1 Corinthians 12:27-31

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

-1 Corinthians 12:27-31

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Spiritual pride is dangerous for the Christian.  The reason why the Apostle Paul is reminding the believers in Corinth that they need one another is because there are some who think they are better than others because they have certain types of spiritual gifts that make them better.  One of those gifts for example is the ability to speak in tongues—it’s the ability to speak the language of angels that humans cannot understand.

To be able to speak in tongues was seen as a sign that you must be godly so everyone wanted to have this gift.  It good comparison today would be like people at church wanting to be on the praise team because it makes them look godly or they get to be the center of attention.  That’s what’s happening with this speaking of tongues thing.  It’s not about God anymore, it’s a selfish desire to make yourself look better than others.

So Paul is reminding them and us that each member of our faith community is important.  Every job is important, not just the praise team playing music, but also the people who fold the chairs after church is over.  I would argue that folding chairs and cleaning up away from the spotlight can be more godly than being up front on the praise team.

In the end the most important gift we should all strive to have is the gift of love.  That’s going to be the next thing Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13, but this whole section is leading up to that.  People are fighting over who has the better spiritual gift but instead they are lacking the most important gift—love.

Are you struggling with spiritual pride?  Do you have a desire to serve God and to serve others in any position?  Would you clean bathrooms for Jesus?  Or do you pick how you served based upon how it will improve your social standing or status?

1 Corinthians 12:21-26

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. -1 Corinthians 12:21-26

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Our understanding of what it means to be part of God’s people is revealed by the way we treat our “weakest” or least popular member.  It’s easy to be friends at church or even at Harvesters with the most amiable, kind, nicest member.  But what if there is someone at your church who’s just super difficult to get along with?  What if there is someone at Harvesters who happens to be going through rough time faith-wise and perhaps even making unwise choices in his or her life?

Part of being the body means that we go out of our way to help, assist, and honor every member of our spiritual family—even the ones that are hard to honor.  I’ll be candid with you, as a Young Life leader, I’m human, too.  And just like everyone else, there are students I get along famously with and there are others that are much harder for me to connect with.  But God has called me to love everyone.  Every student, regardless of my own personal chemistry with him or her, is valuable in God’s sight and so I serve them in whatever capacity I can given my relationship with them.

I’m a sinner and I’m not perfect so there are definitely times when I fall short of this.  But God doesn’t give up on me.  Even though I’ve failed Him and failed the “body of Christ” over and over again, He still picks up and helps me to continue to seek Him.  This is what God wants us to help others to do.

Do you care about every member at church or at Harvesters OR do you only care about who is in your clique?  God calls us to do our best in loving each and every person that’s part of our faith community.

1 Corinthians 11:12-19

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

-1 Corinthians 11:12-19

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Some of you are talented at sports.  Others are really good at specific academic subjects.  Some of you have wonderful musical abilities.  Others have the gift of compassion.  Some of you are blessed with material and financial abundance.  The list can go on and on.  The point though is that there isn’t a single person who is good at everything and has everything.  We were made to be interdependent on each other.  

This is why the Apostle Paul compares us to different parts of the human body.  Just like how every organ is required for the whole human to survive and thrive, the same is true for the church—the Christian community.  We need each other.

Our society tells us that we need to be self-sufficient and self-reliant.  Even our movie heroes like James Bond  speaks to self-sufficiency.  James Bond works alone and has enough talent, wit, sexual attraction and athleticism to stand against global villains wanting to destroy the world.  That’s pure fiction.  No spy program in the world has just one agent who does it all.  The CIA or MI-5 have thousands of agents all working together to defend their respective nations.

Self-sufficiency and self-reliance is one of the greatest spiritual lies of all time.  That’s why Adam & Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden.  Satan promised them self-sufficiency.  “Eat this and you will be like God.”  Which means, they won’t need God anymore because they can be self-sufficient.

Don’t fall into the trap of self-sufficiency.  We need our faith community and our faith community needs us.

Are you depending on your faith community?  Are you allowing your faith community to depend on you?

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

-1 Corinthians 12:4-11

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The purpose of God’s gifts to us is to be a blessing to our community.  We live in such an individualistic and capitalistic world that we have been conditioned to think selfishly of our gifts—spiritual, material, or otherwise.  The common selfish mindset is always, “How can this benefit me?”

