ : I Corinthians 4: 14 – 21

Paul had a unique place of authority and leadership among the Corinthian Christians, not only because he fathered the church itself in Corinth but also because of his apostolic authority. With his biting rebuke and sarcasm, Paul knows they might be pretty ashamed. He wants them to know his purpose hasn’t been to make them feel ashamed, but to warn them of a significant spiritual danger – pride. Paul was so confident in his walk with the Lord that he urged the Corinthian Christians to imitate him as they lived their lives. The first reaction of many of the Corinthian Christians would probably be horror. “Imitate you, Paul? Around here, you are regarded as a fool, as weak, as dishonored; you are hungry and thirsty and poorly clothed, homeless and beaten; you work hard to support yourself with manual labor. People look at you and see nothing that would attract them.”

Some Corinthian Christians were so arrogant, they thought Paul was afraid to visit them. When they thought Paul was afraid of them, it made them all the prouder in their hearts. Paul threatens to pop the bubble of these puffed-up and arrogant Christians by coming to them with the power and truth of the gospel. Paul leaves the ball in their court. Which Paul did they want to come – the Paul with the rod of correction (used by shepherds to smack disobedient sheep), or the Paul with the spirit of gentleness? There is no doubt Paul would prefer to come in gentleness, but he’ll leave that decision up to the Corinthian Christians.

Q1: Paul urged young Christians to watch his life and imitate him. Would you be comfortable discipling a young Christian and having them use you as an example of proper living?

Q2: Someone has said that an unexamined life is a tragedy. Do you ever examine your own motives and see how often they are driven by pride? What steps can you take to reduce the influence of pride on your daily interactions and relationships?

Prayer: Lord, give me the power in life to be an effective steward of the gospel. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, you have made Jesus make sense to me and I know I have a responsibility to share that truth with folks so the Holy Spirit can make it make sense to them also. Help me not to quench the work of the Spirit in me through sin and indifference to this wonderful truth entrusted to me.

Final thought: In this section of the letter, Paul faced some of the real challenges of ministry: how to confront sin without being too harsh, or implying that you are above sin; how to get people to conform their lives to the gospel when they think too highly of themselves. Many in our culture today won’t admit they are lost and need Jesus. Conviction is tough work to bring about in a heart and only a great work by the Spirit can accomplish it!

READ : I Corinthians 5: 1 – 5

At the start of Chapter 5, Paul changes his rebuke to the reports of sexual immorality in the church at Corinth. Apparently, a man in the church was engaged in an ongoing sexual relationship with his step mother and the Corinthian Christians didn’t seem bothered by it at all. Remember that Corinth was a city notorious for sexual immorality, and the pagan religions did not value sexual purity. It wasn’t hard for a Corinthian to think you could be religious, yet still act any way you pleased when it came to sex. More than anything, the Corinthian Christians probably allowed this in the name of “tolerance.” They probably said to themselves, “Look how loving we are. We accept this brother just as he is. Look how open-minded we are!” Paul’s solution to this serious problem was to immediately remove the man from the fellowship of the church. Paul’s command also served the important purpose of removing any false feeling of security the sinning man might have among the fellowship of Christians. They couldn’t just ignore his sin, and let him ignore it, pretending it wasn’t there. If the man refused to face his sin, the church must face it for him, for his sake and for their sake.

The purpose of putting this man outside the spiritual protection and social comfort of the church was the destruction of his fleshly desires, not the body, but his rebellious flesh. Church discipline is difficult and must always be accompanied by much prayer and effective leadership. Just because it is difficult, it does not mean the church should never practice the Biblical principles Paul teaches here. It is to be done, for both the good of the church and the good of the sinner always with a goal of restoration.

Q1: In our culture today, almost any sexual behavior is tolerated and to speak out against it is deemed to be intolerant and hateful. How can we lovingly state God’s truth in a world that accepts any manner of sexual relationships outside that of the marriage of a man and woman?

Q2: If a community hospital discharged a still sick patient, their reputation in the community would be damaged. Should a church that wants to be known as a hospital for sinners ever consider expelling a member for their continued sin?

Prayer: Lord, we live in a world today where sexual immorality is rampant. Almost any sexual behavior is tolerated and we who want to adhere to your standard for this precious gift you have given us are ridiculed and suppressed. Show us how to lovingly standup for your truth in the area of sex.

Final thought: In today’s culture it can sometimes be difficult to point out sin in the life of another because people quickly reply “Who are you to judge me? You need to be tolerant and loving.” Jesus’ command in Matthew 7:1-5 forbids “hypocritical” judgement and judging others by a standard that we don’t apply to ourselves. Some judgment is permitted, and some is not. While Christians are not to judge another’s motives or ministries, we are certainly expected to be honest about each other’s conduct.

READ : I Corinthians 5: 6 – 13

Paul used the metaphor of leaven or a pinch of dough left over from the previous batch to illustrate the affect that a small, tolerated sin can have on the entire church. Leaven is a substance, typically yeast, that is used in dough to make it rise. Leaven was thought to illustrate the effect of sin and pride. Paul is rightly more concerned about the sin of the entire church (especially leadership), than of the individual man. Both are important, but the sin of the church is worse. Paul’s connection between the purity of the Passover and the Christian life make’s sense. Our lives as Christ followers are to be marked by the same things which characterized Passover: salvation, liberation, joy, plenty and purity from sin and pride. Paul’s message to these Christians was since you are unleavened, you need to live like you are unleavened. In short, “Be What You Are”.

Paul had previously told the Corinthian Christians not to maintain relationships with sexually immoral people. He attempts to clarify that admonition by making sure they understood he did not mean sexually immoral people of this world. Paul did not want the Corinthians to expect godly behavior from ungodly people. To disassociate from sinners in a sinful world would mean we would need to go out of the world. Paul warns the Corinthian Christians they cannot continue in Christian fellowship with a notorious sinner who calls himself a Christian. We should not be surprised when folks who don’t know Jesus continue to sin and enjoy their lifestyle. Unfortunately, too many Christians are busy judging those outside of the church (which is God’s job only) and are neglecting purity within the church.

Q1: How do you handle the situation where you want to maintain a relationship with friends who don’t know Jesus but accepting their invitation will put you into a situation that may cause you to stumble?

Q2: How should a church manage the proper emphasis on holy behavior without turning legalistic? How should church leadership encourage their folks to maintain righteousness without legalism?

Q3: Would you feel comfortable approaching a Christian friend that you know is engaging in sinful and unhealthy behavior? If you knew God was calling you to do it, what would be your approach?

Prayer: Lord, I want to be holy, just as you are holy. I want to encourage the folks in my church and my family to work toward spiritual purity without making them feel I have all the answers. Help the leaders in my church to have wisdom and love as they seek to administer discipline when necessary.

