I. What kind of church was Corinth?
A. It was rich spiritually because they had all kinds of gifts and spiritual knowledge. 1:5
Did the Corinthian church receive these spiritual gifts because they were a godly church? 1:4
No, it was by the grace of Jesus Christ.
B. They were well established or rooted in the Gospel. 1:6
C. There was division in the church. 1:10
Why was there division in the church?
1) Not everyone was at the same level spiritually.
2) It was because of pride, jealousy, and fanaticism.
How was a church that had all these spiritual gifts and knowledge have so many problems and division in it?
It is because all the spiritual gifts and knowledge puffed them up.
II. Paul gave some counsel in I Corinthians 1:10.
A. What was it?
All of you agree with one another and be perfectly united in mind.
B. Is this possible? No
C. Explain you response.
Not everyone is led by the Spirit or some are more led than others.
D. How can we be perfectly united?
1) When we are led by the Spirit.
2) When we realize that Christ is our head and we are one family.
III. What is the problem in this passage? 1:11
A. The problem in this passage is fanaticism.
B. What is the soloution?
1) Put you confidence in God, not men.
2) Keep your eyes on Christ.
3) We are all servants of God, doing His work.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Values
In my devotions I came across Luke 16:15. The last part of the verse struck me - "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." Here Jesus is talking to the religious leaders of that day. He is addressing their bad attitudes and handling of money. They put great importance on wealth and status.
I thought to myself, the things that are highly valued by God, are they highly valued by me? Do my values match God's values?
What are some of the things that men value and maybe I do but don't have much value in God's eyes? Of course mentioned already is wealth and status. Some others are power or authority, sex appeal or good looks deception, and accomplishment in business. Some possible others would be popularity, a big church or mission work, expensive or nice looking clothes, and approbation.
There may be others I have missed. What do you highly value or see as important? Do they match up to what God values?
God values love, healthy relationships, salvation of souls, humility among other fruits of the Spirit,servant-hood, generosity, purity, truth and obedience to His Word among a few.
Lord help me to value what you value.
I thought to myself, the things that are highly valued by God, are they highly valued by me? Do my values match God's values?
What are some of the things that men value and maybe I do but don't have much value in God's eyes? Of course mentioned already is wealth and status. Some others are power or authority, sex appeal or good looks deception, and accomplishment in business. Some possible others would be popularity, a big church or mission work, expensive or nice looking clothes, and approbation.
There may be others I have missed. What do you highly value or see as important? Do they match up to what God values?
God values love, healthy relationships, salvation of souls, humility among other fruits of the Spirit,servant-hood, generosity, purity, truth and obedience to His Word among a few.
Lord help me to value what you value.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Do Not Fear
Isaiah 43:1-2
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
The call of God today in the uncertain world we live in and the challenges of life that often seem to overwhelm us is to “fear not!” When Joshua was called to lead Israel into the land of promise, a land of giants and walled cities that seemed overwhelming and insurmountable, the word of the Lord to him was to fear not, but be strong and courageous, because the Lord God was with him. Over and over when Israel faced insurmountable enemies, the command of the Lord was not to fear. When the tempest on Lake Galilee seemed about to swamp the disciples’ boat, the word of Jesus was, “Do not be afraid.”
In the portion we read today, God gives three reasons why we should not fear. We have been redeemed. Redeemed means to buy back something that belonged to you. I’m reminded of a story of a young boy who built a beautiful sail boat. He took it down to the river to play with it, the current caught it, and it disappeared down the river. One day, the boy passed a pawn shop, and there was his boat in the window. He went in and told the owner that it was his boat and even showed him his initials on the bottom of the boat. The owner said, “Sorry, boy, it is my boat now, and you are going to have to buy it from me.” So the boy went out and worked hard at odd jobs until he saved enough money to buy the boat. As he walked out of the pawn shop the owner overheard him say, “Little boat, you belong to me twice. First I made you, and then I bought you.” We should not worry or fear because we were created by God’s own hands and have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. You are highly favored by God.