So when we pray, we pray often for ourselves in mind and not for others in mind.  For example, we oftentimes pray, “God help me to get into a good college” because we want to get into a good school and get a good job and make good money for ourselves.  There are very few people, even Christians, who pray, “God help me to get into a good college so I can be a blessing to others.”  I’m not sure I’ve even heard that prayer prayed out loud before.

As Christians, we can’t see our gifts as only for us.  The sole purpose of God’s to us is always to benefit the community.  Think of all the gifts God has given you.  Start asking Him, “God, how can I use this for the community?  What do you want me to do?”

1 Corinthians 12:1-3

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. -1 Corinthians 12:1-3

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Faith itself is a miracle.  Left up to our own human devices, we would always turn away from God.  The Bible actually tells us that no one seeks God, not even one.  And here, in this passage the Apostle Paul shares that anyone who even accepts Jesus as God can only do so because their hearts and minds have been touched by the Holy Spirit.

If you believe in Jesus, that’s because the Holy Spirit has touched your heart.  If you’re struggling to believe, it’s because the Holy Spirit is working on your heart helping you to even want to believe.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, let us give thanks to God and His Holy Spirit for touching our hearts.  We can’t even have faith without the Holy Spirit’s help.

1 Corinthians 11:27-34

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.

-1 Corinthians 11:27-34

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As we shared yesterday, the ritual of Communion connect us with other Christians present, past, and future.  When the Apostle Paul warns against partaking Communion in an unworthy manner he was specifically addressed the situation in Corinth where wealthy Christians have basically shunned the poorer Christians.  So when Paul tells us to examine ourselves before we take Communion, he is asking us to look at our relationship with the church and with the members of the church.  Are we doing anything to hinder those relationships?  Are we trying our best to live as brothers and sisters in Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. -1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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Traditions are an important part of a person’s heritage and upbringing.  They remind us of what is important and connect with us to all those in the past who practice those same exact traditions.  This passage talks about a super important tradition in Christianity called Communion, or sometimes known as the Eucharist.

At church the believer would be given a piece of bread or cracker and also some grape juice.  They are to eat the piece of bread and drink the juice as a reminder that Jesus allowed his body to be broken and his blood to be shed for our sins.  The Apostle Paul who wrote this letter to the Corinthians practiced this tradition and just this past Sunday, I did so, too.  Due to the pandemic, we had to do it at home via Zoom.  But Maria and I watched a dozen of our church members all eat the bread and drink the juice together.

It symbolizes our connection to each other, to believers in the past, and to God.  It reminds us that we’re all in the same boat.  We were all spiritual lost and far from God and now we’ve all been saved no matter who we are.  This is why Communion is so significant.

The next time you partake in Communion, think about your connection to the Apostle Paul, think about your connection to other brothers and sisters in Christ, and think about your connection with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:17-22

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! -1 Corinthians 11:17-22

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We need to care for the WHOLE church.  For those of you who attend church, when you go there’s always like your own clique that you chill with and that you’re comfortable with.  Same thing with Harvesters.  When we were meeting in-person, people would sit next to their friends and so forth.  There’s nothing wrong with having friends that you are close to.  But, the Bible does tell us that we need to be concerned not just for our friends but for everyone who is part of our faith family.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul was concerned about the cliques that have formed in the church that were not getting along.  A lot of those cliques were based upon wealth.  So the wealthy people would get together to eat while ignoring or living out Christians who were poorer and didn’t have an abundance of food.  Paul is calling the wealthy Christians out saying this is messed up.  We can’t just be concerned about ourselves and our clique, we need to love and care for every person in the church.

Likewise, in Harvesters, we can’t just care for our friends.  Every person who is part of the Harvesters family should be important to you.  This doesn’t mean we’re going to be best friends with everyone at Harvesters, but it does mean that we have the mindset of wanting to connect and reach out to other members that we may not be as familiar with.  It’s an attitude and a frame of mind.

At church or at Harvesters, do you just stick with your own group or do you make an effort to try to get to know someone that you may not  know that well?  Are you sticking with your own clique or are you reaching out?

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

-1 Corinthians 11:2-16

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One of the most difficult things to figure out in the Bible is if a passage is speaking to a cultural ethos pertinent only to that time period or does it apply universally even for Christians today.

