Scripture: "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies (15:36)...The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." (15:42-44)
Observation: This passage is about hope, excitement, and longing for the lives that we will have after our resurrection. But I also see so many parallels to what it means to die to self and truly live in Christ in the present life. I remember my friend Donato talking about how the seed (our sinful nature) has to go into the ground (die) or it cannot be transformed into a new life (alive in Christ) and yield a harvest (being obedient to Christ). "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (1 Peter 2:24).
Application: I think the application for me is to be excited and to look forward to the much longer life that I will have in heaven, living with Jesus with a glorified, resurrected body. I also think that the application for me is to seek forgiveness for the many times when I am not fully surrendered to Jesus as my Lord.
Prayer: Father God, I cannot even comprehend the blessings that You have in store for me in heaven. Thank you for promising to raise me in glory and power and with eternal life. Give me the strength today to live for You more each day, and to die to my selfish desires more each day.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
The resurrection of the dead
Scripture 1: "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (15:12) ... Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God - I say this to your shame." (15:33)
Observation 1: If I understand this correctly, Paul equates denial of the resurrection of the dead with sin. He uses shame and admonishes the Corinthians to correct a serious false doctrine.
Application 1: False teaching cannot be tolerated.
Scripture 2: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins...If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all others." (15:17, 19)
Observation 2: The church of Christ is not a club. It is not a debating society. It is not a place to kill time. It is not a place to try to convince others that your fabricated, unbiblical ideas are correct. It is a community in which we are supposed to live out our faith. Where we are slaves to our Lord, doing His will instead of living only for our own. Where we have bright hope for tomorrow (the resurrection), not just strength for today.
Application 2: Honestly, I spend much more energy seeking God's power for this life, for today's problems, than I do living in light of the resurrection.
Prayer: Almighty God, forgive me for living mostly for myself. Help me to see Your big picture. Help me to grow from this teaching and not just move on to the next one.
Observation 1: If I understand this correctly, Paul equates denial of the resurrection of the dead with sin. He uses shame and admonishes the Corinthians to correct a serious false doctrine.
Application 1: False teaching cannot be tolerated.
Scripture 2: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins...If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all others." (15:17, 19)
Observation 2: The church of Christ is not a club. It is not a debating society. It is not a place to kill time. It is not a place to try to convince others that your fabricated, unbiblical ideas are correct. It is a community in which we are supposed to live out our faith. Where we are slaves to our Lord, doing His will instead of living only for our own. Where we have bright hope for tomorrow (the resurrection), not just strength for today.
Application 2: Honestly, I spend much more energy seeking God's power for this life, for today's problems, than I do living in light of the resurrection.
Prayer: Almighty God, forgive me for living mostly for myself. Help me to see Your big picture. Help me to grow from this teaching and not just move on to the next one.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The resurrection of Christ
Scripture: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures." (15:3-4)
Observation: After Paul met Jesus and accepted Him as savior, what was most important to him was that he faithfully passed on the gospel to others.
Application: I put too many things in my life in a position of more importance than the command that I share the gospel with others. While I know that this is what should be most important to me, my actions and priorities tell a different story.
Prayer: Almighty God, I know that You want me to always be looking to share my faith with others. Please help me to hear Your voice, to know Your call, and to respond. Help me to elevate this to the most important thing in my life.
Observation: After Paul met Jesus and accepted Him as savior, what was most important to him was that he faithfully passed on the gospel to others.
Application: I put too many things in my life in a position of more importance than the command that I share the gospel with others. While I know that this is what should be most important to me, my actions and priorities tell a different story.
Prayer: Almighty God, I know that You want me to always be looking to share my faith with others. Please help me to hear Your voice, to know Your call, and to respond. Help me to elevate this to the most important thing in my life.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Good Order in Worship
Scripture: "Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says" (14:34).
Observation: This is one of those passages that I don't understand, don't like, and where I am tempted to try to find some explanation that aligns with my way of thinking. I want to say that Paul is simply reflecting the tradition of the times, but verses 34 ("the law says") and 37 ("acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command") don't support that. I'm not sure which of the Lord's commands or what part of the law is referenced here. It's also puzzling that verse 14:26 talks about "brothers and sisters" having a "hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation". Sisters are obviously women, so in verse 34 is it only married women who are not allowed to speak? This would seem to align with the aspect of "be in submission". But I'm not sure why. Is our culture so far from the concept of submission that I can't understand it?
Application: The application for me is to trust the word of God, even if I don't understand it. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16).
