2 Corinthians 4--We do not lose heart

When you seek to do ministry--any kind of ministry--other people’s sin becomes your problem. Are you ministering to a rebellious kid? He or she will rebel against you. Are you ministering to an angry person? They will get angry at you. Are you ministering to someone who is discouraged? Being around them will be discouraging for you. If someone is opposed to the gospel, they will oppose you to the point you identify yourself with the gospel. It can be easy to lose heart doing ministry.

Paul says we need not lose heart. Why? The first reason is that we have our ministry through God’s mercy. Paul says that we don’t preach ourselves. Whether it is children, adults, behind the scenes, or whatever, ministry isn’t about us. Our ministry is to preach Christ and him crucified by word and deed. That means than any ministry we have is a gift to us from God’s mercy. Therefore, we don’t have to lose heart because any success is a gift of his mercy, not our talent. Therefore, when we communicate, we can be plain in setting forth the truth. We do not need to try and be clever or indirect. We are simply passing along a message from God that we received from his mercy and we get to communicate by his mercy.

Secondly, the struggle that comes we experience in our ministry is a demonstration (to complement the message) of God’s power. We give ourselves over to death, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal bodies. When we say “no” to our flesh and humbly serve, the death of Jesus is at work in us to produce the life of Jesus through us. It is like the dynamic of the cross and resurrection combusting in our soul to produce ministry power to impact others. “Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you” (12).

The Third reason we do not lose heart is that the struggles we face in ministering to others is like a persistent 401k that is accruing dividends in our soul from our sacrifices. Though we may not taste the fruits of them here, we can know that we are building up a Spiritual inheritance that cannot be seen. It is tempting to measure ourselves on what is seen, but God looks to the internal and eternal—not the external and temporary. What are you looking at?

Posted by Marc

2 Corinthians 3: Confidence in Christ

In verses 7-11 Paul takes the Church of Corinth for a journey back in time. He reminds them of the old covenant which leads to death, as no one could possibly keep the law. This covenant came with such glory, that when Moses carried the two tablets to the people his physical appearance served as proof that he had just been with God. His face was so bright that it was like staring into the sun. Moses wore a veil upon his face so that people could look at him. Think about how encouraging it must have been for the Israelites to know that their leader had access to and spent time with God.

Paul then flashes forward in time to ask “Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?” We no longer need to rely on the old covenant, because the new covenant of Christ’s blood gives us access to God as one of his own children. Just as we heard on Sunday that Stephen’s face shined. We become the ones whose face shines like Moses, and we don’t need to veil it.

The new covenant does not bring death but life. How much more secure are we living under the new covenant then the old? Paul follows that up in verse 12 by saying “Since the new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold”; we also read in 2 Timothy 1 that God did not give us a spirit of timidity. This is very evident in so many aspects of our life. Just spend some time with a fan of a sports team? There is boldness in their talk. In talking to my good friend Danny Hess the other day he simply asked, “Why are we bold about all the wrong things?” What a great question. We tend to speak boldly about what we know best and have confidence in. What are you confident in? What do you speak boldly about?

Posted by Jim

2 Corinthians 2: Deep Love, Forgiveness and the Smell of Victory

Paul finalizes his thoughts from chapter one by describing why he decided to write the Corinthians a letter instead of visiting them again. Unfortunately, the letter Paul is referring to is lost. We do know that Paul wrote his letter not to grieve the Corinthians but instead his purpose was “to let you know the depth of my love for you.”

Part two of this chapter deals with the process of restoration (2:5-11). After a brother or sister in Christ has been disciplined, how do you restore them into the fellowship of believers “in order that Satan might not outwit us”? In these seven verses Paul uses the word “forgive” six times. Clearly, one of Satan’s schemes is the temptation for churches to use discipline in an unforgiving way. We must remember that our purpose in discipline is to restore a person.

Paul begins the focus of his current letter (2:12-17), namely, to defend his position and to denounce those who were twisting the truth. Paul illustrates God’s leadership in his ministry using a Roman triumphal procession, where the Roman general would display his treasures and captives amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. The aroma would be sweet to his fellow countrymen, but to the opposition it would remind them of death and defeat. In Christ, we will always triumph over death and despair (2:14).

