1 Corinthians 1.10 - Say the Same

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree”             (1 Corinthians 1.10). Paul asks the whole family of faith in Corinth to ‘agree’ (literally ‘say the same’). He was not suggesting a mindless chant (he heard 2 hours of that in Ephesus! Acts 19.34). Nor did he recommend saying something you don’t understand (14.9), or mean sincerely (12.3). His focus was not on any method but our message; not on our language but “our Lord Jesus Christ.” Words matter to God. He named His only Son ‘The Word.’ He gave us a 66-volume Book full of words. He sent the Spirit to illumine that Word. We gather in worship to sing songs and hear about The Word using His Word. Wonderfully and amazingly Christ-followers ‘say the same’ through the centuries, around the globe – until the end of the age.

1 Corinthians 1.30,31 - “Christians are not perfect, just….?”

Lucky? Hypocrites? Better than most? Arrogant? All of the above??? What is going on with Lot? How can a man thrice called “righteous” in the NT (2 Peter 2.7-9) go off the OT stage with drunken incest in a cave? But what’s going on with the Church? Why are moral failures (immorality, drunkenness, divorce, abortion, homosexuality, corruption) all too common among “believers?” And what is my excuse? Why don’t I practice what I preach? “Christian” means “little Christ,” and in rare moments we are incrementally, imperfectly, fleetingly so. More than 90 times in his 13 letters Paul says we are “in Christ,” this union with Him is our only hope. “…you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1.30,31).

1 Corinthians 2.1 - Cross-Shaped Spectacles

The Corinthian church was real. The members were not stained-glass window portraits of saints on marble pedestals. One glorious day each of them walked out of horrible lives steeped in sin into full forgiveness and eternal hope. The process, long, hard, and life-long, of being fit for their eternal home was underway. So, Paul their spiritual father writes them with great concern. They need to stay on track, stand more firmly against evil – in them and in their congregation – and strive to walk in truth and love. Such strides cannot be done in their strength. They must remember that the Author of the faith is also the Finisher. They need to remember and remain near the cross.

1 Corinthians 2.2 - What Really Matters?

We have just had the joyful privilege of meeting friends, old and new, from different churches. Our friends often share their questions - and some pains - about church life. They hope their secrets are safe with us…no, you won’t hear them now! It is easy to be misunderstood, offended, and confused. We heard tales about how pastor’s dress for leading worship, music wars, building disagreements, youth ministry woes, parking problems, and communion wafers. The lines are drawn and the opinions are deeply entrenched. We listened, spoke some, but we don’t have a pony in those races! How different is Paul in Corinth. Upon arrival he said the only thing that mattered was “Jesus and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2.2) and he closed wishing them “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians 13.14).

1 Corinthians 3.21 - All Yours in Christ

No one had more power than a Bishop in West Nile in the 1980’s. A revolving door of political coups dumped inept leaders with no budget or concern into this remote corner of Uganda. Most national politicians rejoiced to see this homeland of Idi Amin suffer now. Aid agencies discovered the church was the only instrument reaching people in need. So, Land Rovers and solar panels flowed. And the Bishop was the spout of the decanter. Our good friend, Ephriam Adrale, was appointed Bishop of the Church of Uganda (Anglican). Being more like Christ than CEO, he died within a year. At his huge funeral we sat among the young lions in clerical collars looking for his job. Then the preacher thundered, “…let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's” (1 Corinthians 3).

1 Corinthians 4.6 - The Parameters for the Preacher

Are Christian preachers supposed to get up and preach any random idea that comes into their heads? Many do! Some are more careful to make their thoughts at least “spiritual” or “cheery.” Actually the Bible clearly gives some parameters for preachers; as our text says  

v. 6 “that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written”

 devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching 1 Timothy 4.13

1 Corinthians 4.20 - Word and Deed

“Jesus of Nazareth….He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people” (Luke 24.19). People need to see the gospel before they can hear it. This has always been true. Jesus was perfectly consistent. He walked His talk. The first Christians endeavored to keep His standard. “There were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4.34). Luke transparently records when they missed the mark by lying, grumbling, faithlessness, or hypocrisy. In Acts 9 Peter seeks to meet the needs he encounters, battling sin and sickness. If we seek to bring Jesus to our world, we must be like Him. He is our Maker, forming every part of our being. And He is our Mender, fixing every part that is broken. As we now follow in His Name, we can begin the healing process which He will one day complete. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4.20).