Sometimes we hear more clearly when we “overhear” someone talking who is not speaking to us. It happens all the time. If you have children, they probably overhear more that they hear! We talk about overhearing the prayer of David who was praying his evening prayer, right before retiring for the night. What he prayed just may speak to you in terms of what’s going on in your life right now!

When Jesus claimed to be the good shepherd in the Gospel of John, there were people who reacted with anger toward that statement. Why? Because Psalm 23 says that, “the Lord is my Shepherd”. When Jesus claimed to be the “Good Shepherd”, it was a claim to deity. Only God was the Shepherd. His claim was to be equal with the Father! Who is your shepherd in life? Someone or something is your shepherd!

Sometimes the post script on a letter or email can actually be the real reason the person wrote in the first place. Sometimes the “by the way” comment can be the real reason for the phone call or conversation. The posts script of the book of First Corinthians just maybe the reason behind the letter. Paul says to stand firm and be on your guard which are both military terms and admonitions to the church at Corinth. Both terms speak to your life and mine!

When Jesus claimed to be the good shepherd in the Gospel of John, there were people who reacted with anger toward that statement. Why? Because Psalm 23 says that, “the Lord is my Shepherd”. When Jesus claimed to be the “Good Shepherd”, it was a claim to deity. Only God was the Shepherd. His claim was to be equal with the Father! Who is your shepherd in life? Someone or something is your shepherd!

When you speak of the word “hope”, what do you really mean? Is it a vague hope in the future, hope in your job, hope that things will get better in your family? Or is it something solid like hope in death, hope even if and when the ship sinks, hope in the worst of circumstances? All this week on CrossHope, a message about the actual only hope in your life and mine: the resurrected Christ!

The word is “legacy”. It actually means anything of value that we leave to those behind us of the next generation. Years ago at a luncheon in Ohio, I had the chance to ask former President George W. Bush what he thought his legacy would be. What’s yours going to be? One doesn’t have to be the President of a country to have a legacy. I really believe that the last 6 verses of First Corinthians 13 give us the legacy of choice. See if you don’t agree!

No other chapter of the book of First Corinthians has been reprinted more than the 13th. Traditionally referred to as the “love chapter” of the Bible, it is quoted at weddings and the copy for plaques for sale at gift shops. But Paul didn’t write it for weddings or as plaque material; he wrote it as the defining word on this most important subject in your life and mine! Every aspect of our lives is impacted by those we love and those who love us. Next week we’ll look at verses 8-13.

Did you know that God “gifts” believers? What does that mean? It means that when you and I became a Christian, God gave us a spiritual gift to benefit the body of Christ! It’s a gift that helps, enables, and prompts growth in the lives of others. We weren’t created to simply be excess “fat” in the body of Christ. We all have functionality as believers! This week we talk about that from First Corinthians 12.

Taking communion or the “Lord’s Supper” in the local church used to be more important than it is now in many churches. Often times, it’s relegated to another location after the service or minimized in other ways. Some churches look at it as in intrusion in what we do on Sunday. The focus is now music and message; not necessarily remembering the cross. What would the apostle Paul think of that? Find out this week!

The largest crowd I ever spoke to was around 4,000 people at a high school graduation, (baccalaureate service) in Columbus, Ohio. It was held at a public arena and believe it or not, I was told I could speak about anything I wanted. (That would never happen today!) My text was the last verse of the passage we study this week, where Paul said, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God!” It was a fitting message for high school graduates. Come to think of it, it’s a fitting message for you and me in 2018.