We have the freedom and the authority to say as Paul says “I have a deep love for you” (2:4b) and “forgive and comfort him” (2:7a) because Jesus has triumphed over sin and death. Hope for this life and hope for the life yet to come are wrapped up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the aroma that he purchased for us. Enjoy the application thoughts for today. Write someone today that you have had a conflict with and let them know the depth of your love for them. Or, outwit Satan and seek to restore a relationship through the power of forgiveness. Or, ask someone about the hope that comes from Jesus Christ and begin to pray for them to experience the aroma of Christ and his victory over death.

Posted by Eric

2 Corinthians 1: Life Happens

Life happens. Bad things come our way. Circumstances go south. Relationships break down. When that happens, how do you process it?

I’ve noticed this: When life happens to me, I’m gracious. I give myself the benefit of the doubt. I’m not a bad person, I just live in a fallen world.

But when life happens to others, I’m sometimes judgmental. I think they should get their act together. I’m tempted to perceive weakness, character flaws, or simple folly in the other person that has produced the chaos in their lives.

The Corinthians seemed to think of Paul in this way. He was constantly in trouble as he traveled about telling others of Christ—wasn’t that evidence that he had issues? If he were a better person he wouldn’t bring so much difficulty on himself. If he really had God’s blessing life would be easier.

And then Paul changed his travel plans, not visiting Corinth as he had planned. Again, flakiness. What kind of authoritative apostle does this? Maybe this whole Gospel enterprise is a fly-by-night operation.

Paul writes 2 Corinthians largely to address such issues and to defend his ministry. From the start, Paul puts a Spiritual perspective on all the happenings of his life. Persecution? It’s because we suffer to spread the Gospel just as Jesus suffered. Changing plans? It’s because life happens and wise people follow God’s leading.

“But be assured of this,” Paul basically says, “although life is uncertain, God is not.” Although life is hard, God is good. Although circumstances change, God never does. He comforts us so we can comfort others. He saves us, time and again, so we will always rely on him. He makes solid promises to us, the fulfillment of which is always an iron-clad YES in Christ. Never take pride in how put-together your life is. And never look down on the chaos in others. Life happens. But we take our stand in God—and help others stand firm in him.

1 Corinthians 16: It takes a Team

If we didn’t have 1 Corinthians 16 and other chapters like it, our understanding of the advance of the gospel would be severely truncated. From our western, celebrity-obsessed culture, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that Paul alone was the missionary that put Christianity on the map in the first century. Though it would be difficult to underestimate the influence of his leadership in the Christian movement even to this day, his role was closer to a spokesperson for a movement of witnesses than the primary witness.

That should encourage us because in the community of Paul and on his team were regular people just like you and me. There was Timothy who wanted to serve God but struggled when opposed and needed a lot of encouragement. There was Apollos who was an activist and a communicator but needed to learn more about the Christian message. There was Stephanus and his large extended household who weren’t flashy but were genuine servants of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla served as Apollos mentors and extended themselves financially and in hospitality to spur the Christian movement. If you can’t identify with Paul, can you identify with these? Even better news—Jesus identifies with them and uses them and us by His Spirit to advance the movement of the gospel.

Some wise counsel comes from this passage regarding living in community:

· When it comes to money, people get funny. So over-explain, be diligent, and maintain proper accountability. (1-5)
· God opens doors for us for ministry. Keep our plans as loose as possible to allow room for the Spirit to change them. (5-9)
· It is important to be sensitive to how people hear you when you communicate. Timothy was sensitive and that was not just his problem, the Corinthians needed to bear responsibility for that as well. (10-11)
· Submit to the people you are supposed to submit to, not just the ones you want to submit to. (Submission when you feel like it isn’t actual submission). (15-18)
· A bunch of people meeting in a house can be called a church. Just don’t forget to submit to whom you are supposed to submit to. (19)

1 Corinthians 15: Resurrection = Freedom from Sin

What is so important about the resurrection? Hearing of dead people, people all dead not mostly dead, walking around is weird and reminiscent of something out of a science fiction or horror movie. Do I even need to believe such a thing to be a Christian?

This is the same question that Paul was facing in the Corinthian church. People were denying the resurrection of the dead (v. 12-19), but Paul would have none of that. In fact the resurrection is so central to the Christian faith that without Christ rising from the dead there is nothing to believe in (v. 19). So what does the resurrection effectively do for those who trust in Christ?

