12.22.08
Posted in 1 Corinthians at 9:45 am by Administrator
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-23 Theme: Paul went far beyond the norm or the average to assure he would win the rewards of the gospel. Key verses: “If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” (v. 11-12) “If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” (v. 17-19) “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. What God said to me: Dwayne, this explanation by Paul is so far removed from the thinking and attitudes of many of my children that it goes right over their heads. A more carnally minded and less passionate person might wonder why Paul would voluntarily pass up the opportunity to be supported by the Corinthian church and why Paul would voluntarily not marry like the other apostles. Clearly Paul did not condemn any of these actions or expectations. So what was the purpose? Well, if you read carefully you can see that Paul made it very clear. He did not want anything to hinder in the slightest way him preaching and living the gospel. His life was so absorbed in that one mission that he was willing — yea wanting — to give up anything that might be in the least either competing or perceived as competing with his main purpose and passion in life. Oh, how I long to see that kind of love and determination in more of my servants. Dwayne, I blessed you with the church you are now in, where you are compensated well for your ministry among them. However, would you be willing to give up that salary and continue to work there if it meant being more effective and more persuasive for my gospel? Are you willing to say like Paul, “I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast”? That is what set Paul apart as one of my choicest servants. I am not asking you to no longer receive what is rightfully and needfully yours in my Kingdom. I am simply asking you if you are willing to. Keep a close and constant check on the real attitude and motives of your heart. What I said to God: Woe is me, Lord, for I am undone. You cut deep into the very thoughts and intents of my heart today. Am I in fact willing to give up my cushy job and share the gospel simply for the gospel’s sake — not receiving any reward for myself other than the knowledge that the gospel is being preached most purely and powerfully? How much do I really love the gospel? How much do I share it when I’m not being paid? Actions speak louder than words. Do I show through my daily life that I love the cross of Christ and the Christ of the cross enough that I will settle for nothing less than my all poured for it and for Him? And do I love others as myself and as Christ has loved the church? I’m afraid I’m in no danger of being called a Paul in that regard. Oh God, change my heart.
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12.12.08
Posted in 1 Corinthians at 9:28 am by Administrator
Text: 1 Corinthians 8 Theme: We should love others, rather than offend them through our knowledge. Key verses: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God.” (v. 2-3) “We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one.” (v. 4) “But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.” (v. 7) “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?” (v. 9-10) “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.” (v. 13) What God said to me: Dwayne, this is a very simple principle to grasp, yet few of my children choose to heed it. Knowing the truth about various freedoms you have in me does not set you free from your obligation to other believers. Those who have not yet discovered the freedoms you enjoy may be offended and tempted to turn away from their faith altogether if they see you “indulging.” Rather than excuse your conduct based on your enlightenments, you should respond like Paul. You should cease your activities in their presence and in their hearing. Your knowledge of what does not defile could in fact defile you before me if you ignore my little ones and don’t place their welfare over your own. What I said to God: Thank You, holy One, for speaking to me today. Please help me search my heart and my habits to see if I might be a stumbling block to believers around me. I know that begins at home with my children. May I love others more than I love myself and my “knowledge.”
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12.09.08
Posted in 1 Corinthians at 10:30 am by Administrator
Text: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Theme: Seek a lifestyle that helps us have an undivided devotion to the Lord. Key verses: “Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are.” (v. 26) “What I mean…is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; 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.” (v. 29-31) “An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs — how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world — how he can please his wife. (v. 32-33) “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” (v. 35) What God said to me: Dwayne, the main thing I want you to see in this passage are those five simple words: “Because of this present crisis.” Until you understand the world you are living in is in crisis and until you care that the world you are living in is in crisis, nothing else about this passage will have any real impact on you and your particular way of life. Paul was in no way putting down marriage. Obviously I have ordained marriage and the home. What Paul was giving was a general principle and guideline for all my children: Always take the high road in your life that will lead you to greater devotion and effectiveness for me. That is what he meant when he said those with wives should live as they had none. Do not become so engrossed in your wife that you forget your Lord. And don’t put your wife above your Lord. He also wasn’t saying don’t ever mourn, but rather, don’t allow your grief to cloud your determination to live for me. Everything about your present life will soon pass away. Get that perspective in your head and keep it in your heart. Look around to those in crisis. How in your present circumstances — with your wife, your grief, your joy, your possessions, and your opportunities — can you utilize those blessings from me to glorify me and minister to others? That is the question you must ponder and always pursue. What I said to God: Thank You, my Father and God and Healer and Provider, for speaking so clearly through Your Word today. I have never quite understood this passage before. I think I see it more clearly now, and I promise to seek to apply this “undivided bent” principle from now on. Your Word is truly a gold mine of truth and promises and counsel. May I always say like David, “Oh how I love Your law. It is my meditation day and night!”
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12.08.08
Posted in 1 Corinthians at 11:16 am by Administrator
Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 Theme: God has a unique assignment for each of His children, that we should respect and accept. Key verses: “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 her own husband.” (v. 1-2) “I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.” (v. 7) “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.” (v. 8) “To the married I give this command…: A wife must not separate from her husband…And a husband must not divorce his wife.” (v. 10-11) “God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?” (v. 16) “Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.” (v. 18-19) “Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.” (v. 24) What God said to me: Dwayne, this is very clear and sensible to comprehend. Paul was saying that what matters most is to find where I have called you and gifted you for, then get there and stay there. In regard to marriage, some have the gift of celibacy and don’t need to get married. Let your first concern be to please me and live for me. Consider the gifts I have given you and how you can best use them for my glory. At the same time, realize that I can take you where you are and use and bless you. Don’t try to escape your present circumstances in an effort to go find my will out in what might appear to be “greener pastures.” My will for you is to trust me to work through your circumstances and abilities. I am a big God and can make something amazing out of your present situations and skills. What I said to God: Father God, forgive me when I become dissatisfied with my surroundings and circumstances. I confess that I am often not grateful for all you have blessed me with. Help me be content where you have planted me, and trust You to work through my circumstances — and perhaps in spite of my shortcomings.
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