Bible Text: 1Corinthians 9:15-27 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

Read vv. 12-14 as a review. Paul had the right to earn a living from the gospel he preached, and the Scriptures clearly taught this to be true.

1Corinthians 9:15… Paul declares, “But, I have not used any of these rights,” i.e., he had set aside his right to be financially supported in his ministry, and he has bothered to prove his right to be compensated so that the Corinthians will now support him; but instead to defend his apostleship (9:1), “Am I not an apostle? Have I not sen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

Paul says here in verse15b, “it would be better for me to die,” than to have someone say he was preaching under obligation for payment. Preaching the gospel was Paul’s most important reason for being — it was his reason for living (Galatians 2:20).

1Corinthians 9:16-18… Paul explained (v. 16) that he could not boast simply because he was preaching the gospel, for the truth is, he is compelled, driven, to preach the good news of salvation through Christ.

In other words, he really had no choice, for he is a slave to God, and God had called him to preach, and as far as he was concerned he must fulfill that obligation or fall under divine judgment, as he says, “for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.

Paul preached voluntarily (v. 17), it was an eternal reward that motivated him, not his own will to do this or that, and certainly not for payment. Paul saw his part as a stewardship, his responsibility before God to complete what God has for him to do; and getting paid by the Corinthian church or another church was of little consequence to him. Paul is going to preach whether or not he is being supported or compensated for doing so.

To preach the gospel free of charge was Paul’s desire and a blessing to those he served; but (v. 18) Paul was sure he would receive a special reward from Christ because he did not seek his own benefit in this world.

1Corinthians 9:19-23… Paul had to deal with many different cultural norms in his travels, and he was committed not to exercise his own cultural preferences, for although he was free and did not have to conform to the preferences of others, he voluntarily made himself a slave to everyone. In other words, Paul gladly gave up his freedoms and his rights as a free man, in order to win as many as possible for Christ.

Paul ministered to those under the law (Jews) and to those not having the law (Gentiles), and the differences between these two groups was great: diets, clothing, holidays, customs, religious beliefs, family practices, etc.

Many Jews in Paul’s day were so committed to their religious rituals and law keeping that they filled their lives with all kinds of God-ordained and manmade observances of law; and although Paul knew that these religious observances and practices did not commend a person before God, he cared so much for the Jewish community that he observed their customs and laws when he was with them, in hopes of sharing the gospel with them.

And when Paul was with the Gentiles, who did not have the covenants of the promise given to Israel, but instead followed pagan rituals and lifestyles that were not bound by any covenants ordained by God, he observed their customs and laws, unless they dishonored the Lord he served, so that he might have opportunity to spread the gospel among the Gentiles. Christianity is not opposed to the law of Moses (Matt 5:17) Jesus said, “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Paul often affirmed God’s law as a guide for Christians (Romans 2:9-16; 8:1-11; 1Timothy 1:8-11), and yet, it must be interpreted in the light of Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection, and return.

Paul accepted the customs and practices of others, in in some way becoming like them, but he refused to fall into sin for the sake of others.

Paul also (v. 22a) says he became weak by conforming his behavior to that of the weak brother or sister, i.e., to those who didn’t understand the freedom they had in Christ and were still bound by legalistic rule keeping concerning food sacrificed to idols. Paul did not want to purposely offend the weaker brother or sister in such matters, causing them to fall into sin because of their weak conscience.

Paul (vv. 22b-23) was willing to become all things to all men, for the sake of bringing them salvation; and in this way to serve all men – in submission to Christ. Paul refused to allow his own freedoms to prevent others from coming to and following Christ. Paul wanted to see the good news of salvation in Christ proclaimed and believed throughout the world.

1Corinthians 9:24-27… Paul uses the analogy of an athletic running event (v. 24), comparing the Christian life to an Olympic race. For just as many may enter a race, and everyone finish the race, not everyone will run the race according to the rules, and therefore win the prize. And so in this analogy, not everyone who says he is a Christian, not everyone who “begins” the Christian life, will finish according to biblical authority.

God-honoring Christians (v. 25) will both feed upon God’s Word and try to do what it says; not that which brings us some earthly reward or prize or commendation, but instead, one that lasts forever, eternal life with God.

Paul is running for the prize according to the rules of the race, with a definite goal in mind (v. 26); not like someone who runs in a contest without purpose, or a boxer who throws punches against a non-existent opponent, beating the air with his fists.

Paul then says (v. 27) that he trains to keep his body in submission to God, i.e., to condition himself spiritually, avoiding, even turning away from, those things that are bad for him (things that offend God), while making himself do things that are good for him (things that please God); all of this is for the sake of winning the race by the rules set forth (cf. Titus 2:11-14).

God wants everyone to be saved (1Timothy 2:3-4; 2Peter 3:9), but we must come His way (Romans 10:9-10; John 14:6).

Paul concludes his analogy here in 1Corinthians 9 by restating the ultimate goal of spiritual training and discipline, i.e., to share the message of the gospel of Christ with others while living in obedience to the Word of God himself; for the ultimate prize or reward is given by God to those who endure to the end, showing that they genuinely belong to God the Father, through God the Son, by the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:4-9, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

Paul started the church in Corinth, pouring his life into them for 18 months, proclaiming and teaching Christ, discipling them with God’s Word, and now caring for them from afar, from Ephesus, through this letter.

Paul has taken a lot of flack from the Corinthian church, some of them have slandered him, challenged him, and dismissed him as not even being an apostle.

The Corinthian church was a mess spiritually, and Paul was forced to rebuke and reprove them for errors in doctrine and sinful behaviors, they were acting like spiritual babies, jealous siblings, while allowing sin in their midst and doing nothing about it; they should have grown up and matured in the Word of God, knowing good from evil, they should be serving God honorably.

It is no wonder that Paul is somewhat sarcastic with his four questions:

1) Am I not free?