Final thought: The Corinthian Christians were failing to judge where they should have made judgment. They should not have “winked” at the notorious sinner among them, and they should not have considered themselves “loving” for doing so. We must remember both reasons why it was important to deal with this sinning man among the Corinthian Christians: not only for the sake of purity in the church, but also for the sake of the man’s own salvation (I Corinthians 5:5).

READ : I Corinthians 6: 1 – 11

“You will be hearing from my lawyer” is a phrase heard too often in our culture today and it was troubling to Paul when he heard that Corinthian believers were taking each other to court. Greek trials at this time were done publicly in the market place so the entire community would be made aware of the conflict. It didn’t make sense to Paul that justified Christ followers would seek justice from unjustified judges. Paul told the Corinthians that Christians should be fully able to judge their own matters because of their destiny. As we reign with Jesus Christ, we will (in some sense or another) judge the world, and judge angels (evil angels that fell with Satan). In Romans 13:3-4 Paul says that it is appropriate for the state to handle criminal cases. Christians should, however, be able to handle civil cases among themselves. Paul asked the man who was wronged and brought the suit to accept wrong. He wrote that it would be better to let yourselves be cheated than to defend your “rights” at the expense of God’s glory and the higher good of His Kingdom.

Paul next turns his attention to the man who caused the wrong and attempts to make him see the seriousness of his actions. There can be no place for dishonesty among Christians because our actions are always on display for those who are evaluating the claims of Christ. This man who wronged his brother sets himself in bad company with many other sinners whose life is dominated by sin. The man who cheated his brother had to see that if his life was dominated and characterized by this sin, just as much as any of the other people Paul described, he should also be just as concerned for his salvation as any of those other people.

Q1: We live in a very litigious society. Do you think it is unrealistic to expect Christians in the church to solve legal issues without taking each other to court? How would that even work within the church?

Q2: Taking matters to court is common in our culture today. Do you think Paul would still have the same position if he were writing to Christians today? Why is this so important?

Prayer: Lord, I want to honor you and bring glory to your name in everything I do. Help me to live at peace with everyone and not be the source of conflict within my church. Help me to accept “wrongs” when necessary and not be so quick to stand up for my rights. Help me to be a peacemaker in my family and within my circle of friends and workplace.

Final thought: In today’s passage Paul deals with homosexuality. Homosexuality was rampant in the ancient world; 14 of the first 15 Roman emperors were bisexual or homosexual. Christians err when they excuse homosexual behavior (The Bible never says it is a sin to be tempted) and deny that it is wrong, but they also err just as badly when they single it out as a sin that is uniquely offensive to God (Romans 1:26 -27, 1 Timothy 1:10). In 1 Corinthians 6:11 he reminds them “that is what some of you were, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

READ : I Corinthians 6: 12 – 20

At this part of the chapter, Paul turns his focus back to issues of sexual purity and establishes the argument that behaviors permitted within Christian liberty can’t be the only guide. The Corinthian Christians had taken the idea of “all things are lawful” and applied it to areas Paul, or the Lord, never intended. They thought they were free to use the services of a prostitute because it was accepted and widely practiced in their culture. Today, we see the wisdom in God’s design for the body and for sexual purity when we look at the problems of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. These are the price one pays in the body for using the body in a way the Lord never intended. Sex within the bounds of a marriage relationship between one man and one woman is one of God’s great gifts to his creation. Sex outside of the purpose God intended is destructive and can have harmful emotional, physical, social, and spiritual costs.

In their sexual relationship, a husband and wife become “one flesh” in a way that is under God’s blessing. In sex outside of marriage, the partners become “one flesh” in a way that is not what God had intended. God gave sex as a precious gift to mankind, and uses it powerfully to bond husband and wife together in a true one-flesh relationship. So as Hebrew 13:4 says, the marriage bed is undefiled – the sexual relationship between husband and wife is pure, holy, and good before God. But sexual immorality works against God’s good purpose for sex, working against a true, godly one-flesh relationship. Sex outside of marriage can be exciting, but it can’t be enriching. We should also understand that sexual immorality is not just limited to intercourse outside the marriage relationship. Pornographic videos, movies, magazines, books, or internet sites would readily be examples of sexual immorality.

Q1: Our culture would tell us that sexual relations between two consenting adults doesn’t hurt anyone and should not be a “big deal”. What would you tell a friend who believes and practices casual sex?

Q2: The internet will deliver pornography to a computer or smart phone at the touch of a button. How could you help a friend or partner who is addicted to pornography on the internet? Covenant Eyes is just one of many resources to help those struggling with this addiction.

Prayer: Lord, I know that you paid a high price to redeem my soul and along with it, my body. I want to honor you and your sacrifice with my body but the desires and passions of sex are very difficult to withstand and honestly, I often lose the battle. Please give me strength to resist. Help me flee at the first thought or first desire I feel. Give me power to break my addiction to sexual immorality before I hurt others and damage the cause of Christ.

Final thought: Paul has a pretty specific answer to the problem of sexual immorality in the life of a believer. He doesn’t tell us to be brave and resist lustful passions but rather to flee from its very presence. We would do well to follow the example of Joseph in the Old Testament, who fled from sexual immorality – even when it cost him dearly (Genesis 39:7 – 21)

READ : I Corinthians 7: 1 – 16

Sexual immorality was rampant in the Corinthian culture and marriage wasn’t what we think of today. Many of the young Christians were slaves and they weren’t even allowed to be married. Paul uses this chapter to answer some specific questions he was receiving concerning sex and marriage. Some in the church came up with the idea that since sexual immorality was so prevalent, perhaps it would be better if everyone was celibate. Paul told them that celibacy is good (meaning not evil) but marriage is better if being single results in temptation. Paul strongly puts forth the idea that there is a mutual sexual responsibility in marriage. The husband has obligations toward his wife, and the wife has obligations toward her husband. The principle in this passage is important. God makes it clear that there is nothing wrong, and everything right, about sex in marriage. Satan’s great strategy, when it comes to sex, is to do everything he can to encourage sex outside of marriage, and to discourage sex within marriage. It is an equal victory for Satan if he accomplishes either plan. While Paul recognizes that some are gifted for marriage, and some are gifted for the unmarried state, no one is “gifted” for sexual immorality! The married must live faithfully to their spouse, and the unmarried must live celibate.

In today’s reading it also mentions the topic of divorce. We firmly believe that divorce is always a last resort, not a first response. In today’s passage, one specific ground that many accept in terms of recognizing a divorce is stated: when a believing partner is deserted by an unbelieving spouse (I Corinthians 7:15). “But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart”. Paul has counseled that the Christian partner should do what they can to keep the marriage together, but if the unbelieving spouse refuses to be married, then the marriage can be broken; but this isn’t to be initiated or sought by the believer. If the unbelieving spouse should depart, the Christian is not under bondage to the marriage covenant. The other often accepted ground for divorce is when there is sexual immorality (Mathew 19:3-9). Even in these situations divorce is not always the answer as the gospel offers a living hope that knows no limits. Many will ask, what about conflict, or abuse, addiction or similar problems may – perhaps – justify a separation (depart), but the hope is always for healing and restoration.