God continues by saying “I have called you by my name.” Jesus said, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (John 15:16) God Almighty, the Creator of the universe who holds all power in His hand, has called you and chosen you by your name. Jesus goes on to say that “no one can snatch you out of my hand.” (John 10:28) Why? Because you belong to God! God goes on to say in Isaiah 43:4, “Since you are precious and honored and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you.”
Because of God’s great love for you and the price He paid to redeem you, you are extremely precious to Him, and He is honored by your presence. God is proud of you. You have His favor. Like Israel, who were in captivity in Babylon, when we are overwhelmed by what we face and the currents of life seem to be washing us away, we forget that we have been redeemed and we are now His. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:31-32, 37)
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
The call of God today in the uncertain world we live in and the challenges of life that often seem to overwhelm us is to “fear not!” When Joshua was called to lead Israel into the land of promise, a land of giants and walled cities that seemed overwhelming and insurmountable, the word of the Lord to him was to fear not, but be strong and courageous, because the Lord God was with him. Over and over when Israel faced insurmountable enemies, the command of the Lord was not to fear. When the tempest on Lake Galilee seemed about to swamp the disciples’ boat, the word of Jesus was, “Do not be afraid.”
In the portion we read today, God gives three reasons why we should not fear. We have been redeemed. Redeemed means to buy back something that belonged to you. I’m reminded of a story of a young boy who built a beautiful sail boat. He took it down to the river to play with it, the current caught it, and it disappeared down the river. One day, the boy passed a pawn shop, and there was his boat in the window. He went in and told the owner that it was his boat and even showed him his initials on the bottom of the boat. The owner said, “Sorry, boy, it is my boat now, and you are going to have to buy it from me.” So the boy went out and worked hard at odd jobs until he saved enough money to buy the boat. As he walked out of the pawn shop the owner overheard him say, “Little boat, you belong to me twice. First I made you, and then I bought you.” We should not worry or fear because we were created by God’s own hands and have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. You are highly favored by God.
God continues by saying “I have called you by my name.” Jesus said, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (John 15:16) God Almighty, the Creator of the universe who holds all power in His hand, has called you and chosen you by your name. Jesus goes on to say that “no one can snatch you out of my hand.” (John 10:28) Why? Because you belong to God! God goes on to say in Isaiah 43:4, “Since you are precious and honored and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you.”
Because of God’s great love for you and the price He paid to redeem you, you are extremely precious to Him, and He is honored by your presence. God is proud of you. You have His favor. Like Israel, who were in captivity in Babylon, when we are overwhelmed by what we face and the currents of life seem to be washing us away, we forget that we have been redeemed and we are now His. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:31-32, 37)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Zeal for God's House
As I was having my devotions this morning I came across Psalms 69:9 which says, "for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me."
Do we have a true zeal for God's house? I thought about this word "house". Is David talking about the temple? No, I don't think David is talking about the temple in the sense of a building. I believe David is talking about God and all that God is. The temple is reference point because this was where God's presence dwelt. I think that David was zealous about everything that God thought was important. I know that David was zealous about God's Law and the Word of the Lord.
As I was reflecting on this idea of "house", I felt that God was saying were to be zealous about God's household, His people. The Bible says we are the temple of God, individually and corporately. The Bible says that we are a family. I believe if we are zealous for God, we should be zealous about our spiritual family. The Bible says we can't love God and not His family. If you are a God fanatic, you will be a family fanatic. Even as we love God we are to love His family.
We have many dysfunctional families in the world today. Sadly to say, I believe we have dysfunctions families in Christ's church, the local church. The people in dysfunctional families are wrapped up in themselves and their personal problems. How often is this true in the family of God. Lord Jesus help us!
Also, as I meditated on this verse, I reflected on the word "consume". This is a strong word. The idea of consume is all encompassing or enveloping. When something consumes you, it controls you.
Now let us think of this in the light of the church, God's family, and our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Can you say that your zeal for God translates into zeal for God's people? Along with your desire to please God and serve Him with all your heart, do you have a desire to please your brothers and sisters in the Lord and serve them? As you stand up for God, are you standing up for His family?