Verse 22 states, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (NIV) Simply, being human makes us sinners—just turn on the news and we can see that—but those who trust in Christ are raised with him into new life. Though this may be difficult to understand, it means we are born again (John 3:3) and a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). We are now something different from what we were before, sin has been defeated in us and we can live freely from it (1 Cor 15:55-57).

In verse 58, Paul charges the Corinthians and us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain. We are able to do these things because Christ has been resurrected. Therefore, the resurrection gives us the hope and strength to live lives worthy of Christ. The resurrection may seem strange to us at first but it is foundational to the Christian faith and life.

Posted by Aaron

1 Corinthians 14: Spiritual Gifts

This chapter deals with a difficult discussion of tongues and prophecy – the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Quite often people get distracted in this chapter from the main points and find themselves discussing whether or not these specific gifts have ceased or continue today. But if we ask a different question we can see how this discussion applies to us regardless of where we stand relating to the charismatic gifts. Let us then ask this question: How does Paul call the Corinthians to use their gifts and who are they to serve?

Paul’s desire of the church at Corinth is that they seek the gift of prophecy because it speaks to men for their strength, encouragement and comfort (v. 3) and that it edifies the church (v. 4-5). He reaffirms this point in verse 12, “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church” (NIV). Even as Paul talks about orderly worship (vv. 26-39) he focuses on the edification and strengthening of the church.

So how does this help us in thinking about spiritual gifts? First of all, do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Secondly, we are to use our gifts because God has given them to us to use and to encourage each other. Thirdly, they are to be done for the glory of God not for the glory of ourselves.

There is another area of the Christian life that this touches on. Specifically, how we think about church itself. As a believer in Christ we are a member of the body and therefore we are to serve each other. We cannot and must not think of church as social club with religious overtones but an essential part of life. Since spiritual gifts are given to edify and strengthen the church, then every Christian (because each is given a gift for the good of the body) is integral to the health of each other.

Since God has arranged the church just as he wanted it to be (12:18), let us then live in love and serve one another.

Posted By Aaron

1 Corinthians 13: The Final Metric

As romantic as this passage seems, we are actually supposed to feel its teeth. In Paul’s mind, he did not intend this to be read at weddings (though it is an appropriate application), but he rather it was a sharp rebuke. The Corinthians could claim such things as the gifts of tongues, prophecy and faith. They were educated, knowledgeable and had the capacity to solve real world problems with their wealth. Some would even go to the extent of martyrdom.

To the upper class culture in Corinth, these things would speak to them of being excellent. But without love, they count for zero (0.00, nothing, nada, zippo) before God--nothing at all. For us, we often think about excellence in our ministry, our programs, and marketplace performance in. We measure ourselves and others by excellence Paul warns us that we could achieve a certain kind of excellence and completely miss God.

Paul teaches us that the most excellent way is the way of love. In fact, our programs, our miracles, our sacrificial generosity are absolutely nothing without love. Why? They become self-affirming acts to soothe our own conscience, display our acts before others and possibly even make a name for ourselves. None of this has anything to do with God, or even other people for that matter.

It is tempting to grit our teeth and say, “I will be more loving, less rude, less envious, etc.” The most excellent way is not a way that we can find by searching within or by mimicking the actions of others. The most excellent way is only found in our communion with love itself. As we find ourselves “in Christ” as Paul we speak of in other places, and as we practice that in real life, love will become more of a reality in our lives.

Posted by Marc

1 Corinthians 12: A Well Oiled Machine

Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo is currently the third best quarterback in the league based on quarterback ratings. He led his team to the divisional playoffs last year. It now looks like he will be sidelined for a few weeks due to injury. What could keep a tough talented football player from doing what he is made for? A broken pinky (try not to giggle). This is bad news not only for Tony, but the entire team. Everything they hoped and worked for could now be in jeopardy due to an ill working pinky.

Paul tells us the same thing In 1 Corinthians 12. You are not only a gifted member of a team, but your giftedness comes from the Spirit. You have a particular job to do, and the Spirit has given you specific gifts to do the job boldly and confidently. Nobody can do your job for you because you have been distinctly equipped by the Spirit to do it. If you choose to sit it out on the sideline, our team, the body of Christ does not function the way it was intended.