Q1: In today’s culture that emphasizes sex and love and marriage, do you think it is possible to live a single life? Is it wise? What are the benefits to living single?

Q2: If a friend said “there is no love anymore in my marriage, I want to pursue a divorce, how would you respond? What principles would guide your conversation?

Prayer: Lord, I love you and want to honor you with every aspect of my life. I need your grace to accept the single life if that is what you want for me. I need your grace and strength to commit daily to a marriage that is not currently healthy and I know is not what you want for me and my partner. Lord, I want you to be glorified each day by the choices I make concerning sexual morality.

Final thought: In verse 14, Paul uses the phrase “for the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife”. Sanctified, in this context, does not mean that the unbelieving spouse is saved just by being married to a Christian. It simply means that they are set apart for a special working in their lives by the Holy Spirit, by virtue of being so close to someone who is a Christ follower.

READ : I Corinthians 7:17-40

In the latter part of this chapter, Paul offers a message of redemption and a warning about trying to undo the past in regard to relationships. It doesn’t matter nearly as much whether you are married, single, divorced, or remarried; what matters more is an on-fire walk with Jesus right now. Paul is saying that in whatever state we find ourselves – i.e., married or unmarried, slave or free, circumcised or uncircumcised – it doesn’t matter as much as just keeping God’s commandments.

One of the big errors of the Corinthian Church was that they tried to say single was more spiritual than married. Paul felt (especially for himself) that the greater advantages were found in being single, yet he knows that each one has his own gift from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). God can use us right where we are, and we should not be so quick to change our station in life. For Paul, the most important thing in life was not romantic love, but pleasing God. He could please God better as single, but another may please God better as married, all according to our calling. For Paul, the choice between married and single was not the choice between good and bad, but between better and best. And for Paul, in light of the present circumstances, he regarded singleness as best. Tragically, to many modern single Christians, singleness is a terrible distraction! Paul’s message to them is to regard their present unmarried state as a special opportunity to please God. Finally, Paul affirms celibacy for a widow but not because sex itself is evil (as some of the Corinthian Christians thought). Instead, the unmarried state can be superior because it offers a person (if they are so gifted) more opportunity to serve God.

Q1: One common perception concerning marriage is that married people are usually much happier than those that are unmarried. Do you agree with this line of thinking?

Q2: In today’s world, many young people are waiting until much later to get married. Some into their thirties and forties. Do you think this is a positive trend?

Pray: Lord, I desperately want to honor you with every choice I make in life but I don’t always have the strength to carry through with what I know to be your will. I know you always want the best for me. Help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so I am always in tune with your desires for me. Help me to be an encouragement to my friends and be a wise voice for those who need relationship advise.

Final thought: Singleness does have its advantages to married life. Paul says that those who are married “will have worldly troubles” (v 28) while the single person is able to able to be “anxious about the things of the Lord” (v 32). The great thing about being single is that you are free to live every moment for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Those who are single are not restrained and are able to “secure your undivided devotion to the Lord” (v 35). For those of you who are single, please do not despise your singleness. It is a precious gift of the Lord. Even if you are teenagers and young adults who plan on getting married one day, don’t waste your single years mopping around waiting for God to bring you your spouse, but use your singleness to be able to have undivided devotion to Jesus! Singleness, even temporary singleness, is a precious gift for your good to make much of Jesus!

READ : I Corinthians 8: 1 – 13

In Chapter 8, Paul seeks to answer a specific question about the eating of meat that had been sacrificed to idols and in so doing he also deals with the principal of knowledge and love when dealing with any behavior within the Christian life. The meat offered on pagan altars was usually divided into three portions. One portion was burnt in honor of the god, one portion was given to the worshipper to take home and eat, and the third portion was given to the priest. If the priest didn’t want to eat his portion, he sold it at the temple restaurant or meat market. Instead of talking immediately about food, Paul first talks about the principles of knowledge and love. Christian behavior is founded on love, not knowledge; and the goal of the Christian life is not knowledge, but love. Paul makes the point that as Christians we know there is only one true God and since idols are really nothing, meat sacrificed in temples dedicated to these so-called gods is also nothing.

The Corinthian Christians may have reasoned like this: if idols are really nothing, it must mean nothing to eat meat sacrificed to nothing idols, and it must mean nothing to eat in the buildings used to worship these nothing idols. Paul makes the principle clear. Our actions can never be based only on what we know to be right for ourselves. We also need to consider what is right towards our brothers and sisters in Jesus. A Corinthian Christian with “superior knowledge” might feel the personal liberty to eat meat sacrificed to idols, but is he exercising this liberty in a way that becomes a stumbling block? Paul makes the point, “You Corinthian Christians who say you have knowledge are claiming your rights; what about the rights of the weak brother?”

Q1: Do you think it hypocritical to not consume alcohol in public but yet have no problem with drinking wine in the privacy of your own home?

Q2: In today’s world we don’t struggle with the issue of idol meat. What are some examples of behaviors that may seem legal to one group in the church but a potential stumbling block to others?

Q3: Many in our culture today refuse to condemn any behavior because they don’t want to risk offending anyone. How do we know when to give in and show love and when to stand our ground?

Prayer: Lord, I want to always show love and compassion to others around me that may have different viewpoints than I do but I never want to compromise your truth. Help me to be wise concerning the principles where you want me to stand firm and where you want me to show love. Help me to constantly keep the gospel the main thing and make certain behaviors secondary.

Final thought: You aren’t more spiritual if you know idols are nothing and feel a personal freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols. This is the very point where most stumble in issues relevant to Christian liberty (such as movies, drinking, music, or television). They assume that one stance or another is evidence of greater or lesser spirituality.

READ : I Corinthians 9: 1 – 27

It may be hard for us to believe, but there was a significant faction in the Corinthian church that took the position that they didn’t have to listen to Paul because he wasn’t really an apostle. Although some among the Corinthian Christians did doubt Paul’s standing as an apostle, they shouldn’t have. The Corinthian Christians had more reason than most to know Paul was a genuine apostle, because they had seen his work up close. Paul spends a significant portion of this chapter asserting his rights as an apostle, almost as if he were arguing a case in court.