2) Am I not an apostle?

3) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?

4) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?

It is not clear in this text, but it seems that some of them were questioning Paul’s apostleship, and as such, were saying they had no responsibility to support him.

Paul makes it very clear that he was called directly by Jesus (v. 1), “Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” This was a key qualification for an apostle; in fact, Peter, on the day of Pentecost, exhorts the other apostles to replace Judas with one who (Acts 1:22), “must be a witness of the resurrection [of Christ].”

Paul states that the risen Lord called and equipped him for this ministry; Paul is a free man, with rights as both a Roman and Jewish citizen, yet he has become a slave of Christ for the purpose of the gospel, and he proclaimed that message among the Corinthians, so that they are his spiritual children; “the result of [his] work in the Lord.”

This shouldn’t be happening (v. 3), Paul says “his defense to those who sit in judgement on him,” is the undeniable establishment of the church in Corinth, and the salvation brought to them through his apostleship.

Because this is true (v. 4) they should be providing for him so that he can freely do the work to which God has called him; in fact, all those who serve the Lord (pastors, evangelists, missionaries, other Christian workers) should be compensated, supported enough (v. 5), so that their wives do not have to work outside the home, but instead can join them in the ministry, managing the home and caring for their children, without financial burden.

It would seem this was already something known to be true for James, Jude and Peter; expressed in Paul’s sarcasm (v. 6), “do only Barnabas and I not have the right to such support, so that we must work outside of the ministry in order to have food and shelter, and to be able to bring our wives along with us?”

Paul then presents three common examples known to the people, in order to make his case (v. 7): a soldier, a farmer, and a shepherd; all of whom are provided for, so that they might carry out their work.

In the same way, God’s workers ought also to be provided for, because of their work (v. 8), this aligns with common sense and also with the Law of God. Then (v. 9) Paul cites Deuteronomy 25:4, not to muzzle the ox when it is working, for even the ox should reap the reward of its labor, being allowed to eat the grain; yet God isn’t saying this because of a concern for the oxen.

Paul now (vv. 10-13) makes it clear that the one who plows and the one who threshes should expect to enjoy a portion of the crops they have labored over, just as the Priests and the Levites who work in the Temple are given a share of the offerings, i.e., Paul and Barnabas have a right to make their living from the gospel they preach.

Paul is saying, if men working for other men (soldiers, farmers, shepherds, etc.) should expect payment for their labor, then surely those who work for God have the right to be paid for their work, also (v. 14), “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”

In 1Timothy 5:17-18, Paul gives this instruction, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.’”

Paul says pastors ought to be paid, then he quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 and adds, “The worker deserves his wages,” and so, the pastor who carries out the ministry of the gospel, like the ox who treads out the grain, are to receive proper payment for their work.

Christ said to the disciples (Matthew 10:9-10), “Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his keep [support].” Clearly, those who serve God in this way should expect support for their work, just as any worker should be paid for what he does.

See Acts 9:1-22. Before his conversion to Christ, Saul, with full authority of the Sanhedrin, was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Christ, (v. 2) men and women; but before Saul could do that, he met the risen Lord, was blinded, and then led by the hand into town.

Saul was instructed in a vision that Ananias would come and restore his sight, afterwards Paul was baptized, ate some food, and was strengthened in body and spirit.

Saul began to teach in the synagogues, proclaiming the Son of God, proving Jesus to be the Messiah/Christ.

Saul (Heb.) = “asked for,” “prayed for,” – Paul (Gr) = little

See Galatians 1:1, 11-2:1.

Paul was taught by Jesus for three years in Arabia, after which he goes to Jerusalem for 15 days. From Jerusalem he takes the gospel to the Gentiles in the regions of Syria and Cilicia, near his hometown of Tarsus, where he remained for several years, proclaiming Christ.

Interestingly enough, it wasn’t until 14 years after his first visit to Jerusalem that he goes back to Jerusalem, and was finally accepted by the apostles (Galatians 2:9).

Paul was no doubt the premier example of Christianity in the New Testament, of which he authored 13 books.

Paul’s heart attitude concerning his devotion to the Lord, his steadfastness to the gospel, and his call as an apostle and slave to God, is expressed in the following: 1Corinthians 2:1-5, “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”

Romans 1:1-5, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God– the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.” 16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 6:14, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

*See Philippians 3:4b-9; Ephesians 2:8-10.

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 1-8 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

1Corinthians 1:10, 18… The unity of believers in the local assembly is to be based on the doctrine revealed in God’s Word, for it is the basis of all church life.

Remember, we are all members of the one body, the body of Christ, His Church (Ephesians 4:4-6).

God’s Word centering around the cross of Christ is God’s provision, His gift of salvation to everyone; but only those who believe in and receive Christ are saved. Those who reject it, considering it to be foolishness, are considered to be morons according to God (Psalm 14:1), “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

1Corinthians 2:1-5, 11-16… This is so awesome! Paul started the church in Corinth and he taught them for 18 months; his priority of teaching to unbelievers was Jesus Christ, crucified, for until a person hears and believes this message there is nothing more important we can share with them, for it alone is the power of God for salvation.

We are commissioned by God to share the message of the Savior who died for sinners; we aren’t to use trickery or persuasive words in order to deceive people or to try and manipulate their emotions (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

As Christians we have been given God’s Spirit, we are therefore equipped and expected to appraise and make judgements about all things, for we have the mind [understanding] of of the Lord (Isaiah 40:13-14); we are able to know the very thoughts of God.

1Corinthians 3:1-3… We come into God’s family as newborn babies, and we must be nurtured and cared for, in order that we grow up and mature by first feeding upon the milk of God’s Word, understanding the simple truths found in a passage; but as we grow up we are able to discern the meatier deeper doctrines of a passage.

