2 Corinthians 2:3-6

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. -2 Corinthians 2:3-6

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We’ve just survived through a presidential election.  Now I want to share with you how the word “election” is used in Christianity.  “Election” in Christianity is the idea that God chose us.  It assumes that because of our sin we are so messed up that if left to ourselves we would never pick God.  In Romans 3:11 it actually says that “there is no one who seeks God.”  That’s how messed up we are!

So what is going on when we do sense a desire to seek God.  Many of us have made a commitment to Christ at a retreat or at church or even at Saranac camp.  This passage tells us that our DESIRE to even want God comes from God Himself.  That’s what election means.  It means God chose us to give us the desire to want Him.  This is why the Apostle Paul writes that God “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory.”  God gives us the ability and desire to want and know Him.

So if you’re reading this, it means that already is God is working in your heart and has given you a desire to read something spiritual.  That desire to read God’s Word came from God Himself!

Thank Him for working in your heart and choosing you to know Him and grow in Him.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. -2 Corinthians 4:1-2

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Doing God’s work is tough.  Ministry is tough.  Recently I’ve been more acutely aware of this.  But here the Apostle Paul encourages us in the midst of trials and obstacles that come our way.  He tells us not to “lose heart” because God has given us the ministry.  In fact, it is God’s ministry and we’re just along for the ride.  The trials and obstacles are not a shock to Him.  He knows and He has a plan.  Our adversity is God’s opportunity to reveal more of Himself and more of His power.

When facing adversity and obstacles, Paul encourages to take the high road and to keep God’s commandments.  We shouldn’t cut moral corners when it comes to dealing with issues.  In fact, it requires us to be blameless before others.  Even the godly way we deal with adversity is a way to show God’s presence in our lives.

Are you facing something tough in your life?  Does it tempt you to compromise your integrity in the way that you deal with it?  Stand firm, friends!  Pray!  And honor God with your actions.  He will lead you through the difficulty to safety.

2 Corinthians 3:12-16

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. -2 Corinthians 3:12-16

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Yesterday we talked about how the Old Testament teaches us that we can’t follow God because of our sinful nature.  Today’s passage reminds us that the Old Testament is just part of the story.  To focus just on the Old Testament is like putting a veil over your heart.  It doesn’t make sense without the solution to our sinful nature.

That’s where the New Testament comes into play.  The New Testament teaches us that Jesus took care of our sin problem by dying on the Cross for our sins.  Notice how Paul mentions our transformation as a process.  We are “being transformed” into God’s image.  While the promise of what we will be is guaranteed, there is a transformation journey we need to take with God in terms of dealing with our sin.

So when you first make commitment to Christ, it’s not like you don’t sin anymore.  But what happens is that God’s Spirit living inside of you begins to convict you and change you and transform you.  Over time you realize some of the sinful habits you have are no longer there.  Some of the things that use to tempt you no longer does.  But God’s work in you takes time.  Be patient.

2 Corinthians 2:7-11

7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! -2 Corinthians 2:7-11

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The Bible has two parts: The Old Testament (39 books) and The New Testament (27 books).  What’s the difference between the two parts?  Bible scholars say that in the Old Testament, God gave us rules to show us how deep inside of our hearts we are all born with this sin that compels us to rebel from those rules.  

I know this is true just by looking at my 1 year old niece Taylor.  She’s so cute, but I can see how she is always trying to do things that her parents don’t want her to do.  The more you try to stop her, the more she wants to do them.  That’s the sinful nature the Old Testament is trying to point out.  Because the Old Testament points to how messed up we are, the Apostle Paul who wrote this called it “the ministry that brought death.”

Now the New Testament builds off of the Old Testament.  Now that we know we’re messed up, we need help.  The New Testament teaches us that help comes in the form of Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for our sins.  Paul calls this the “ministry of the Spirit” and it is even BETTER than “the ministry that brought death,” because it doesn’t just tell us that we’re messed up, it saves us from our messed-up-ness.

Hope that helps you to appreciate the Bible a bit more and the relationship between The Old Testament and The New Testament.  Both are important.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. -2 Corinthians 2:14-17

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When I was in high school, there was a cologne by Japanese designer Issey Miyake the was super popular with the boys.  The guys wanted to smell good hoping to attract the girls.  Not sure if it worked, but whenever you travelled down the hallways of Tenafly High School, you can smell that Issey Miayke cologne.