Most of the other apostles received support from the churches where they ministered. Paul and Barnabas were unique in this regard, choosing to work and support themselves, so no one could accuse them of preaching for a money motive. We might think this would make Paul and Barnabas more respected in the sight of the Corinthian Christians, but curiously, it made them less respected. Just as strongly as Paul affirms his right to be supported by the people he ministers unto, he will also affirm his right to not use that right, if using it might hinder the gospel of Christ. Here we see Paul’s real heart. Paid or not paid, it did not matter to him. What mattered was the work of the gospel. Remember that Greek culture, which the Corinthian Christians approved so much, looked down its nose on all manual labor. Even though the Corinthian Christians seemed to think less of Paul because he worked with his own hands to support himself, it did not embarrass Paul at all. He will boast about it!

Paul was willing to offend people over the gospel, but he wanted to offend them only over the gospel. Paul used the example of an athlete that refuses things that may be fine in themselves, but will hinder the pursuit of his goal. Even so, the Corinthians must refuse things that are fine in themselves (like meat sacrificed to idols), because having them may hinder the pursuit of the important goal: an imperishable crown, a heavenly reward that will never pass away.

Q1: Many of us have styles of worship that we prefer; music, preaching, formality. How comfortable are you with giving up your worship style preferences if it advances the gospel in our church?

Q2: Paul suffered much in his life for the spread of the gospel. Why do you think God allowed Paul to be so persecuted when he was merely trying to do God’s work by proclaiming the gospel?

Prayer: Lord, give me a passion to spread the gospel. Help me make it the main focus of my life – to know Jesus and to make Him known? Give me a sense of urgency concerning the gospel where I am willing to do anything, to give up anything, to suffer anything if it works to increase the spread of the gospel. Help me to sacrifice and pour out my life here on earth in order that I might take more of my family and friends to heaven with me.

Final thought: We may not ever be faced with the same decision Paul faced – to accept or deny support for the good of the gospel. But we each have a critical question to answer: what rights are we willing to sacrifice for the cause of Jesus? Jesus gave up his position in heaven next to the Father and came to sacrifice His life for us. Giving up our rights in order to advance the cause of Christ is a testimony to the love we have for Jesus.

READ : I Corinthians 10: 1 – 13

Paul next uses a little Jewish history to compare idolatry past and present. The cloud of Shekinah glory overshadowed Israel throughout their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. During the day, the cloud sheltered them from the brutal desert sun, and during the night, it burned as a pillar of fire. It was a constant, ready reminder of God’s glory and presence. All Israel came through the Red Sea and saw God’s incredible power in holding up the walls of the sea so they could cross over on dry ground. All of Israel was sustained by God’s miraculous provision of food and drink during their time in the wilderness. The Corinthian Christians were taking all sorts of liberties (like feasting in pagan temples and sexual practices), thinking they were “safe” because of past blessings and spiritual experiences (especially baptism and communion). Paul warns them to beware, because just as Israel was blessed and had spiritual experiences, they still perished – and so some of the Corinthian Christians might also!

Despite all these blessings and spiritual privileges, the Israelites in the wilderness did not please God. In light of all those blessings, gratitude should have made them more pleasing to God, but they were not. The displeasure of God with the Israelites was evident because they never entered into the Promised Land, but died in the wilderness instead. For all their blessings and spiritual experiences, they never entered into what God really had for them. Israel failed to keep their focus on God, and they started giving themselves to idolatry (as in Exodus 32:1-6 and Numbers 25:1-3). Some of the Corinthian Christians not only got too close in their association with idols; they also made an idol out of their own “knowledge” and their own “rights.” Because of the warning in I Corinthians 10: 1-5 it seems the Corinthian Christians believed they were “safe” from the danger of being destroyed (as the Israelites were destroyed) because of past spiritual experiences or accomplishments. But Paul’s warning stands: “If it happened to Israel, it can happen to you. Be on guard.”

Q1: As we read the history of the Israelites, we see a pattern of: living in God’s blessing, falling away, God’s punishment, and returning to God. Why do you think they repeatedly fell away from God?

Q2: It is hard for God to use us in his kingdom if we are selfish and self-centered. Do you ever detect a selfish outlook in yourself? What steps could you take to be less selfish?

Prayer: Lord, I consider it a privilege to be your child and I want to represent you so you receive all the glory from my life. I know that my pride and selfishness keep you from using me as effectively as you want and diminishes my witness for Christ. My selfishness is a habit because I’ve had that approach my entire life. Please help me see my selfish attitudes and give me victory over this lack of love for others.

Final thought: The Corinthian Christians seem to have regarded this issue of eating meat sacrificed to idols and thereby stumbling their brother as a “small” issue. Paul wants them and us to know that it reflects a selfish, self-focused heart, which is the kind of heart God destroyed among the Israelites in the wilderness. It may have been a relatively small symptom, but it was a symptom of a great and dangerous disease.

READ : I Corinthians 10: 14 – 33

Paul tells the Corinthian Christians not to participate in the dinners served at the pagan temple because what goes on at the pagan temples is not as innocent as it may seem. In the thinking of that part of the ancient world, to eat at the same table with someone indicated friendship and fellowship with that person. Since you ate of one bread, that made you one body, because you both shared of the same food at the same table. Paul makes the point that the unwitting fellowship of some of the Corinthian Christians with demons, by participating in the dinners at the pagan temples, will provoke the Lord to jealousy. He has a right over all our worship, and has a right to be offended if we give our fellowship to demons. When shopping at the meat market, Paul gave this advice: If you aren’t going to partake of the atmosphere of the pagan temple, the meat itself doesn’t matter. Don’t even ask, and it won’t even bother you. Since the food itself is not the problem, no one should judge another Christian who can eat meat sacrificed to idols, as long as they don’t violate their own conscience or someone else’s. Paul tells them to “give no offense” and we know an offense is an occasion to stumble, leading someone else into sin. Paul says none of our behavior should encourage another to sin.

Paul uses vs 23 and 24 to give the Corinthians a great principle for Christian growth: don’t just avoid what is harmful, but pursue what is good. Just because something is permitted does not mean it is beneficial. The Corinthians did not seek the helpful things, or the things that would edify. Essentially, instead of wanting to go forward with Jesus as much as they could, they wanted to know how much they could get away with and still be Christians. That’s the wrong approach!

Q1: Just because some activity is permitted for us doesn’t mean we should be doing it. Do you participate in any activities that aren’t necessarily sinful but they aren’t helping in your Christian walk?

Q2: Someone said “low conduct in Christian living is connected to little regard for the lost.” If you knew something you were doing in life was keeping a brother from saying Yes to Jesus, would you give it up?

Prayer: Lord, help me to bring all my thoughts, desires, and ambitions under your control. As I make choices in my daily walk, help me to know your best for me and to submit to you and let you be Lord of my life. I realize that you want the best for me and knowing you better and better each day is what is best. When I seek your best with the choices I make, I can reflect your glory to a world that is in desperate need and I can be a positive influence for my family and friends.