Selfishness is a sign of infancy, a lack of maturity that causes carnality and subsequent divisions within the family of believers, the body of Christ.

1Corinthians 4:1-4… We are servants [under rowers] of Christ, we are also stewards [house managers] of all that belongs to God; most importantly this is speaking of the “mysteries” of God, i.e., divine revelation from God that had previously been hidden or unknown, but is now revealed to the people of God, in order that we might understand and proclaim the sovereign truths and supernatural wisdom of God’s Word.

More than that, we are witnesses of the marvelous gospel and image bearers of the example of Christ, and our concern is not for how others may perceive or judge our words and deeds, but we desire to please the Lord, for ultimately it is His evaluation of us that matters.

1Corinthians 5:1-5, 9-13… As God’s servants and ministers of the gospel of Christ, we must not allow sin to go unchecked within the local church; sin must be exposed and turned away from, for the honor of God.

If anyone claims Christ and continues in a pattern of sin, unwilling to repent and turn away from it, that person must be removed from the local assembly of believers.

1Corinthians 6:1-8, 20… As Christians, we are one family, and we should therefore settle our affairs and accounts within that family. Paul reminds us (v. 2), that Christians will judge the world, i.e., we have the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God and we should be able to settle matters within the church.

It is shameful to drag our problems before the court of unbelievers, for they do not have God’s Spirit in them and they do not know God’s wisdom; in fact, that we even have lawsuits with our brothers and sisters in Christ is dishonoring to God. We would be better off (v. 7) to suffer financial loss ourselves then to bring these problems before the unbelieving courts; after all (v. 20), if you claim Christ as Lord & Savior, you belong to Him and your purpose is to serve Him, not yourself.

1Corinthians 7:10-16… At the very beginning of creation God made a man and a woman, and God blessed them and ordained that they would be [one flesh] husband and wife, committed to each other as servants and stewards over God’s creation and they were to have and raise children to know and to obey God’s commands.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”

Marriage is very important to God (Hebrews 13:4), “Marriage is to be held in honor among all.” In fact, the marriage between a man and a woman is to symbolize the relationship we as believers have with God through Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33).

God’s plan never included divorce, for a marriage was to remain unbroken and undefiled during our tenure on earth (Matthew 19:4-9). God does allow divorce when an unbelieving spouse wants to leave, but a believing spouse should not initiate the dissolution of a marriage, for it is God’s desire that the unbeliever come to Christ through the witness of the believing spouse.

1Corinthians 8:4, 8-9… As we live out our lives for Christ, participating in a local assembly of believers, we need to understand and maintain a proper balance in reference to our liberties and freedoms, remembering that we belong to the Lord (cf. 1Corinthians 6:12-20).

Colossians 2:13-17, “When you were dead in your sins… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations… nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

See Romans 14-15:6. The message to all Christians is that we are members of God’s family, brothers and sisters in Christ, servants of the Lord; and we have God’s presence, provision, protection, and power through the Word of God, that we might bring honor to God, blessings to God’s people, and the message of salvation to the lost.

And all God’s children said, Amen!

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

Paul is responding to a problem in Corinth, that is a common problem in our lives today, as well: “How much should another person’s views control my actions?” In other words, “What should the authority and priority be in reference to the freedoms I have and how those are expressed?” “How much should I adjust my actions in order to not offend someone else?”

See Romans 14:1-6; Colossians 2:16-17.

Paul teaches a principle here that applies to much more than eating meat sacrificed to an idol. The best place to buy a good roast, steak, or country rib in 1st c. Corinth was located right next door to the pagan temples, where animals were offered to various gods and goddesses as sacrifices.

Some of the meat went to the “priests or priestesses,” the rest went for public sale. And so, the best meat in Corinth was found at these meat markets. Everyone in town knew that, and so, for Christians, the question came up: “If a Christian eats meat offered to an idol, is he/she participating in some way in the worship of that idol?” Great question, and it caused concern for many.

If a Christian sits down in a restaurant next door to a pagan temple, and orders a steak, it is very likely that the meat he will eat had been offered in sacrifice to an idol. Should that be a problem for the believer?

Some of the Corinthian Christians were saying that to do this, is to condone the legitimacy of a false god, to worship an idol in some way, to dishonor Christ who died to abolish idols, and also to place a stumbling block in front of a weak Christian who may have come out of a pagan cult that worshipped idols, for he might be led back into idolatry.

But others in the Corinthian church were saying, there is nothing to an idol, i.e., it is just a piece of wood or stone. How are you helping deliver these people from their idolatrous ways if you act as though there is something to the idol?

In Christ, we have the freedom to eat this meat without it offending our conscience. It is perfectly good meat, and it should be enjoyed with thanksgiving toward God. There was a division in the church over these opposing views about eating this meat.

This is similar to many divisions in the church caused by disagreeing views, i.e., some Christians won’t have a Christmas tree, because of the pagan roots of that celebration; others won’t participate in Easter egg hunts, because of its pagan roots; some won’t “Trick or Treat,” because of the pagan roots of Halloween.
We are free as Christians to celebrate or not celebrate different activities (foods, music, entertainment, etc.) and holidays. But the question needs to be asked, why should we let the pagan or secular origins of something continue to keep it captive for the dark side? Why not bring it out into the Light of Christ and use it to bring glory, praise, and honor to the Lord?

The truth is, most of the days of the week are named after pagan gods: Sunday is derived from the Latin dies solis, “sun’s day,”; Monday is derived from the Anglo- Saxon monandaeg, or “moon’s-day”; Tuesday (Tyr’s-day) is named for the Norse god of war, Tyr, the son of Odin; Wednesday (Woden’s-day) is named after Odin, or Woden, chief god in Norse mythology; Thursday (Thor’s-day) is named for Thor, Norse god of thunder, eldest son of Odin; Friday (Frigg’s-day) is named for Frigga, the Norse goddess of the sky and wife of Odin; Saturday (Saturn’s day) is for the Roman god Saturn.