As I think on the last part of this verse, "the insults of those who insult you fall on me". What is David saying? He is saying when someone disrespects you, I take it personally as disrespecting me. When someone insult you by what they say or do, it grieves me. When someone slaps you in the face, it is the same as if they slapped me in the face. When they dishonor you, they dishonor me.
I think we should take this same stand for those who are in our spiritual family, our church and our brothers and sisters in the Lord. What effects one part of the family, effects the whole family. As the "Three Musketeers" saying goes, "all for one and one for all". This is very scriptural. When someone or something attacks one person in the family, what is our reaction? Is it sympathy, compassion, sorrow, and a desire to come to their aid? It should be. Or do we kick our brother when he is down? Do we say, they had it coming to them?
Lord, help us not to be so wrapped up in ourselves, wrapped up in what we are doing, or wrapped up in what we want that we don't see the needs of the family of Christ. Let us stop criticizing your church and your servants. Let us in love help one another to become more like Christ and focus on your mission.
Do we have a true zeal for God's house? I thought about this word "house". Is David talking about the temple? No, I don't think David is talking about the temple in the sense of a building. I believe David is talking about God and all that God is. The temple is reference point because this was where God's presence dwelt. I think that David was zealous about everything that God thought was important. I know that David was zealous about God's Law and the Word of the Lord.
As I was reflecting on this idea of "house", I felt that God was saying were to be zealous about God's household, His people. The Bible says we are the temple of God, individually and corporately. The Bible says that we are a family. I believe if we are zealous for God, we should be zealous about our spiritual family. The Bible says we can't love God and not His family. If you are a God fanatic, you will be a family fanatic. Even as we love God we are to love His family.
We have many dysfunctional families in the world today. Sadly to say, I believe we have dysfunctions families in Christ's church, the local church. The people in dysfunctional families are wrapped up in themselves and their personal problems. How often is this true in the family of God. Lord Jesus help us!
Also, as I meditated on this verse, I reflected on the word "consume". This is a strong word. The idea of consume is all encompassing or enveloping. When something consumes you, it controls you.
Now let us think of this in the light of the church, God's family, and our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Can you say that your zeal for God translates into zeal for God's people? Along with your desire to please God and serve Him with all your heart, do you have a desire to please your brothers and sisters in the Lord and serve them? As you stand up for God, are you standing up for His family?
As I think on the last part of this verse, "the insults of those who insult you fall on me". What is David saying? He is saying when someone disrespects you, I take it personally as disrespecting me. When someone insult you by what they say or do, it grieves me. When someone slaps you in the face, it is the same as if they slapped me in the face. When they dishonor you, they dishonor me.
I think we should take this same stand for those who are in our spiritual family, our church and our brothers and sisters in the Lord. What effects one part of the family, effects the whole family. As the "Three Musketeers" saying goes, "all for one and one for all". This is very scriptural. When someone or something attacks one person in the family, what is our reaction? Is it sympathy, compassion, sorrow, and a desire to come to their aid? It should be. Or do we kick our brother when he is down? Do we say, they had it coming to them?
Lord, help us not to be so wrapped up in ourselves, wrapped up in what we are doing, or wrapped up in what we want that we don't see the needs of the family of Christ. Let us stop criticizing your church and your servants. Let us in love help one another to become more like Christ and focus on your mission.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
FIVE MANIFESTATIONS OF LOVE
In John 13:34, Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." God is demanding that we love others like He loves us. He wants to empower us by His Spirit to love as He loves.
Today, we want to look at five ways Jesus demonstrated Agape love.
Quality Time
“And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.” (John 6:3) In the midst of a hectic ministry schedule ministering to thousands, Jesus took time out to be with His disciples. Love is not convenient.
Words of Affirmation
“Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (John 1:47) These were life changing words for Nathaniel. Love constantly discovers and affirms what is good in others.
Physical Touch
“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray.” (Matthew 19:13) A friend of mine who ministers in prisons, ministered to some inmates on death row. One man was there for brutally killing several children. He was an angry and bitter man. God spoke to my friend to go over and hug this man. When he did the man broke down and wept because he had never been hugged. Love is touchable. Love breaks down barriers.