Final thought: Paul’s main admonition in this passage seems to be “Do all to the glory of God”. The purpose of our lives isn’t to see how much we can get away with and still be Christians; rather, it is to glorify God. If the Corinthian Christian would have kept this principle in mind from the beginning in this issue, how much easier it would have made everything!

READ : 1 Corinthians 11: 1 – 16

In Chapter 11 Paul lays out God’s plan for leadership within the church. Paul writes “The head of every man is Christ, the head of every woman is man, and head of Christ is God.” In this Biblical sense, head has the idea of leadership and authority. It means to have the appropriate responsibility to lead, and the matching accountability. The head is to be a servant leader and role model for everyone else. Headship does not negate equality but rather is focused on role of leadership. It is right and appropriate to submit to someone who is our head. The idea of headship and authority is important to God. In His great plan for the ages, one great thing God looks for from man is faith and voluntary submission. This is what Jesus showed in His life over and over again, and this is exactly what God looks for from both men and women, though it will be expressed in different ways. God has established an order of authority, the principle of male headship, both in the church (I Corinthians 11 and I Timothy 2) and the home (Ephesians 5:23).

Our culture, having rejected the idea of a difference in roles between men and women, now rejects the idea of any difference between gender. The driving trends in our culture point towards men who are more like women, and women who are more like men. We see this play out in styles, clothing and sports. Increasingly in our culture, men are abdicating their God assigned roles of leadership in the church and home. The failure of men to lead in the home and in the church, and to lead in the way Jesus would lead, has been a chief cause of the rejection of male authority. Our culture currently has a big problem with authority. Citizens do not have the same respect for governmental authority; students do not have the same respect for the teacher’s authority; children do not have the same respect for parental authority; employees do not have the same respect for their employer’s authority; and Christians no longer have the same respect for church authority. We are compelled to ask – have the changes in respect been positive. An inordinate demand by everyone to have their rights at the expense of society will continue to create challenges.

Q1: Paul was so confident that he was living maturely for the Lord that he told the Corinthians to imitate him. As you examine your life, would you be comfortable telling others to imitate your life?

Q2: It can be difficult in our culture to get past the idea of “who is inferior in the relationship”. We want to be in control and we struggle to submit. Why is it difficult for us to submit to God’s leadership plan?

Q3: Many unbelievers reject God’s authority concerning where they will spend eternity. How would you answer a friend who doesn’t believe Jesus is the only way or God will one day be their judge?

Final thought: It is essential to understand that being under authority does not equal inferiority. Jesus was totally under the authority of God the Father (John 5:19 and 8:28), yet He is equally God (John 1:1, John 8:58, and 10:30). Men in the church and home are under the headship of Christ. When God calls women in the church to recognize the headship of men, it is not because women are unequal or inferior, but because there is a God-ordained order of authority to be respected. Can we follow the example of Jesus who willingly submitted to God the Father?

READ : I Corinthians 11: 17 – 34

Paul now turns his attention in the latter part of this chapter to the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul refers to the early church custom of combining the love-feast (like a shared-dish supper) and the Lord’s Supper. This is the model followed closely here at Grace. In the modern church, the Lord’s Supper is commonly celebrated in an atmosphere of dignity. But the Corinthian Christians came from a culture where the pagans commonly had wild, riotous banquets given in honor of a pagan god. In conducting a communion service, Paul puts the emphasis on remembering Jesus, on what He said about the meaning of His own death for us. In taking the bread, we are called to remember Jesus’ body given for us. The Passover meal featured unleavened bread, made without yeast because yeast is a picture of sin and corruption in the Bible. This cup is the new covenant in My blood: In receiving the cup, we are called to remember the blood of Jesus and the new covenant. The Passover meal featured several cups of wine, each with a different title. The cup Jesus referred to was known as the cup of redemption, which represented their slavery from Egypt. Jesus took that symbolic reminder to an entirely different level when he acknowledged that His shed blood would be the path for deliverance and redemption offered through faith.

While the Lord’s Supper does look back to what Jesus did on the cross, it also looks forward to the coming of Jesus, and the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). In Matthew 26:29, Jesus spoke of His longing expectation for the day when He would take communion with His people in heaven, which is the ultimate Lord’s Supper. Scripturally, we can understand that the bread and the wine are not mere symbols, but they are powerful pictures to partake of and to enter into as we see the Lord’s Supper as the new Passover. Some Christians misunderstand the phrase in I Corinthians 11:27 that commands us to examine ourselves and make sure we are worthy to receive the bread and cup. We can never make ourselves worthy of what Jesus did on the cross. The idea is not to keep people away from the table of communion, but to prepare them to receive it in the right way!

Q1: Jesus wants us to show reverence as we prepare to take Communion by examining ourselves and insure, we have no unconfessed sin in our lives. Why may that be God’s desire during communion?

Q2: How had God signaled this New Covenant that Jesus spoke of in I Corinthians 11:25? (One example: See Jeremiah 31:31 – 34).

Prayer: Lord, I am eternally grateful for what you did on the cross for me and I need to formally remember the sacrifice of your body and blood. I am amazed that even back in the time of Jeremiah, you were already preparing to come and make a New Covenant with me. I know you will never break that covenant because you are eternally faithful. Please help me to appreciate it, revere it, and treasure it. Thank you, Jesus.

Final thought: Jesus told His disciples as they celebrated the Last Supper with Him, “Take and eat. This is my body which was given for you. This cup is the new covenant of my blood.” At other places in scripture, Jesus referred to himself as a vine and a door. It should be clear that Jesus is using symbolic language that helps us focus on His death on the cross.

READ : I Corinthians 12: 1 – 11

Our culture is enamored with “gifted” people. Parents want their children in the “gifted class”. If we are going for surgery, we want a “gifted” surgeon. Buckeye fans only want the team to recruit “gifted” players. In today’s text, Paul takes on the topic of spiritual gifts within the church. The Holy Spirit is always present with believers, but at times He is more apparent through the manifestation of Spiritual Gifts. In Chapter 12, Paul will list nine spiritual gifts (and more gifts in other places) and establishes the principle that the gifts are to be judged by how they glorify Jesus Christ. A listing of the gifts mentioned by Paul would be: a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, a gift of faith, a gift of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues. The latter two in this list are clearly the gifts that create the most controversy in the church today. The goal of the Holy Spirit’s work concerning spiritual gifts is always to glorify Jesus and to build His nature and character in us. The Spirit’s goal is never to amaze or confuse, but to build the fruits of the Spirit and He will use or not use any gift He thinks correct in meeting that goal. Spiritual gifts exalt the Giver of the gift (Christ) and not the receiver of the gift (us).