Prayer: Rabbi Jesus, help me to understand what I don't understand in this passage. If there is rebuking, correcting, or training for me, show me what it is. And if the reason that I don't understand is that I'm far away from your truth in this area, then please teach me your truth.
Observation: This is one of those passages that I don't understand, don't like, and where I am tempted to try to find some explanation that aligns with my way of thinking. I want to say that Paul is simply reflecting the tradition of the times, but verses 34 ("the law says") and 37 ("acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command") don't support that. I'm not sure which of the Lord's commands or what part of the law is referenced here. It's also puzzling that verse 14:26 talks about "brothers and sisters" having a "hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation". Sisters are obviously women, so in verse 34 is it only married women who are not allowed to speak? This would seem to align with the aspect of "be in submission". But I'm not sure why. Is our culture so far from the concept of submission that I can't understand it?
Application: The application for me is to trust the word of God, even if I don't understand it. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16).
Prayer: Rabbi Jesus, help me to understand what I don't understand in this passage. If there is rebuking, correcting, or training for me, show me what it is. And if the reason that I don't understand is that I'm far away from your truth in this area, then please teach me your truth.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Intelligibility in worship
Scripture: "So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare." (14:23-25)
Observation: I have been present for arguments between believers and unbelievers where both sides passionately defend their view on something of questionable importance. The topic of evolution comes to mind. The truth is important, but what is most important in these cases? Sometimes I think we alienate unbelievers when what is most important is that they hear the good news of Jesus Christ. We shouldn't water down the truth, but that doesn't mean that we should start at the end or somewhere in the middle. The good news is the beginning
Application: I need to focus on what matters most. It is easy to get sidetracked down some rabbit hole because it is interesting or because it is fun to argue. But this does not build up the church.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are what matters most. Help me to keep this in the front of my mind everyday and to act on it. Often I put myself first. Actually, I think that I am doing it right now. Forgive me and teach me to put you first.
Observation: I have been present for arguments between believers and unbelievers where both sides passionately defend their view on something of questionable importance. The topic of evolution comes to mind. The truth is important, but what is most important in these cases? Sometimes I think we alienate unbelievers when what is most important is that they hear the good news of Jesus Christ. We shouldn't water down the truth, but that doesn't mean that we should start at the end or somewhere in the middle. The good news is the beginning
Application: I need to focus on what matters most. It is easy to get sidetracked down some rabbit hole because it is interesting or because it is fun to argue. But this does not build up the church.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are what matters most. Help me to keep this in the front of my mind everyday and to act on it. Often I put myself first. Actually, I think that I am doing it right now. Forgive me and teach me to put you first.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Love is indispensable
Scripture: "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." (13:8)
Observation: After writing about the different spiritual gifts that God has given to member of the church, each of them essential and each of them given for a particular reason in support of God's purposes, Paul tells us that these things will pass away. And Paul tells us that Christian actions, whether utilizing spiritual gifts or not, are worthless if not done in love. Love is the glue that is needed to hold the church together. No matter what gifts different Christians have, we all share in God's love and we are all expected to be loving to one another.
Application: When I look at the description of love (patient, kind, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs...) I see that it is only partially fulfilled in me (at best). I see that I have a long way to go. But I have been given love through the Holy Spirit, and I am supposed to use it.
Prayer: God of love, please fill me with your love. Make me more able each day to love the way you love.
Observation: After writing about the different spiritual gifts that God has given to member of the church, each of them essential and each of them given for a particular reason in support of God's purposes, Paul tells us that these things will pass away. And Paul tells us that Christian actions, whether utilizing spiritual gifts or not, are worthless if not done in love. Love is the glue that is needed to hold the church together. No matter what gifts different Christians have, we all share in God's love and we are all expected to be loving to one another.
Application: When I look at the description of love (patient, kind, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs...) I see that it is only partially fulfilled in me (at best). I see that I have a long way to go. But I have been given love through the Holy Spirit, and I am supposed to use it.
Prayer: God of love, please fill me with your love. Make me more able each day to love the way you love.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
1 Corinthians Study: Love
S: 13:11 " when I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."
O: In the context Paul is speaking here about being full or complete. When we are children we are not complete yet, childhood is very important but it is as adults that we should begin to function independently and become our own person or individual with the gifts that God has given us. Love is being to this concept. Love is the fullness and completeness of everything that is God.
A: Having said that, everything I do should have an aspect of God's love. This doesn't mean that I should be a doormat, but I should portray the traits of love given here. (vv 4-7)
P: Lord, help me to show love when it is the last thing I want to do.(with family, sons, co-workers). You know I struggle with this and I want to change. I do not want to give in. Help me to stay strong but to show compassion and love in the middle of correction and guidance.
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