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God, make these Your Words. We are what is not, and You are what makes us something. Thank You.
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 Christ Crucified is God's Power and Wisdom
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." (Isaiah 29:14)
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (Jer. 9:24)
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.
God is foolishness to the world and the world is foolishness to God. But only one can frustrate the other down to its very existence, and that's God. The world was made by God. Of course God can turn the tables on the world. If God wanted to, He could make gravity cease to exist. That would throw everything into chaos, but He really could. What we know cannot compare. That is why Paul gives a stage verse at the end of the first real paragraph. There is nothing foolish or weak about God. Repeat that: There is nothing foolish or weak about God! So why did Paul say that? The reason is that it is saying if there was, it would still be greater than the world's greatest portions. But if you take into account that God is only strong, how much difference is actually there between the world and God? I'd say an eternal amount of difference. Today people seek wisdom and signs, but they think they will find it in creation. Because they look at the creation itself they miss the creator, the actual source of true wisdom and all signs. And He's right in front of us all. God's ways are impossible to understand, His creation is the same. God's wisdom and power will be a stumbling block and foolishness to the world until the very end. But to us who believe, He is just what He is: Wisdom and Power. Jesus Christ is the ultimate form of God's power and wisdom here on earth. Jesus Christ and Him crucified are God's most complex Grace plan that is easily shared in a simple paragraph for a child to understand. He is power and that power is in the world to break down the wisdom and ways of the world that all of us might see our need for God. And when we see that we are not, God comes and makes us something new.
This is the start of the next paragraph of Paul's writings. We realize that we are not much when we are called. And that is because it is not just things that are not that follow God's call; it's the things that know they are not who answer His call. We change because God's wisdom frustrates ours and humbles us. In this world, the things that call themselves weak and live according to God's Word are seen as weak. So Paul is also right in saying that we are the lowly things and despised things of this world, because that is how the world sees us. They see us as foolish beings. But the reason they see us as foolish is because they see God's power in us. God puts Himself and His Love and Spirit in us to use us to shame the world. That is why the disciple system Jesus created works, because it isn't human wisdom and eloquence, it is God alone. When we let Him work in us, He shows the true power of the Gospel in things that are not, going out and shaming the world's standards. In the process we are made righteous, holy, and clean. As we let God work, He humbles us and shows us our nothing so He can put Himself in and make us something new. This new creation shames the world and humble it until it goes to God more and more. But today we break the chain reaction after we become new. We get complacent and we don't go out to let God do the work He wants to do with us.
We do what we want. Whether we're afraid of confronting the world, or we just want to spend our time and money on what we want. We're wasting God's efforts. He made us new so that He could use us to make others new. The only reason we're in Him is because He called us to Him. He wants to use us to call others. But we are refusing. There can't be any division in the church right? That's what we saw last. But there also can't be division in ourselves. We can't divide ourselves between earthly pleasures and God's will for us. You can't serve two masters. If you try, nothing will work. What does this mean? We have to choose God alone in each moment. That takes an understanding that God's way is the only way. John 14:6 Jesus replied, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It comes back to the fact that Jesus Christ is the Wisdom and Power of God. It takes that understanding to be able to do anything in God. And it's the reason that we should only boast in Christ when anything is accomplished.
Paul tested this by resolving to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified when he went to the Corinthians. He was afraid to go and preach the Gospel, just like we Christians often get today when we feel the calling to share the Gospel at school, work, or anywhere. Paul wanted them to receive the Gospel, but that is all He wanted them to receive. Not Paul's preaching method or words. Paul wanted to stay out of the way, so He made the resolve. He preached Jesus Christ alone. And that became the power of God and the wisdom of God among the Corinthians. A church was established and many came to Christ. This still happens today. Ridding the preaching of our fancy talk and our involvement is like purifying precious metal. With the Gospel of Christ, it allows the Gospel to be the only thing that reaches the ones being reached out to. That is all that is needed to save someone, God's pure power and wisdom and Love. It is God that calls, saves, changes, and uses us.