A Trinitarian reference to the Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus and God the Father. What Paul is doing by alluding to the Trinity is to show the Godhead of an example of the nature of Spiritual Gifts. God exits in three persons as one entity. He is not saying that all of the Godhead distribute gifts, that is clearly the role of the Holy Spirit, but he is beginning to lay out his argument that there can be cooperation by having different roles. The Corinthians thinking will be corrected when they consider God’s sovereignty in the placement and assignment of spiritual gifts. God is the one that determines and assigns us our part in the body of Christ. God is the source of Spiritual Gifts. They are given according to the choice of the Lord and he is infinitely wise and knows which gifts You will be most productive in exercising for his Kingdom!

Q1: Every Christian has been equipped by the Holy Spirit with a spiritual gift and is expected to use it for the edification of the body and advancement of the Kingdom. How are you using your gift/gifts?

Q2: The question that this chapter presents is what can I contribute to the church to participate in its fulfillment of its mission and calling? Is this my mindset? What can I do to eradicate my consumer mentality? How can I function as a member of the body?

Prayer: Lord, I want the Holy Spirit to be active in my life today. I want his power and wisdom to equip me each day and I constantly want to be under his control and not my own agenda. Help me to know and use my spiritual gift(s) effectively within the overall mission of my church family.

Final thought: Verse 7 says “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good”. Each one denotes that every believer is essential to the body of Christ. We all have been endowed with a spiritual gift. Every last one of those who claim to follow Christ receive at least one spiritual gift. Paul’s says that we are unique, but that we have not been made unique for uniqueness’ sake. Rather in that uniqueness, we bring a distinctively you piece to the body. In our uniqueness, we contribute to something that is a singular thing: the common good.

READ : I Corinthians 12: 12 – 31

Paul uses the illustration of the human body to relate the working of the community of Christians. There is great diversity in the body of Jesus Christ, both in appearance and function, yet each member has a common foundation (Jesus Christ) and a common goal (proclaim the gospel). It is as if some of the Corinthian Christians said, “I don’t have this certain spiritual gift. I guess I’m not part of the body of Jesus Christ.” After all, hands and eyes seem more important and more “glamourous” than feet and ears. Paul wants these Christians who felt excluded to know they are indeed members of the body, and their sense that they are not is just as foolish as the foot or the ear that feels excluded. Diversity is essential. The body cannot work properly if all are hands or if all are eyes. The body must have different parts and gifts, or it would not work together effectively as a body. The hands do not only feed and defend themselves, but the whole body. The heart does not only supply blood to itself, but serves the whole body.

Next, Paul writes to those tempted to pride and a sense of superiority because of their gifts or place in the body. They cannot say to such parts, “I have no need of you.” Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. Paul’s theological point about the nature of the body of Jesus Christ has now come to a very practical application. The Corinthian Christians (and church bodies today) should care for one another because they are all part of the same body. The care for one another mentioned in the previous verse is now explained. It means to have a heart towards, and sympathy with, our fellow members, though they be different. Paul closes by admonishing us to “earnestly desire the best gifts”. Though the Holy Spirit gives the gifts, it is good and proper for us to desire them, and to ask for them, all in submission to the plan of God.

Q1: Human beings (even Christians) have a strong sense of self and pride often dictates their motivation. Do you see a tendency to elevate some gifts above others even though Paul says “don’t”?

Q2. Paul admonished his readers to “desire the more excellent gift”. What do you think he is referring to? (Hint: Stay tuned for Chapter 13 where he will reveal what he thinks is more excellent)

Prayer: Lord, I feel so blessed and excited that you have uniquely equipped me with a spiritual gift. Please give me the courage and energy to use my gift for your kingdom and not hide it away because I am afraid or lazy. My goal in life should be to reflect your glory to this sick and dying world where I currently reside. Help me use my gift to encourage the body and advance the cause of Christ in my community.

Final thought: In verse 28, Paul mentions a gift of helping others and perhaps we don’t hear enough about that gift. This has in mind those who help, or assist others, in carrying out the work of the Lord. Charles Spurgeon put into words the qualities of the person who is effective in the gift of helps: a tender heart to really care, a quick eye to see the need, a quick foot to get to the needy, a loving face to cheer them and bless them. Perhaps that describes you and you can find a place in the church and your community to put that gift to work.

READ : I Corinthians 13: 1 – 7

We have arrived at one of the most familiar passages in the entirety of scripture. This section of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians has been read at more weddings and anniversary parties than any other. The Corinthians were enamored with spiritual gifts but Paul makes the point that tongues, prophecy, knowledge, and faith to do miracles are irrelevant apart from love. The Corinthian Christians missed the motive and the goal of the gifts, making them their own goal. Paul draws the attention back to love. Love is the greater gift that Paul talked about in Chapter 12. The love that Paul is describing here is a love that loves without changing. It is a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting repayment. It is love so great that it can be given to the unlovable or unappealing. It is love that loves even when it is rejected. Many Christians believe the Christian life is all about sacrifice – sacrificing your money, your life, for the cause of Jesus Christ. Sacrifice is important, but without love it is useless. Each gift described in I Corinthians 13:1-3 is a good thing. But love is so valuable, so important, that apart from it, every other good thing is useless.

In verses 4-7, Paul gives us several descriptions of what love is and also what love is not. Paul is not writing about how love feels; he is writing about how it can be seen in action. True love is always demonstrated by action. Love is always kind and true love works anonymously. Love is never arrogant and self-focused. Jesus was always an others-centered person and we should desire to be like Jesus. Love is never provoked or irritated with others because it is a sin to be provoked by others. (Moses was prevented from entering the promised land because he was provoked by the Israelites). Paul proceeds to cover all the bases when he says “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” We can all bear some things but we do have a limit. Instead, God calls us farther and deeper into love for Him, for one another, and for a perishing world.

Q1. Jesus said “Love your enemies as you love yourself”. Why do you think Jesus picked love for ourselves as the standard by which we should measure our love for others?

Q2. Clearly, some folks that come into our path are much harder to love. If you have some folks like that in your life, what are some concrete steps you could take in order to increase your love for them?

Prayer: Lord, I am so grateful that you loved me so much. You looked beyond my faults and saw my need for forgiveness and love. I want to demonstrate your love for me by loving others as you have commanded. When people think of me, I want them to remember my kindness, my acceptance, my joy. I want them to feel comfortable with me so I can be an encourager to them and be in a position to share the gospel when the Holy Spirit provides that opportunity.

Final thought: There is a reason why Paul put this chapter in the midst of his discussion of spiritual gifts. Paul wants the Corinthian Christians to remember that giftedness is not the measure of maturity, the display of love is.

