November 22/23, 2014
1 Corinthians 15-16
How could it be, we wonder, that church, built on suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, could wander so far afield that they deny the resurrection of individual believers. As Paul rightly says in 1 Corinthians 15, “if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised,” (15:13) and “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (15:17).
Read chapter 15 carefully; it’s long, but invaluable. In it, Paul defends the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the resurrection of the body, and the nature of that resurrection. He even addresses the issue of what happens to our bodies, should be alive at the time of the Lord’s return! Paul’s summation is high and holy: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (15:54-57)
In chapter 16, Paul asks the church to take a special offering. Incidentally, he gives credence to the beginning of the Christian shift from Saturday Sabbath worship to Sunday, for he refers to the “first day of the week” as their gathering day! The rest of this last chapter consists of personal remarks and greetings!
Is Paul finished writing the church in Corinth? No. Tomorrow, we begin his second letter to them!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
NOVEMBER 21 November 21, 2014
November 21, 2014
1 Corinthians 11-14
Here is Paul’s most extensive treatise on the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” as they relate to public worship. It might be better to say: Here is Paul’s most extensive treatise on “Public Worship,” with a special look at “Spiritual Gifts.”
Women in Leadership. Chapter 11 begins by dealing with the participation of women in public worship. It’s most famous as the reason some church require women to wear “head coverings,” but if you read closely, you see that Paul is simply giving proper guidance to women who “pray or prophesy” in the assembly!
The Lord’s Supper. Chapter 11 addresses the need for propriety and self-examination when coming to the Lord’s Table. Not of this, however, should be used to turn the Eucharist (thanksgiving!) into a dry, unfeeling, somber affair. In Communion, we celebrate Jesus work on our behalf!
Spiritual Gifts. Chapters 12-14 address the issue of Spiritual Gifts. Chapter 12 seems to be addressing gifts from a wider vantage. All the gifts are needed for building up the church; therefore each member of the body is important and must use their gift, but never as a badge of honor or a source of pride. Chapter 13 places the Fruit of the Spirit above the Gifts of the Spirit; if we practice the greatest of the gifts without the fruit of love, it is nothing. Finally, in chapter 14, Paul deals with the use of Spiritual Gifts in public worship, where words that are understood are much more important than words that are not understood. Paul is not dismissing “speaking in tongues,” but he is limiting its use in public worship and giving us valuable principles for orderly worship, all at the same time.
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
1 Corinthians 11-14
Here is Paul’s most extensive treatise on the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” as they relate to public worship. It might be better to say: Here is Paul’s most extensive treatise on “Public Worship,” with a special look at “Spiritual Gifts.”
Women in Leadership. Chapter 11 begins by dealing with the participation of women in public worship. It’s most famous as the reason some church require women to wear “head coverings,” but if you read closely, you see that Paul is simply giving proper guidance to women who “pray or prophesy” in the assembly!
The Lord’s Supper. Chapter 11 addresses the need for propriety and self-examination when coming to the Lord’s Table. Not of this, however, should be used to turn the Eucharist (thanksgiving!) into a dry, unfeeling, somber affair. In Communion, we celebrate Jesus work on our behalf!
Spiritual Gifts. Chapters 12-14 address the issue of Spiritual Gifts. Chapter 12 seems to be addressing gifts from a wider vantage. All the gifts are needed for building up the church; therefore each member of the body is important and must use their gift, but never as a badge of honor or a source of pride. Chapter 13 places the Fruit of the Spirit above the Gifts of the Spirit; if we practice the greatest of the gifts without the fruit of love, it is nothing. Finally, in chapter 14, Paul deals with the use of Spiritual Gifts in public worship, where words that are understood are much more important than words that are not understood. Paul is not dismissing “speaking in tongues,” but he is limiting its use in public worship and giving us valuable principles for orderly worship, all at the same time.