Most Christians interpret the act of a woman covering her head at a church service to be specific to the culture of the time.  Not many churches I know have women covering their heads.  Even the Apostle Paul admits this is a cultural practice when he writes, “We have no other practice.”  Well, two thousands years later, churches look a lot different than during Paul’s time.  So by tradition, this part of the passage is interpreted as being time and culturally specific.

But there are some truths in here that many Christian scholars deem universal—that they apply even today.

The first is the equality and mutual submission between genders.  Paul writes, “in the Lord the woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.”  Both need one another and not one is more important than the other.

If men and women are equal then why does Paul write that “the head of the woman is man.”  What’s up with that?  That doesn’t sound equal at all.

Pastor Tim Keller in his most famous series of sermons on marriage explains this command as a necessary tie-breaker in marriage.  If a married couple are both committed to Jesus, they will agree on the important things 99% of the time.  But that 1% when the disagree, they can stuck unless a tie-breaker is appointed.  The man is given that responsibility of breaking the tie, but a godly husband uses that right with great restraint and only with what is best in mind for his wife.  He sees his headship not as privilege to abuse and lord it over his wife, but as another mechanism in which he can serve her. 

Equality and mutual submission is always at the heart of our relationships with the opposite gender.

1 Corinthians 11:1

 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. -1 Corinthians 11:1

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This is a pretty bold statement made by the Apostle Paul.  I don’t believe he’s trying to be arrogant or that this was a statement made out of spiritual pride.  Paul’s just being real.  His life has been one dedicated to following Jesus and he’s simply telling others to do what he’s doing because it’s the best.

Are you living your Christian lives in such a way that you can say this exact statement to others?  Are you following the example of Jesus?  What does that even mean?

When Maria and I first met, the only way that I could have gotten to know her was to spend time with her.  If I wanted to know what Maria’s likes and dislikes, I would have to interact with her.

It is no different with God.  If you want to follow Jesus, you have to first know him.  So many of us though claim that we know him even though we never spend any time with him by reading His Word and through prayer.  When we do this, what ends up happening is that we put our own words in Jesus’ mouth .  We essentially make-up our own Jesus because we don’t know the real Jesus.

Do you know Jesus or do you only think you know him?  When was the last time you spent any time in your Bible or in prayer?

1 Corinthians 10:18-33

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[f]

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

-1 Corinthians 10:18-33

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Soon after I graduated from college  I was really considering dying my hair blue—anime blue.  For real.  It never happened though and this passage had something to do with it.

The Apostle Paul here is advising Christians to stay away from food that’s been offered to other gods in other religions.  He makes it a point to say that the food is fine regardless.  There’s nothing magical that happens to food when it is used in another religious ceremony.   For Christians, it’s still food and it’s still delicious.

BUT if by eating the food others might think that you are worshipping a different god, you need to take pause.  If your actions can lead others astray or confuse others about the Christian faith, you need to reconsider.

That’s what happened with my hair dying desires.  There is nothing wrong with dying your hair.  Nowhere in the Bible does it say, “Thou shalt not dye your hair blue!”  BUT, during that time I was starting to serve in youth ministry at a fairly conservative church and I knew a counselor with dyed hair would probably not be taken seriously by parents.

Anime blue hair is not forbidden by Scripture, but if me dying my hair might prevent parents from trusting me with their students, then it’s better for me not to do it.  This is what Paul means when he says, “Do not cause anyone to stumble.”   I give up the freedoms that I have so that the Gospel can reach others unhindered.  Not dying my hair anime blue is but a small, small sacrifice.  And in the long run, it worked out.  I shudder to think ridicule I would receive now if pictures of my blue hair existed.

In your actions, are you seeking the good of others or do your actions preventing others from seeing God clearly?

1 Corinthians 10:14-17

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

-1 Corinthians 10:14-17

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An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives.  It could be anything!  It could be a relationship, a sport, a video game, whatever.  Oftentimes an idol can appear innocuous because it doesn’t “look” evil.  For example: enjoying playing tennis is neither good nor bad.  But if you elevate tennis in your heart above God, then it becomes an idol.

Pastor Tim Keller puts it in this way—idolatry is mis-ordered loves.  It’s when you order other things higher than your love for God.

The Apostle Paul here warns us of idolatry then starts talking about Communion.  Communion is when Christians eat of the bread and drink of the cup at church with other Christians.  It’s a sacrament (ritual) that reminds us that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins.

