A Study in I Corinthians-Week 09

I Corinthians 8:1-13

For the next 9 weeks we’ll be continuing our study of I Corinthians.

Because we could not finish the book of I Corinthians in the 10 allotted weeks, we are continuing, one chapter at a time since it has such important material. We don’t want to slight any of it.

The Church of Corinth had written Paul one or more letters asking his direction on certain issues. Paul’s reply is the book of I Corinthians. Its theme is unity in the Body of Christ, and to illustrate, Paul has used examples from immorality, the law and from marriage.

The Verses

1-3 Paul is about to use another illustration to demonstrate how to achieve unity in the church. There were some who would eat anything, any time and some who restricted themselves to the Old Testament Jewish legal diet. And there were all of those in between.

Have you ever watched one of those cooking shows where the host declares the benefits of eating only organic foods? Watch their attitudes and see whether they do not at least border on haughtiness.

Paul tells us not to depend on our sense of our own wisdom, but to depend on the wisdom of God.
Think about Peter’s vision recorded in Acts 10:9-16. God expressly told Peter to eat from the “sheet” things that were expressly forbidden by the law. What was God’s response to Peter’s reluctance to eat?

4-6 What do you think Paul was saying in the statement: “We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world?” Are there other “gods?” What are the “gods” and “lords” Paul refers to in verse 5?

Paul makes it clear that there is only one God, the Father and one Lord, Jesus. He reminds us that Jesus is the one through whom all things came into existence (John 1:1-4). He also reminds us that it is through Christ that we all “live” in the true sense of the word.

7-8 I don’t know how Paul could have made this any clearer. Different people have different approaches to food and that’s OK. We are not to sit in judgement on them, nor are we to try to change them. We ARE to understand them and accommodate them when necessary.

He clearly says that we are not closer to God based on our dietary choices, nor are we farther from Him based on those choices. (Vs 8)

9-13 We are free in Christ to do whatever we want that does not violate His moral law or bring spiritual harm to another. Read Galatians 4:1-7. So…why do we constantly think we are pleasing God by going back into restrictions and bondage?

What Paul wants to emphasize here is that we are to be spiritual helps to one another. If what I eat (or anything else I do) caused my brother to stumble, how does that promote unity in the Body of Christ? Answer: It does not.

Let’s not let our “self-aggrandizement” get in the way of our service to and our encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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A Study in I Corinthians-Week 07

I Corinthians 7:1-40

For the next 4 weeks we’ll be continuing our study of I Corinthians.

This section of Scripture has been used to confound and confuse many people, as taking any given section of it and trying to make a doctrine of it results in proof-texting of the worst kind. We often take these Scriptures and use them to “prove” this or that about marriage. Let’s remember, however, that earthly marriage is to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Bride…the marriage of Christ and His Bride.

Under what circumstances can you imagine Christ leaving His Bride?

Therefore, our marriages should reflect that same truth.

The Verses

01. 1-7 Is the emphasis of verse 1 equal or superior to the emphasis of verse 2? Verse 3 demonstrates the “two-wayness” of marriage. Verse 4 demonstrates the 100%/100% relationship of marriage, just like the 100%/100% relationship between Christ and His bride. Verese 5-7 demonstrates the giving of each to the other, with time for personal communion with God as well.

02. 8-9 Natural desires are to be overcome by spiritual desires. But Paul recognizes that we are human, with God-given drives.

03. 10-11 Once again, remember the picture that marriage is to portray: that of Christ to the Church. Would Christ divorce His Church?

04. 12-14 The main reason we are not to be “…unequally yoked, believer with unbeliever…” (2 Cor 6:14) is that it is impossible for the Genesis “…they shall become one flesh” to happen (Genesis 2:24).

05. 15-16 Unbelief on the part of one or the other spouse will cause division, just as unbelief in the Church will cause division (remember: this is about unity in the Church)

06. 17-24 Here Paul reiterates what he said in Romans: ceremony is irrelevant to our spiritual life. Don’t try to change your situation artificially to conform to some imagined spiritual cause.

07. 25-28 Earthly marriage is tough and should not be entered into lightly, just as having a relationship to God through Christ should not be taken lightly. Christianity is not a “spare part.” It is the sum of who we are in Christ.

08. 29-31 No matter what our station in life, we don’t have time to mess around. We need to be about the Lord’s business NOW.

09. 32-35 Our allegiance belongs to God and only to God.

10. 36-38 This is another picture of Christ’s relationship to His Church. We are to treat each other right. He always treats us right.

11. 39-40 There is freedom in Christ to follow Him and His example.

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A Study in I Corinthians-Week 06

I Corinthians 6:1-20

For the next 5 weeks we’ll be continuing our study of I Corinthians.

Keeping in mind the theme of unity in the church, we will now examine two other sources of disunity in the church. This chapter has some things to say about the Christian and his relation to the state. While our conversation (GK: Politeuma) is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20), we still have a responsibility to the state…Jesus said so (render to Caesar…).