Even some of our months have pagan origin, e.g., January is named for the Roman god Janus, a two-faced god who looked back to the old year and forward to the new year, at the same time. July is named after Julius Caesar. August is named after Augustus Caesar. March was dedicated to Mars, the Greek god of war.

Paul speaks to this matter of conscience among Christians (v. 1), “we all possess knowledge,” i.e., (v. 4), “We know that an idol is nothing,” (v. 6), “for us there is but one God, the Father…; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ.” And so, “when we eat this meat we are not worshipping pagan deities, they don’t even exist.” Now, even though that is correct thinking and although we do not have this meat sacrificed to idols eating problem today, there are other issues that cause factions and divisions.

Some Christians are disturbed about the matter of drinking. Should a Christian drink? Is it wrong to take alcoholic beverages in any form — wine, beer, hard liquor? How about smoking? Tattoos? Public dancing? David danced before the Lord. What about “R” rated movies? Television sit-coms? What about working on Sunday? You can list a lot of issues that divide Christians. Is it a sin for a Christian to be involved in these things?

How do you settle these disagreements? One person’s convictions are not necessarily another persons. Paul says (v. 1), “knowledge puffs up,” it makes you feel superior to those who don not act or believe as you do.
In the church at Corinth and in the church in America, some will say, ”Look at how worldly those believers are behaving. How can a they do this or that with a clean conscience?” Others will say, “Look how legalistic and bound by the law those believers are. Why don’t they grow up? Don’t they realize we are free of all those regulations and restrictions?”

And besides, although we can view what a person does, we do not know why they do it, what their intentions or motives are.

The result is a failure to recognize that people may hold some convictions sincerely, yet we judge their motives by our limited knowledge and that creates pride, which puffs us up and makes us feel superior to those who may be limited by certain restrictions.

Our knowledge is incomplete (v. 2), “The one who thinks he knows something, does not yet know as he ought to know,” i.e., when we believe some attitude, action, or freedom that someone exercises is wrong, we are seeing things from our point of view, which may be limited, we do not see all the factors involved.

Paul’s says, something else is needed to settle these kinds of disagreements (v. 3), we need the love of God. If any one loves God, “he is known by God,” i.e., God knows us personally; in fact (1Corinthians 2:16), “we have the mind of Christ.

Back to the meat issue: We are told (v. 8), that we are no worse off if we eat meat; no better off if we don’t, for it is God’s love that is important, expressed in the way we treat others.

Paul says (v. 7), being legalistic is a weakness, and such a person needs instruction, training, and growth; but we are not to flaunt our strength and show off our freedom in the face of another’s weakness; instead, we are to help them in their struggle, not put them down or make them feel rejected or of less worth.

To restrain yourself, for the sake of another is a gracious, godly, Christian thing to do. Therefore, we are to consider our influence upon others, and weigh the fact that what we want to do, what we have the freedom in Christ to do, is not important compared to the possible harm to another’s spiritual life, especially how we act in public, in reference to flaunting our freedom in somebody else’s face.

If we purposely hurt someone or cause them to stumble in their faith, because we are insisting on our own freedom to do something that previously held them in bondage, we are sinning against Christ, seeking our own momentary gratification or pleasure at the expense of a another’s spiritual welfare.

I must say here that this kind of situation only applies when there is a clear case, or at least a possibility, of injuring someone spiritually (v. 10), “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?”

Many situations are not a question of somebody’s conscience being weak; it is a somebody’s prejudices being irritated. That is different. Just because someone is offended or doesn’t agree with your freedom is not a reason to abstain.

Love would demand that we not flaunt our liberty before someone who feels strongly that it is wrong; but I must also add here that avoiding behavior because it offends the conscience of the weakest brother in the church is not beneficial, for this does not help those in the the church, bound in legalism, to grow.

The priority is God’s love, “why do I do or not do something I have the freedom to do based upon no clear teaching in God’s Word forbidding or discouraging me from such behavior,” (v. 13) ”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.”

God is clearly telling us, through Paul’s instruction, that as servants of God and as brothers and sisters to all of those in God’s family, we may, at times, need to allow others the freedom to express themselves in ways not comfortable to us,and we may need to give up our own freedoms for the sake of not injuring the conscience of a weaker brother or sister.

Jesus told His disciples (Luke 17:1-2), “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.”

Our example is Christ, as we live out our lives we should not intentionally hurt or offend anyone if it possible to avoid it; our service is to God and it is to Him we are to submit ourselves.

1Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Jesus laid down His life for you and for me, and for all those who will believe in Him, so that we might receive forgiveness and eternal life. We must be willing to give up our individual rights, freedoms, comforts, even wants, rather than offend or injure the conscience of a brother or sister in Christ, whose faith is weak. As Christians we are slaves of Christ!

Philippians 2:1-11, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

April 6th, 2014,
“God Has Called Us to Peace”

Verses 10-11… Husbands and wives are “one” in marriage, before God, and in Christ; therefore, they are not to leave, separate from, or divorce one another; but must continue to reconcile with each other and with God, so that marriage is not dishonored.

Think about a Christian wedding that you may have attended; the wedding vows often include something like, “until death do us part.”

Verses 10-11 are directed to Christian couples, i.e., both husband and wife belonging to the Lord; where as, verses 12-16 are written to those in “mixed” marriages, not in anyway meaning people of different ethnic groups or cultures, but believers and unbelievers.

Verses 12-14… “To the rest,” is clearly speaking to those who find themselves married to unbelievers. Paul says, “I not the Lord,” meaning God had not previously given revelation concerning this; but Paul an apostle, commissioned by God, is now declaring it.