As Christians, we also have a “spiritual” scent or aroma.  When we do good to others, our Christian scent becomes noticeable to others.  When we reach out to the outcast and the ostracized at our school, our Christian scent becomes stronger.  When we refuse to participate in academic dishonesty, the Christian scent can be detected.  And when we are kind and generous in our words toward others, that aroma of Christ is released into the spiritual air.

Do you carry the aroma of Christ with you?  Can people smell Jesus on you?  Are you drenched in cologne or perfume by designer Jesus Christ?  OR, do you smell just like everyone else?  People can’t even tell that you’re a Christian.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13

12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia -2 Corinthians 2:12-13

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The heart of Christianity is  relationships.  The Apostle Paul here was concerned for one individual—his brother in Christ named Titus—so much so that Paul went looking for Titus everyone.  Travel back then wasn’t that easy so this was a huge undertaking.

Jesus cared so much about our relationship with God that he died on the Cross for it.  What Jesus went through was a huge undertaking.

Do we have concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do we go out of our way to love them?  Are we engaged in this huge undertaking of loving others?

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9 Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. -2 Corinthians 2:5-11

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The end goal of rebuke is loving restoration.  The Christians at Corinth were ignoring one of their members sexual sin—he was sleeping with his step-mom.  Yes, it’s pretty messed up.  So Paul urged the church to do something about it.  Ignoring someone’s sin is not loving them.  It’s the opposite, it’s because you value comfort above that person’s spiritual health, you’re actually being very un-loving when you ignore the fact that someone is self-destructing spiritually or otherwise.

So it seems the church confronted this man about his behavior.  Presumably this man repented and turned from his sinful behavior so now Paul says it’s time to restore him back into the church community.  This always has to be end goal of any type of rebuke—restoration.  We can’t rebuke out of bitterness or ill-will.  That’s not godly rebuke.  Loving rebuke ALWAYS seeks restoration.

God does this to me all the time.  God will use circumstances or sometimes more directly like in a sermon about a sin that I’m committing.  And when it happens it hurts my heart!  But He always invites me to pray for repentance and to ask Him to help me to change.  He convicts me but he always restores me.  That’s the kind of God who loves us.

Have you ever been rebuked by God?  Have you ever felt His loving restoration?

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. -2 Corinthians 2:1-4

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Love speaks the truth even when it hurts.  You can sense in these words that there’s an awkwardness between the Apostle Paul and the Christians in the church of Corinth.  Paul was pretty harsh with his rebuke of them when they ignored one of their own members committing a grave sexual sin—the man was sleeping around with his step-mom.

First, before you speak the truth in love, you must first evaluate your own heart.  You must pray and be certain that your motivations are to help the individual and not just to condemn them for revenge or your own ego depending on the situation.  Truth can be wielded as a weapon in the wrong hands and used to destroy and wound.  In the right hands, truth is healing salve that stings on the wound, but ultimately restores the person.

Second, before you speak the truth, you need to evaluate your relationship with the individual.  Have you earned the right to be heard in their lives?  Have you invested enough into this friendship where now your words have weight?  Are you the right person to speak this truth to this individual?

If your motivations are right and you have earned the right to heard in this person’s life, then out of love, you must speak the truth.  You must accept that however gentle you present this harsh truth, there will be wounds.  There ought to be wounds because you are helping to destroy an old way of thinking and hoping your friend will rebuild his or her mind to a new way of thinking.

Think of a time someone spoke a painful truth that you needed to hear and it was so helpful.  Now think of a time you did that for someone else.

Love speaks the truth even when it hurts.

2 Corinthians 1:15-24

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[c] and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

-2 Corinthians 1:15-24

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When we come in conflict with other Christians, we must remember that we are bonded together by the blood of Christ.  It’s so easy these days to just write off another brother or sister in Christ, or even an entire church.  Church hopping has become even easier in an all-virtual type of setting.  If I have problems with one church, I can easily attend another.

