1 Corinthians 7.9 - Are you Burning?

1 Corinthians 7.9 - Are you Burning?

Paul creeps some people out with his brash description of singleness: “burning” (7.9). If this was all Scripture said about marriage, people would be ashamed to announce their engagement; “We’re Burning!!” Remember this is a pastoral leader to a struggling church. Not every place is Corinth, and not every person is Corinthian. Other Biblical texts give more positive images why people marry, including within this letter. Yet, we need to admit the power of the sexual drive. God made us that way. Within marriage, that drive is harnessed through love for our spouse. When not yet married, we can harness that power for our holiness, the good of others, and the glory of God. “Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped” (Psalm 28.6,7).

1 Corinthians 7.15 - Conflict!

1 Corinthians 7.15 - Conflict!

Christians should, of all people, live in loving harmony. “God has called you to peace” (1 Corinthians 7.15). Yet we often, like our patriarchs Genesis, clash. Careless words often spark our conflicts. Jesus teaches words should be used on a “need to know” basis. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone…” When you clash do you go straight to Facebook or to your friend? (BCC: warns us “Be Careful Christian!”) Jesus wants us to solve it privately. If we did this, the vast majority of conflict among Christians would end quickly. “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you…” --- rarely we’ll need mutually trusted friends to help make peace. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church...” --- very rarely, seek arbitration from church leaders. (Matthew 18.15-17)

1 Corinthians 9.21-23 - Two Friends for Our Friends

1 Corinthians 9.21-23 - Two Friends for Our Friends

Our message of Jesus Christ should “comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Mr. Gospel – the amazing news that God has given us His Son to be our Savior from sin, death, and hell – gives us eternal comfort. Mr. Law – the solemn news that God is holy and upholds a righteous standard by which we will be judged – is deeply disturbing. Our friend Mr. Law says what we do is important, seen and recorded by God who will hold us accountable. And Mr. Gospel knows what a mess we have made of things and freely offers full legal forgiveness and reconciliation with our holy God. Our friends who rely in their money, pleasures, or status need to know that comfort has an expiry date. Mr. Law says that. And when their hearts are broken and ready to repent and be saved….say hello to Mr. Gospel!!

1 Corinthians 9.22 - A Brother on the Inside

1 Corinthians 9.22 - A Brother on the Inside

A good friend has become a Mormon – for Jesus. I am not sure I could do it; sometimes I am not sure he should either. But he is regularly teaching and preaching evangelical truth in Mormon gatherings, using the Bible and the Book of Mormon. He is a welcome and popular teacher among them. He believes the Lord has called him to reach out from within and he has seen many Mormons come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Most of them stay in, get deeper discipling from my friend and his colleagues, and reach out to other Mormons. All truth comes from God, even if it was spoken by Joseph Smith, “As Latter-day Saints, sometimes we neglect to teach and testify to some simple, basic truths of paramount importance.” Check out the web site, and share it with all your Mormon friends! http://four-pillars-of-the-gospel.org

1 Corinthians 10.12 - Gifts are not Graces

1 Corinthians 10.12 - Gifts are not Graces

It is a great privilege – and intimidation – to serve this congregation. We are a gifted people. Many here can speak several languages, have academic degrees, thrive anywhere they are planted in this world, are mature believers with years of ministry experience, sound in their understanding of Scripture, serving the Lord in lots of exciting endeavors, started businesses and seen them thrive, families are strong and healthy in spirit and body – God has gifted BICF ZGC! Our study in Matthew focuses on some highly gifted people. The 70 men who led the nation of Israel, the Chief Apostle of God, CFO of the Apostles – all gifted but not graced. Slapping Jesus. Mocking Him. Spitting in His face. Selling Him out. Denying Him. Having a high calling does not guarantee a holy character. “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10.12).

1 Corinthians 10.13 - Stand Up Under It

1 Corinthians 10.13 - Stand Up Under It

We are saved through troubles not from them.  “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10.13). In Acts we see Paul bravely practicing what he penned. He faced temptations in the face of conspiracy, corruption, and confinement. Sadly, these are all too ‘common to mankind’ even today. ‘Christian’ claims that ‘you will not suffer’ or ‘God promises you happiness’ are exposed for their folly by our brother Paul’s ordeal. In Acts we will not see Paul freed from prison, but we will see him faithful. But even in his afflictions Paul confirms, ‘God is faithful’ and His ‘way out (is) so that you can endure it.’ Emmanuel is our endurance.

 

1 Corinthians 13.12 - Ragged Threads

1 Corinthians 13.12 - Ragged Threads

We’ve seen God work this week in Kazakhstan. Last July we visited friends here in Almaty involved in crisis pregnancy ministry. We suggested they invite John Ensor to teach the Gospel presentation of “life” to Central Asian church leaders. On Monday we again sat at their table, with John, planning meetings! His teaching notes (“4 Questions” @ www.passionlife.org) were ready - translated into Kazakh by friends from the Almaty International Fellowship we served – who translated the whole Bible into Kazakh. On Wednesday John spoke to 70 students in the Tien Shan International high school in Almaty where Dayna taught for 10 years and our three sons graduated. Over 100 people gathered Friday – almost 70 pastors - in the world’s largest Kazakh church! One day we’ll see fully from “other side of the tapestry” just how God has woven the ragged threads of our feeble efforts into His masterpiece.