1 Corinthians 15:1-58

Resurrection

This is a long chapter, so let's break it down.

First, Jesus Christ died for our sins & fulfilled prophecy, exactly as the Old Testament says. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to many people who at the time of Paul's letter were still alive to give an eyewitness account. Jesus also appeared to Paul, even though he was doing everything in his power to destroy the church. This encounter gave Paul a new purpose & passion, which he is accomplishing by relying fully on God.

Now, since we believe all of these things, why would we not believe in the resurrection of the saints? This was a false teaching then & it's a false teaching now. Some Corinthians were influenced by Greek culture that said that we would not be resurrected in new glorified bodies, instead we would live forever as pure spirits (this is a new age theory). Others believed the Pharisees opinion that there was nothing after death (agnostic/atheist believe).

So, Paul is going to drive home a few points now:

1. If there is no resurrection of corpses, then Jesus was not resurrected. This then undermines the Christian faith, for it is built on Jesus' resurrection. Death came through Adam's disobedience. Eternal life comes through Jesus' resurrection - He overcame death for us.



2. Why would Paul keep risking his neck for something that doesn't exist. This man was beaten, imprisoned, and run out of town after town. If he wasn't fully convinced of the resurrection he would not be willing to risk so much. (It's not written here, but the other apostles faced the same troubles. Many of them were martyred for their believes.)



3. Asking for proof is absurd. You don't know what a tomato will look like by examining the seed, so why do you think one would know what the resurrected body will look like. Understand that God tells us this body will be good and alive, placed in the perfection of heaven. Our first bodies were made out of earth. Our resurrected bodies will be made out of heaven. If we believe all the other things He tells us, why would we doubt this?



4. Our earthly bodies are dying a little each day, so we do we think we would be taking these death things into the place of eternal life?



5. Finally, at the End of Days, those still alive will hear a trumpet blast & they will find themselves in heaven with changed eternal bodies. Those in the grave will be raised & find themselves in new bodies. Everyone will be changed - the perishable will become imperishable, the mortal will become immortal. Why would we doubt this prophecy when every prophecy concerning the first coming of the Messiah was fulfilled?

So, if you believe that the Bible is ultimate truth written by God, why would you deny what it says? To believe in the resurrection, new ageism, or atheism requires faith. Stand firm in your Christian faith! Know that Scripture backs you & it's never wrong!

1 Corinthians 14:26-39

Orderly Worship

In keeping with the discussion concerning spiritual gifts - they should be used in the church service & do not forbid the speaking of tongues. However, everything in moderation. God is a God of order & discipline. In fact, self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. So, Paul gives us some guidelines for conducting a service:
1. In speaking in tongues, people should take turns & three at most should be given.
2. An interpretation should be given for each tongue - this was spoken about in earlier chapters. Remember, it does not benefit the church body if they can't understand the tongue given.
3. In prophesying - two or three at most, taking turns.
4. Everyone should listen carefully to prophesy & weigh it against Scripture

Finally, the last bit - women should not speak in church. Weighing this against other Scriptures (11:5 and chapters 12-14), this instruction is for the Corinthian church specifically. Many women of that culture did not have the religious training that men received and their questions and comments were causing problems and disorder in the service. Therefore, Paul instructed the men - those trained - to instruct the woman at home so order could be restored to the service. This guideline is about restoring unity, not to teach about a women's role in the church.

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

The Gifts of Prophecy & Tongues

Paul is once again addressing an issue within the church. The gift of tongues was being abused. Once again what God intended for good, man turned to evil. The Corinthians believed it was a sign of spiritual superiority rather than a sign of spiritual unity. Here Paul addresses the issue:

Above all live in love. It is good to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, because spiritual gifts encourage others & proclaim God's love. However, the gift of tongues edifies (helps) the one who speaks in tongues for no one else understands what is being said. In fact, the one speaking in tongues should also pray for interpretation. In this way, the person can also edify the church body.

Basically, don't get carried away by the gifts you have been given. Understand where they come from & how to use them for the betterment of God's family. In this way, you will be growing in your relationship with God & with others.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

So, I left you with a promise to explore the greatest gift. It's right there in the next chapter: LOVE.

Many of us know about love, we hear the word used everywhere. It's the main subject of books, movies, song lyrics. It's the thing we search and fight for. Unfortunately, most of us have no idea what real love is. Let's dig into Paul's words here & learn about REAL LOVE.

First of all, it doesn't matter how many spiritual gifts you have, or how many good things you do - if you have no love in your heart it all amounts to nothing.