The church in Corinth made some critical errors when they failed to see that God’s plan requires unity. They failed to realize that no gifts are more important than any other; all must be accomplished for the body to be effective as it works toward a common goal. Nor can everyone posses the same gifts or nothing would ever get accomplished. The Spirit gifts us uniquely different so that we can work and achieve in interdependent unity.

Do you know what gift the Spirit has given you? Do you find yourself feeling ill equipped or perhaps jealous of someone else’s gifts? Do you find yourself separated from the body serving alone? As verse 7 tells us “each one” has been gifted and you can serve in your giftedness with confidence. We are also gifted for the common good. We are made to serve in community as a well functioning body. Have you brought your specific gift and engaged with the body for the common good?

Posted by Jim

1 Corinthians 11: Sublime Submission

Sometimes we are called to play a solo in life, but more often than not life is played out in the context of an orchestra. I had the privilege of listening to a live performance of one of the world’s premier orchestra’s this past weekend. Each musician was exceptional in their own right, able to perform scales, melody lines, solos and have mastered their instrument. Bringing so many experts together to create an exceptional orchestra is incredibly difficult and requires mutual commitment and cooperation from the members. Indeed, it requires submission.

In urban Corinth, cultures were colliding. The complexity of bringing together distinct cultural backgrounds (e.g. head coverings), while daunting through human leadership, was a problem God had addressed through the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, although equal with God the Father, submitted to him in carrying out the plan of salvation (Philippians 2:5-11). Although both man and woman are equal (11:11,12) they are not equivalent (11:3). God calls for submission among equals remembering that lines of authority should never mean lines of superiority. One sex is not better than the other. We must not let the issue of authority and submission become a wedge to destroy oneness (e.g. marriage, church or government.) Instead, we should use our unique gifts to strengthen our relationships and to glorify God. This issue of submission is addressed as well in Paul’s instructions regarding the Lord’s Supper (11:18,21).

This lack of submission to one another and to the instructions of Jesus produced division, drunkenness, sickness and death among other things. We were created to make beautiful music and yet many of us have been eyewitnesses of the chaos and dissonance that comes with abuses of power and authority.

Through Jesus’ sublime submission to his heavenly father and to the mission of taking on our sin, we have gained access to the beautiful riches of God (Ephesians 3:16.) In the perfect relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have this incredible picture of mutual submission and joy (John 15:9-11). Has submission ever produced joy in your life? How does Christ’s picture of submission give you courage to do the same? How might you align yourself with God’s Spirit as he orchestrates beautiful complex music in the public arenas of your life?

Posted By Eric

1 Corinthians 10: Repeating History

It has been said that those who do not learn from history’s mistakes are bound to repeat them. Nowhere is this more true than in the church. All of biblical history has been given so that we may learn and live the abundant, godly life Christ makes possible.

The first part of 1 Corinthians 10 reminds us of that history. When God led his people in the exodus from Egypt, he was establishing the paradigm of salvation. All God’s saving work—even in our own lives—is like an exodus from slavery. In the original exodus, God led and fed his people. His Spirit, which was really the Spirit of Christ, was with Israel. And the same is true for us: The Spirit was given at Pentecost to lead and feed us—to guide us from our sinful past all the way to the Promised Land of the kingdom of God.

But look what happened in Israel’s history: Despite God’s very presence with his people, there was constant rebellion. The people complained and disobeyed to their own detriment. Paul says that history will repeat itself in today’s church if God’s people don’t actively follow his Spirit.

In Corinth it happened this way: Although the believers took communion and honored Christ, some were also engaging in their idolatrous past, taking meals in pagan temples which honored idols. These people wanted the best of both worlds. They even coined a little saying to justify themselves: “Everything is permissible.” In other words, Christ has led my exodus from slavery. I’m now free—completely free to do whatever I want.

Posted by Greg

1 Corinthians 9: My freedom for example

Can freedom exist all by itself? Paul uses his own example in this chapter to follow through on his call to the Corinthians to restrain the use of their freedom for the sake of others. There is no such thing as complete freedom. Complete freedom means that there is nothing of any gravitas, meaning or significance in your life to pull you in any direction.

