Daily Word

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were noble birth. 1 Corinthians 1:26. Salvation, by its very nature, does not depend on human values. Even those in the Corinthian church who might have been justly admired could not have claimed that they were chosen because of their good qualities. Rather, God has mercy on all who acknowledge their sinfulness. Whom will God have mercy on today because you were an obedient vessel reaching out on God’s behalf?

Daily Word

For the Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25. Paul identifies precisely what the world finds offensive (we preach Christ crucified) about the gospel. Possibly these words also reflect the reason for Paul’s opposition to the gospel before his conversion. The thought that the messiah (God’s anointed) had been hanged on a tree and had come under divine curse was intolerable to many Jews. God’s wisdom and power (Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God) are not abstract forces but personal qualities that manifest themselves fully in the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to me that today it appears that it is the “believers” who chase after signs, and challenge one another with the wisdom of God in regards to what the word means. We’ve gotten so busy in our attempt to manufacture the qualities of God within the church that we’ve become blinded to the lost and dying world around us. The power of the gospel has become insignificant in our own eyes before it ever reaches theirs. Today, take some time to mediate on the power of the gospel…then go forth and apply it!

Weekend Quote (Sun)

No man knows the brightness of the gospel ‘till he understands the blackness of those clouds which surround the Law of the Lord. ~ Charles Spurgeon

Weekend Quote (Sat)

The moment God’s Law ceases to be the most powerful factor in influencing the moral sensitivity of any individual or nation, there will be no indifference to Divine wrath, and when indifference comes in it always brings in its train indifference to salvation. ~ A.N. Martin

Daily Word

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21. This passage is filled with intense irony. Those who are wise according to the standards of this world think the gospel is foolish (the folly of what we preach). But even the most “foolish” thing about God is wiser than human wisdom. God can use the simplicity of the gospel to demonstrate that real foolishness belongs to those who oppose him. The arrogance of human wisdom blinds unbelievers to the truth. Jesus thanked His Father for His good pleasure in hiding these things from the wise and learned but revealing them to the little children. Be reminded today, that those in the world see the things of God as foolishness because they are blinded. It is God, and God alone who is able to remove the clouds from their eyes. None the less we continue to plow and plant the seed... So “happy farming” today!

Daily Word

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1:20. It is not clear whether Paul intends a sharp distinction between these three categories (wise…scribe…debater). Possibly the first is general in character, while the other two are specifically Jewish scribes and Greek teachers. Much of Paul’s theology is built on the basic opposition (this age…the world) between “the present evil age,” and the coming age, which has already dawned for those who received the spirit.

Daily Word

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19. According to the bible there will be two types of response to the gospel arising from God’s elective purpose (perishing…being saved). This truth does not make God responsible for the perishing of unbelievers; they perish because of their own sin and stubborn impenitence. Those who believe and are saved, on the other hand, are those who are “called.” This is one of those that always stirs it up…If Jesus died for everyone…then He failed because many die every day in their sin and according to His Word they shall spend eternity in the lake of fire…However, if Jesus died for those whom have been “called” than His death has accomplished fully the purpose by which He was sent! This is always a tough one for folks to wrap their heads around…but none the less…our command is to go forth and preach the gospel. To plant, water, or reap…makes no difference…just do something!

Daily Word

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:17. The Corinthian church had an unhealthy regard (words of eloquent wisdom) for rhetorical display. Paul will focus attention on what true wisdom is (in upcoming verses). In this verse he reminds the Corinthians that the power of his own preaching did not depend on such skills. In the opinion of those who are wise according to this world, proclaiming (cross of Christ) the crucified Lord is foolishness. Paul therefore treats “wisdom” and “the cross” as opposites. Be reminded that regardless of how well educated a man maybe. NO one can stand against the power of your testimony! I’m not knocking education by all means get all that you can…but never back up, back down, or back off from anything the world puts in front of you!

Weekend Quote (Sun)

We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism…To your knee, Man! And to your bible! Decide at once! Don’t hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to god. Quit consulting your flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist! ~ C.T. Studd

Daily Word

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except for Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 1 Corinthians 1:13-16. With this question Paul anticipates one of his fundamental teachings about the church. Just as a physical body, though made up of many members is one, so also the church, which is the body of Christ, cannot be divided. One of the greatest hindrances of the church today is its lack of unity. Today, take a moment and reflect your role…are you adding to or taking away from the unity of the body of Christ?

