1 Corinthians Study: Food Sacrificed to Idols

S: 8:13 "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

O: Although in my circles, eating meat that has been offered to idols is seldom heard of, there are other practices that could cause a brother to fall. My circle of influence should be leading weaker christians to Christ, not away from Him. Although some things are permissible, they are not always helpful.

A: I need to be careful how I exercise my freedom, not boasting or flaunting it as a trophy. The fruits of the Spirit can help me with this. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control.

P: Lord, there is true freedom in you. Help me to draw others toward you and not to bring offense to my brothers.

1 Corinthians Study: 1 Corinthians Study: Concerning Married Life

1 Corinthians Study: 1 Corinthians Study: Concerning Married Life:

S:7:29-31 "What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short... For this world in its present form is passing away."

O: Paul reemphasizes how the married life divides a persons full devotion to the Lord's affairs. Life is seen as short and fleeting. Our time is important and it is necessary to use it efficiently and wisely.

A: I tend to not plan my time very well. I need to concentrate on a well thought out time schedule and not waste precious time and then implement it. Once time is gone it is gone.

P: Father, help me to use my time wisely with my family and for your work. Let my efforts prove to be intentional and directional. Cause me to be focused on doing your will with the time you have given me while I'm here on this earth.

1 Corinthians Study: Concerning Married Life

1 Corinthians Study: Concerning Married Life:

S:7:1-2 "Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband."

O: Wow! Immorality is running rancid in our culture much like the conditions that Paul addresses here. The very first "matter" that Paul corrects is that it is good for a man not to marry. I think Paul realizes that a married man will have much more responsibilities to his wife and children than a man who can totally dedicate himself to the Lord. Secondly, Paul reaffirms the just exactly what a marriage is... "each man should have his own wife, each woman her own husband." The instruction here is given in the singular position and gender specific!!! It is really sad that we now have 6 states, and I think more will follow, that have legalized same sex marriages. One representative said it went against his Catholic belief but as an attorney he had to vote for it for equal rights reasons, ie. estates, health benefits, hospital visitation?

A: Things go a lot smoother when we do it God's way. It may seem difficult at the time but in the long run it always works out better. If we are single, we would do well to consider staying single to carry out the work the Lord has set before us. If being single is too much of a control issue for us then it is better to marry staying in the confines of what Paul dictates here as marriage.

P: Lord. I am a married man. Help me to fulfill my marriage vows and raise my wife into a position of honor. Help me to balance my responsibilities as a husband, father, and a believer called to carry out your good works.

1 Corinthians Study: Sexual Immorality

1 Corinthians Study: Sexual Immorality:

S: 6:13 The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

O: This is so contradictory in our culture today.

A: I need to guard/protect myself from the sex that is in TV, internet, social meetings and remember that I honor God with my body.

P: Lord, may I honor you with my body and surrender to you like a little child who submits and wants to honor his parents. Without question or reserve and an innocence that honors you.

Concerning the unmarried

Scripture: "those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away" (7:30-31).

Observation: Perspective is critical. I live in the world. I buy things. I have things. But my attitude should be that it is all going to burn up. I should be a good steward, but with the right perspective.

Application: When I buy something new, I want to keep it nice. I just bought a new TV and I like it a lot. I don't want the kids to put a ball through it or otherwise mess it up. But am I willing to view it as something that is not mine to keep? I need to be.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the blessings that I have. Help me to always know what is most important, and it is not the stuff that will burn up.

Concerning change of status

Scripture: "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings" (7:23).

Observation: There is danger in legalism. We (the church), who have been freed from slavery to sin by the blood of Jesus and freed *unto* living "as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned" (7:17) and freed *unto* living as "Christ's slaves" (7:22), for whatever reason, we often relapse into legalism. And we become slaves again to rules, traditions, what other people will think, fear, greed, lust, desire for comfort, power, etc.

Application: My life was bought at a price. I am freed from the chains of sin and a destiny of eternal fire. Now I need to live as Christ's slave and the slave of no other person or thing.

Prayer: Lord and teacher, write Your law on my heart so that I don't fall into legalism when I am seeking to keep Your commands. And break any bondage to whatever is mastering me right now.