In Acts 2, the church grew from 120 in the morning, to over 3000 believers before nightfall. No doubt, there were some who were already married before coming to Christ, and perhaps one spouse came to Christ, but not both of them. If that be true, the believing spouse is not to initiate separation [divorce]; but, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave [divorce], then the believing spouse is not obligated to contest the divorce, but is free to let the unbeliever leave [to divorce].

The priority here is on the witness and testimony of the believing spouse to seek peace; for only God knows if an unbelieving spouse will come to repentance and confess Christ as Lord; but, if the unbeliever wants to remain in the marriage, the believing spouse is not to divorce them.

God wants the unbeliever to be saved (verse 14) and perhaps this will happen through the witness of the believing spouse, who is sanctified by God.
A little clarification about the words sanctified, unholy, and unclean. Unclean is used here in the sense of being defiled, i.e., with at least one believer in the home, the children are protected from undue spiritual harm.

Paul says the children are considered “holy” [from the same root used for the word sanctified], i.e., to be set apart and protected by God the Father, because of the believing parent who belongs to God.

Verse 15… God wants reconciliation, but if the unbelieving spouse seeks divorce, the believing spouse is not bound to remain married to an unbeliever, for God wants us to live in peace – between us and God, and between us and our unbelieving spouse.

Peter also taught on this subject, please take a look (1Peter 3:1-7). Marriage is to be honored above all human relationships, for marriage was ordained and established by God at the very beginning of creation.

Genesis 2:24, “For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
The relationship between a husband and a wife is symbolic of the relationship each Christian has with Jesus Christ, the Savior and the Head of the Church, His Body.

The Bible teaches (Ephesians 5:23-25) that a husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head the church, which is His own body. Wives should always respect their husband’s leadership role, just as the church respects Christ and follows His leading; husbands are to love their wives, as Christ loved the church, i.e., He died for her.

The Bible declares (Hebrews 13:4) marriage is to be honored by and among all people; a husband and wife (Mark 10:8-9) “are no longer two, but one,” therefore, “What God joins together, no man can separate.”

Christian marriage is meant to be a beautiful example of the fellowship and unity that exists between the Father and the Son, the Son and His Church, and the Husband and his Wife (speaking of believing spouses).
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But notice (1Peter 3:1-2), even when the husband is not a believer, the wife is to show him respect as the head of the home; this is not speaking of any act or attitude that would dishonor God, for the wife would never disobey God’s Word; but Christian wives are to set a good example before their unbelieving husbands.

Peter doesn’t tell the believing wife to leave her unbelieving husband, but instead (v. 1), to live as an example of Christ in that marriage; for (1Peter 3:3-4), it is the woman’s inner beauty, her gentle and quiet spirit, and her willful respect of her husband’s role; for this is a witness to her husband and it honors God.

Peter sights (1Peter 3:5-6) the God-honoring inner beauty of some OT women; specifically Sarah, who willfully submitted to her husband Abraham, serving as an example of a Godly woman and a honored wife.

In the same way, God’s Word exhorts Christian wives to “do what is right,” to respect their husband as leader of the home, even if he is an unbeliever, by exhibiting a gentle and quiet spirit, in order to bring him to Christ.

Peter (1Peter 3:7) now turns his attention to a Christian husband’s responsibility to be understanding toward his wife’s deepest physical and emotional needs; whether she is a believer or an unbeliever, the husband is actively and genuinely to be sensitive toward her.

A husband who loves his wife, “as Christ loved the church,” will find that his wife has a much easier time respecting his leadership; just as a wife who respects her husband’s leadership will find that her husband has an easier time loving her sacrificially.

A Christian husband is to be chivalrous toward his wife, Peter here calling her the physically weaker partner. Don’t get riled up over that statement ladies; by design, men are usually bigger and stronger than their wives.

A Christian husband is to care for and respect his wife, whether she is a believer or an unbeliever; that’s what this says, if he doesn’t, he may find his prayers hindered.

God ordained marriage: He commands husbands to love their wives, and wives to respect their husbands, i.e., if your spouse is an unbeliever God holds you responsible to be a good witness for Christ.

Verse 16… What really matters to God is that the believing spouse live as a witness of Christ, so the unbeliever will come to repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord.

Some of you may be married to an unbeliever who isn’t antagonistic toward Christianity, they just aren’t interested in it themselves. Paul is basically saying here, if you have an unbelieving spouse who wants to remain married to you, you have a responsibility before God to show them Christ.

So, whether you are single, married, unmarried, or widowed, your priority is to be a witness for Christ to those around you, so that, if they are not believers, they will be exposed to God’s love, mercy, and holiness in you, in order that they might realize their own depravity and hopeless state, confess and turn from their sins, trusting the Savior for forgiveness and eternal life.

That is why God sent His One and Only Son, our main purpose is to proclaim that message to all who will listen.

Colossians 1:15-23, He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, …by Him all things were created: things in heaven, on earth, visible, invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things on earth, all things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation– if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

Read verses 1-9. Paul evidently sent an earlier letter to the Corinthians about immoral behavior, having to do with sexual relationships, at which time he gave to them instruction concerning remaining sexually pure.

Here he warns and instructs that if people should get married, rather than fall prey to immoral behavior – meaning sexual relationships outside of marriage, for God’s clear mandate is that one man be married to one woman, committed for life according to God’s plan.

In marriage, the body of the husband belongs to his wife and the body of the wife belongs to her husband; they belong to each other, they have become one. Genesis 2:24, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”

Matthew 19:4-5, “At the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’”

Ephesians 5:31, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Verse 1… See 1Corinthians 5:9. Paul reminds them that he had previously responded to some of the concerns they had written him about, at which time he told them “not to associate with immoral people,” [meaning, those who call themselves believers and followers of Christ].

A man in the church was having a sexual relationship with his step mother and the church did nothing about it. Paul commands them to remove the man from fellowship.

