1 Corinthians 1-4

1 Corinthians 1-2 – The Divisions

Corinth was a wealthy, but wicked sinful city.  The new church in Corinth found it hard not to act like their neighbors; therefore they had problems.  Some members were arguing and taking sides against each other.  Some were living sinful lives.  Paul wrote his letter to scold them and teach them how Christians should act. 

Paul wrote this letter is to all believers.  He used the phrase “Do you not know” several times in the book.  He wanted so much more for them and was concerned how they were living.  Being a Christian is living differently from others.  He reminded them that they were set apart and chosen.  He described the grace God had given them.  He told them that they were enriched in every way – in all their speaking and in all their knowledge and they were not lacking in any spiritual gifts.   Jesus would keep them strong to the end and they would be held blameless when He returns. (1 Corin. 1:5-7).  

Do you have one foot in God’s kingdom and one foot in the world?

Do you think you will be held blameless?

Principle:  God calls believers to live according to their new identity in Christ.

There was a major problem in the church at Corinth.  It was division.  There was disunity, pride and quarreling.  They had formed little cliques and were divided in beliefs and were definitely not living in Christian unity.  Each little clique said they were following “Paul” or “Apollos” or Cephas” or “Christ”.  Each boasted about their “party leader”.  Paul reminded them that Christ was not divided so there’s no reason for them to be divided if they are followers of Christ.  They should live by the fruits of the Spirit.  (See Galatians 5:22-26 for a list of the fruits of the Spirit.) 

There is the same danger today when we follow or promote Christian celebrities.  To follow them and let them be our example, we can fall into sin.  Remember no one is perfect.  Everyone sins.  Watching someone else and letting ourselves be influenced by them can be dangerous.  If their life doesn’t line up with God’s Word, you could get into trouble.  Jesus should be our example.

Paul explained that the cross is foolish to some people.  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” – 1 Corn. 1:18.  Why does the message of the cross seem foolish to some?  Some think salvation is just too easy while others think it’s too hard.  They see the gospel as losing control of their lives.  

Paul compared human wisdom to God’s wisdom.  “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Corin. 1:25)  God gives wisdom to His people through His Holy Spirit.  Paul’s message illustrates God’s wisdom and the Spirit’s power.  “I came to you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corin. 2:3-5)

How do you compare human wisdom with God’s wisdom?  There is no comparison.  Our thoughts are not His thoughts and our ways are not His ways. When Christians brag on their talents, personality or intelligence, they are showing pride instead of dependence on the cross to reveal God’s true wisdom.

Why does God use the weak and the foolish in His plans?  God uses the weak and foolish to shame the wise and to reveal His power.  If He chose the strong, they would say it’s because they are strong, educated, rich, influential, etc.  Then God’s power would be in question.

Only the Holy Spirit can tell us about God’s wisdom.  He searches all things, even the deep things of God.  No one can know what someone else is thinking.  No one can know the thoughts of God except God Himself.  Only the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God.  Those without the Holy Spirit can’t understand spiritual things, because to them they seem foolish.  But the saved accept God’s Spirit and let Him lead them.  The Spirit helps them make the right decision.  They know the mind of Christ.

Principle:  God foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom.

1 Corinthians 3 – The Consequences

Paul told the Corinthians that they were still living as infants in Christ.  They were still living worldly.  There was jealousy and quarreling.  They were acting no different than non believers.  Believers are called to live differently.  Standing out for Christ is not easy.  Maturity in Christ is hard, but don’t give up.  It’s not easy, but we don’t have to do it alone.

Paul was hindered from speaking of the deep wisdom of God because they were still worldly and infants in Christ.  They were still on “milk” and not ready for “solid food”.  They were only ready for the basics and not for the deep teachings of scripture.  Sometimes God’s Word is not easy to understand and they needed to become more mature before getting the “solid food”.  We get that maturity by staying in the Word, practicing the Word, and staying in fellowship with other Christians.