The Apostle Paul is showing us how important is to maintain fellowship even in the midst of conflict.  In his early letter (1 Corinthians) to the Christians in Corinth, he exposed them for allowing sexual immorality to occur among the members of the church.  Specifically, one of the church members was sleeping with his own step-mom and no one at the church had an issue with it, or at least no one spoke up against it.  Paul told them straight up this was wrong.

Paul recognized that such a harsh rebuke could have strayed his relationship with the church so in this letter he reminds them that they all belong to Jesus and that he loves them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

A wise Christian always speaks truthful words to his or her friends even if it hurts.  But a wise Christian also works hard to maintain his or her relationships.  Paul here is speaking truth to the Corinthian church and also working hard to maintain his relationship with them.

What kind of friend are you?  Do you speak the truth?  Do you work hard to maintain your relationships?

2 Corinthians 1:12-14

12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. -2 Corinthians 1:12-14

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There are a lot of people out there using religion, especially Christianity, for their own gain.  This is true today and this was true back int he Apostle Paul’s day.  There were those who preached Christ out of personal gain whether it be for reputation, for wealth, or for both.  Some of you might have heard for the Wealth & Health Gospel, a popular heresy (false teaching) taught by some of televangists that basically says that God wants to make you rich and never get sick.  And conveniently, you can achieve this by sending the televangists money.  Please, don’t send them money.

What they are teaching just simply isn’t true.  Jesus himself was poor and he died on a Cross, and the Bible tells us that Jesus lived the perfect life.  Yesterday in cabin time, one of the students mentioned that he is learning that the Christian life is actually filled with a lot of trials and obstacles.  That’s truth.

The Apostle Paul here is addressing the concerns that some people might think he is preaching for personal gain.  He’s assuring them that his sole purpose is to help them grow in the faith—not to get something from them.

When you serve God, are you doing it for God or are doing it for personal gain?  Are you trying to impress your church friends?  Are you trying to get some guy or girl to notice you?  Are you doing it to be in the spotlight?  If so, be very careful because you’re doing what the televangists are doing—using God for their own gain.

Are you using God or are you allowing God to use you?

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

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God allows hardships in our lives to help us to grow in character and in faith.  At first, this might sound cruel, but it’s actually loving.  

My niece Taylor just turned 1 and her parents are trying to challenge her with her fine motor skills.  In the past, they would just bring the things she wants to her.  But now, they allow Taylor to struggle to walk to or grab what she needs.  They are being good parents because if they keep just giving Taylor what she wants without Taylor working for it, Taylor’s fine motor skills won’t develop as quickly or as well.

A baby needs to be challenged physically so the baby can mature.  This Saturday we watched Spirited Away, a classic Studio Ghibli anime and in the movie there is a character simply called “Baby.”  Baby is literally a giant baby who has been spoiled and shielded from all discomfort.  In fact, Baby has never even left his room until the protagonist Chihiro brought him out.  The Baby was emotionally and physically stunted because he was never challenged.

In the same way, we need to be challenged spiritually or else we will never grow.  The hardships God allows in our lives grant us opportunities to trust and rely on Him.  Check out verse 9 in this Bible passage when the Apostle Paul writes that “this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.”

Think about a challenge or a difficulty you’re experiencing right now.  Now allow this Scripture passage to transform your view of the situation.  It’s not just an annoying or inconvenient challenge, it’s another opportunity for you to grow in your faith.

2 Corinthians 1:5-7

5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. -2 Corinthians 1:5-7

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Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  King is known preeminently for his work as a civil rights activities and many forget that he was also a Baptist pastor.  King’s faith and his activism were inseparable.  From his faith sprung his activism.

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul talks about how he has suffered for his fellow Christians.  We know that Paul endured physical harm like stoning, being falsely jailed, and being ostracized by his community.  And Paul endured all of this powered by God’s love for him and for others.

Martin Luther King Jr. was profoundly impacted by the Christian mantra to “love your enemies.”  And in the same spirit as the Apostle Paul, King powered by his faith in God, endured suffering for the sake of his people and his enemies.

