Weekend Quote (Sun)

It is the ordinary method of the Spirit of God to convict sinners by the law. It is this which, being set home on the conscience, generally breaketh the rocks in pieces. It is more especially this part of the Word of God which is quick and powerful, full of life and energy and sharper than any two-edged sword. ~ John Wesley

Weekend Quote

A zealous man feels sinners by the law. It is that, like a lamp, he is made to burn; and if consumed in burning, he has but done the work for which God appointed him. Such a one will always find a sphere for his zeal. If he cannot preach the work and give money, he will cry and sigh and pray. ~ John C. Ryle

Daily Word

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10. In contrast to the wise of this world (who cannot even conceive the greatness of divine salvation), those who love God know and partake of His blessings. The quotation is based on Is. 64.4, but includes other ideas of the OT. The idea of divine searching (searches everything), emphasizes God’s omniscience, particularly His power to see what is invisible to humans. It does not imply that the Holy Spirit needs to seek knowledge of the Father that He otherwise lacks. The Spirit probes the depths of knowledge for our benefit. Spend some time and chew on this for a few moments. How does your walk with Christ change today understanding that the Spirit is probing the depths of God for your benefit?

Daily Word

None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:8. Unbelievers (none of the rulers of this age) are still part of the old age and so have not received God’s wisdom. Paul emphasizes this point by focusing on the most influential members of society. It shouldn’t surprise anyone today as they watch all that is taking place in the world around us. We fail miserably at focusing on influential people in our society. Why? Perhaps it is because we have failed just as miserably influencing those on our own block, neighborhood, on our jobs. Around our city. If we have failed here how we can possibly expect to stand toe to toe with those who are influential elsewhere in our society?

Daily Word

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages of our glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7. This passage should not be interpreted (a secret and hidden wisdom of God) as a reference to mysteries accessible only to superior Christians. The riches of the gospel, through “hidden” during Old Testament period, have now been revealed by the spirit. Eph. 3:2-6 makes plain that the word “mystery,” used by Paul to emphasize the distinctiveness of his message to the Gentiles, has a strong temporal meaning. The “mystery” is a truth that “was not made known…in other generations”; it was kept “secret from the ages.” But now the truth has been clearly revealed to those who have the Spirit, who live in “the end of the ages.” Take some time in the Word today and let its mysteries be revealed unto you!

Daily Word

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 1 Corinthians 2:6. The word “mature here translates “perfect.” The apostle does not have in mind a special category of elite Christians, and the idea that may have been present among the Corinthians. The expression here is no doubt equivalent to “spiritual,” referring to the influence of the Holy Spirit. The mature or spiritual person is the person who has the Holy Spirit. Since every true believer has received the Spirit, every believer is spiritual and can understand God’s wisdom, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Where would the body of Christ be today if they put as much emphasis upon imparting Spiritual wisdom to others as they do chasing after signs, wonders, speaking into someone else’s life as the church designated prophet?

Daily Word

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my method were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ! Corinthians 1:2-5. Taken by themselves, these verses might suggest that Paul was timid, uneducated, and unable to speak with the force and eloquence. Both the book of Acts and Paul’s own two letters prove otherwise. “Self-confidence,” if it rests on arrogance concerning one’s own strength, reflects a desire to be independent from God. Paul had learned that God can use human weakness to show forth His coming glory. Because he knew that men and women will be persuaded only “in demonstration of the Spirit and power,” Paul used his talents and training with full confidence. This is a foundational portion of scripture(s) for those afraid to witness their faith. It’s not about you it’s ALL about God and what he can do through you. Your nervous, so was Pau, you feel weal, so did Paul…the only difference between you and Paul is that he put more trust in God than himself and allowed the power of God to work through him. It’s your turn…TODAY!

Daily Word

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come to you proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:1. Paul must be referring to (when I came to you) to his first visit to Corinth, recorded in Acts 18:1-7. Influenced by Greek culture, some of the Christians in Corinth may have been critical of Paul for not using the rhetorical techniques (with lofty speech or wisdom) of their contemporaries. Paul focused on the message of the cross, so that the Corinthians would put their faith in Christ who was crucified rather than in the ability of human messengers. The message you share must be more about what Christ has already done for them than what he will do for them. Anything short of that produces a false convert…period!

Weekend Quote (Sun)

We cannot come to Christ to be justified until we have first gone to Moses to be condemned. But once we have gone to Moses and acknowledge our sin, guilt, and condemnation, we must not stay there. ~ John Stott

Weekend Quote S(at)

Whatever we make the most of is our God. ~ Martin Luther For those who worship Idols, the idols’ silence gives the worshiper an illusion of permission to sin, to rise up early and embrace the pleasures of sin.

Daily Word

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that know human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-31. This principle, (no human being might boast in the presence of God) which Paul underscores in vs. 31 by quoting Jer. 9:24, provides the foundation for the biblical doctrine of salvation: It is a gracious gift from God that rules out human boasting. What have you been boasting about lately?