Concerning Married Life

Scripture: "For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband...How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?" (7:14, 7:16)

[I don't understand what "sanctified" means in this context. It cannot mean "saved" based on verse 16. Maybe that the relationship is made holy? That the act of a believing partner living out God's love for the unbelieving partner is an act of holiness?]

Observation: The church in Corinth seemed to be advocating for a kind of asceticism regarding sex (7:1), and Paul corrects this error. Yes, living for the Master is our ultimate calling. And sharing the gospel, doing God's work, is most important. But Paul points out that for some people, sharing the gospel may mean loving and attempting to live in peace with an unbelieving partner.

Application: Sometimes it is difficult to accept when I am being called to witness right where I am. I often want some "bigger" or "more significant" calling. But this is wrong. God's call is God's will, and this makes it extremely significant.

Prayer: Patient and merciful God, please help me to always see your call for my life, even when it is difficult or when I don't think that it is "important" enough to be a true calling.

Sexual Immorality

Scripture: "Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!" (6:15)

Observation: I think this verse is intended to be a stark contrast with the freedom that we have in Christ, as alluded to in verse 12. If the church in Corinth argues that "I have the right to do anything", Paul shows them the consequences of their actions.

Application: I am a part of the church, which is the body of Christ, and when I yield to sin I disgrace the church and Christ himself. To the one who is due all glory and honor, I bring dishonor and shame. With freedom comes responsibility.

Prayer: Father God, please fill me with Your Spirit so that I can reflect Your light and Your glory into the lives around me. And give me the strength to live my life as a witness and not as a disgrace to your church.

1 Corinthians Study: 1 Corinthians Study: Lawsuits among believers

1Corinthians Study: Lawsuits among believers

S: 6:7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

O: It is a better witness to be unjustly wronged or cheated than to quarrel with your Christian brother.

A: This week I had to change my route to Wagon Mound, NM because of the Track Fire in Raton. As a result, the driver that I meet with and I are in disagreement on our meeting point. We both say that we are believers and now he is upset over our pay. Although the meeting point was as close as we could make it to being even, I ended up with a little more pay. Tonight I will try to reconcile with him so that it will be as equal as possible.

P: Rob, please pray for me that we can reconcile with each other. I want to take the high road while keeping the run as equal as possible. I pray for the best outcome while being hesitant that the situation may not go as I would like. Lord I do not look at the temporary but the eternal. I realize that some day I will be judging the world and even angels(6:2-3). Help me to learn and discipline myself for your future glory.

1 Corinthians Study: Lawsuits among believers

1 Corinthians Study: Expel the Immoral Brother!:

S: 5:13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from you."

O: We are not to judge unsaved people who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We are however, to examine and judge those inside the faith. I think this is important to address because left unchecked the habitual sinner damages what the church stands for ie. a changed life, repentance, good works, and the testimony of Christ himself. It can also infect the rest of the body (church).

A: We are all sinners and continue to sin. However, blatant sin or habitual sin, a sin left unchecked or admitted needs to be addressed within the body of believers. Furthermore, the church is to expel someone who brings false testimony to the church. I can say I have never seen anyone expelled from a church although I now of some that have been ex-communicated from the Catholic faith.

P: Lord, you know I struggle with confrontation, but it is something that I deal with on a daily basis with work, family, and church. Help me to confront wisely and with your will in mind. Help me to bring a good and strong witness for your church.

Lawsuits among believers

Scripture: "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (6:11).

Observation: These words convey the power that is in the blood of Jesus. His work washed me clean and paid the penalty for my sins, and His Spirit leads me into holiness and a changed life.

Application: I was thinking about the words "you were washed" and how this is not a one time event. Jesus' death was once for all, but my need for being washed clean is recurring. It is definitely not true that as a Christ follower I no longer sin. I do. But I see a bigger picture in these words. At the core of my being, what am I? What best describes me? Is it sexual immorality? Is it adultery? Is it greed? Drunkenness? No. What best describes me is that I am sinner who is washed clean by the blood of Jesus, declared righteous in His name, changed by the power of His Holy Spirit, and wanting to live for Him, however flawed the results may be sometimes. I think that this should be the core, the identity of a Christ follower.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your powerful, merciful, humble, perfect, loving gift of salvation. Help me to accept who I am in you and to stop trying to bring myself glory in my own image.