Paul tries to help them see that he has all kinds of freedom that he doesn’t indulge. He has freedom to marry. He has freedom to eat and drink. He has freedom to receive the offering of the people of God to provide for his physical needs. Though he is free for such things, none of them have the kind of gravitas in his life to pull him towards them (9:15).

The true pull upon his life that has captured his affections is the opportunity to know Christ and transform lives through the preaching of the gospel. He gives us up the right to eat whatever he wants, to have a spouse, and even an offering because the pull of voluntary gospel ministry is so much greater than those things. There is nothing wrong with them and he does not condemn others who enjoy them. Yet, he longs for his Spiritual children to use their freedom to pursue much more glorious endeavors as he has—to follow him as he follows Christ (11:1).

In so doing, he submits to religious and social codes that the gospel has already freed him from (19-23) and disciplines his life so that not only will he pursue the greatest glory but he will pursue it with all his strength and energy (24-27). The question before us is what shall we do with our freedom? What shall we do with the extra 5-10 hours of our life each week? Does it count for Christ? The one who demands their complete freedom is aimless (9:26). What is your aim? Have you disciplined yourself to reach the target when you have opportunity?

Posted By Marc

1 Corinthians 8: Freedom for example

The issue that Paul is addressing is that much of the meat eaten in Corinth came from sacrifices that were performed at the temples. This was meat offered in Pagan worship. Paul told the Corinthians that they were free to eat that meat as long as they weren’t participating in the worship. The meat was just meat. However, some Christians felt that this would be an expression of false worship even though they weren’t participating in the sacrificial aspect of the meat.

Paul could condemn these people and tell them that their conscience is too sensitive. But Paul knows too much about the conscience, the playing field for the Holy Spirit. Many of the believers that he is speaking about were steaped in Pagan ritual and to eat the meat of Pagan worship would bring back the previous experience to the point where it would violate their own worship of Yahweh. Even though they were free to eat the meat legally, it was spiritually dangerous for them. It endangered their heart by exposing it to affections that had previously had it captured and enslaved.

So Paul teaches that the people of God need to be conservative with their freedom. “Everything is permissible—but I will not be mastered by anything“(6:12). Though everything is permissible for me, we need to be sure that those around us are not mastered by anything. We can certainly apply this to alcohol, smoking, entertainment and the way we use our words. It is humbling and convicting to think that our example really matters. If you are around those who are new to the faith, you need to know that they are watching you and listening to you. What you do becomes an embodiment of Christian spirituality to them. Though you may not struggle with gossip, if someone new to the faith struggles with gossip, what you think is borderline might thrust him or her across clear lines with your example s their justification.

That is why Jesus said, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to the person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves.” Luke 17:1-3

What are issues about which we need to watch our example?

Posted by Marc

1 Corinthians 7: Contentment in Christ

The world in which we live in does not consider contentment to be a great virtue. Just turn on the TV, open the newspaper, or even search the internet and you will be bombarded with advertisements about what you need and must have. Whatever you want is at your fingertips. Unfortunately, that does not create a culture of contentment, and is something we must constantly fight against.

Paul writes to the Corinthians and talks about contentment with regards to marriage and sex. But the issue runs much deeper. In verse 24 he says, “So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.” Simply, be content. So often we can focus so much on the details of what he says about these issues that we miss the point. Though the details are important; contentment is the focus. Question: if you are not content single, will you really be content in marriage?

Paul lays the foundation in verses 17-24; that we are to live the life that God has called you to (v. 17). If not we can be like Jonah and flee to Tarshish even though he did not get really far. Instead Paul instructs us to keep the commandments of God (v. 19), and let it not be your care (v. 21). If the opportunity arises then make use of that opportunity (v. 21). Verses 22-23 strike to the heart of the issue. Paul contrasts being a freeman and being a slave. We have been bought by Christ on the cross and are slaves to him and thus free. Why would we then make ourselves slaves again?

Here is the issue. When we are not content we let our desires rule us and we become slaves to them. The object of our desire becomes our idol and we bow down at its feet. This extends far beyond the issues of marriage to work, money, toys, friends, power, etc. How many examples do we have in our world of people with unchecked desire that bring catastrophic damage to everyone around them?

