Joy House Berkeley

Paul talks to the Corinthians to follow his example.

In 1 Cor. 3, Paul speaks very strongly against favoritism in the church. He was confronting a church culture where those who have the greatest gifting or anointing are elevated, while others are judged or overlooked. Paul teaches us that those who minister should be like humble servants, and we as a church should love everyone equally, because everything that we have comes only from the fact that we are found in Jesus.

We live in a world that is natural and spiritual but do you believe in the power of the things unseen? (1 Corinthians 2:1-13)

In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul writes that Jesus “became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” Nothing we know or say or do can qualify us for great things in the kingdom of God. Rather, in God’s eyes, Jesus himself counts as our wisdom and our righteousness. We don’t need to be ashamed of what we don’t know, or what we’ve done wrong; we just need to embrace Jesus, and we’ll find everything we need in him.

Paul and Ananias followed the prompting and calling of the Lord. What is the Lord calling you into in this season? (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Acts 9:1-19)

In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Paul explains how the cross of Christ sets up a completely different paradigm from worldly wisdom and activity. We may know the right thing, and we may know how to do the right thing, but God also desires sincere hearts behind our actions. Our job is not to mold our own hearts but rather to be honest with ourselves, with God, and with those around us, so that the Holy Spirit can produce sincerity of heart in every area of our lives.

In 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Paul starts his letter by correcting factionalism and division in the church. In our culture as in ancient Corinth, it is easy to let our opinions and views keep us from unity with other Christians. Paul reminds us that it is our faith in Jesus, not our theological knowledge, that keeps us unified in the body of Christ.

Do you accept where God has placed you in your life with humility? (Luke 2:8-20)

It took Mary extreme faith when being told she would give birth to Jesus. Do you have faith like Mary? (Luke 1:26-38)

When we go through challenging seasons, it can be difficult to remember and truly believe that God is good. In those seasons, our goal is to be like Abraham, who was even willing to give up his son Isaac, because he knew that God was good. When we learn to trust God and be faithful to him in hard seasons, God raises us up and gives us greater access to his abundant life.