Acts of Service
Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) After Jesus’ resurrection He appears to the disciples on the shore of Galilee as they return from fishing. John 21:9 says, “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread… Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Here is the resurrected Lord, in His glorified body, serving his disciples some grilled fish. Love always serves others.
Acts of Giving
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3:16-18) Love keeps on giving. It never fails.
Lord, help us to love those around us as you have loved us.
Today, we want to look at five ways Jesus demonstrated Agape love.
Quality Time
“And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.” (John 6:3) In the midst of a hectic ministry schedule ministering to thousands, Jesus took time out to be with His disciples. Love is not convenient.
Words of Affirmation
“Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (John 1:47) These were life changing words for Nathaniel. Love constantly discovers and affirms what is good in others.
Physical Touch
“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray.” (Matthew 19:13) A friend of mine who ministers in prisons, ministered to some inmates on death row. One man was there for brutally killing several children. He was an angry and bitter man. God spoke to my friend to go over and hug this man. When he did the man broke down and wept because he had never been hugged. Love is touchable. Love breaks down barriers.
Acts of Service
Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) After Jesus’ resurrection He appears to the disciples on the shore of Galilee as they return from fishing. John 21:9 says, “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread… Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Here is the resurrected Lord, in His glorified body, serving his disciples some grilled fish. Love always serves others.
Acts of Giving
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (I John 3:16-18) Love keeps on giving. It never fails.
Lord, help us to love those around us as you have loved us.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
God's Provision in the Desert
As I was reading God's word, I came across the following scripture that showed me God's provision in difficult times.
Nehemiah 9:21 - " For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.
Let us reflect on the magnitude of the verse. According to Exodus 12:37, there were about six hundred thousand men who left Egypt, not including women and children. These were men 20 years or older. In those times, most men of twenty were already married. Counting women and children, it was probably a minimum of 1,800,000 people. How would you like to take even 1,000 people out into the desert, not knowing how you would provide for them? I wouldn't want to sign up for the job. Is it even possible in those times or even now for that many people to live together in one place in a desert enviroment. I would tend to say, No! Therefore, we see that God miraculously supplied there every need for forty years in a parched land where you can't produce food and water is scarce. Wow!
What does this mean for us? It means that God can provide all our needs even in the worse situations. We don't have to ba a product of our enviroment. So you may live in a depressed economy and may even live in the poorest country in the world, but we serve a God who is limitless and loves us very much. Our financial well being or status does not depend on others or the economy. It depends on a God who lacks nothing.
Yet we have our part in our own provision which is stepping out in faith believing that God will provide all our needs and even give us above and beyond all that we could imagine or think. ( Ephesians 3:20) James in chapter 1:5-7, says we must ask God and he will generously give you what you ask of Him. Yet, it must be done in faith. James says, if you lack faith don't expect anything from God. Also, he says faith without action is dead in 2:17. It is not enough to pray and ask God, but we must taken action on the prayer of faith.
Praise the Lord! We do not need to be a victim of our circumstances but are able to overcome them through Christ Jesus.
Nehemiah 9:21 - " For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.
Let us reflect on the magnitude of the verse. According to Exodus 12:37, there were about six hundred thousand men who left Egypt, not including women and children. These were men 20 years or older. In those times, most men of twenty were already married. Counting women and children, it was probably a minimum of 1,800,000 people. How would you like to take even 1,000 people out into the desert, not knowing how you would provide for them? I wouldn't want to sign up for the job. Is it even possible in those times or even now for that many people to live together in one place in a desert enviroment. I would tend to say, No! Therefore, we see that God miraculously supplied there every need for forty years in a parched land where you can't produce food and water is scarce. Wow!
What does this mean for us? It means that God can provide all our needs even in the worse situations. We don't have to ba a product of our enviroment. So you may live in a depressed economy and may even live in the poorest country in the world, but we serve a God who is limitless and loves us very much. Our financial well being or status does not depend on others or the economy. It depends on a God who lacks nothing.
Yet we have our part in our own provision which is stepping out in faith believing that God will provide all our needs and even give us above and beyond all that we could imagine or think. ( Ephesians 3:20) James in chapter 1:5-7, says we must ask God and he will generously give you what you ask of Him. Yet, it must be done in faith. James says, if you lack faith don't expect anything from God. Also, he says faith without action is dead in 2:17. It is not enough to pray and ask God, but we must taken action on the prayer of faith.