Let us rather live in the true freedom of being a slave only to Christ.

Posted by Aaron

1 Corinthians 6: Freedom and Oneness

Since we have received grace, does that free us to do whatever we want? This chapter is all about being free and being bound, or to put it another way, to be in union with another. Paul’s perspective is an assault against the teaching of the environment we swim in. Our environment would teach us that our body and possessions are our own. We can do whatever we want with our body; as long as it doesn’t hurt another person (it can hurt another person as long as there are two mutually consenting adults at the outset). And if someone hurts us, the legal system is available to make restitution for our damages—so that we might personally be made whole again.

Paul’s view of the world is different. Paul views it this way. We have more freedom than anyone in all creation (“Everything is permissible for me” 6:12). That doesn’t mean we are autonomous. No one is autonomous. We are either united to sin and idols or we are united to Christ. And if we are united to Christ, we are inseparably united to the rest of the family of God. These Spiritual realities must reveal themselves in concrete forms.
So what does this look like? Christians must learn to resolve their disputes with one another through one another. To go outside the church would be like asking a soccer referee to umpire a baseball game. They are two different environments and the laws are different inside and outside the church.

Sexual sin is a concrete violation of our union with Christ. Our body is a temple--a physical space united to a heavenly person; A dwelling place for God; A place for worship. Everything we do in our body is an expression of worship. Do we celebrate the goodness of God in food? Do we celebrate marital love? Or, are we mastered by our body and enslaved to it? If we serve the appetites of our body, whether they are physical appetites, emotional, social or sexual appetites, we find ourselves serving them. Service is the best Old Testament word for worship. Whom do we serve? That is where the gospel gives us genuine good news. We should not be mastered by anything because that would betray the basic principle that Jesus Christ is our master and we are united to him.

Posted by Marc

1 Corinthians 5: Tough Love

There is sin occurring within the church of Corinth and news of this sin had reached Paul. The sin is one that would even be considered wrong by the world’s standards. As a matter of fact there were Roman laws that prohibited such actions, and yet we find this immorality within the church; A man engaged in a sexual relationship with his Father’s wife.

Paul’s reaction is different than what we may suspect. While he is clear in his condemnation of this sin, he comes down even harder on the lack of action taken by the church. Is that true of us today? Why is it that we back away from the thought of discipline? I suspect there are many reasons we tolerate such sin. We love peace and harmony and confronting sinful behavior could jeopardize this harmony. We like the idea of freedom and who am I to challenge someone else’s choices? We back away from tough conversations for our own comfort, yet we all know the benefit of discipline. Any parent knows the effects of not disciplining a child. The destructive actions of a child not only continue, but they become worse. A parent disciplines a child because they love them and want what’s best for them.

In the same way we need to hold our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable. What do we love: harmony, friendship, and comfort, or do we love the person? If we truly love our brother or sister in Christ we will sacrifice our own comfort level to have a tough conversation. We may even lose a friend, but is that friend more important than the friendship? Tough love may even require severing a relationship in extreme situations, but only when it is merciful to do so.

Enter into a covenant relationship with a few trusted friends. Give a couple of Christian brothers in your life full access to all your decisions. Allow them to challenge you in all aspects of your life and commit to do the same for them. Commit to love them so much that you are willing to have the tough conversations.

Posted by Jim

1 Corinthians 4: Worthy of Imitation

Are you more prone to exalt yourself in your own mind or beat yourself up in your own mind? In chapter four Paul addresses how Christians are to judge one another and themselves. Ultimately, only God knows a person’s heart and therefore God is the only one with the right to judge. (4b) We are exhorted to judge sin amongst believers (5:12,13) but we are not to judge who is a better servant of Christ. The arrogance (4:18) which had crept into the church was partially due to the reality that when we judge someone, we invariably consider ourselves as better – and this creates an arrogant spirit.