Dealing with a Case of Incest

Scripture: "So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the sinful nature so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord" (5:4-5).

Observation: This is a difficult passage. For one, the language is difficult. It is not clear why the church in Corinth would be "proud" of the sexual sin that Paul is pointing out (5:2). Also, it is difficult to reconcile Paul's suggestion to publicly confront the man with Jesus' words in Matthew 18:15-17. It may be that the man had already been confronted privately, refused to change, and the church decided to just move on and ignore it. However it came to this, Paul recommends an extreme and public form of discipline. And he stresses how important it is for the church to deal with open, willful sin among its members. Even a "little yeast" works its way through the whole church if it is not dealt with.

Application: Do I sometimes take sin too lightly? I should not. It is true that "we are all sinners...", but maybe sometimes this is a flippant and wrong response. I should not have a light hearted attitude towards open rebellion by a brother or sister in Christ. Although I might not seek the confrontation, if we have God's attitude toward sin then we will be compelled to confront it within the church.

Prayer: Father God, you have been speaking to me the last couple of days about this idea of rebuke. Give me the ability to learn what I need to learn from your word. And help me to have Your mindset towards sin and not a lazy headed or jaded mindset.

Paul's Appeal and Warning

Scripture: "Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." 4:15

Observation: Sometimes the role of a father is to rebuke and discipline, and Paul is willing to take that role for the church in Corinth. He spoke with fear and trembling (2:3) to ensure they knew the message of the cross. And now he speaks with a rod of discipline (4:21) to ensure that they are not mislead in what it means to live in the shadow of the cross.

Application: The need for rebuke is clear in the bible. Sometimes we are called to admonish fellow believers. E.g., Titus 1:13 and many other verses. This is difficult for me and I don't think that I have the right mindset in this area. My idea of the Christian walk is maybe a little...too soft? Love, patience, forbearance, kindness, not judging other's motives, etc are clearly important and expected. But we are not to tolerate sin among the body and we are (I think) also expected to rebuke and admonish other believers when necessary. I can't think of a verse that says "Look the other way".

Prayer: Lord, you know this is not something to which I am naturally inclined. And you know the people who come to mind while I am thinking of rebuke. Please guide me with Your Spirit so that I know my role in these situations. And that I know when I am expected to speak for the truth and to admonish others to change, repent, and seek your forgiveness.

1 Corinthians Study: The Nature of True Apostleship

1 Corinthians Study: The Nature of True Apostleship:

S: 4:9-13. For it seems that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena...when we are cursed, we bless, when we are persecuted we endure it, when we are slandered, we answer kindly,. Up to this point we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

O: To be honest this passage troubles me. Paul is not boasting but explaining the result of following Christ and laying out the example. And he goes on to say that we should "imitate" him. I see folks in the ministry that seem to be doing really well worldly and I have a hard time rationalizing or putting the two together.

A: I need to focus on myself and not others. Christ has called us each to his own work and that is what I need to be about doing and realize that I will face the same humiliation that Paul had to deal with but realize what Paul says in v.20 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."

P: Keep me focused on my relationship with you Lord. When I am cursed or mistreated let my response be pure and holy. Yet do not let me remain silent to tell others of your good works.

The Nature of True Apostleship

Scripture: "This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." 4:1

Observation: Here, again, is an insight into Paul's Godly humility and character. His identity is not tied up in his own gifts. He does not identify himself as *the* Apostle, *the* authority, the old testament scholar, the "doer" for the church, or even as someone who is constantly suffering for the gospel. He is all of these things, but his identity is pure and simple: a servant of Christ who is living out his calling.

Application: There are things that I identify with and am proud of. I see myself through these things. There are also aspects of my life that I am not proud of, and I don't want to see myself through these things. But there is no room for either in the simple statement in verse 1. I, like Paul, am a servant of Christ. This simplicity is very liberating.