READ : I Corinthians 13: 8-13

In today’s passage Paul wants to make the point that Love is permanent. Paul wants the Corinthian Christians to emphasize love more than the gifts, because the gifts are temporary “containers” of God’s work; love is the work itself. Paul continues to make the point that the time of the gifts is not permanent when he refers to life as a child and the view we might see in a mirror. Both will fade with time. Childish things are appropriate for children, and the gifts are appropriate for our present time.

Paul is not trying to say that if we are spiritually mature, we will not need spiritual gifts. But he does say that if we are spiritually mature, we will not overemphasize spiritual gifts, especially at the expense of love. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are necessary and appropriate for this present age, when we are not yet fully mature, and we only know in part. What is your Christian life focused on? What do you really want more of? It should all come back to faith, hope, and love which will last for forever. Love is an essential part of the nature of God (1 John 4:16), but what about faith and hope? Just because our faith will become sight, will that negate our trust in Jesus? Similarly, with our blessed hope present in a person, will that negate our need for hope? Faith, hope and love are the three gifts that will be ours throughout eternity! His agape love is the ultimate gift and the promise we hold onto for all eternity as his adopted children through His finished work of redemption (Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5)!

Q1: It can’t be avoided. Love is extremely important to God. We can’t be un-loving and hope to please God. Are you growing in your ability to love others? How would you begin to measure that?

Q2: Paul says that the three great pursuits of the Christian life are faith, hope, and love but love is greatest. Why is love greatest?

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a loving person but sometimes I love myself too much at the expense of loving others. I can’t dump my agenda and my selfishness and make room for the priorities of others. I need the gift and power from the Holy Spirit to help me be a more loving person. I want to bring glory to you and when I love others, even when it’s hard, I reflect your glory to the people around me.

Final thought: The city of Corinth was famous for producing some of the best bronze mirrors in antiquity, but at their best, they couldn’t give a really clear vision. When we get to heaven, we will have a really clear vision of the Lord. We can only imagine how wonderful it will be to sit and talk with Jesus face to face with no sin filter in between us.

READ : I Corinthians 14: 1- 40

In this section, we see Paul outlining proper conduct in the worship of God. He bases his commands on the fact that God is a God of order, not chaos (v. 33). This verse is part of a rebuke of the Corinthian church in whose worship services were out of control, filled with chaos and even offensive to unbelievers (v.23). Order implies a logical organization of people, sequence, and items. We see God’s order as evidenced in creation (Genesis 1). Within this chapter Paul further explains the gift of tongues and of prophecy and to elaborate the place each gift has in public worship. Paul admonished the Corinthian Christians that they were over-emphasizing tongues and under emphasizing the gift of prophecy. He encouraged them to excel in those that build up the church (v.12). Paul lists three main purposes for the gift of prophecy within the body of Christ: edification (building others up), exhortation (encouragement) and comfort (not just consoling but strengthening also). Paul would prefer prophecy in church because prophecy edifies the church whereas anyone who speaks in tongues edifies oneself. Paul acknowledged that the gift of tongues was valuable, but it did no good for others when they could not understand him. God is a God who desires to bring order to our chaotic moments!

Q1: What expectations and hopes does Paul lay out for a worship gathering? How could/should this inform how we gather?

Q2: In this passage, Paul’s goal is to make Jesus make sense to unbelievers within their worship gathering? What aspects of doing church could be an impediment to unbelievers?

Q3: We are extremely thankful for technology that allows us and others to connect to our online weekend experience. How may this passage inform how I think through an online experience?

Final thought: The goal of coming together as a church is not to be entertained, but to be equipped. We gather for worship, edification, and inspiration to live lives that glorify Jesus Christ in the communities where we live and work. Paul said in Ephesians 4:12, “the goal is the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” We have been created to do everything for the glory and when we gather as a church family, we come to be strengthened, built up, and equipped to do the work for which we are called.

READ : I Corinthians 15: 1 – 11

All scripture is inspired and profitable for doctrine but some passages are just extra special. Passages such as Psalm 23, Hebrews 11, I Corinthians 13, Romans 8 are dear to the heart of many Bible loving Christians. I Corinthians Chapter 15 is just one of those chapters and easily included in this group. The Corinthian Christians had readily accepted the gospel from Paul but they had questions about the resurrection. The first thing to notice is that Paul provides extensive evidence for the resurrection -evidence of real-life events. I Corinthians 15:3-4 is a succinct definition of real events that make up the gospel story. Someone has counted over 3000 references in the Old Testament to Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection. Paul offers the life of Peter and James to show what a difference the resurrection made in the life of a denier and a skeptic. Paul reminds the Corinthians that Christ appeared to over 500 people at one time and challenges them to go and talk to those who are still alive and get their story.

Paul offers his own life as one that was drastically changed by the gospel. Paul felt – rightly so – that his sins were worse because he was responsible for the death, imprisonment, and suffering of Christians, whom he persecuted before his life was changed by Jesus. The gospel isn’t a Christian philosophy or a set of values for a better life. The gospel isn’t part of a new Biblical world view that might make more sense than the confusion we see around us today. The gospel is the core of what we believe. The Christian life offers truth and encouragement and hope and peace and joy but above all these benefits, the gospel reigns supreme. Jesus took our punishment for sin on the cross, and remained a perfect Savior through the whole ordeal – proved by His resurrection.

Q1: In the face of so much proof of the actual physical resurrection of Jesus, why do you believe skeptics struggle to accept the veracity of the resurrection?

Q2: How would you deal with a friend who accepts much of what we read and know about secular history but denies the historical evidence of the resurrection?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for taking my sin and dying on the cross so I don’t have to live under a death sentence. This is by far the best thing that was ever done for me and I am eternally grateful. Help me to be energized by the gospel and excited to share the truth with my friends and family. Help me to overcome my fears of speaking out and realize that my role is to share I Corinthians 15:3-4 and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.

Final truth: Whether you believe the gospel is true or not, it must be clear that you should want it to be true. As many people approach death, their questions about eternity and judgement may become more urgent and unsettling. We can deny what God says about what happens after death but that doesn’t make our opinion true. If you are skeptical and have doubts about the future and about the gospel, perhaps the first thing you should doubt would be your doubts. The gospel is God’s glorious good news about man’s biggest problem but we all must reach out and accept the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. If it’s true (and it most certainly is), you don’t have to fear death.

READ : I Corinthians 15: 12 – 34

Paul spends considerable time proving, with evidence, that Jesus Christ really did rise from the dead. The Corinthian Christians had reached a point where they did not deny the resurrection of Jesus; rather they denied our resurrection. Paul told them “If there is no resurrection, his preaching is in vain, the apostles are liars, and you are still in your sins. Without the resurrection, Jesus is not God, your sins are not paid for, and there is no hope for the future.” Because of Jesus, every human being will one day be resurrected and receive a new body – everyone of us is an eternal being. Jesus plainly spoke of both the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:29). Those who die without Christ will receive the resurrection of condemnation and live forever in a resurrected body in hell.