Real love is:

• patient


• kind


• not jealous


• not boastful


• not arrogant


• does not act inappropriately


• not selfish


• does not incite anger or resentment


• does not hold onto wrongs suffered


• does not rejoice in unrighteousness


• rejoices with the truth


• bears all things


• endures all things


• real love never fails

Sounds like the kind of love you have? Probably not, since we are flawed, selfish humans. But this is the love our hearts are searching for. This is the love we should be giving to others, especially those who are near & dear to us. Love is a choice, not a feeling. Love has nothing to do with lust, passion, or attraction. Too often we confuse the two & allow ourselves to enter into relationships that totally contradict love.

Love is sacrifice. It is putting another person first. We all look for someone to treat us this way, but I think we are missing the point. It's not about finding someone to love you, it's about being a person that loves. I challenge you to write this list down & post it somewhere you can read it every day - maybe your bathroom mirror. Read it, practice what it says, really understand what love is. That's what Paul is saying in that last paragraph - you are no longer a child, so stop acting like one. Learn what love is, desire it & live it. Then you will be a recipient of the greatest gift.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Paul continues his teaching on spiritual gifts by saying each person is to use their spiritual gifts within the context of a body. Each part works together to create a whole. No part is better than an other, & no part is insignificant. So no matter what your gift, you are vital to the church & you have been given a purpose.

So . . . stop bickering, feeling insignificant or superior & above all, stop judging one another. Don't allow your self-esteem to give you a big head or cast you into depression. Everyone is important to God & all are able to serve Him in the way in which He has gifted them to do so.

Tomorrow we will read about the greater gifts & they aren't working miracles or given prophecy or even speaking in tongues. Stay tuned!

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

The Holy Spirit gives each believer special abilities that are to be used to minister to the needs of others. Paul lists some, but not all, of the spiritual gifts here: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Each gift is equal, yet, as selfish human beings, we have a tendency to assign different values to the gifts. This what was going on in the Corinthian church. What God intended for good, man has turned to evil. That's what Paul is saying in verses 1-3. Spiritual gifts cannot be used for bad. Nor can they be faked. Those who think themselves better than others, or uses a "gift" to hurt or put down others isn't using a spiritual gift.

All of the gifts are given by God and they are all to be used in service and submission. So, remember where they came from & rely on God to use them properly. And most importantly, never, ever think you're better than someone else!

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Instructions on communion:

First, Paul reminds us that he didn't make this up. This act of communion was given to us by Jesus Christ during the third cup of the last supper. If you have ever attended a Passover meal, you might remember that the third cup is the "Cup of Redemption." Knowing that God is in control, that He has a plan that began at creation fills me with a warm, satisfied feeling. See, Passover & the Seder meal had been celebrated by the Jews every year since the exodus of Moses. Every Jew in the world traveled to Jerusalem to partake in this feast of remembrance. The third cup reminded the Jews that God had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt, but it also looked forward to the time of the Messiah, who would redeem them from the world. Jesus fulfilled this redemption on the cross & during that Last Supper He told His disciples that this cup now signified His works. Ah, God is good & perfect. His words, His commandments all lead us toward the big picture. It makes me stand in awe.

But, getting back to Paul's teaching: Every time we take communion, we are to remember Christ's redeeming work on the cross. We are also to look forward to His return and the completion of the Scriptures. However, Paul reminds us that we must take communion with reverence and remembrance. Never allow communion to become just another thing you do in church. Don't let it become rote and boring. Rather let it remind you over and over again of what Jesus Christ has done for you. "Do this in remembrance of me." Remember His death, remember His resurrection, remember that He sent the Holy Spirit to guide and protect you, remember that He will return again. Remember . . .

In verse 30-32 speaks of judgment. Does this mean God will eternally judge us if we fail to treat communion with the respect it deserves? Does it mean we need to make sure that we are perfect & without sin when we take communion? No. It simply means, if you take communion for granted, if you begin to treat it as just another thing to do - those in authority over you will call you on it. And honestly, most of us don't like others pointing out our faults, even when it's needed. So, if you don't want someone else to correct you, pay attention & correct yourself. If communion begins to feel rote & boring, correct your thinking yourself. Don't rely on others to do it for you.

Finally, at a church common meal, don't pig out & leave others without food and drink. This must have been an issue in the Corinthian church. So, Paul tells them to show some restraint & respect. He will deal with the remaining issues when he visits them next.