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1 Corinthians God Chose Us
Week 33 Day 1
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." ESV Thought: Throughout Romans I reasoned how God chose us to bring some to know the hope for salvation. Considering the way God did this we begin now with how salvation has affected our relationship with the world, and so building upon knowing God's methods. Even now the world mocks our "foolishness", convincing itself of its wisdom, yet it was not such with God's plan, for He chose us to shame those who are wise in their own eyes, that through the demonstration of His presence and purpose we would be revealed to be wise and they not so, since they rejected He who was perceived in the creation. We were not chosen because we are strong, but because we are weak, that those who rely on the strength of God would be justified, not those who rely on their own. The work of God was committed to prevent man from having any means by which to boast in and of himself, such that in every circumstance God is glorified, not man. This regards even the act of salvation, for if it had been entirely or initially the choice of man to receive God then men would have reason to boast before God for being strong enough, smart enough or righteous enough to receive Him. Yet if it is God who initiates, who perseveres, and who works all things through to completion then it is not man who is glorified but God alone. "So let no one boast in men" (1Co3:21), but boast in Christ Jesus who has conquered all that separated us from God, who continues to provide for us now, and who reveals His holy purpose in our lives. Prayer: Lord, let us never be ashamed of the method by which You chose and appointed us, let Your glory be radiant that You chose us who were called weak to make us strong and so shame those who did not rely on Your strength.
To Follow Christ
Day 2
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 "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. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" ESV
Thought: The church at Corinth had a few of the "big name" teachers to visit it, namely Paul and Apollos. Paul was the first to preach the word to the Corinthians, after he left Apollos visited there and taught further. Yet within the church factions had begun to grow with differences and persuasions to particular leaders within the church, thus we see what Paul speaks of when they say, "I follow". Paul's response to this is simple but sharp, we all follow Christ, no exceptions. For he says, "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1Cor3:5-7). Paul is detailing to them: Christ is to be the centre and the focal point of all faith, even if we imitate another; our aim should always be to imitate the person they imitate, Christ. If we choose to follow anyone but Christ, it is akin to idolatry. Hero worship is a growing problem in the church internationally, looking up to big name teachers more than they are intended to be, for in the church we are all servants, no one having a higher status than any other. Therefore do not concern yourself with Christian celebrities, concern yourself with good Christ centred teachers; Christ Himself being the head. Prayer: Lord, let us not be misled into following one You have sent, but remind us constantly that Christ is our head and all else bow before Him.
To Grow in Christ to Maturity
Day 3
Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 11:1 "But I could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh." "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." ESV Thought: In both letters Paul writes to the Corinthians he does as if they were children; that is spiritual children, for though they were old in the world, they were not old in Christ. For spiritual maturity is the point at which decision and conviction is found to want to give back, to reach out more decisively, and to learn and appreciate the teaching of God even when it doesn't match how we perceive the world. Every action is then inspired by love for Christ. I seek, and it is the intention of all my writings, to bring you to spiritual maturity through teaching, though you might not agree with what I write, the full Word of God as clearly and without over-interpretation as can be. I hope that through reading my words as I attempt to open the Scriptures to you, you would be willing to put off all human preconceptions and understanding of the world and seek to see the world through the eyes and mind of God. For in this way my work would be complete and I would be able to build you up in Christ, and you build me up in Him also, through affirmation and confirmation, that united we would be seeking to build each other whilst being assured of our salvation. And here is my hope that each of you confirm your own salvation, for beyond this point lies full spiritual maturity, for it is the complete embracing of all of God. Therefore pray for that revelation and that you would be ready to be confirmed. Prayer: Lord, bring us each to spiritual maturity in Christ, strong in the full knowledge of Your way, confirmed in our salvation so graciously given. Lead us from being children into adulthood in Christ that we would work with dedication from the thanksgiving in our hearts.
To Not Cause Others to Stumble
Day 4
Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:9-12 "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be
encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers, wounding their conscience when weak, you sin against Christ." ESV Thought: Being a participant in particular affairs may, by the condition of the Law, be good to do, if your involvement should cause another person, particularly a brother or sister to stumble in their faith then it cannot be considered good upon the grounds of good conscience. In growing to maturity we set ourselves to build everybody up in Christ that their faith should grow and blossom. But if in practices of this world we should cause a person to question our actions then we have failed to show compassion to that person. The Corinthians were doing this in regard food sacrificed to idols, for though those idols were false, it caused less mature Christians to question their faith, and may even have been lost. Therefore never do anything which could cause a brother or sister confusion over what is good and righteous to do, even though no sin is committed on your part. Prayer: Lord, convict us before and when we are about to do something which could cause someone to stumble, give us understanding of their life that all we do should build them up.
