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November 29th

The bible reading today is in 1 Corinthians 1-4.

Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian church by reminding who they are in Christ.

“To the church of God that is in Corinth,". They are the church of God himself...not the church of any man or organization...but the “church of God". That title trumps any other title that anyone can hang on it. It’s from God...to God...it’s for God and his glorious purposes. To those sanctified in Christ Jesus...(set apart for God’s use only)....called to be saints...(“the called out” ones...” the church” of Godly men women and children abiding in Christ)...who...“together” ...“in every place” call upon the name of our Lord”..... Jesus Christ...

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:2‬

Then Paul reminds them about their God and ours...“God is faithful”...you can trust “God faithfulness” above all else.

It was by him that you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

That’s a wow...Saved for heaven in the sweet by and by, but also redeemed for sweet fellowship with the Lord Jesus every day.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭

Next in the text...“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be “no divisions” among you, but that you “be united” in the same mind and the same judgment.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:10‬

When someone asks me, “What’s 1 Corinthians all about?”

I say that I see at least two major things...It’s all about the Lord Jesus and his Church and her testimony and mission in a broken and evil world.

This church was indeed full of knowledge and gifts...perhaps more than any other church of its time. But it was a church with more than her share of problems and issues...certainly in need of humility and grace to get along and stay on mission.

But listen to Paul and hear a measure of delight in the church that God planted at the doorstep of hell....quote...“even as the testimony about Christ was “confirmed among you”—That is...your faith in Jesus has been affirmed and confirmed by others...your faith has been seen consistently...that’s awesome...so that you are not lacking in any gift of grace...gifts given by the Spirit so that Christ is glorified and your church friends are built up in the faith. And...you wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭

The church at Corinth was far from perfect, but by and large, she showed a desire for the Savior to come and make all things new.

May that be so in our lives and in our churches today...hat longing for Jesus’ return and his perfect kingdom to come...even as John in the Revelation desired....”Come, Lord Jesus!”

That passion can right any church.

So Christ put his church and the laborers thereof in different places. This time he planted his church in an exceptionally evil city...Corinth, where moral impurity reigned.

Let us listen to how Jesus prayed for the church he was about to die for...including the church at Corinth...“Father, I do not ask that you take believers out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. So Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:15-17‬ ‭

Some churches thrive in the darkest of places. The Corinthian church did not.

Secondly, I see Paul’s admonitions to the church concerning unity...“Church, let there be no divisions among you.”

Let’s keep listening to Jesus praying...“I in them Father, and you in me, that they may become perfectly one “so that the world may know that you sent me...”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:23‬

Jesus knew that if the disciples couldn't come together in unity, if they couldn't love and respect one another and pursue peace in the church fellowship, then the world would not believe their gospel message.

“Father protect our churches. The evil one would divide us. Satan would make our disunity a stumbling block to those we are seeking to win to Christ.

Let us listen to what Paul said to divided church of Corinth.

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭

Paul called these so-called spiritual elites spiritually immature”...” fleshly people” acting like the unsaved Corinthians...he called them “baby’s in the faith family”.

God was using Paul to take these arrogant intellectuals down a notch...I believe that Paul was saying...”It’s time to grow up brothers and sisters.

Friends, I believe that It is possible for church family members to have different opinions on things and still (1 Corinthians 13) love each other.

So let’s do that by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.

Have a great day