Daily Word

For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarrelling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or” I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:11-12. Reported means to “show,” “make clear,” or “reveal” something. Chloe’s people may have done this by oral report. Chloe’s identity and her location are unknown, as well as whether these “people” are friends, business associates, family, or from her household. Apparently the Corinthian were divide into factions on the basis of who baptized them. Paul new Apollos well. His rhetorical skills were impressive, and the Corinthian Christians had received him gladly after Paul’s departure. Cephas is the Aramaic equivalent of the name Peter, and both names refer to Peter the apostle. Unlike Paul, Cephas was married and had traveled to Corinth with his wife. Apparently one faction in Corinth, claiming to be above it all, took the slogan “I follow Christ.” Many today carry on in the same manner when they talk about which church they attend, or which denomination they belong to. The truth is, in Christ we are of one body…the body of Christ

Daily Word

I appeal to you brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10. This exhortation (I appeal to you) begins the body of the letter and announces Paul’s primary concern. He has heard that the unity of the Corinthian church has broken down. Many of the problems addressed in this letter reflect the spirit of dissension that was in the community. When it comes to maintaining the unity around you are you adding to it or taking away from it?

Daily Word

Who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by who you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. There is no condemnation on the final day for those who, like the Corinthians, are in Christ Jesus. They already have been justified and, in a sense, even sanctified, so no one will be able to bring a charge against them at the judgment. The Corinthians’ have a long way to go before their behavior matches their status before God, but Paul is confident that God, who is faithful, will make them what they should be. How does your behavior as a follower of Christ match the status given you by Christ through the eyes of those around you?

Daily Word

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge- even as the testimony about Christ was being confirmed among you-so that you were not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3-8. The Corinthians were tempted to become puffed up by their gifts of “knowledge” and of speaking “in tongues” (in every way you were enriched). Paul needs to rebuke them for their moral weakness and abuse of those gifts, but he does not deny or minimize the blessing they have received. Paul encourages his readers by assuring them that God, who began a work of grace in them, can be trusted to complete it (will sustain you). Indeed, they will be presented “guiltless” at the time of Christ’s return. God has given each of us spiritual gifts to be used for His purposes in furthering the body of Christ until His return. Do you know what He as gifted you with, and if so are you diligent in honoring that which has been given you for His purpose?

Weekend Quote (Sun)

The true function of the Law is to accuse and to kill; but the function of the gospel is to make alive! ~ Martin Luther

Weekend Quote (Sat)

Secure sinners must hear the thundering of Mount Sinai before we bring them to Mount Zion. Every minister should be Boanerges, a son of thunder, as well as a Barnabas, a son of consolation. ~ George Whitfield

Daily Word

To the church of God, that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord and ours: 1 Cor. 1:2. The word “saints” calls attention (sanctified…called to be saints) to the distinctive status of God’s people. Paul often uses it to identify the Christians to whom he writes. The description “sanctified” underlines this aspect of Christian life. The Corinthians’ were plagued by ethical problems and this letter touches repeatedly on the subject of sanctification. At the very beginning Paul calls special attention to it. Significantly, however, he encourages them in a pastoral way by reminding them that they are sanctified. The goal of holiness is realistic because God has already changed their hearts. The ground that Moses once stood upon was holy. So holy in fact that he was told to remove his sandals. Nothing about the piece reality was any different than the reality five feet in any direction…except that God called it holy. YOU have been sanctified…set apart by God, and called to be saints with all (not just some)!

Daily Word

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 1 Cor. 1:1-1. An apostle is one commissioned directly by Christ as His authoritative messenger. Paul stresses the significance of his office elsewhere. Some of the problems in the Corinthian church involved challenges to Paul’s authority. Has it ever occurred to how many problems are caused in the church today because people challenge pastoral authority? Everyone loves the pastor until he brings correction or rebuke. Then because of a lack of maturity people run off to the next church. Remember today that the “Man of God” that stands before you in your house of worship was placed there by God, and if God has led you there it is your responsibility to honor his authority rather than challenge his authority!

Daily Word

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion: Greetings. James 1:1. James Identifies himself as a slave of God and of Chris. A bond servant is one purchased and owned by a master or “Lord.” This indicates not only humility on the part of the writer but a profound testimony to his conversion to faith in his earthly half-brother as his redeemer. James is a servant to both God and Jesus, a crucial theological bracketing. Today most everyone calls themselves Christian, and most have made a decision to believe but not a commitment to follow. Do you live your life purchased and sold out to Christ, or are you living more like your on a lease/rental agreement?

Weekend Quote (Sun)

The Law searches to the dividing asunder of joints and marrow, and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Its excessive light strikes us like Saul of Tarsus, to the earth, and makes us cry for mercy. ~ Charles Spurgeon