The previous chapter is central to this books message. We continue on the theme of serving God using our different talents in harmony with each other.
1 Corinthians 13
May 9th, 2013
The currency of God’s kingdom is love: God is love – the rest are just different manifestations of God’s love. So often we become enamored with the gift we neglect the giver. We become proud of our gifts, contemptuous of those that lack our abilities, jealous of yet others who have gifts we desire and forget that any gifts we have are to build up God’s people – not to puff up our ego. Love is not just scalar, it also gives us a direction and a purpose to our actions. Heaven and earth will pass away and as these distractions dissolve away we shall see clearly what God is really like.
How easy do we find it to ignore our own distractions and learn to cherish our family and friends?
1 Corinthians 12
May 2nd, 2013
In our church there are many people at different stages in their Christian life and physical life. Just as we encourage each other into physical maturity, so we see here spiritual gifts being used to build each other up. For instance we may find it difficult praying, our words make nonsense. Another will pick up on our nonsense, turn it around and give meaning. We decide that following a certain action will please God. Another will explain why.
1 Corinthians 11
April 25th, 2013
We all like to feel important, have power, to be listened to in church, as well as society in general. Just as in society there has to be a hierarchy in order to progress, there has to be orderly conduct in church. The Lord’s Supper mentioned last week, the heart of the Christian experience shows up these divisions when everyone is busy feeding themselves and not looking after the others.
1 Corinthians 10
April 18th, 2013
I struggle with history, remembering random dates, names and facts. However it is important to learn from, and build upon their discoveries when they become woven into the fabric of our lives. Paul reminds them what history has taught them about being serious about their relationship with God using examples of the two sacraments (special reminder enactments) that he will have taught them.