Why would Paul connect idolatry to Communion?  It’s because when we place other things or people above God, we are dishonoring what Jesus has done for us.  When we play with idols or with sin, it’s like a slap in the face to Jesus.

The famous pastor and theologian said this: 

“If Christ has died for me, I cannot trifle with the evil that killed my best Friend.”

Are you trifling with the evil that killed your best friend? 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

-1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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Discipline is oftentimes an ugly word in today’s society but the Bible paints discipline in an incredibly positive light.  Discipline is often seen as ugly because it requires work and sacrifice.  There are no short cuts in discipline.  You can’t cheat your way in discipline.  Discipline can only be built slowly over time.  In our fast paced, instant-gratification culture—discipline is an enemy.

Yet, discipline is crucial to a healthy Christian life.  There is no way that Christians experience a deep satisfying connection with God every time they read the Bible or pray.  At least that’s not what I’ve experienced.  In fact, to be honest, most of the time, even today, accomplishing my daily spiritual disciplines like reading the Bible or praying can seem like just another chore.  But in the midst of those daily routines, allow for opportunities when I do feel an intense connection to God and I feel thoroughly convicted in my time with God’s Word or through prayer.  Admittedly, those times are the exceptions, but they can only happen through faithfulness in my daily spiritual disciplines.

Dr. Tim Keller from Redeemer Church in the city puts it this way, and I’m paraphrasing: “When it comes to your devotional life, quantity is not the same as quality.  But you can’t get quality without quantity.”

Runners and other athletes can only can better through discipline.  That’s why there’s something called “going to practices” in sports.  In our spiritual life, it’s the same way.  When we spend time on our a regular basis, it trains us to grow in sensitivity to God’s Spirit and allows the Holy Spirit time and space to transform our hearts.

Are you spending time with God?  Are you going to “spiritual” practice every day, or have you been skipping out?

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

-1 Corinthians 9:19-23

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So many time as Christians, we ask non-Christians to come into our world and adapt to our Christian culture and standards.  But as we see here, the Apostle Paul has a very different ministry philosophy.  He argues that we need to go into people’s worlds and we need to immerse ourselves in their culture so that we can communicate the Gospel to them.

Immersion doesn’t mean that we take on their beliefs or ideals while forgoing on own.  But it does mean we live life with people and in the process of living life with people we get to show them Jesus by the way we live and with our words.

This is one of the reasons why I love Young Life.  So often in Christian-dom we ask kids to do this or do that, to come here or go there.  In YL, caring Christian adults go into the world of young people.  They show up in school.  They go to football games (pre-pandemic, of course) and orchestra concerts.  They go into the world of teenagers so they can communicate the Gospel to teenagers.

I know all of you are at different places in your walk with God.  But if He hasn’t done so yet, one day God will give you an opportunity to leave the comforts of your environment so that you can go into someone else’s world and culture to tell them and show them God.

Jesus did that for us.  He left the comforts of heaven to come to earth so that he can die for our sins and to show us a better way to live.

Who are you living life with?  With whom are you sharing Jesus?

1 Corinthians 9:13-18

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

-1 Corinthians 9:13-18

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Yesterday we talked about the Apostle Paul’s desire for blamelessness.  At the heart of why he wants blamelessness is so that people would come to know Jesus.  The Gospel—the Good News of how Jesus came to die for our sins so that we can be reconnected to God—is all the the Apostle Paul cares about.

Do you care about the Gospel?  Do you care about how the Gospel impacts your life?  Do you care whether or not other people hear about the Gospel?  How many times a day do you think about the Gospel?

There’s a lot of things I obsess about.  I can think a lot about the next computer I’m going to buy.  I can think a lot about a video game I’m currently trying to beat.  I can think a lot about a show that I can’t wait to watch.  Today, Maria and I are definitely going to watch the latest episode of The Mandalorian.  It’s so good!  BUT, do I obsess about the Gospel?  Do I think about the Gospel with the same intensity that I think about other things in life of far, far lesser importance?

Sadly for me, it’s a “no.”  And I suspect for you, it’s a “no,” too.  This passage reminds us that the Gospel must be at the center of our lives.  We must eat it, drink it, breath it, and live it.  It is by far the most important thing we have and the most important thing we can give to others.