Because of the sexual immorality going on among those in the Corinthians church, Paul writes:

(NIV) “Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.”
This is not a good translation of this verse

(ESV) “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man
not to have sexual relations with a woman.’”

(NAS) “Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man
not to touch a woman.”

The translators are saying the same thing, in different ways, i.e., Paul is talking
about sexual relationships.

Paul says it is good for a man or woman to be single, if they remain celibate;
just as it is good for a man or a woman to be married, if they are faithful to their spouse.

God declared, in the very beginning (Genesis 2:18), “it is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” God made us to be in community.

Marriage is the most sacred relationship we experience on a human level; but marriage is also representative of the relationship we have with God the Father, through God the Son, by the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

Marital faithfulness is a high priority in God’s eyes, for just as a husband and wife become one flesh (literally, Eve was made from the flesh of Adam), so a
believer is one Spirit with God, at the moment of genuine belief, joining us with all other Christians, for we have one Lord, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father who is over all, through all and in all.

Turn to Ephesians 5:22-32. This is so awesome, it expresses the depth of intimacy designed by God for both the physical and the spiritual aspects of the relationship between a Christian husband and wife; also, brothers and sisters in Christ, through the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

Verses 2-5… Sexual desire unfulfilled can be strong for those who are single, tempting them to sin (any sexual activity outside of marriage is sin), so to avoid sexual immorality, Paul says, get married!

As we already talked about and read in Ephesians 5, a husband and wife belong to each other, their bodies aren’t their own; therefore, physical intimacy in marriage is not just a benefit, privilege, and pleasure, it is a responsibility and a duty to provide satisfaction to one another.

To not submit to one another intimately is dishonoring to God, for it dishonors marriage. God created physical intimacy to be an expression of physical love on the deepest level of experience, forming a powerful bond between a husband and a wife.

In fact (v.5) Paul says husbands and wives are not to deprive each other, or abstain from physical intimacy, except when they agree to devote themselves to intensive prayer for a certain situation, person, ministry, etc., for a period of time; after which, they are to come together again, so as not to give Satan opportunity to tempt them into unfaithfulness, manifested by adultery, pornography, or fornication – Paul says, “come together again!”

Verses 6-7… Paul was unmarried (v. 8); but why would he encourage unmarried believers to remain single? Perhaps, because you are freer to go here and there with much less concern, planning, and preparation, than a married person. But also (v. 26) because the Corinthian church was under persecution, perhaps this was not the time to get married and start a family.

But Paul is in no way implying, let alone commanding, that a believer should be single or married, nor is he in any way inferring that there is some special spiritual status to being single or married, i.e., if God grants you singleness, great, but you must be celibate; if God allows you to be married, great, but realize that your body is not your own, it belongs to your mate: so whether you are married or single (seen as gifts), God is the gift giver.

Verses 8-9… Paul speaks to unmarried and widowed persons (Gr agamos, unmarried, previously married, not a widower, i.e., divorced, used 4x, vv. 8, 11, 32, 34). Paul says it is good for a believer to remain single, as he is, freeing them up to serve the Lord like he does. Paul was “unmarried or widowed” i.e., he had been married at one time, but we really don’t know more than that.

But clearly, Paul says, if a single (never married), or unmarried (divorced), or widowed Christian is unable to live a celibate life and serve the Lord effectively, because they are distracted or dominated by unfulfilled sexual passions, they should get married; otherwise, they should remain as they are, and as he is, so that they are freer to go anywhere, anytime, and do anything to serve the Lord.

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

Read 2:6-7… God’s heavenly wisdom is imparted to those who believe in Him, but to the natural man, to those who reject God’s Son, only earthly wisdom is given, for they are incapable of such knowledge (Matthew 11:25-30; 13:10-15).

Read 2:8-10a… Paul is not talking about the wonders of heaven, but he is talking about the wisdom of God that is given to believers, for it is “prepared for those who love Him,” it is revealed to us not by what we have seen or heard or thought about, but God’s plan, God’s truth, and God’s wisdom is divinely unveiled for us. (Isaiah 64) Read 2:10-11… Only God’s Spirit living in us can reveal God to us in such a way for us to know God intimately, even the deep things, the very thoughts of God.

Read 2:12-13… God’s Wisdom is revealed to us via the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, and this is “freely given” to us through the revelation of God’s Word.

This is so important, as Jesus said (Matthew 4:4), “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” God’s Wisdom is revealed to us via inspriation, coming directly from God, and imparted to us as sovereign and authoritative in all the affiairs of men.

Paul warns us (Colossians 2:8-10), to be careful “that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”

People are “taken captive” [kidnapped or carried off in their thinking] by godless “philosophies” (a compound of two Greek words [phileo] “love” and [sophia] “wisdom”), man’s pursuit of “hollow and deceptive” human wisdom, which is often antithetical to God’s wisdom.

God’s children are equipped with wisdom from God, so that we will not be led astray and captivated by false teachings and worldy doctrines of the natural mind; those who are mature in their faith must often guard those who are easily led astray or influenced by such ignorance.

Christians were deceived in Christ’s time, just as they are today, by false teachings that seduce unaware, weak, and immature people; for Christians will often believe that which has been widely accepted by the “Christian” community; but, as Christians, our source of truth and wisdom must be the Word of God.

2Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed [from the mouth of God] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

We live in a society that doesn’t want to know or hear God’s wisdom; instead, it listens to the contemporary cultural-religious-academic gurus who seek to make them feel good, and the liberal media that regulates human- centered entertainment and popular thinking by flooding their ears and eyes and minds with worldly and godless dribble and psychobabble.

The abortion of millions of babies is defined as free choice. Homosexuality is defined as an alternative lifestyle. Lewdness, nudity, obscenity and profanity are considered a form of free speech and personal expression protected by the First Amendment.