This system is perfect because it is not just made by God, it is God. He is in charge of the whole thing. And we get to be made a part of it. In fact, we're not just part of it, we reap benefits from it. God blesses us with it and shows us a glory that is not worth comparing to any present sufferings or worldly pleasure. So let us be willing to be used by God for His work. Let us boast in Him alone when He does a new work. Let God use His wisdom and power to mold us and work to mold those around us just as He used His wisdom and power to mold the creation around us.
Thank You For Reading
Long Live Jesus Christ
Amen
Lord God, make these Your Words. May Your Gospel Message be shared not in eloquence of speech or with man's wisdom, but with Your own speech and Wisdom. Teach us Lord what we need to know. Amen.
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 1:10-17 A Church Divided Over Leaders
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean in this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel -- not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
A lot going on here. Paul had gotten word from a devout household in Corinth that the church there was divided by different followings of Christianity. Paul addressed this first because nothing else could be done until the church was united. Eph. 4:16 says, From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in Love as each part does its work. The body of Christ can only grow when every member is united and building each other up in Christ's Love. The body must be connected to Christ. This goes back to the last post where we found Paul thankful that the church in Corinth were saved and had the Holy Spirit working in them. They have the Spirit, now it's time to use it.
The division among the church seems to stem from members saying one teacher's way is different and more right than the others. Whether it's Apollos', Cephas', Paul's, or Jesus'. Paul finds this division so ridiculous that he asks his equally ridiculous rhetorical questions. "Is Christ divided?" "Was Paul crucified for you?" That's my personal favorite. Imagine your pastor having to ask you and the congregation, "Was I crucified for you?" Paul then takes the moment to take himself off the pedestal the church put him on. He tells them that Christ sent him to preach the Gospel. Now Paul was not an eloquent speaker. He saw that, and used it to God's advantage. He went out and preached the truth of the Gospel in its raw form of humble Love and mighty Grace. Paul let the Gospel speak for itself when he preached through the people who received it. The Spirit is the Gospel's own spokesman. Paul's job was to preach it in order to introduce it, like an announcer for the main event if you will. Paul also told the church that to preach it any other way would empty the cross of Christ and the Gospel of their power. The more man gets involved, the less that can be accomplished.
Division is dangerous because it is caused by an excess of human involvement and robs the Gospel of its power. Today the modern day church has division in both large and small scale. There are different types of Christianity and different churches based on the wants of man. Some of these followings are deemed unbiblical because of how worldly they are. They are focused on the single person's comfort. It's "feel good theology." The small scale is much more dangerous. This affects even the most Biblical church. I found that the largest source of division is in worship music. Of all things, music. Music that was gifted to the church by God through the hands of His musicians and writers. I've heard that one of the most stressful jobs in ministry is being a worship leader. You can't have too many hymn or too many contemporary songs or you could offend someone. And if you do offend someone, you hear about it in person or in letters or e-mails. When did a WORSHIP service become our personal Music Player? There's my "Paul question."
That was an example of what can break down a church. When man gets too involved, it can have consequences. We are one body and should be united as one. Without complaining or arguing or trying to get ours. So if we're not focused on us, what should we focus on? Each other. I've heard said that Christians should go to church not to be filled, but to fill others. We need to go in order to serve others and build them up in Love. When everyone does this, the body is made full as a whole and grows together. Division destroys the church, but service and Love unites and grows it.
When you get down to it, there was one reason the church of Corinth came together, and it's the same reason we do so today: Jesus Christ our Lord, and everything He did, is doing, and will do. My own church has been working on all of this for a while now. And it's growing even more awesome by the week. The more we step out of the way, the more God takes over and works. It takes a lack of worry and a Love for others to accomplish this. We can't be selfish, but selfless. Now I look around the sanctuary during a service and see 500 different faces and backgrounds around me and I think, we all have Jesus Christ in common. And if Jesus Christ is everything, we all have everything in common. Which is how we can all be deemed one in Christ. We all come from God, we are all living for God, and we are all going to God. Remember each part must do its part in the Spirit for the rest of the body, and then it will be united in Love and grow. Now let's each do our part. If you don't know what that is, seek God's Wisdom and guidance through prayer and follow Him patiently as you search for ways to serve Him. That's what I'm doing now. Join me in this Joyful walk.