Paul’s self image is a curious case study. He masterfully deals with the superiority complex, having an overly bold or high view of one’s self, stating, “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court.” However, Paul also deals with the inferiority complex, having an overly humble or low view of one’s self, stating, “I do not even judge myself.” In truth, only God judges him (4:4b). His conscience is clear without being innocent of sin (4:4a), and yet he urges people to imitate him (4:16). He demonstrates great boldness and great humility at the same time. How? Essentially Paul’s view of himself has been overshadowed by Christ’s view of him. Being in Christ means Paul now has a gospel view of himself. Only the power of the gospel (4:20) – that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe and more loved than we ever dared hope – is able to do a “one, two” on our ego in such a way that we are bold and humble at the same time. This gospel view of oneself is electrifying, contagious and formed through Christ’s humility and courage.

Do you struggle with judging others or being judged? Do you lean towards an inferior view of yourself or a superior view of yourself? How can you workout the implications of the gospel to gain a more Christ-centered view of yourself? If you a spiritual parent (4:15) to another believer, are you urging them to imitate you as you follow Christ (1:12)? Pray about the next best step as you follow the Spirit of Christ in you.

Posted by Eric

1 Corinthians 3: True Spirituality

What does it mean to be spiritual? This is a central question of the entire book of 1 Corinthians. To answer, Paul would say, first and foremost, that to be spiritual is to be capital-S Spiritual. That is, to be filled and led by God’s Spirit.

And what is the mark of being Spiritual? Well, it’s not how much you pray and read your Bible, as vital as these disciplines are. And it’s not how often you attend church or how many ministry activities you’re involved in, although these too are important. Rather, the hallmark of true Spirituality is loving unity. That’s Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 3.

There were factions in the church. People had bought into cults of personality, resulting in rivalry over favored leaders, sniping, backbiting, and division. Paul said that makes you “mere men” not truly Spiritual people.

As “mere men” all your petty politicking is like building a tinder box on Christ. All your activity will burn one day; but in the mean time it’s destroying God’s Temple. It’s deconstructing the unified people God intends us to be.

As a solution, Paul proposes that we sober up and realize all we have in Christ. Why fight over Peter, Paul, or Apollos? Why argue over the present or the future? In Christ, all things are ours together. All godly leaders belong to all of us. The whole world, the whole kingdom, has been given to us and will one day truly be ours. That’s the Spiritual perspective on life.

Posted By Greg

1 Corinthians 2: The message or the messenger?

Which is more important—the message or the messenger? In the upper class Greek culture, they had high expectations regarding the messenger. They would disregard the message if it didn’t come in the fine oratory packaging that they had gotten used to. Paul didn’t want to confuse the message of the gospel with philosophy. He brought a plain message that trusted in a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. This is good news for several reasons.

1. Anyone who has the Spirit of God can be confident that God can use them to communicate the gospel. Paul claimed to know only Jesus and his crucifixion. If we can explain the cross, even in rudimentary terms, we can explain the heart of Christianity.
2. Our lives demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit. People want a faith that works. A simple rational explanation is only a collection of words. There is no end to words and good ideas. What people long for is something with the kind of power that can change their lives.
3. The Holy Spirit uses the words that we speak with fear and trembling and can reveal to others the mind of Christ.

If that wasn’t enough, we can be confident that God has given us the Spirit “That we may freely understand what God has freely given us.” What an awesome mystery!

How have you experienced The Spirit helping you understand what God has freely given us?

Posted by Marc

1 Corinthians 1: Integrity and the Christian Life

1 Corinthians 1

What marks the Christian life? Paul in writing to the Corinthian church is forced to admonish them for their failure to live according to the grace of Christ. In essence, their faith in Christ does not coincide with their lives. They needed integrity.

Paul begins 1 Corinthians by responding to the report that he hears from Chloe’s household (v. 11) about their behavior. They have broken into quarrelsome groups warring against each other. Unfortunately, the church today often looks eerily similar. We argue about music, traditions, and everything else that we can think of. But Paul will have none of this among people whom he loves so dearly. Instead, Paul appeals to the unity they have in Christ (v. 13) and his death on a cross (v. 17), because there is something about Christ and the cross that should mark Christians as different.

Instead of quarrels, Christians should be marked by the power and wisdom of God (v. 18, 24), namely Christ. But for the world this wisdom is foolishness and completely contrary to anything they can imagine. It is the foundation of ‘spiritual’ integrity.