Prayer: God of mercy and patience, please strip away the things in my mind, my spirit, my psyche, that are not glorifying to You. Please enable me to simply be your servant and to see myself this way.

1 Corinthians Study: The church and its leaders

1 Corinthians Study: The church and its leaders:

S: 3:10-15 ...each one should be careful how he builds...he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

O: I need to stay grounded in Christ being intentional on building on what He has already done. Anything I "build" on top of that will be tested and shown for what it is. Like oil and water that seperate after being mixed so will be false works done in the name of Jesus.

A: Use the right motives and tools to build upon Christ. Whether it be as a pastor, children's worker, or daily life.

P: Keep me grounded in faith and test my works, refine them so that they are pure and holy.

The church and its leaders

Scripture: 3:2 "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it."

Observation: Paul laid a foundation for the church in Corinth (3:10). He preached nothing among them except Jesus and him crucified (2:2). I think this was the spiritual milk. The church was supposed to "grow up" from this foundation into relationship with God through the Spirit (2:16), but they had not grown up yet and were stuck in *worldliness*, which was evidenced by quarreling and jealousy (3:3).

Application: Sometimes I wonder how "grown up" I am in Christ. I do see Him changing me through the Spirit. But I also see a good deal of worldliness remaining in my actions and my thinking. Often I am obsessed with the things that will be burned up (3:12) and not enough with what will survive (3:14).

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your patience with me. Please continue to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Only through Your Spirit can I live for You. Only through Your Spirit can I cleanse myself of worldliness. Only through Your Spirit  can I be in real relationship with You.

1 Corinthians Study: God's wisdom revealed by the Spirit

1 Corinthians Study: God's wisdom revealed by the Spirit:

S: 2:7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

O: Code talkers? Those who do not or have not accepted Christ as the Messiah cannot understand God's wisdom, a spiritual truth, in spiritual words taught by the Spirit.

People communicate through the media of language. Be it sign, the spoken languages, music, art, each is a form of language that when mastered and understood creates a relationship between two or more individuals. God relates to us through His Son and through the Spirit. God is Spirit and we are taught by the Spirit and relate to God through our spirit.

A: I need to be working through the power of the Spirit and judge all things through the Spirit. I need to master the language of the Spirit with my spirit. In that way I communicate and relate to God. This is not necessarily a spoken language it is a spiritual language. Helen Keller learned to communicate with her teacher Annie Sullivan although she was deaf, mute, and blind. She was undisciplined and untaught even in basic manners. I am Helen Keller. I need the structure and discipline through the Spirit. Then I can begin to have "the mind of Christ"

P: Lord, give me your Spirit. How can I know your mind unless you give it to me? Give me the strength to walk in your Spirit discerning those things that come from you and those that are of this world.

God's wisdom revealed by the Spirit

Scripture: 2:12

Observation: Paul presented the gospel to the Corinthians "not with wise and persuasive words", so that their faith would not rest on human wisdom. But here he clarifies that we, as believers, are not without wisdom. And it is not just any wisdom, it is the wisdom and the very thoughts of God, which are revealed to us through the Spirit.

Application: It's easy to get this humility thing wrong, and I often fall into the trap of false humility. Living humbly does not mean living without power. Or without wisdom. God gives us these through his Spirit. And humility is not an excuse to do *nothing* when God calls me to *something*. Being called to humility does *not* mean considering myself lowly and incapable. Rather, it means understanding and living out my reliance on God.

Prayer: Lord, you know I have a lack of understanding here. You know my instincts are often wrong. Please help me to change and grow to understand how to be humble without selling short Your power and purpose.

1 Corinthians Study: Christ Crucified is God's Power and Wisdom

1 Corinthians Study: Christ Crucified is God's Power and Wisdom:

S: 1:18 For the cross of Christ is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

O: It's funny how sometimes the more we know the less we know or how a situation can be in our clear sight but we cannot see it.

A: It seems we have an integrity crisis with our elected leader/officials. What is more disturbing is that they don't see the wrongness with what they have done. They totally deny their actions and do not fully accept the consequences of their choices. In matters of our faith we can fall into this same trap. Realizing that all the good that is in us and the power that we have been enabled with come from the saving work of Christ.