The Verses

01. 1-6 This is not an admonition against suing people, but against suing other Christians. So what if a Christian does something “worthy of a lawsuit?” We really need a system in place that will arbitrate such things, for if one Christian sues another, how does that promote unity in the church? We are not to achieve unity by acquiescence, but by deliberate, positive action. (Vs 2) There will come a time when our imputed innocence in Christ will form a judgement on the world. (Vs 3) We were created a little lower than the angels, but in Christ we are given a station above the angels.

02. 7-8 This business of unity requires that we settle issues by giving up ourselves. Lawsuits among the brethren, whether by some internal court or by a secular court, will do nothing but promote disunity.

03. 9-11 Paul reminds us that if there is one among us who is not saved (wicked), we don’t have to worry about him/her. He/she will not make it into Heaven. In fact, there will be no (read the list in Vs 9 & 10). We were all, all of those things if we broke any part of God’s Law we have broken it all (James 2:10 & 11). Once again Paul tells us that we don’t get to Heaven by being good Christians, but by being washed by the blood of the Lamb.

04. 12-17 Remember when I told you that we are all entitled to our opinions, but we are not entitled to express it if it results in division? Here is the same principle stated another way. The book of Galatians is dedicated to exposing our freedom in Christ. But it also reminds us that we must not use our freedom as an excuse to sin. Vs 7 tells us that we are to be united, us…the Church, because we all profess Christ. He is the source of our unity.

05. 18-20 We get hung up on the “sexual immorality” part of this (and Paul is clear that sexual immorality is a hideous sin…a sin against ourselves), but he is equally clear that the principle here is that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. If we are, why on earth would we want to try to force some kind of coexistence between our sinful nature and Christ living in us?


Here’s the wrap: If we have been born again, we have to realize that we are not our own. We have been bought with a price (Vs 19 & 20). That price was more than you or I could pay, even if we wanted to. That price enslaves those who are saved to Jesus. That price was the actual experience of the darkness and penalty of sin placed upon Jesus on our behalf. Do we not, therefore, owe complete allegiance to Him, and by yielding it to Him, do we not achieve the unity about which Paul speaks?

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A Study in I Corinthians-Week 05

For the next 6 weeks we’ll be continuing our study of I Corinthians.

On the surface, it looks as though Paul is changing the subject here. But remember, the theme of I Corinthians is unity in the Body (of baptized believers) through the Holy Spirit.
What kind of unity is there when some behave one way and others behave another?

Do not misunderstand. Sexual immorality is contrary to the high moral Law of God. Jesus said, “You have read that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery’(Exodus 20:14). But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

The Verses

01. 1-5 Paul has heard of immorality in the church of Corinth…vile, unimaginable immorality: A son sleeping with his mother (or step-mother, perhaps). Verse 2 is a reference to the Christians in the church, not the immoral one(s). They are proud of their “tolerance.”

Tolerance is a very politically correct stance in American society today. We are told we must be tolerant of everything and everybody (except, of course, traditional Christianity, true patriotism, and the political right). Funny thing is, the ones who preach tolerance the loudest are among the most intolerant people on earth.

There is great theological argument over the meaning of verse 5. My own stand is that this is Paul telling us that those who behave this far off the mark could not possibly be following Christ, for He would not lead them there. So Paul says, “Turn them over to Satan…” Recognize that they are likely unsaved and quit worrying about it. Let the Holy Spirit deal with them. In the mean time, do not let them be an influence in the church even if it means kicking them out.

02. 6-8 He deals with the issue of boasting again (remember 1:14-15 & 3:21?). Yeast is always representative of sin. Your pride is a sin, and can infect the whole church.

03. 9-11 Here Paul is talking about immoral Christians. In verse 10 he makes clear that he is not talking about those outside of Christ.

04. 12-13 We don’t have to “judge” those who are not Christians. God will take care of that. He will be fair and just with them, just as He is with us, because He is the definition of fairness and justice.

When he talks about “judging” those inside the church, he is not talking about the ultimate judgement…that’s left to God. He means that by judging each other we establish accountability to one another, and thus promote the cause of unity.

Verse 13 “Expel the wicked man from among you” is an extension of the “God will judge those outside of the church” thought.

Look at II Corinthians 2: 4. Paul’s purpose was to help them, not to condemn.

In the next chapter, we will discover some other issues that bring disunity to the church.

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A Study in I Corinthians-Week 04

I Corinthians 4:1-21

For the next 7 weeks we’ll be continuing our study of I Corinthians.

So far, we’ve discovered that Paul desired for Christ’s church to be unified. He wanted them to know the wisdom and power of God and to seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all true Christians.

The Verses

01. 1-5 When people see us, it should be evident that we are servants of Christ, not steeped in the world. We are to be faithful above all else. Paul teaches us that a “clear conscience” is not proof of salvation, nor does it render us innocent of sin. We cannot judge another’s salvation, that is God’s business and it will be He who shines the light of Christ on one to determine his/her salvation.

02. 6-7 Paul restates his admonition that we are not to follow our “favorite” preacher or leader, we are to follow Christ. This is the third time he has dealt with this, so it must be very, very important. What we have in Christ did not come from us, from some esoteric commitment, but came from Christ, Himself.