By worldly Paul meant they, like the world today, did not submit to God, they judged others, and they loved money, power, success, self, etc.  They lived by the standards of the world.  In other words, they were under Satan’s control. 

Where are you not living set apart?   

Is there someone in your life not living up to Christ’s standards that you need to confront? 

How are you encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ? 

There was division in the church and Paul reminded them to be careful on what kind of foundation they lay.  If we build on a weak foundation which is our own will and self-serving, it will not stand up to the test.   Nothing is this world lasts forever.  Nothing will stand up to the test.  Christ has already laid the sure foundation, which is His will.  Only God’s way will stand up to the test.  Look at Paul’s life.  It shows the power of Jesus Christ.

How is the power of God seen in your circumstances? 

Are you walking in your own power?

Will you ask God to move you out of the way?

The foundation on which we should live is Jesus Christ and God’s Word.  Paul talked about how fire can test pure metal.  Fire can also destroy.  God’s judgment is like fire.  When Jesus returns, God will judge the value of each person’s work.  He will reward those whose work was valuable and destroy what has no value.  Jesus died in our place so we would not have to suffer God’s wrath.  Now we have access to God.  This doesn’t really make sense to us, but we don’t need to understand it.  We just need to trust it!

On what are you building your foundation?

Where are your treasurers?

How are you spending your time?

Paul told them that they are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in them.  There were many temples in Corinth with many idols in them.  Only Christians in Corinth had the one true God among them by means of His Spirit making them like a temple.

Some thought they were wise and proud of it.  Paul told them not to deceive themselves thinking they were wise.  God thinks they are foolish.  “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” – 1 Corin. 3:19.  If they want to become wise, they must become humble.  He wants them to understand that only one person if in charge.  That is Jesus.

Principle:  Jesus Christ is the foundation for all believers.

1 Corinthians 4 – The Servant

Paul showed how foolish the Corinthians Christians were to think themselves more blessed than the apostles were.  He described his own ministry of deprivation and humiliation.  The Corinthians tended to look down on him and had no respect of his authority.  Paul asked that he and the other apostles be regarded as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with secret things of God.  He really didn’t care what they thought of him, because it’s what God thought that is important.  Paul had little praise from the Corinthians, which didn’t concern him.  He knew that his praise would come from God.  (1 Corin. 4:1-5) 

Paul told the Corinthians that they thought they had it all and had no need to learn any more spiritual truths.  They were inflated with pride.  They thought very highly of themselves.  They thought they were wise and powerful.  They put themselves above others.  They didn’t give honor to Christ or the apostles.  Believers who have true spiritual power are humble, fools for Christ but wise in Christ, weak but strong, honored but dishonored. – (1 Corin.4:8-13) 

Paul wrote to them like a father who wanted his son to do what was right.  He wrote to them not to shame them, but to warn them.  He urged them to imitate him.  Because he loved them he was sending Timothy to them and that he, Paul would come later.  He would come as a father scolding them or as a father of love and gentle spirit.   It was their choice.  (1 Corin. 4:14-21).

Principle:  God judges His people’s work.

Join me here next week as we continue our study of 1 Corinthians  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

Principle:  God calls believers to live according to their new identity in Christ.

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Acts 18:23 – 21:15

Acts 18:23-19:10 – Teachable 

How much access does God have to your heart?  Paul gave God full access to his heart, mind and life.  He had a heart for evangelism and discipleship.  He began his third missionary journey to Galatia and Phrygia.  His goal was to strengthen all the disciples.  Who do you need to strengthen? 

While there a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus.  Apollos was very knowledgeable of scriptures and spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.  Priscilla and Aquila heard him and invited him to their home.  There they explained to him the way of God more adequately.  Being inspired and encouraged by them, Apollos went to Achaia to help prove the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Paul went to Ephesus and saw something was missing with some of the disciples.  They had been baptized by John the Baptist for the forgiveness of sins, but they didn’t know the rest of story about Jesus.  John taught about the coming of the Messiah, but perhaps they hadn’t heard He had in fact come.  They needed to trust and have faith in Him for salvation.  They had not been born-again and baptized by the Holy Spirit.  Paul re-baptized them.  When he laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them.  The Holy Spirit comes one time only and never leaves us.  Baptism is just an outward sign of an inward conversion.