Many Americans are ignorant of God’s truth; in fact, many consider themselves to be Christians because they go to church, have a Bible, or give to the poor.

Many have believed the lie that by doing good deeds, having intellectual belief about or historical knowledge of Jesus Christ is enough to save them. Well, it isn’t! Going where Christians go, doing what Christians do, won’t make you a Christian any more than sitting in a chicken coop, eating grain and clucking will make you a chicken. Read 2:14-16… You can read the Bible, study it for years, and yet totally miss what it says (1:18).

John 5:37-40, “the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not believe the One He sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.”

God’s Word must be discerned spiritually, and it will always reveal God’s Son as Creator and Life-giver; therefore, natural man (unbelievers) cannot understand spiritual truth because they are spiritually dead.

John 1:1-4, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 1:12-13, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

John 3:6, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (i.e., you must be born of God’s Spirit)
John 14:15-17, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:25-26, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

God’s Spirit reveals all we need to know, to trust, to believe in, and to serve God. We are fully equipped to live productive lives in this present world while waiting for the world to come – eternity in heaven with God.

The full essence, character, nature and authority of God dwells in Christ, as Paul writes to the believers (Colossians 1:9), “We have never not stopped praying, asking God to fill you with all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” (vv. 15-18) for [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, by Him all things were created and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn among the dead, that in everything He might have supremacy.”
Christ dwells in us through God’s Spirit, and He has imparted God’s Wisdom to us that we might serve God.
2Corinthians 13:5, “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?”
Romans 8:9-10, “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

All those who have genuinely repented of their sins and confessed Christ as Savior and Lord, are able to receive and understand the very thoughts and wisdom of God. How cool is that? Hmmmm! God’s wisdom or the foolish thinking of this fallen world? Are you kidding?

You can believe and follow man’s wisdom, “which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ,” or you can have the wisdom of God which has been made effectual through Jesus Christ, in whom “all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” and through whom you “have been given fullness” (Colossians 2:8-10), so “that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything” (James 1:4).
God’s Son is the head over every power and authority, He is the Creator, Sustainer, Lord, Savior, and Judge over all. Isaiah 9:6 says, “the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus Christ is God’s Salvation, He is God with us, and He made it possible for all those who believe in Him to know the very mind and wisdom of God, so that we might apply God’s revealed, divine, and authoritative Word to all things, as we enjoy our life on this earth while serving God, waiting to be taken to heaven to spend eternity there with Him.

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

Read 1Corinthians 1:26-29… Paul is clear concerning God’s sovereignty in salvation, and the unworthiness of all of us who come to Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
In verse 26, Paul tells his readers to remember, to “think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.”
But in verses 27-29 Paul writes, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.”

The true greatness of God’s power is that He is the Creator, and He can make something out of nothing, i.e., in the beginning God spoke the world into existence. Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Paul proclaims that God can take the weak things, the foolish things, the things that are nothing, and make them strong, wise, and influential for His purpose.

Christ tells us that except for Himself, John the Baptizer is the greatest man who ever lived (Matthew 11:11a, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” John was filled with the Holy Spirit before birth (Luke 1:15), John was set apart for a marvelous work of God; he came to stir the hearts of the people (v. 16) so they would confess their sins and be brought to the Lord.

John announced the coming of the Savior, and he was there at the commissioning of Christ (at His baptism), when God spoke from heaven (Matthew 3:17), declaring Jesus to be His One and Only Son, whom He loved, and with whom He is well-pleased.
Jesus says that no one is greater than John, but He goes on to say (Matthew 11:11b), “the least in God’s Kingdom is greater than John.” Why does He say that?

You see, although God’s children (Christians) may be considered weak, lowly, and inconsequential, according to the world’s standards, they are empowered by God to serve honorably and victoriously (Ephesians 2:10), “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
John had no formal education, no wealth or popularity, yet God made him strong, wise, influential, and great – during his very short ministry of announcing the Messiah.

God’s children are equal in God’s eyes, for He shows no favoritism among those who profess Christ as Savior and Lord, having confessed and repented of their sins, trusting in God’s Son for salvation (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25).
Be assured that the weakest, most foolish, untrained, even despised Christian, who serves God from the heart, accomplishes more in one act of service to God, than all the wise, powerful, and influential people of the world who reject Christ, accomplish in their whole lives.
1Corinthians 1:30-31… Paul says, it is because of God that we are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (cf. Jeremiah 9:23-24).
In Christ, we have been given God’s wisdom, righteousness, holiness [sanctification], and redemption:
Wisdom – The lowest IQ is raised to the highest level of intelligence by God’s power at salvation, for that person now receives God’s truth about life and godliness.

Psalm 14:1, The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (cf. 2Corinthians 5:17; 1Corinthians 2:14-16)).

James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Righteousness – Believers are made “right” with God, our sins forgiven, we gain relationship with God, as Paul writes (Philippians 3:8-9), “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord… …and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God by faith,” (2Corinthians 5:21), “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Holiness/Sanctification – God saves us and sets us apart as His very own, that we might seek to do that which pleases God and is according to His will. God’s Spirit lives in us to guide and empower us to bear fruit, as we are conformed into Christ’s image (Romans 8:11; 12:1; Galatians 5:16, 22-23; 2Corinthians 3:18).

Redemption – We are purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, becoming God’s possession (Ephesians 1:14; Hebrews 9:24-28; 1Peter 1:18-19).

No wonder Paul writes (v. 31), “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Read 1Corinthians 2:1-5… Paul came in weakness, fear and trembling? He was deeply and overwhelmingly fearful that they would reject the message of Christ.

God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption cannot be obtained through human intellect or human reasoning, therefore, Paul’s primary purpose was to boldly preach the Truth of God concerning Christ:
1Timothy 4:1-2, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” 13, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”

2Timothy 4:1-5, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Yes, the message of the Cross is foolishness to many, but it is also the power of God for salvation to all who repent of their sins and confess Christ as Lord.