Integrity is defined as an internal state or quality of being that leads to strong moral and ethical principles. We are not born with integrity rather it is cultivated within us. We can call it spiritual integrity because it derives from our union with Christ. In him we have been enriched in every way (v. 5) including that we can be strong (v. 8) and live with integrity. True spiritual integrity should mark our lives and there is no greater testimony. Therefore, since we have this foundation in Christ; then let us live with His integrity.

Posted By Aaron

Corinthians Introduction

The complex history surrounding the two letters to the Corinthian church begins in Acts 18 during Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul plants the church of which Aquila and Priscilla are its most notable members. However fruitful his initial efforts were by his third missionary journey the relationship had become strained.

• Previous Letter – Paul writes a letter to the Corinthians warning them not to associate with immoral persons. Unfortunately they misunderstood the letter.

• Report of certain disorders – Paul hears a report of certain disorders and receives a delegation from the household of Chloe who had a number of questions

• 1 Corinthians - In response to the reports he writes 1 Corinthians. Paul deals with practical issues as sexual relations, meats offered to idols, disorders in public worship, spiritual gifts, and death and resurrection.

• Painful Visit – Paul decided to make another visit to Corinth which was extremely painful for him. The details of the visit are unknown, but he was forced to withdraw in haste most likely out of being openly insulted by someone questioning his authority.

• Sorrowful Letter – After his painful visit Paul writes a sorrowful yet strong letter to try to rectify the matter.

• Titus meets Paul in Macedonia and reports to him that the sorrowful letter had been received positively.

• 2 Corinthians – Paul writes to the church again expressing his relief at the good news of their response. He wrote them specifically to spur them into action for the collection they promised to give to the Jerusalem church.

Major Themes:

1 Corinthians

Disorders Reported to Paul (1:10-6:20):

• Divisiveness (1:10-4:21)
• Moral lapses (5:1-13; 6:12-20)
• Appeals to heathen lawcourts (6:1-11)

Problems Raised by the Corinthians (7:1-15:58)

• Sexual relations (7:1-40)
  
• Meats sacrificed to idols (8:1-11:1)
  
• Disorders in public worship (11:2-34)
  
• Spiritual gifts (12:1-14:40)
  
• Resurrection (15:1-58)
  

2 Corinthians

The Apostle's Ministry (1:12-7:16)

• His plans (1:12-2:17)
• The character of his ministry (3:1-7:16)
• Ministry is in the service of the new covenant (ch. 3)
• Ministry imposes tremendous responsibilites (4:1-15)
• Ministry must be carried out in the light of the judgment seat of Christ (4:16-6:2)
• His own ministry has had much hardship and suffering
• An exhortation to cleanse themselves from all uncleanness (6:14-7:1)
• An account of the meeting with Titus in Macedonia (7:2-16)

The collection for the Jerusalem church (8:1-9:15)

Paul’s vindication of his Apostleship (10:1-13:10)

New Series Kickoff

Start reading 1 & 2 Corinthians together on Sunday, October 12

Reading about the church of Corinth is encouraging in a strange sort of way. At one level, it is almost embarrassing to read about the kinds of sins and struggles that Paul has to address the church. Yet, Paul is not morose, but rather hopeful about what God can do in and through a whacked out, mixed up group of people. That is where it becomes encouraging. We can find encouragement because we have more in common with the people of Corinth than we would like to admit. The issues may be similar or not, but the God of Corinth is the same God we follow. And if there is hope for those whacked out, mixed up people, then there is hope for us whacked out, mixed up people.

Let’s read it and dig in together--One chapter a day, every day. As we move forward, I hope you enjoy some of the ways we have freshened up and sharpened our focus of this blog. Some of what is new is:

· New bloggers: our goal is to keep our postings fresh, relevant, Biblical and helpful. They will be no more than 350 words so that you can dig in without getting backed up.

· A New Look: We want to keep the look of our blog fresh, welcoming and inviting so that you will be able to use it in your personal ministry and share this resource with those whom you are ministering to. The only thing better than reading the Bible everyday is reading everyday with a friend.

· New Features—Look for a fresh introduction to the letters to Corinth as well as links to helpful articles and sermons along the way. Also, easy ways to forward postings to your friends or to post on your facebook page.

Look for an introduction to the book in the next few days and then a regular posting for each chapter starting Sunday, October 12th.

Marc and Aaron
Editors for Bible for Everyday