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, November 20, 2014
NOVEMBER 20 1 Corinthians 7-10
November 20, 2014
1 Corinthians 7-10
In these four chapters, Paul deals with some of the specific issues the Corinthians leadership had him to address (7:1):
Is celibacy better than marriage? Or is marriage better than being single? What principles govern Christian marriage and Christian singleness? (Chapter 7)
Is it all right to eat food offered to idols? If so, what are the dangers to other believers? (Chapter 8)
Is Paul an apostle? If so, what are the rights and duties of apostles? What are the rewards and passions of an apostle? (Chapter 9)
Is idolatry still a stumbling block to Christians? Are we committing idolatry by eating food offered to idols? Are we causing others to commit idolatry by so eating? (Chapter 10)
Paul’s summation of Chapter 10 and, possibly, all four of these chapters (7-10) is this:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
1 Corinthians 7-10
In these four chapters, Paul deals with some of the specific issues the Corinthians leadership had him to address (7:1):
Is celibacy better than marriage? Or is marriage better than being single? What principles govern Christian marriage and Christian singleness? (Chapter 7)
Is it all right to eat food offered to idols? If so, what are the dangers to other believers? (Chapter 8)
Is Paul an apostle? If so, what are the rights and duties of apostles? What are the rewards and passions of an apostle? (Chapter 9)
Is idolatry still a stumbling block to Christians? Are we committing idolatry by eating food offered to idols? Are we causing others to commit idolatry by so eating? (Chapter 10)
Paul’s summation of Chapter 10 and, possibly, all four of these chapters (7-10) is this:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
NOVEMBER 19 I CORINTHIANS 1-6
November 19, 2014
1 Corinthians 1-6
Today we switch from the letter Paul wrote to the church he had not yet visited, the Church in Rome, to a letter Paul wrote to a church he had planted! We can tell from his writing that he knew the church in Corinth very well, and that he had kept tabs on them. We can also see that the Church in Corinth is a church in turmoil.
That’s not to say, it wouldn’t have been an exciting eye-opening church to be a part of. The Corinthian Church was “enriched in Christ in all speech and knowledge,” (1:5) Paul says, and was “not lacking in any spiritual gift.” (1:7) I would compare a visit to this church to a particularly vibrant and demonstrative Pentecostal church. But their fire and enthusiasm is not their problem; division, sectarianism and pride are at the heart of their turmoil.
As you read chapters 1-6, listen for all the ways Paul calls them to unity and to keeping the main thing the main thing. If we “knew nothing...but Jesus Christ and him crucified,” (2:2), we’d all be on the same page. If we had “the mind of Christ” (2:16), we’d have oneness. If we understood that we Christians, together and as individuals, are temples of God’s Spirit (3:16; 6:19), we’d pull together.
But there is more amiss in Corinth than disunity; there is serious moral failing. Read chapter 5 and weep! Read chapter 6 and weep even more. When Christians use their saving relationship with Jesus as a license to sin, the Church stumbles. Remember, Paul says, that your “bodies are members of Christ” (6:15) and should not be united with another in sexual sin!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
1 Corinthians 1-6
Today we switch from the letter Paul wrote to the church he had not yet visited, the Church in Rome, to a letter Paul wrote to a church he had planted! We can tell from his writing that he knew the church in Corinth very well, and that he had kept tabs on them. We can also see that the Church in Corinth is a church in turmoil.
That’s not to say, it wouldn’t have been an exciting eye-opening church to be a part of. The Corinthian Church was “enriched in Christ in all speech and knowledge,” (1:5) Paul says, and was “not lacking in any spiritual gift.” (1:7) I would compare a visit to this church to a particularly vibrant and demonstrative Pentecostal church. But their fire and enthusiasm is not their problem; division, sectarianism and pride are at the heart of their turmoil.
As you read chapters 1-6, listen for all the ways Paul calls them to unity and to keeping the main thing the main thing. If we “knew nothing...but Jesus Christ and him crucified,” (2:2), we’d all be on the same page. If we had “the mind of Christ” (2:16), we’d have oneness. If we understood that we Christians, together and as individuals, are temples of God’s Spirit (3:16; 6:19), we’d pull together.
But there is more amiss in Corinth than disunity; there is serious moral failing. Read chapter 5 and weep! Read chapter 6 and weep even more. When Christians use their saving relationship with Jesus as a license to sin, the Church stumbles. Remember, Paul says, that your “bodies are members of Christ” (6:15) and should not be united with another in sexual sin!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
NOVEMBER 18 ROMANS 12-16
November 18, 2014
Romans 12-16
Today, we have five chapters of some of the most important reading in Romans!
In Romans 1-8, we read a summary of what we believe about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Human sin and salvation in one of the most complete theological treatises in the New Testament.
In Romans 9-11, we read of God’s heart for both His chosen people and all people, how we Gentiles have been grafted into Israel, and how God intends to “save all Israel.” This section concluded with a song to God’s unfathomable greatness.
But here in Romans 12, the rubber meets the road!