Many preachers today preach what people want to hear, speaking to their felt needs and human desires; but Paul was determined to know and to teach the full revelation of God’s plan, purpose, and provision of Christ, as the once and for all sacrifice for all sin, satisfying God’s penalty by taking our punishment upon Himself. 1John 2:2, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Only God’s Spirit and Power can turn the foolishness of the message of Christ into salvation and eternal life. If you belong to Christ you are obligated to proclaim His message of love and hope and salvation; if you have not trusted in Christ, confessing your sins, do it now!

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Corinthians

1Corinthians 1:18-19…  Perishing = Those who reject the Cross of Christ exist on this earth without the divine provision of God’s plan and purpose through Christ: Salvation (Romans 1:16-23).

The coming of God’s Son has been foretold since ancient times and revealed to us through the Holy Scriptures (Ephesians 1:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4).

No wonder Paul proclaims (2Corinthians 9:15), “Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift!”

The Wisdom of this age is foolishness [moronic] to God (Colossians 2:8-10).  Looking to human wisdom instead of the wisdom of God will lead one to corruption and destruction (2Peter 1:3-4).

Verses 20-21…  Where are the wise teachers and debaters of this world?  Do they really believe they are equipped to discern the ways and wonders of God?

In Isaiah 19 the Lord says to Egypt’s so-called wise men and experts, “tell Me then, what will God do to those who worship idols while proclaiming to be wise?”

Human wisdom cannot obtain the knowledge of God, nor can it bring acceptance, let alone salvation, from God; for God does not allow man to reach up and confer with Him, nor to comprehend the plan and purpose of God, through cognitive reasoning or human intellect.

Only through the message of the Cross can we, by faith, believe in Christ (John 1:12; Acts 4:12).

1Corinthians 1:22-25…  Unbelieving Jews were always wanting one more miracle, even though they had been exposed repeatedly to the way, the works and the words of God’s Son (Matthew 12:38-42).

Jesus tells the self-righteous religious leaders of the Jews, that the evil pagan Ninevites who responded to God’s message through Jonah, will stand in condemnation of this generation of Jews who witnessed, yet rejected the Messiah, who is greater than Jonah, for He is God the Son, Creator and Judge over all (Colossians 1:15-20).

According to Matthew 12:42, the Queen of the South (Queen of Sheba) will stand in judgement of “this generation of Jews.” Joel said (3:8) of her country, it was “a distant nation,” Jeremiah (6:20), “a distant land.”

During the time of Solomon, this Gentile, a woman, an Arab, came to Solomon “from the ends of the earth” [1200 miles SE of Israel] to hear God’s wisdom through Solomon, and she gave him countless treasures (although Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man living at that time).

Jesus says, “Something greater than Solomon is here.”  Jesus isn’t just bringing God’s Wisdom, He is bringing Salvation – forgiveness from sin and eternal life – and yet the Jews refused to believe His message or receive Him.

The Jews, the nation of Israel, God’s chosen and set apart covenant people, who had the patriarchs and the prophets, even God’s own presence dwelling with them in the Tabernacle of Meeting, in the Holy of Holies in the Temple; they had centuries of divine blessing, God’s protection and provision; and yet, when God fulfilled His Word and sent His own Son, the Messiah, to bring forgiveness and eternal life, they rejected Him.

One day these Jews will stand condemned, and at the time of their judgement, many Gentiles will be justified because of their faith in God’s One and Only Son.

God’s greatest sign was sending His own Son to live among us and then to die for our sins (John 1:1-5, 14, 18; 3:13-18); yet, the majority of the Jewish people did not believe it (Luke 16:31), “they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”

Our Savior is alive, and the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection, when believed in the heart, saves your soul for eternity (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

Salvation is not acquired through heritage, good works, or religious ritual, but by believing in and submitting to God’s Son as Savior and Lord (1Corinthians 15:2-4; John 5:39-40).

It is all about Jesus, not miraculous signs, mystical experiences, new revelations, or new words of wisdom!

Where the Jews sought miracles, the Greeks wanted to prove or disprove Christ’s claims via human reasoning and debatable philosophy, through which they would intellectually determine whether Christ’s wisdom and power was supernatural or not.

But, it is the divine message and power of the Cross alone by which men are saved (1Corinthians 2:2).  Only those who are “called” (1Corinthians 1:24, 9), i.e., only those who believe and receive Christ as Savior and Lord, confessing and repenting of their sins, are able to know and to apply the power and the wisdom of God to their life.  What must you do?  (See Acts 2:36-38)

Admit that you are a sinner, guilty (Romans 3:23).

Believe that Christ alone can save you, granting forgiveness (Romans 6:23).

Confess your sins to God, repent (Romans 10:9-10).

Demonstrate a changed life (2Corinthians 5:17).

Exemplify the character and nature of Jesus Christ, and

Follow His example (1John 2:3-6). Therefore,

Go into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20), “and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything [Christ] commanded you.” We are to proclaim the foolishness of the Message of the Cross, so that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved to spend eternity in

Heaven with Him (John 14:2-3, 6).

The message we must share with people is a message of hope, love and eternity.  Why is this so necessary?

God is a Loving God, but He is also a Just God, and therefore, Sin must be punished if God is truly Just!

Do not lie…

Do not steal…

Do not murder (anger in your heart)…

Innocent, you say?  Right!

Look, we are all guilty of Sin!

And so, we deserve punishment!

The Good News is – Jesus took our punishment and paid our penalty for sin, so that those who trust in Him are declared “not guilty” on Judgment Day!

Hebrews 9:27-28, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”

Hebrews 10:16-18, “’This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’ Then he adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”

Romans 8:1-2, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

Hebrews 8:10, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”