Check these words from a speech King gave on February 6th, 1966 at the Illinois Wesleyan University:

“I’ve seen too much hate to want to hate, myself, and every time I see it, I say to myself, hate is too great a burden to bear. Somehow we must be able to stand up against our most bitter opponents and say:”We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and we will still love you. We cannot in all good conscience obey your unjust laws and abide by the unjust system, because non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good, so throw us in jail and we will still love you. Bomb our homes and threaten our children, and, as difficult as it is, we will still love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence into our communities at the midnight hour and drag us out on some wayside road and leave us half-dead as you beat us, and we will still love you. Send your propaganda agents around the country and make it appear that we are not fit, culturally and otherwise, for integration, but we’ll still love you. But be assured that we’ll wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom. We will not only win freedom for ourselves; we will appeal to your heart and conscience that we will win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.”

That’s activism with Christ’s love.  

Is your activism powered by God’s love?  Are you filled with bitterness and hatred to those who don’t see the issue the same way you do, or do you still love them praying for a “double victory”?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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Two important points to today’s passage. First, God comforts us in ALL of our troubles.  Not just some, ALL.  What are some troubles that you are facing right now that seem too big to handle or too stressful to endure?  Look to God. He wants to give you comfort and peace that transcends all understanding.  This doesn’t mean that He’ll take the situation away, but it does mean He will give you the strength and means to endure it.

Second, we are not meant to hoard the comfort God gives us.  What this means is that when we receive God’s comfort and peace, it should so transform us that we want others to experience it as well.

Maria and I have a friend named Mona.  Her faith is incredible.  She was on welfare while struggling through breast cancer.  She’s fine now and has even started her own non-profit ministry to inner city teens.  But during that difficult period in her life, she had more comfort and peace than I did despite her much more serious situation.  In fact, when we talked, she was comforting me as I was dealing with what to do about my future as a teacher and as an AYL leader!  Mona was able to do that because she had the peace and comfort of God.

Are you struggling with something?  Talk to God about it and receive His comfort and peace.

Have you received God’s comfort and peace over something?  Tell someone about it and help them in their struggles.

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

-2 Corinthians 1:1-2

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How do you answer the question: “Who are you?”  Some of you might say a student.  Others might say a teenager.  Still others might point out your gender.  Or some of you might mention your racial or ethnic heritage.  But, how many of us would answer that question by saying, “I’m a child of God”?

Yet, it’s clear from the Apostle Paul’s greeting that Paul sees his first and most important identity as being part of Jesus’ family.  He’s a male.  He’s Jewish.  He’s a Roman citizen.  Those are all part of Paul’s identity, BUT his most important identity is Paul, the Christian.  In fact, all other identities are subject and subservient to his identity in Christ.

Is this true for you?  Do you place your identity as a Christian above your cultural identity as Korean, or Chinese, or Filipino, etc.?  Do you place your identity as a Christian above your identity as an athlete?  Do you place your identity as a Christian above your identity as a student?

Who are you?

1 Corinthians 16:19-24

19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen

-1 Corinthians 16:19-24

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I love the unity and the camaraderie that churches had with one another in the early days.  It’s clear that they cared for one another and supported one another.  It saddens me that today we don’t see as much inter-cooperation with our churches.   For the most part, we’re content to just have our respective churches do their own thing and not really thinking or worrying about other churches in the neighborhood.

This is a good reminder that God cares about ALL of His churches, not just yours.  He wants to bless and grow all the churches.  As such, we need to have that kind of global vision as well when we think about the church.  Yes, you’re part of your local church, but we are all together part of the larger body of Christ.

A good way for you think about this is how now in AYL we really have two main groups.  We have a community at A@E and we have a community in Tenafly.  The two groups can’t just care about themselves.  They need to be supporting one another and lifting one another up in prayer.  That’s what it means to be part of the body of Christ.

Do you have an expanded perspective of what it means to be part of God’s family, or are you just focused on only those around you?

1 Corinthians 16:15-18

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. -1 Corinthians 16:15-18

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We live in a culture of self-promotion.  You have to promote yourself to get into college.  You have to promote yourself during try-outs to make it to a sports team.  You have to promote yourself to be elected to an officers position in a club.  The list goes on and on and on.

And because we live in such a self-promoting culture, one way we promote ourselves is by putting others down.  We gossip about other people’s failures or we’re secretly or not so secretly glad when they fall into misfortune. 