If there were no resurrection, why would Paul place his life in jeopardy for the gospel? The way Paul lived his life all-out for the gospel was evidence of the truth of the resurrection. Too many of us are so concerned about living comfortable lives here on earth that our lives give no evidence of the resurrection. How would Paul have us live our lives on earth as committed Christ followers? Know that earthly death is certain, don’t be attached to this world, live each day with hope, and live such that you could die at any moment and not be afraid to stand in the presence of Jesus. If all Christ followers lived their lives in light of the hope of the resurrection, we couldn’t help but live with joy and hope and sacrifice. The life we live here is but a mist that will soon fade away and this world is just a temporary stop on our journey to eternity.

Q1: Paul referred to the resurrection and eternal life with Christ as our “blessed hope” and told us to encourage others. Do you think about heaven frequently or are you too concerned with life on earth?

Q2: If you were to die tonight, would you be resurrected to a new life or would you face condemnation? What answer would you give to God if He were to ask you why He should let you into heaven?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you so much for dying for me and paying my sin debt. Because of your sacrifice and resurrection, I can have hope for the future and see that death for me is just a change of address. Help me to hold this life on earth loosely and live in such a way that I would never be ashamed to stand before you. Help me to live a mature Christian life and be worthy of that “Well done!!”

Final thought: The resurrection of Jesus (and consequently us if we place our trust in him) makes all the difference. Sometimes, when unbelievers consider the gospel truth, they just have too many questions. Why would a loving God send people to hell? How could God ever forgive all the really bad things I’ve done in my life? The truth is, if Jesus really did rise from the dead, that proves he is God. And if he is God and loved me enough to die for me, can’t I suspend my questions for a time and accept what I know to be true? Jesus died and was resurrected, and he is offering the power of that resurrection to each one that will put their trust in him. I can trust him now and await the answers to my questions as our relationship matures.

READ : I Corinthians 15: 35 – 58

In today’s section of the chapter, Paul attempts to answer some of the questions concerning our bodies when we are resurrected. He uses an analogy of a seed to explain that when a saint is buried in the ground (like a seed), a new heavenly body will one day rise to eternal life. Our resurrection body will be a heavenly body, suited for life in heaven, not only life on this earth. The best example we have of what a resurrection body will be like is to see what Jesus’ resurrection body was like. The resurrection body of Jesus was material and could eat food (Luke 24:39-43), yet it was not bound by the laws of nature (Luke 24:31, 24:36-37). Paul tells us that not all Christians will die, but there will be a “final generation” who will be transformed into resurrection bodies at the return of Jesus before they ever face death.

Paul finishes the chapter by attempting to encourage the Corinthian believers with what the resurrection of Jesus means for death – the greatest enemy of mankind. Earthly death is permanent but we don’t have to fear it. Death is still sad but it is merely a transition. Death is just a shadow – it no longer packs a punch. We have only lost contact with loved ones for a short while. We will be reunited into blessed fellowship in heaven. Our suffering here is lite and temporary in lite of what lays in store for us in eternity. God doesn’t share all the details with us about what life in heaven will be like. Perhaps the reason is that He knows we would be so homesick for our real home that we would struggle too much with life here on earth. Your life may be currently good and you are content but this life surely pales in comparison to what is instore for us when we are reunited with Jesus!!

Q1: Bible scholars who study prophecy and end time events are in agreement that all the necessary signs before Christ returns are complete. Do you live each day listening for the trumpet?

Q2: Some Christians fear that life in heaven will be boring. What will I do? Let your mind contemplate the life a perfect, all-powerful God might design for you.

Prayer: Lord, I am almost over-whelmed as I consider the eternal bliss that you have for me. Encourage me with thoughts of what’s in store when I am together with you for all of eternity. Help me to live joyfully down here but to be ready to give it up in an instant when you call.

Final thought: In vs. 52, Paul throws some light on the question of “when do I get this new body” by saying “when you hear the last trumpet.” Some scholars believe the “last trumpet” is a reference to the Roman military as they prepared to leave and go to a new location. When Roman soldiers broke camp the first trumpet meant, “strike the tents and prepare to leave”; the second trumpet meant “fall into line”; the third trumpet meant “march away”. God expects us to live this life expectantly, be watching the sky, and be ready to march away as soon as we hear that trumpet.

READ : I Corinthians 16: 1 – 24

Paul uses the last section of his letter to take on yet another area of questions and controversy within the Corinthian church. Not everyone in the church was in full accord when it came to money given for the needy, for the apostles, and for others who ministered in the church itself. Paul attempted to establish some principles of giving that would guide the Corinthians in their collections for others. Paul wanted their giving to be systematic, not haphazard. When they came together for worship and the word, they were commanded to receive an offering at the same time. Every Christian should be a giver, because God is a giver. Believers who have more should give more. We should give proportionately to the degree that God is blessing us.

Paul proceeds to tell the Corinthians that he is not coming to Corinth at this time because an exciting opportunity for the gospel is opening in Ephesus (see Acts 19 details of the opportunities as well as the opposition that Paul experienced in Ephesus). Paul decides to send Timothy to Corinth but he knows he must lay some groundwork and asks for them to respect him. If the Corinthians wouldn’t respect Paul, it can be assumed that they would have trouble respecting Timothy. As Paul prepares to close his letter, he tells the Corinthian Christians to “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” Christians are to be like strong soldiers, on guard, watching for their Lord’s return. Paul gave a “shout out” to Stephanus and said he had ministered to Paul’s spirit (he did for Paul what the Corinthian church should have done). Stephanus was the messenger from Corinth who brought all the questions and issues plaguing the Corinthian church. Much of the letter of I Corinthians is a sharp rebuke of the church at Corinth but Paul softens his letter at the end and makes sure the folks in the church know that he loves them and they he is praying for them.

Q1: Knowing what we know today of Paul’s conversion, ministry, and eventual martyrdom for the gospel, is it surprising to you that the Corinthians would challenge his authority?

Q2: The principles for giving in this chapter are proportional and systematic. Does these describe your giving to the Lord’s work?

Prayer: Lord, I thank you so much for what you’ve done for me and how you have blessed me. I want to be a cheerful and generous giver. I know that everything I have, has been given to me by you and I want to share it with others in the family. Help me to hold the things of this world loosely.

Final thought: Some have thought that because Christians are commanded to help the poor, especially Christians in need, that this is more important than supporting workers of the gospel. But in I Timothy 5 Paul speaks of the responsibility of the church to honor widows, and to consider workers of the gospel worthy of double honor. So, while Christians have a responsibility to help the poor, it does not have to come at the expense of supporting workers of the gospel.