But By Recognizing We Belong to Him
Day 5
Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." ESV Thought: As I covered last time, we were chosen by Christ that through His sacrifice we would be redeemed. Christ paid the price to set us free, and in doing so we became His through marriage to Him, for "the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does" (1Co7:4); so then we belong to Christ and in this way He is our portion. Being then the property of God and a temple for the Holy Spirit and the life of Jesus we are thus inclined to never cause damage to the body for it is the vessel and possession of God. For Peter even writes "Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewellery, or the clothing you wear-- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1Pe3:3). Peter teaches that the wearing of jewellery is self-glorification, unless that particular adornment should bring glory of Christ through its wearing. The same applies with all bodily adornments, jewellery, tattoos and piercings. If it does not glorify the Lord, it does not proceed from faith and is sin. What a witness it is if all our adornments glorify the Lord, or if we give others reason to ask, "why do you not wear any jewellery?" that we should respond, "because my body does not belong to me, but it belongs to God." Our aim must always be to glorify God, if we are not glorifying Him in every action, we are glorifying ourselves. Do not boast of yourselves, but boast in the Lord. Prayer: Lord, teach us to boast in You, to glorify You in everything. Teach us to take off the things we adorn ourselves with which do not bring glory to You. Be glorified in all our lives.
And By Giving Us Different Gifts
Day 6
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 "God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of
healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way." ESV Thought: The spiritual gifts are numerous and not all of them are specifically mentioned, but are implied in certain cases. Apostles - these are those who have seen Jesus, only those who are like Paul in their revelation can hold to the position of apostle. Prophets - those who, for the benefit of the whole church, deliver the word of God. Teachers - those gifted with interpretation, and understanding to deliver to the church all things useful for training in righteousness from the word of God. Miracles & Healing - to some are given this ministry, for the non-members of the church first and then for the church that the power of God would be displayed to the world. Helping - a ministry often forgotten, but by which the church functions as community, only seek to remember those in this ministry for they will give of their whole lives before thinking of themselves. Administrating - again a behind the scenes ministry, yet in our culture we often reward those who do this, though they will often work beyond their limits, so convince them to rest sufficiently. Tongues - least of the noted gifts for it only builds up self unless interpretation is given so it becomes prophecy. Not all will receive or display a certain gift, that any interpretation can be made. Therefore each should seek the higher spiritual gifts with earnest prayer for the development of the church and the world, but never forget this: for above all the spiritual gifts are "faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1Co13:13) If you have these you have all that is above all the spiritual gifts, and you prove the Gospel to be true. Prayer: Lord, give us each the spiritual gifts necessary for the ministries You have anointed us for. Cause us to seek the higher gifts, always prioritizing faith, hope and love.
He Made Us Judges of Righteousness
Day 7
Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; 6:2-3 "What have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside." "Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, matters pertaining to this life!" ESV Thought: Having been chosen by God to come to the places we are in; and made to follow Christ, to mature and realize that we are Christ’s; we are set with a righteous purpose: to judge the world; to be judges to the church now, and of the world with Christ in the last day. At this time we have no right to judge the world, for such a judgement brings contempt not grace. But we do have a right and a responsibility to judge those inside the church, for by such is the church built up when correction occurs within. We have an imperative mission to ensure that the whole church, acts in accordance with the ways of Christ, such that it would be the true witness of Christ. If you find your brother or sister involved in any kind of sin, then with a spirit of grace approach them and appeal to them to repent, if they repent you have saved their soul, but if they do not repent, go again with one or two more witnesses. If on the account or two or three witnesses they still do not repent then let their case be brought before the whole church. If they still refuse to repent then let them be put out of the church, for their leaven will leaven the whole church, but if they are removed they may find cause to repent when faced with the world and return washed anew. Prayer: Lord, teach us to correct with grace at all times, help us separate ourselves from sin that we should be able to guide others to do it also. Whilst we correct send Your Spirit to rebuke, and bring them to repentance.