Highrock Church

Happy Labor Day! In this replay from March 14, 2022, we consider Paul's description of what the resurrection body will be like. Like a seed that falls into the ground and emerges as new life, so it will be with our bodies. Jesus' resurrection body gives us some clues as to what life will be like but there is so much that we are not told. What we do know is that we will no longer live in fear of disease, injury, hunger, and deprivation. We will be able to see God and love God and one another without fear.

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Have you ever felt like your faith and your job live in two completely different worlds?

One for Sunday mornings and one for Monday - Friday.

What if there was never supposed to be a divide? How do you close that gap?

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Spiritual gifts are important, but what truly matters is love. In that light, some gifts are to be more desired than others. We might desire talents or gifts that elevate us above others but the way of Jesus is the way of love. Therefore, the gifts we should seek to use are the ones that are best able to lift others in love. God will not be impressed by how gifted we are, especially when all those gifts come from God. Instead, God eagerly desires for us to grow up into people who live and love like Jesus, using all that God gives us to lift one another up rather than ourselves.

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For Reflection:

- What gifts and talents has God given to you?

- How might God be inviting you to use your gifts more intentionally to encourage and strengthen those around you?

- Think of one or two people in your life whom you admire. How do you see their lives exemplifying the encouragement that Paul offers in this passage?

- Prayer: Lord, help me use the gifts you have given me with love, humility, and a desire to build up others in their faith.

How do you know if you are more or less spiritual than someone else? The Corinthians had been using their spiritual gifts as a measuring stick to judge one another. Paul makes it clear that they had it all wrong. Spiritual gifts (or any good thing) are not something to elevate your status. Instead, spiritual gifts are given to us by God so we can lift others up, not ourselves. God gives us spiritual gifts so we can love one another, not judge one another. In God's eyes, everything is measured by love, and without love, nothing else matters!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

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For Reflection:

- Why do you think that God elevates love over every other aspect of spirituality?

- How is this picture of love different from the way love is often depicted in our culture?

- The description of love in this passage is a description of God's love, which we see displayed in Jesus. Which aspects of that love do you find most inspiring or challenging?

- Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with your love and help me reflect the patience, kindness, and selflessness of Jesus in all I do.

In most areas of life, a gift is intended just for the pleasure of the one who receives it (for instance, a birthday gift). Gifts from the Spirit are intended for something more -- they are meant to give each of us a vital way to serve and bless others. We each are given a gift so we might become givers.

(This devotional was originally shared on February 22, 2022.)

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

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The celebration of the Lord's Supper is often called "communion" because it brings us together with Christ, or at least, that's what it's supposed to do. The Corinthians were experiencing the exact opposite effect. The wealthy members of their church didn't have the eyes to see how they were excluding and diminishing the poorer believers. How might we similarly be killing community because of a lack of vision for others?

(This devotional was originally shared on February 18, 2022.)

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People today will often point to this passage in an attempt to (mistakenly) argue that the apostle Paul had a low view of women. To this day, scholars debate over the difficulties in translating this passage. Whatever might be debatable, it is clear that Paul expresses support for a woman's authority to pray and speak in church, even in cases where there are social norms that might need to be addressed. The relationship between men and women is one of interdependence and mutual respect, never domination or dismissal.

(This devotional was originally shared on February 17, 2022.)

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Most of us know exactly what we should do and choose the easier thing anyway.

We call it self-care. We call it being realistic. We call it just the way things are.

But what if that "easier thing" has a name and a grip on you that only gets tighter?

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As we consider Paul's discussion of spiritual maturity and freedom in Christ, we return to a discussion from February 7, 2022. Many of the problems in the Corinthian church arose because of people insisting on their rights, but in a way that left little room for love. Paul offers his own life as an example of another path. We can follow Jesus, asserting our rights or even laying them aside in order to help people encounter the risen Christ.

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The Apostle Paul would be the first person to speak up about the value of knowledge and wisdom, so why does he seem to diminish the value of knowledge here? Paul, of course, believes that knowledge is important — this very letter has been a series of answers to their questions! The real point is that anything, even something as valuable as knowledge, is worthless without love. Without love, good things like knowledge just make us feel superior to others and can lead to actions and attitudes that destroy others rather than building them up. Instead, we must have the mind of Christ to build up others in love.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Why does Paul say that knowledge without love is dangerous?

- What are some ways that you have seen Christian freedom become a stumbling block to others?

- How might you summarize Paul's view of the relationship between freedom and love?

- How might God be inviting you to prioritize love over personal rights in your relationships?

- Prayer: Lord, help me use my freedom with wisdom and love, always seeking to build up others.