Take Your Stand

Studying the Bible shouldn’t just result in us gaining head knowledge. Rather, we ought to examine our own lives in the light of Scripture and see how the Lord would grow us in Christ’s image. The first 7 verses of 1 Corinthians 7 provide an excellent example of this. I also share about some books I’m currently reading, “Expositional Preaching” by David Helm, and a perspective about virtual church.

“Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today” by David R. Helm.

https://www.christianbook.com/expositional-preaching-speak-gods-word-today/david-helm/9781433543135/pd/543135?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=church-supplies-0-20%7C543135&p=1179710&utm_source=google&dv=c&gclid=CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQhpRlu35kUgnC_kMW41b5Ansud62C2-EF9GxcVIR0-yTJB81-F1rPhoCLvwQAvD_BwE

“Episode 193: On Top 2021” of “Pastor’s Talk: A Podcast by 9 Marks:”

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-193-on-top-2021-news-stories-for-pastors-with/id1205903016?i=1000545593757

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In this episode, I share about two simple tools or techniques to use when studying Scripture. The beginning of 1 Corinthians 3 gives us a perfect example of how to keep the flow of thought going and read the book as it was intended: as a letter. I also share about the book, “Church Membership,” by Jonathan Leeman.

“Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus,” by Jonathan Leeman:

https://www.amazon.com/Church-Membership-Represents-Building-Churches/dp/1433532379/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together, Kindle Edition, translated by John W. Doberstein. (CSM Press LTD: London, 1954). Page 11.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093XFDSM8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Holy Spirit is central to our understanding of Scripture, and Paul brings this out at the end of 1 Corinthians 2. Because believers have the Spirit inside them, they can understand the things of God, but they themselves can’t be understood by the world. This has great implications for how we approach the study of Scripture and how we view the world. I also discuss the study “My New Life” put out by Lifeway, and close with a discussion of why we need the Bible in order to draw near to God.

“My New Life – Bible Study Book,” a 6-week study by Lifeway Adults:

https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/my-new-life-bible-study-book-P005824188

(Under the media link on the above page, there is a free PDF version of the book)

“Devoted to God’s Church” by Sinclair B. Ferguson:

https://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Gods-Church-Christian-Fellowship/dp/1848719760

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As we return to 1 Corinthians, we see Paul continue the theme of the higher wisdom, the true wisdom from God. As he makes this point, he emphasizes quite emphatically our reliance upon the Holy Spirit. Also in this episode, I discuss “Devoted to God’s Church” by Sinclair B. Ferguson.

“Devoted to God’s Church,” by Sinclair B. Ferguson

https://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Gods-Church-Christian-Fellowship/dp/1848719760

“Mere Christianity,” by C. S. Lewis

https://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652926/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Taking a break from 1 Corinthians, I take a look at part of Matthew 1. There can be some great insights that come from pausing to consider even a single phrase in Scripture. I also share about the book “The Soul Winner” by Charles Spurgeon and play a new song entitled, “I Will Trust You Still.”

“The Soul Winner” by Charles H Spurgeon:

https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Winner-Charles-Spurgeon/dp/1941129455/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As Paul continues his argument about the pure gospel, he reminds us that we are not “settling” for anything when we hold to Jesus alone. The world’s wisdom is adamantly opposed to God, and is beneath the true wisdom of God. I also share this week about the book, “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald Whitney.

“Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,” by Donald S. Whitney

https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Disciplines-Christian-Donald-Whitney/dp/1576830276

Ryrie, Charles. Basic Theology, Kindle Edition. (Moody Publishers: Chicago, 1986). Chapter 20.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Paul continues his defense of the pure gospel by pointing out two more elements: his own example and the message the Corinthians believed. Rolling into Chapter Two, Paul ties all of this together and reminds us of the goal, the glory of God. In the final segment of the podcast, I also discuss “Pure in Heart” by J. Garrett Kell.

“Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the Promises of God” by J. Garrett Kell

https://www.amazon.com/Pure-Heart-Sexual-Sin-Promises/dp/1433574896/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As we close out the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, we see how Paul adds further proof to his claim that we are saved by Christ alone. There is also a discussion of moving beyond just reading the text to self-reflection and evaluation. In the final segment, I discuss the Left Behind series of books briefly.

“Left Behind: a Novel of the Earth’s Last Days” by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins:

https://www.amazon.com/Left-Behind-Novel-Earths-Last/dp/1414334907/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

As we continue in 1 Corinthians, we see that Christ truly is the fulfillment of what we need. We are saved by Christ alone, and we must not lose that focus. In this episode, I also discuss the book “Path to Being a Pastor,” as well as reasons why we can still give thanks during difficult times.

“Path to Being a Pastor: a Guide for the Aspiring,” by Bobby Jamieson

https://www.amazon.com/Path-Being-Pastor-Aspiring-9Marks/dp/1433576651/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Here are the interviews with Bobby Jamieson on the Pastors Talk podcast:

https://www.9marks.org/conversations/episode-184-on-the-path-to-being-a-pastor-part-1-with-bobby-jamieson/

https://www.9marks.org/conversations/on-the-path-to-being-a-pastor-part-2-with-bobby-jamieson-pastors-talk-ep-185/

Here is “My Heart is Filled With Thankfulness” by Keith and Kristen Getty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qntf2Y_VNok

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The trap of taking pride in our own intellectual abilities is a real one, even for believers. We begin to trust and rely upon man’s wisdom and philosophical ideas, almost beginning to act as if they are most important. In the portion of 1 Corinthians we look at this week, Paul calls us back once again to the pure gospel.

“From God to Us, Revised and Expanded: How We Got Our Bible,” by Norman L Geisler and William E Nix:

https://www.amazon.com/God-Us-Revised-Expanded-Bible/dp/0802428827/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.