One of the things that bother me as a Young Life leader is how so many guys put each other down to try to one up one another.  They claim that they are dissing each other because they are close and its a sign of intimacy.  But I suspect that underneath it, there is a modicum of self-promotion.  That deep down it’s our way of masking our insecurities by dissing others.

The Apostle Paul here is super confident in his identity in Christ and so he has no need to put anyone down.  In fact, here in this passage he urges us to lift others up with praise.  “Such men deserve recognition.”

We’re always so quick to criticize people, but when was the last time we praised someone.  “Hey, you did awesome in that game.”  Or, “Hey, your sharing was fire.”  Or, “Nice job on your part of the project.” Or, “You’re really improving in League.”

Your words have power.  Are you using your words to build up or to tear down?  That all depends on how much you identify with Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. -1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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Many people think that to love means being weak and vulnerable.  The thinking goes when you love, you open yourself up to others which allow them the opportunity to hurt you.  This is actually true.  There is a tremendous risk in love.  You do open yourself up to be hurt and it’s highly likely you will be hurt.  That’s because you’re a sinner and you’re trying to be friends with a sinner.  Sinners hurt one another.

If that’s the case, why then does the Apostle Paul group “love” with strength?  Check out this passage here.  He talks about standing guard, standing firm, be courageous, be strong... and then to love.  It seems like “love” doesn’t fit into this list.

But of course it does!  You can only truly love if you’re strong.  Because love requires vulnerable and exposing yourself to potential hurt, only a strong person can truly love.

How do you become a strong person who is able to love others despite the risks?  You find your identity in Christ.  When you receive your purpose and your sense of self-worth solely in God, you become invincible.  If someone hurts you, you can forgive because though what they did hurt, it didn’t destroy your identity or your sense of self worth—you are completely rooted in Christ.  This is why I believe only when we are secure in our identity in God can we truly, truly love someone else.

Maria and I hurt each other all the time.  It’s because we’re sinners.  But also because we both have a relationship with Jesus, we are able to forgive and to keep loving one another.  Christ helps us in our marriage.

Are you loving people by finding your identity and sense of self-worth in Christ?

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. -1 Corinthians 16:8-9

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Has it been kind of tough to pursue your faith?  Have there been obstacles or barriers preventing you from growing in God?  Check out what the Apostle Paul’s sentence here tells us about what you’re going through.

I love this sentence because Paul is reminding us of something super important whenever we try to follow God or serve God.  He mentions that God has opened a door for him to do ministry at Ephesus, and the reason why he knows that is because he’s facing a lot of opposition.  Doing God’s work and facing opposition go together.  That’s what Paul is remind us of!

So if you’re struggling through something and your faith feels more like a crawl than a walk, it’s probably because you’re on the right path and Satan and other demonic spiritual forces at work are trying to hinder you and stop you from growing.  Opposition is one of the signs that you’re probably on the right track.

How do you get through that opposition though?  You fall back on the good spiritual habits that you’ve developed during the easy times of faith.  If during the easy times you’ve been developing a habit of reading God’s Word and of praying, the habit will just kick in during the difficult times, even when you don’t feel like doing any of those things.

Are you in a spiritually easy time or a spiritually difficult time?  If you’re in an easy time, keep building up those spiritual disciplines, you will need them in the tough times.  If you’re in that difficult time right now, depend on that good habit that you’ve developed and keep engaging in spiritual activities that help you to think about God.

1 Corinthians 16:5-7

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. -1 Corinthians 16:5-7

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Relationships are important.  We can see that the Apostle Paul didn’t see the people of Corinth as projects—people he had to minister to—but as friends; people who he got to share life with.  This is why Paul wrote that he didn’t want to just drop by and say “hi,” but he wanted to stay much longer with them and enjoy their friendship.

Think of a few friendships that you have that have been invaluable to you.  Think of friends who have helped you through a difficult time and friends who have helped you to grow in your faith.  As the African proverb says: “Hold on to a true friend with both hands.”  Don’t let these friendships die or deteriorate.  Good friends are hard to find!

And as we think about friendships, let us not forget our truest and most faithful friend—Jesus Christ.  For every Christian, Jesus ought to be our best friend.  His friendship ought to be the most important.