03. 8-13 Regardless of our “station in life,” if we have Christ, we are rich. There are Christians who brag about their “spirituality” and depth of understanding. Paul says, “Don’t do that.” He declares that he and his fellow workers are content to be at the end of the spiritual line. There is no “Me first! Me first!” like immature elementary kids. (This is a flash-back to Chapter 3, verse 1). A follower of Christ must be ready to face persecution, poverty, slander and “…the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world”for the sake of Christ’s gospel.

04. 14-17 Paul’s purpose is not to shame us, but to get us focused on the gospel and nothing else. “Imitate me” is not pride, it is an attempt to set an example of being steadfast in the faith regardless of circumstances. Paul always teaches the same message: Christ crucified for the remission of sin.

05. 18-21 Paul addresses arrogance.

Why do you suppose the members of the church at Corinth had become arrogant? Are we in danger of becoming arrogant?

Paul will see how arrogant they are when he gets there. He will also see how much power they have (none).

The Kingdom of God is not about talk…it is about God’s power, which, if we are humble, can be manifested in us.

So, if Paul were coming here to speak to us, would he need to come with a whip or could he come in love, gently. Would he find us (you) insisting on getting your own way, pouting and behaving like children? Or would he find us (you) dedicated to the cause of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit?

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A Study in I Corinthians-Week 03

I Corinthians 3:1-23

For the next 8 weeks we’ll be continuing our study of I Corinthians.

After his greeting and his thanksgiving for the Church of Corinth, Paul dove right into the theme of I Corinthians: Unity in the Spirit.
He decried divisions in the church, imploring us to give up self and focus on Christ and what He wants for us. He told us that this unity can only come when we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s leadership and wisdom.

01 1-4 Paul knows that there are divisions in the church at Corinth, and he concludes that he is going to have to treat them like babies, not like mature Christians, because mature Christians would not be engaged in divisiveness. He cites the reasons for the divisions as: jealous quarreling...that is: each member wanted things HIS/HER own way. Paul says they are acting like carnal creatures, not born again believers who are growing in Christ’s wisdom. They are prone to follow each other, or someone they think is special instead of following Christ and Christ only.

02 5-9 Paul emphasizes servanthood…the same servanthood Jesus exhibited when He washed the disciples feet over their initial objections. He tells us that each member has a specific part in the ministry, and that when we do it according to God’s plan, He causes it to grow. In verse 9 Paul tells us that we are God’s building (as opposed to the brick and mortar that we meet in).

03 10-15 Here Paul reminds us that our foundation is Christ. That applies both educationally and spiritually. If our foundation is anything other than Christ, such as our own wisdom, our own opinions, our own desires, that foundation will be thrown into the fire and destroyed. We won’t come “un-saved,” but we will never know the joy of being in a right “servant oriented” relationship with God. Our salvation will be little more than “fire insurance,” keeping us out of Hell and out of joy as well.

04 16-17 Remember, God does not live in the church house. We call this God’s house because we have dedicated it to Him and to His Kingdom’s use, but this building is not His temple, YOU are his temple. If you are NOT His temple, then you need to be saved and become His temple. Now, contrary to popular teaching, Paul is not talking about the body, per se. He is talking about that which is your essence, that which is the real you…your innermost soul.

05 18-20 Absorb the full meaning of this passage: If you count yourself wise because you know the ways of the world, or are greatly educated, or are someone important in the eyes of the world, you are nothing more than a fool. But if you are a fool for Christ’s sake, then you are really wise. Being wise, you would never set yourself up as somehow physically, intellectually or spiritually superior, but would humble yourself as a servant to the Most High God.

06 21-23 Don’t boast! Don’t boast about yourself, don’t boast about each other, don’t boast about some great leader (spiritual or natural), don’t boast about some theologian. Boast only in Christ.

Remember: If you have a relationship with God through Christ by confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believing in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, trusted in, and only in, His finished work at the cross of Calvary, you are of Christ.

And Christ is of God.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY FRIENDS

WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's 1940's, 50's, 60's and early 70's!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos..

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.

Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets or shoes, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags..

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

Take away food was limited to fish and chips, no pizza shops, McDonalds , KFC, Subway or Nandos.

Even though all the shops closed at 6.00pm and didn't open on the weekends, somehow we didn't starve to death!

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We could collect old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner store and buy Toffees, Gobstoppers, Bubble Gum and some bangers to blow up frogs with.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soft drinks with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because......WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of old prams and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We built tree houses and dens and played in river beds with matchbox cars.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo Wii , X-boxes, no video games at all, no 999 channels on SKY, no video/DVD films, no mobile phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

Only girls had pierced ears!

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

You could only buy Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns at Easter time...

We were given air guns and catapults for our 10th birthdays.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!

Mom didn't have to go to work to help dad make ends meet!

Sport activities had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment... Imagine that!! Getting into the team was based on MERIT !

Our teachers used to hit us with canes and gym shoes and bully's always ruled the playground at school.

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.

They actually sided with the law!

Our parents didn't invent stupid names for their kids like 'Kiora' and 'Blade' and 'Ridge' and 'Vanilla'

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL !

And YOU are one of them!

CONGRATULATIONS!