Principle:  God’s word transforms a teachable heart.

How teachable are you? They were open to new truths about God.  The Bible is timeless truth.  We can’t help others go any further in their faith, if we haven’t gone further.  Are you willing to invest in someone else?  Maybe they know a little, but need to know more.  Knowing more could change the course of their life.

Acts 19:11-41 – Sacrificial

Paul taught in Ephesus boldly in the synagogue for three months.  Some refused to believe and became obstinate so he left and went to Asia.  Paul was empowered to heal and performed miracles in the name of Jesus.  When the people in Ephesus heard, many then believed.

Some of the Jews tried to drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus.  One was Sceva, a Jewish chief priest.  An evil spirit said to him, “Jesus I know and I know Paul, but who are you?”  Then the man with the evil spirits jumped on them all and gave them a beating. This shows us that we should not mess around with evil or the occult.  We can’t drive out evil spirits without Jesus. 

Only Jesus has the power to drive out demons.  Paul demonstrated God’s power right in the middle of Satan’s mist.  Satan’s uses counterfeit acts and he knows the unsaved don’t know the difference.  When this became known in Ephesus, the people were fearful and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.  Many who believed and confessed their evil deeds openly.

What do you have that you need to confess?

A silversmith named Demetrius who made idols called the other silversmiths together.  He was concerned that Paul’s teachings would convince people to not worship the idols they made and of course they would lose money.  He told them that Paul said they were no gods at all and that Artemis, Greek goddess of fertility would be discredited and people would be robbed of her divine majesty.  Most of the people assembled together didn’t even know why they were there.  They just jumped on the bandwagon. (Acts 19:32).  When they heard this, there was a riot. 

People even today like getting involved in protests.  Why do they do this?  Usually it’s because of some injustice.  It can be contagious and ordinary people can get swept up and do things they wouldn’t normally do like shouting, shoving, breaking things and even looting.  It can be very dangerous.  Maybe it’s entertainment for them or and something to do.  Evil was at work here, but so was God.  Thankfully, God worked through the city clerk who calmed the crowd down and sent everyone home.  God had preserved His work and His people again.

Principle:  A teachable heart will sacrificially obey God’s word.

When evil clashes with good, God always wins.  What do you need to sacrificially do to live up to God’s word?  God knows your secrets and so does Satan.  Sometimes it’s not easy to recognize idols today.  They could be an idea, an organization, pleasure, work, ministry, family, etc.  It’s anything you focus and count on instead of God.  If you need to be secretive about it, it’s an idol.  A teachable heart will obey God even at a great sacrifice.

Acts 20:1-12 – Attentive    

Paul knew it was time to leave, but before he left he sent for the disciples, encouraged them and said goodbye.  He traveled to Greece and stayed 3 months.  He continued traveling and preached wherever he went.  Then in Troas he preached and taught up into the night.  There must have been many people there listening to Paul speak.  A man named Eutychus was on the 3rd floor window seat listening to Paul and fell sound asleep and fell to the ground dead.  Paul rushed to him and God allowed him to resurrect Eutychus.  Paul didn’t scold him, but showed compassion.  Eutychus means fortunate.  The people probably now thought Paul is for real and trusted him.  This solidified Paul’s authority. 

Principle:   A teachable heart lives attentive to God’s people and God’s word.

How are you to people around you who are hurting - to their hearts? 

How prepared are you to hear God’s voice or Word? 

What will you do to make time with your creator? 

What are you ready to put aside – cell phone, computer, household chores? 

Where do you sit in church?

Do you sit in the back so you can get out quickly or up front so you won’t be distracted?

You know what needs to be removed so you can concentrate when spending time in His Word. 