Do you obsess about the Gospel?

1 Corinthians 9:3-12

3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? 8 Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

-1 Corinthians 9:3-12

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Blamelessness.  This was the Apostle Paul’s focus.  Apparently, the Christians in Corinth were complaining about him, so Paul brought up the point that he didn’t even take money from them for serving them.  Just like churches pay their pastors for their services, the Apostle Paul should have been paid for serving the church.

But Paul refused payment.  He refused to get paid by the church in case any members thought that Paul was serving them for money.  He didn’t want that as a reason for people to doubt his sincerity in sharing Christ.  That’s next level.

Are you being blameless in the way that you live your life to help others see Christ in you?  What does being blameless look like for a high school kid in Tenafly?  It means practicing academic integrity so that people will see that your faith actually matters to you.  It means treating those in school who are outcasts with dignity and respect so that people will see that your faith actually matters to you.  It means using words of encouragement instead of words of discouragement so that people will see that you faith matters to you.

Are you living a blameless life for the sake of the Gospel?

1 Corinthians 8:4-13

4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

-1 Corinthians 8:4-13

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Your faith doesn’t exist in a vacuum.  Your faith doesn’t just belong to you, it’s part of a community.  When you struggle in your faith, the whole Christian community struggles.  When you grow in your faith, the whole Christian community grows.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul was dealing with people who looked down on those who struggled with eating food that was used in other religious ceremonies.  So let’s say there was a Buddhist ceremony that used some oranges to “sacrifice” to their Buddhist idols.  Are Christians allowed to eat those oranges?

The Apostle Paul is saying it is perfectly okay to eat that orange, but for some Christians, it might bother them that they are eating fruit that was once used by another religion.  Paul is saying that if it bothers someone, even though it is okay to eat it, you should abstain for their sake.  This is Christian love.

I shared this example before, but that’s why some of the AYL adult leaders abstain from alcohol.  Though the Bible speaks against being drunk, it doesn’t prohibit imbibing alcohol.  This is freedom that we get to enjoy.  BUT, we know that alcohol is abused by a lot of people, including a lot of teenagers.  For their sake, we give up our right to drink so that those who struggle with it can see that you can still live life to the full without any alcohol in your life.

What right do you have to give up so that you can help your brothers and sisters in Christ?  You faith isn’t your own.  Your faith is not private.  Your lifestyle decisions have an impact on those around you.

1 Corinthians 8:1-2

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God. -1 Corinthians 8:1-2

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This passage is for those of you who grew up in the church and think you already know everything there is to know about Christianity.  This section of the Apostle Paul’s letter is about spiritual pride—thinking you’re right with God because you know more about the Bible or that you’ve been in church for most of your life.

The Apostle Paul here warns about the dangers of thinking you’re a Christian know-it-all.  It’s easy to use your knowledge to tear down someone or to condemn them so that you can feel spiritually superior.  That’s what Paul means when he said that “knowledge puffs up.”  Instead, we ought to use our spiritual knowledge in a loving manner.

When I was a young Christian in college, there were a lot of worldly things that I didn’t know was wrong because I was never a part of Christian culture growing up.  My older brothers and sisters in Christ could have said, “How could you do this or that?”  They could have condemned me, but they didn’t.  Instead, they patiently and lovingly taught me what the Bible says about the sinful lifestyle that I was living.  They walked with me even as I struggled with sinful habits.  And that made all the difference in the world.

Truth can be used as a weapon to beat someone with it, or truth can be used as medicine to heal someone with it.  How are you using truth?

1 Corinthians 7:25-40

25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong[b] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

-1 Corinthians 7:25-40

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This entire passage speaks to the benefits of singleness from a  ministry perspective.  To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with marriage.  Even the Apostle Paul here says that if a Christian marries, he or she does right.  However, from a ministry practicality perspective, the Apostle Paul is making the point that there are benefits that come with singleness.  One can be single-focused on serving the Lord without having to worry about all the things that come with marriage.

As I mentioned in a devotional a few days ago—the Apostle Paul was single.  And Jesus was single, too.

Many of you won’t be single for the rest of your life, but you are single now.  Use your singleness to serve the Lord.  Enjoy what it’s like to serve God without any other attachments.  This season may not last long so enjoy it while you can!

Are you using your singleness to serve the Lord?