1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians chapter 1

Acts 18 - Paul established a church in Corinth during his 18 month stay on his second missionary journey early 50 AD. This book was written 2-3 years after departure.

Corinthians prided themselves on being very "spiritual" - this word appears 12 times in the letter.

Paul says "The knowledge, power and wisdom you claim to have are not the real thing. What you call spirituality isn't spirituality at all, it's worldly. You are being directed by the mindset and principles of the non-Christian world around you rather than the Holy Spirit." This tells me when the church started, who started it and what had happened since. I have also included the reason why this particular letter was written. These words challenged me - am I "too spiritual"? Do I give a false impression to everyone? It is easy to think I have a lot of scriptural knowledge but am I using that and puffing myself up by doing so? I need to hear what Paul wrote as the readers he wrote this letter to. I am not in anyway trained or educationally minded but just love reading my bible and finding out what it says. I also want to apply it to me and my life. I know people question who am I to do this but perhaps the ones who ask are being made to see that they themselves should be spending time reading God's word too. If I can turn one person to reading God's word today then my prayer is answered!

1 Corinthians 1 verse 2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours."

I could have journaled about the words "sanctified" and "called" but here is what I wrote instead.

In verse 2 Paul stresses the need for the church to be holy and distinct from the world in its behaviour. He places this point early on because the Corinthians had little emphasis if any on the need for holiness - they had a lax attitude to sin which flowed from their limited view of the spiritual life as they saw it. Spiritual experiences in their soul were for the here and now. Paul continually emphasizes that true spirituality is not just about oneself but about all of us, it is not just about present but also looks to the future and how we behave with our bodies.

Did you know about Chloe? Never knew this woman's name was in the bible! Apparently there are 302 women mentioned in the bible, some are named and some are not. This woman was remarkable in what she did. She was a rat! Yes she told on the Corinthian believers. Perhaps she just got soo fed up with all the problems they were having that she decided to do something about it. Who was she? Probably like Lydia in Acts 16 a business woman whose interests made her travel between Corinth and Ephesus. Maybe she made it her business to find Paul one day and tell him the truth of what was going on in Corinth. And the problem? There was quarrelling going on, division in the ranks. People had their favourites - Paul, Apollos, Peter and even Jesus. It was not about these individual preachers but rather that they themselves felt they were better than another Corinthian Christian for following Paul, Apollos, Peter and Jesus. And the lesson Paul wanted to teach his readers? Each person has a different calling and emphasis in their preaching. Jesus does not belong to one "party". There needs to be unity over all the diversity in the church. We need to focus on Jesus himself, what he has done on the cross of Calvary and how this affects me individually.  

The application for me personally - not every pastor or church will ever meet all my needs but I must keep my eyes on Jesus, his work and word constantly.

Love 1 Corinthians 1 verse 18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

My journaling beside this: the message of the cross is not what the world is asking for. Many expect God to prove his existence by a supernatural display. Others look for a version that satisfies them intellectually and fits with the world's current mindset. The result: an emasculated gospel robbed of anything that might cause offence, soft on sin, judgment, strong on affirmation without any call for repentance. This has no spiritual power.

Too often we are guilty of pumping up the gospel. We point to large gatherings with huge numbers attending praising and testifying to God (guilty!) Or we glory in the beautiful buildings we have built. Or maybe we point to individuals who are following God or those who have known miraculous healing. But what matters is when the rubber hits the road. The plodder who week in and week out preaches the gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. The person who has made a decision to follow Christ and is finding every day a struggle just to show Christ in their lives to others.

1 Corinthians chapter 2

Bible journalling at its best! I can see words repeated when I highlight and journal which really makes you think about the words you read more.

Paul arrived in Corinth during his second missionary journey. He had 1 focus in his mind - to preach Christ crucified. But he didn't come all cocky and confident. He was fearful and weak. He knew his limitations. He relied on God totally. He didn't have a good vocabulary. He knew there was nothing he physically could do to persuade these people to trust in Christ - that was the Holy Spirit's work.

Preaching strategies that centre on man's wisdom and ability - around emotion, entertainment and human personality may get a response but it might not be the desired response - hearts won for God's kingdom.

I remember last Sunday's sermon about Orpah and Ruth. Orpah was initially won over by the desire to follow Naomi back to Bethlehem but later realised what that commitment would mean and she turned back. Many will do the same today. They love the "atmosphere" of meetings but when the rubber hits the road it results in a turning back.

Paul had to remind the Corinthians that his message presented to them gets to the heart of the deep things of God. There is a difference between those who truly know God and those who cannot fully understand what all the fuss is about. The difference is the Holy Spirit living in the believer.

Many live their lives as though there is nothing beyond this physical life. Why waste time on spiritual things when you could be making money or having fun? They consider it foolish but God has made known to the one committed to him what truly matters.

1 Corinthians 3

This sermon captures the message of chapter 3 ...

https://jacquiharbinson.blogspot.com/2023/09/we-are-labourers-together-with-god.html