Acts 20:13-21:15   Compelled

Then Paul left Ephesus, he said farewell to the elders.  He described his ministry and told he served the Lord with great humility and with tears.  He knew hard days were ahead, but he walked toward them.   The Holy Spirit warned him of the hardships to come.  He knew he may not ever see them again so he gives instructions and warnings to the elders.  They are responsible to keep watch over the church and be on guard.  A pastor’s role is to fed the flock and teach the scripture.  If not, people won’t change.  So many have been taught by savage wolves.  These wolves get started in the church.  People don’t know it’s not the truth.  So stay alert and remember God’s Word.  God’s Word is our tool to live by. They are to work hard and help the weak.  “It it more blessed to give than to receive.” – (Acts 20:35)

Paul was compelled to go back to Jerusalem.  Remember Jerusalem is where Stephen was stoned and Paul was there helping to stone him.  Now there is Paul back there again.

Principle:  A teachable heart lives compelled by God’s Spirit and truth for His purposes.  

We get courage by getting in the game not sitting on the bench.  Paul was compelled by God’s Spirit and was given complete access.  Are you living compelled by this world or God’s Spirit?  Paul’s school of suffering has changed many lives.

Join me here next week for our study 1 Corinthians 1-4 -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1 - Comfort

Paul’s wrote the Thessalonians a second letter.  They had misunderstood Paul’s first letter or were influenced by false prophecy and thought for sure Jesus was coming soon.  Some had stopped working and were just waiting.  Paul described the second coming and reminded them to keep working until He comes and not be idle.  They were confused and life was very hard.  We lose sight of God and His plan for us when we’re confused.   Being in submission to Christ helps you not to live deceived and fearful.  When in hard times and you decide that God is not there and doesn’t care, you have vulnerability. 

Paul, Silas and Timothy thanked God for the faith of the Thessalonians that was growing more and more.  Paul also thanked God for the increasing love they had for each other.  He boasted about the Thessalonians’ perseverance and faith they had even while being persecuted. (2 Thess. 1:3-4).

Their suffering was evidence that God’s judgment is proper and right.  It shows them worthy of the kingdom of God.  God is just and will pay back those who persecute Christians.  This will happen when Jesus returns.  Then He will give rest to the suffering.  A day of rest is promised for every believer and they will live in the kingdom of God.  This promise is not only for the Thessalonians, but for Paul, Silas and Timothy because they too had suffered.

What afflictions have you suffered?  Maybe you don’t think you have, but evil forces are working against you and your commitment to Christ impacts others.  You will be judged by others by your faith and life principles.

Jesus is now in heaven where we can’t see Him, but when He returns all people will see Him.  He will come in the clouds with His army of angels.  People will wonder and be afraid as He appears.  He will condemn and punish those who don’t know Him.  They will never have another chance to turn to God and there will be no hope for them.  They won’t share the joy of the kingdom of God.  Jesus will receive honor and praise from all those who believe.  He has saved believers and will call them to meet Him in the air.  They will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

Jesus will be revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel – (2 Thess. 1:7-8).

The saints (believers) will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God – (2 Thess. 1:5).  He will give relief to those who are troubled – (2 Thess. 1:7).

He will be glorified in His holy people and be marveled at among all those who have believed – (2 Thess. 1:10).

Jesus will punish those who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from His glory – (2 Thess. 1:8-9).

Principle:  Christ’s return means comfort for believers and judgment for unbelievers.

                      

Paul and his companions prayed constantly for the Thessalonians that God may make them worthy of His calling and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of theirs and every act prompted by their faith.  He prayed that the name of the Lord Jesus be glorified in them – (2 Thess. 1:11-12).

Is your faith growing stronger?

Is there opposition to your faith?  If not, examine your life.

How is God’s character being revealed to you?

How are others seeing you live out your faith?

The Day of the Lord is in the future and Paul wanted them to know that.  They thought they missed the rapture.  We need to know what the Bible says so we are not deceived.

2 Thessalonians 2 - Confusion

Some thought that Jesus had already returned and were unsettled and alarmed.  Paul told them not to let anyone deceive them and that the Day of the Lord will not come until certain things happen.  Paul told them 3 things must happen before Christ’s return –

(1) the rebellion occurs - a "falling away" or "a departure from faith".