Praise the Lord! We do not need to be a victim of our circumstances but are able to overcome them through Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Take Your Place
Psalms 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.”
The table of the Lord is a place of abundance, a place of peace, and a place of communion. David draws this picture from the ancient Near East custom, where covenants were often concluded with a meal expressive of the bond of friendship. The head of the honored guest at the banquet was customarily anointed with oil. The cup running over was a sign of abundance. What an awesome picture of the relationship God wants to have with us!
Jesus reinforced this at the Last Supper with His disciples. In Luke 22:15 Jesus says, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you.” (NKJ) In the Message Bible it says, "You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you.” Then just as the honored guest would have his head anointed with oil in David’s day, Jesus in the custom of his day honors his disciples by getting down and washing their feet.
Sometimes we fail to understand how much Jesus desires to fellowship and commune with us. We become so busy running here and there, trying to meet our needs and the needs of our family, when He already has a table of provision set for us. We are desperately trying to prove ourselves and to demonstrate our value or worth, when He desires to honor us. We struggle with worry and fear in an uncertain world and struggle with the attacks of the enemy, when He has already set a table for us in the presence of our enemies. We struggle in our own might to serve Him, when he wants to anoint our head with the oil of His Spirit to empower us to do what we cannot do in ourselves.
Stop struggling and running and take your place at the Lord’s table. “In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalms 16:11) The God of the universe “fervently desires” your presence. He has prepared a table for you and for me. He is honored to have us as a guest at his table. Even more than that, He wants to honor us. We are the apple of His eye, His joy and His desire. He wants to give us honor even before our enemies, for we are His treasured possession and he has redeemed us from every tribe, tongue, and nation by the blood of His Son. He wants to fill your cup until it runs over.
The one thing our Lord seeks above all else from his servants, ministers, and shepherds is communion with Him. His table is vast and is never lacking. This table is a place of spiritual intimacy and is spread daily with all that we need. David said in Psalms 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
May you be blessed, encouraged, strengthened, and satisfied in the presence of the Lord today.
Andy Clark
The table of the Lord is a place of abundance, a place of peace, and a place of communion. David draws this picture from the ancient Near East custom, where covenants were often concluded with a meal expressive of the bond of friendship. The head of the honored guest at the banquet was customarily anointed with oil. The cup running over was a sign of abundance. What an awesome picture of the relationship God wants to have with us!
Jesus reinforced this at the Last Supper with His disciples. In Luke 22:15 Jesus says, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you.” (NKJ) In the Message Bible it says, "You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you.” Then just as the honored guest would have his head anointed with oil in David’s day, Jesus in the custom of his day honors his disciples by getting down and washing their feet.
Sometimes we fail to understand how much Jesus desires to fellowship and commune with us. We become so busy running here and there, trying to meet our needs and the needs of our family, when He already has a table of provision set for us. We are desperately trying to prove ourselves and to demonstrate our value or worth, when He desires to honor us. We struggle with worry and fear in an uncertain world and struggle with the attacks of the enemy, when He has already set a table for us in the presence of our enemies. We struggle in our own might to serve Him, when he wants to anoint our head with the oil of His Spirit to empower us to do what we cannot do in ourselves.
Stop struggling and running and take your place at the Lord’s table. “In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalms 16:11) The God of the universe “fervently desires” your presence. He has prepared a table for you and for me. He is honored to have us as a guest at his table. Even more than that, He wants to honor us. We are the apple of His eye, His joy and His desire. He wants to give us honor even before our enemies, for we are His treasured possession and he has redeemed us from every tribe, tongue, and nation by the blood of His Son. He wants to fill your cup until it runs over.
The one thing our Lord seeks above all else from his servants, ministers, and shepherds is communion with Him. His table is vast and is never lacking. This table is a place of spiritual intimacy and is spread daily with all that we need. David said in Psalms 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
May you be blessed, encouraged, strengthened, and satisfied in the presence of the Lord today.
Andy Clark
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