P: Lord, Help me balance the freedom that I have in you, with the power you have given me. Not that I should boast in anything that I do, but what You do through me. Help me to be bold in the matters that you place before me and to fully accept the consequences of my choices. Not that I would run after the wisdom of this world but rather stand firm in the hope that I have in you.

Christ Crucified is God's Power and Wisdom

Scripture: 2:30

Observation: Accepting the salvation of Jesus and living for Him and for God's glory requires humility. In both, we must realize our weakness and submit to God. Verse 30 reminds us that it is only because of Jesus that we are in Jesus. That the only righteousness that we have is imputed by Him. That it is Him who teaches us to be holy. That it is He who saves us and that we cannot redeem ourselves.

Application: I can accept that I am not wise by human standards (v26). I know that I am not influential and that I am not of noble birth (v26). The application for me is not to be discouraged by these, but to be encouraged and inspired in doing God's work. He can use me! And it is freeing to know that the burden is not on me to be wise and eloquent (v17), but only to share the message of the cross with those who are perishing (v18).

Prayer: Father God, I am inspired right now to share your son Jesus with others. Please show me who it is that needs to hear the message of the cross from me.

Divisions in the Church

S: Verse 1:13 Is Christ divided?

O: Paul realizes the fracturing of the Church and firmly addresses the issue and redirects the focus of being unified. It seems that being united in mind and thought is far more effective than quarreling over whose teaching they were following.

A: I need to keep my focus on Christ not on who is bringing the message or what method is being used.

P: Lord keep my mind and thoughts focused on you. Keep your believers unified in agreement to bring good works and fruit to your ministry.

A Church Divided over Leaders

Scripture: 1:17

Observation: Paul, possessing a brilliant mind, the best education, and a deep knowledge of the scriptures, keeps the focus squarely on the cross of Christ. He is an important actor, but he does not make himself the center of the story.

Application: Like Paul, I need to focus on what is important. And it is not trying to make other people like me or think well of me. God's work is what is important. Paul also emphasizes the importance of the church being united in truth. Twice he calls the Corinthians brothers and sisters and exhorts them to unity.

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to keep in the front of my mind that it is all about You and Your glory. Instead of making myself the focus, give me the opportunity to be a mirror: to reflect your love and your light into someone's life who needs to know You.

Introduction and Thanksgiving

Scripture:

Verses 1:5, 1:7

Observation:

I often doubt myself and question decisions that I make. Here Paul is assuring those in Christ that we have been enriched in every way! We do not lack any spiritual gift. They are at our disposal to use as we wait for Jesus' return.

Application:

I need to have confidence and assurance in the spiritual gifts that have been given to me. Not so much confidence in my own abilities but what Christ can do through me. This will also enable me to persevere through situations that will come my way in this life.

Prayer:

Thank you Father for placing people in my life to help keep me accountable to your Word. Show me the gifts that you have prepared for me that I may use them for your glory. Keep self-doubt far away from my thoughts and speech especially with my family. Help me to realize that you see great potential for me and see me as blameless in Christ Jesus.

Introduction and Thanksgiving

Scripture: Verses 1:1, 1:2, 1:9

Observation: The instances of the word "call" struck me reading these passages. Paul is called to be an apostle of Christ (v1). The church at Corinth is called to be his holy people (v2). God calls us into fellowship with his Son, Jesus (v9).

Application: I have probably spent too much time thinking about what it is that God is calling me to do with my life and how I am supposed to use my gifts to serve Him. And not enough time praying about it. Or acting as His hands and heart. But these passages show me some things that are part of God's call on my life. He calls me to be part of his church, part of His holy people. And he calls me into fellowship with his Son, Jesus, just like the church at Corinth.

Prayer: Father God, keep me firm to the end (v8) through Christ Jesus. If you have specific work for me to start this week, please show me. And if not, help me to remember and commit firmly to the calling to be *with You* and part of your church. Let me identify with this more than with what I might accomplish and what work I might do in my own strength.