Read Romans 12-15 prayerfully, and with this question in mind: What does God want me to do about this? Here’s a brief outline of what Paul will cover:
Spiritual Gifts (12:3-8)
The Marks of a True Christian (12:9-21)
Submission to Authorities (13:1-7)
Fulfilling the Law through Love (13:8-14)
Not Passing Judgment on a Fellow Christian on Disputable Matters (14:1-12)
Not Misusing Our Freedoms (14:13-23) and Jesus’ example (15:1-7).
After re-iterating God’s heart for all people, Jews and Gentiles, Paul speaks of his own ministry and his desire to come to Rome. Romans16 is NOT to be skipped. Read this chapter of “greetings” carefully, and see what you learn!
This entire section begins with two crucial verses, if we are to live the words of these chapters: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Romans 12-16
Today, we have five chapters of some of the most important reading in Romans!
In Romans 1-8, we read a summary of what we believe about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Human sin and salvation in one of the most complete theological treatises in the New Testament.
In Romans 9-11, we read of God’s heart for both His chosen people and all people, how we Gentiles have been grafted into Israel, and how God intends to “save all Israel.” This section concluded with a song to God’s unfathomable greatness.
But here in Romans 12, the rubber meets the road!
Read Romans 12-15 prayerfully, and with this question in mind: What does God want me to do about this? Here’s a brief outline of what Paul will cover:
Spiritual Gifts (12:3-8)
The Marks of a True Christian (12:9-21)
Submission to Authorities (13:1-7)
Fulfilling the Law through Love (13:8-14)
Not Passing Judgment on a Fellow Christian on Disputable Matters (14:1-12)
Not Misusing Our Freedoms (14:13-23) and Jesus’ example (15:1-7).
After re-iterating God’s heart for all people, Jews and Gentiles, Paul speaks of his own ministry and his desire to come to Rome. Romans16 is NOT to be skipped. Read this chapter of “greetings” carefully, and see what you learn!
This entire section begins with two crucial verses, if we are to live the words of these chapters: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Monday, November 17, 2014
NOVEMBER 17 ROMANS 9-11
November 17, 2014
Romans 9-11
These are three of the trickier chapters in Romans and, indeed, the entire Bible. Paul has detailed the good news (gospel) of Justification by faith and walking in the Spirit, but now he must deal with the issue of Israel. Does this “good news” mean bad news for the Jews? In choosing the people of faith in Jesus Christ, has God unchosen the Chosen People?
Read these three chapters carefully. In Romans 9, Paul defends the sovereignty of God to choose whomever he wants. God is God and we are simply human beings; “who are we to talk back to God?” (9:20) In Romans 10, Paul clearly sets forth, from several Old Testament passages, that it was God’s will to reach out to everyone—not just the Chosen People. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!” Paul quotes the prophet Joel (Joel 2:32; Rom. 10:13). And in chapter 11, Paul warns Gentile Christians NOT to think too highly of themselves for finding a faith relationship with God through Jesus Christ. At the same time, he promises that “all Israel will be saved.” (11:26) Just what this means has been debated for two thousand years! Will all Jews be saved? Will all faithful, believing Jews be saved? Or is Paul referring to the new Israel made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ? It’s too deep, too much for us to understand!
Therefore, Paul concludes this section with one of the grandest, most humble descriptions of God’s wisdom in the Bible: Romans 11:33-36!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Romans 9-11
These are three of the trickier chapters in Romans and, indeed, the entire Bible. Paul has detailed the good news (gospel) of Justification by faith and walking in the Spirit, but now he must deal with the issue of Israel. Does this “good news” mean bad news for the Jews? In choosing the people of faith in Jesus Christ, has God unchosen the Chosen People?
Read these three chapters carefully. In Romans 9, Paul defends the sovereignty of God to choose whomever he wants. God is God and we are simply human beings; “who are we to talk back to God?” (9:20) In Romans 10, Paul clearly sets forth, from several Old Testament passages, that it was God’s will to reach out to everyone—not just the Chosen People. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!” Paul quotes the prophet Joel (Joel 2:32; Rom. 10:13). And in chapter 11, Paul warns Gentile Christians NOT to think too highly of themselves for finding a faith relationship with God through Jesus Christ. At the same time, he promises that “all Israel will be saved.” (11:26) Just what this means has been debated for two thousand years! Will all Jews be saved? Will all faithful, believing Jews be saved? Or is Paul referring to the new Israel made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ? It’s too deep, too much for us to understand!
Therefore, Paul concludes this section with one of the grandest, most humble descriptions of God’s wisdom in the Bible: Romans 11:33-36!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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