Are you holding on to Jesus with both hands?

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. -1 Corinthians 16:1-4

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Are you using your money to help others?  The Apostle Paul’s advice to the church is to set money aside every week for the purpose of helping others.

I know what you’re thinking, “I’m just in high school; I don’t make any money yet.”  That may be true, but you can still get in the habit of setting aside some of your money for God’s work.  If you get birthday money, set some aside to donate to a good cause.  If you’re working a job, you should be setting some money aside from your paycheck to tithe to your church on a regular basis.

Setting money aside to help others reminds us that “our” money is really not our own.  It all belongs to God and He has allowed us to have the material possessions we have to further His Kingdom.  I earn a salary as a teacher and as a Young Life leader.  It is by God’s grace that I even have those jobs.  These are jobs God gave me.  So my salaries are really God’s salaries.

God doesn’t just own a percentage of your money.  God owns all of your money.  It’s His money, His bank account, His stuff, and you’re just managing it for Him.  

Are you being a good manager of God’s money?  Are you spending it on His Kingdom or are you just spending it on yourself?

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58

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When we try to follow Jesus and when we try to serve him or others, there will opposition and disappointments.  There are opposite spiritual forces at work opposing God’s plans for the world.  They are constantly working to discourage us and to convince us to give up following God or helping others.

The Apostle Paul faced discouragements and obstacles.  There are people who he helped who no longer follow God.  There are those who abandoned him when things got dicey.  There are those who use to be his friends but now speak out against him.  It’s rough being a Christian and trying to serve God and His people!

I don’t think I’ve experience a fraction of what Paul gone through, but I’ve had my share of disappointments.  There have been teenagers I’ve invested a lot of my life with who no longer want anything to do with God.  There are still a lot of people, even Christians, who don’t understand what Harvesters or AYL is about and have gross misconceptions about these two ministries that I’ve poured my life into.  It can be discouraging.

But here, the Apostle Paul reminds us that ultimately we have an audience of one.  The only person whose opinions that matter is God’s.  And God sees what you do.  And God sees what I do.  He sees the trials.  He sees the opposition.  He sees our wounds from our service.  And our service to Him pleases Him and that should be enough for us to keep going.  Our work is not in vain because God sees it.

Have you been discouraged by something God is asking you to do?  Have you been discouraged in a ministry that God has asked you to serve in?  Stand firm.  Remember, your labor in the Lord is not in vain!

1 Corinthians 15:45-49

45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. -1 Corinthians 15:45-49

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Adam was suppose to set the example and show us how to live, but because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, they also brought sin into the world.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul is telling us that Jesus is the better “Adam.”  Just as through Adam we are given physical life, through Jesus we are given eternal spiritual life.

Jesus is the better Adam because Jesus was able to live a life in perfect obedience to God the Father.  Not only that, but Jesus’ life undid the sin that Adam and Eve brought into the world.  His obedience on the Cross saved us from the sin introduced to the world through Adam and Eve.  Jesus is the better Adam because he fixed Adam’s mistake.

Let’s take a moment today to thank Jesus for what he’s done for you, for me, and for the world.

1 Corinthians 15:35-44

35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

-1 Corinthians 15:35-44

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Maria and I are doing the keto diet.  It’s pretty rough.  We have to cut out as much carbs as we possibly can and carbs taste so good!  The reason why we are doing this is because as we are getting older, our bodies are beginning to change.  They burn a lot less energy than they use to which means they are storing a lot of fat.  So we’re on this keto diet to try to stay healthy and keep our earthly body strong.

This passage tells us that we have an even better body awaiting us when we get to heaven.  It’s so amazing that the Apostle Paul can’t even describe it in words.  We know some things about this new body.  You won’t need to go on a keto diet.  It will be imperishable.  It will be glorious.  It will be powerful.

The purpose to why the Apostle Paul wrote this and why it’s in the Bible, is to remind us that we don’t belong in this world.  The body you have now, with all its imperfections, that’s temporary.  Yes, you need to take care of it, but don’t get hung up on it.  This is not the last body you will have.  You are promised a better body, one you can’t even imagine at the moment.

May God’s promises help you to grab onto the promises of heaven and to let go of the things of this world.