(2) the revealing of the man of lawlessness -  the Anti-Christ will come to power.

(3) the restraint of lawlessness is removed - refers to governmental authority.

There will be a rebellion and the revealing of the man of lawlessness.  (2 Thess. 2:3).  In Matthew 24 Jesus warns us that many false teachers and false prophets would come claiming to be the Messiah.  He said you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  Nations will rise against nations.  There will be famines and earthquakes.  All of these are beginning of birth pains.  Christians will be persecuted and hated because of their belief in Jesus.  The abomination that causes desolation would be revealed – (Matthew 24 and Revelation 13:3-6).

It may be very easy to be deceived with signs and miracles performed by false messiahs and false prophets if you don’t have a good biblical foundation.  So stay in God’s Word and know what it says.  There is only one truth and one true Messiah, that’s Jesus. 

The man of lawlessness will be revealed and doomed to destruction.  He will exalt himself over everything and will set himself up in the temple as God.  The man of lawlessness will be overthrown by Jesus with His breath and be destroyed by the splendor of His coming.  The man of lawlessness will work in accordance with Satan displaying all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.  – (2 Thess. 2:1-12).  Who is this man of lawlessness?  He is the Anti-Christ, the beast coming out of the sea – (Revelation 13:1-8).

God will send a powerful delusion to cause unbelievers to believe the lie of the man of lawlessness, because they have not believed the truth and have delighted in wickedness – (2 Thess. 2:11-12).  People today refuse to open their eyes and accept God’s truth.  They don’t think knowing God is worthwhile.  They are full of pride, envy, murder, strife, all kinds of wickedness, faithless, ruthless and the list in Romans 1 goes on.  If you refuse to listen to the truth, you will be deceived by Satan and won’t even know that you are deceived. 

How can you avoid being deluded?  You can prevent believing the lies of Satan, if you will just know the truth.  Study the scriptures and know for yourself what it says.  Don’t take the opinions of others.  Stay in His Word and stay close to God.  By knowing the truth we get to know God more and we’re equipped to discern good from evil.  We should stand firm and hold to the teaching of Jesus and remember that God loves us and is always there to give us eternal encouragement, hope, and strength – (2 Thess. 2:15-17). 

Paul told them that God chose them through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and through belief in the truth.  He called them to this through the gospel that they might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our responsibility is to believe the truth, stand firm and hold on to the teachings of Jesus – (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15).  Jesus has already done all the work.  All we have to do is believe what He says.  “Share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” in verse 14 means believers will be raised to eternal life with Him and share His inheritance in heaven and we will see God.  We are secure in Him because He chose us from the beginning to be saved.  Believers are exempt from the Anti-Christ. 

 

Principle:  Christ’s return will be the end to all evil.

What gives you comfort and security? 

Have you been taught something that makes you afraid?  If so, examine that against scripture for truth.  Deception manifests fear.  Pray that you be responsible with the truth that God gives you.

2 Thessalonians 3 - Correction

Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him and his companions that the message may spread rapidly and be honored and that they may be delivered from wicked and evil men.  Paul is confident that God will do what He says.  Are you?

Who will you pray for? 

Who will you ask to pray for you?

Paul warns them against idleness and that idleness make them busybodies.  When he said they should not associate with people who do not live according to the teachings they have received, he is saying don’t engage in their wrong doings.  They should work for a living or not eat.  They probably thought Jesus was coming very soon so they chose not to work, which is a matter of willingness not ability.  We should admonish our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when needed, but remember everyone should be treated with love and respect.  Be firm, but loving.  If your heart is not in the right place, it could be damning. 

Is your heart right to admonish someone else? 

Are you open to being admonished?

Principle:  Knowing that Christ will return helps believers not grow weary.

Do you gossip?

Are you living as a busybody?

How are you spending your time?

How are you living with urgency, commitment and with confidence?

Join me here next week as we go back to Acts 18.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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