Thank You For Reading
Long Live Jesus Christ
Amen
God, give us Your Words. Teach us the Truth within Your Truth. Please give us Your blessed Wisdom and Love in Your Speech. Take these hands and tongue to make this post Your own. Amen.
This is the start of a Corinthians series that I pray continue as long as God wants. What better way to start than with Paul's greeting to us all.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God, and out brother Sosthenes,
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ -- their Lord and ours:
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace is pure Love, Joy, and Mercy. Peace is contentment, a lack of turmoil, and rest. May they be to you from our Father in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Thanksgiving
I always thank my God for you because of His Grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way -- with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge -- God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
A series on the Church in Corinth seems fitting because the Church in much of the world now is very much like Corinth's back in the day. (Especially in America and Europe) Today we have much prosperity, but also a lot of complacency and immorality. The new age movement continues growing, but just like in Corinth, the Holy Spirit's influence grows too. And this is the source of Paul's thanks.
Paul's giving of thanks is always to God because he sees that all good things are from God. And His Spirit is very Good. Before he could give thanks for the Spirit he had to give thanks for the Grace that brings the Spirit. Paul thanks God for the Grace that He gave the Corinthians to bring them into His Kingdom. Jesus described the occasion of a sinner's repenting as a Joyful occasion that is celebrated in heaven by all who see it. In the same way I think we should celebrate and give thanks to God for the other saved people that are around us. Sing, shout, clap all you nations for the glory of God among you. His glory among us now is His Grace that saves us, and the Spirit it leads the way for.
Once saved, the Holy Spirit enters the new believer. It brings a hunger for God's Word, Will, Way, and Love. It enriches the believer and fills them with unexplainable gifts. The Corinthians were given gifts in speech and knowledge. They became a living testimony that Jesus Christ saves, and then brings evidence of Salvation through the works of the Holy Spirit. Paul gave thanks because they were an established church in a city of trade with all the world, and were showing the world that Jesus' Words were Truth. He was also thankful because it was evident that God did not abandon them despite the problems, but kept them firm in Him.
The Corinthians were practicing a lot of wrong teachings that are described in the rest of Corinthians, but they kept holding onto Jesus Christ. Paul gave thanks for this, because now there is an opportunity to teach them God's ways and encourage them to take the better paths. He starts the letter already thanking God that they will accept the lessons he hasn't even written yet and that they will hold firm to God. Paul has such confidence in God's power and Spirit among the Corinthians. God has taught me lately that the best way to show our faith in Him is to thank Him for His works among us before we even know what they are. Paul have a deep thankful faith in God's work among the Corinthians. Do we have that in His work here in our hometowns? Our states or regions? Our countries? Sadly I haven't had this. A big part of it I believe is because I haven't participated in it enough. Those who I see doing the work of God by His Spirit are the ones who have the confidence in God's work among peoples. Paul was thankful because he could see the reason to be thankful: God's Faithfulness.
Paul's involvement allowed him the first person experience of God Faithfulness among peoples. He grew thankful, willing to suffer, Joyful, and Loving through the Spirit as he went out to do its work in Faith. God has plans for each of us to fulfill through His Spirit. Paul knew what it was for the Church in Corinth and gave God thanks for it before he even started to write the plans out.
Giving thanks to God before we even begin to do the work God's prepared for us is key to its completion. That's the reason Paul's letters always have such thanks written in them. I am personally entering a time of change and preparation for a new chapter to do God's work. Wherever you are in that time, join me in giving God thanks for His Grace, His Spirit, and His work among us for His Glory.
Thank You For Reading
Long Live Jesus Chist
Amen
