One Body 11.25.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are beginning our studies on the book of I Corinthians, please read Chapters 1-4 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201-4&version=9

Today we will read about Grace and faithfulness of God; the problems at Corinth; Christians, represented as the temples of God; and the authority of the apostles. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we are all One Body of Christ and we should not be divided by how we were taught and or teach the lost. As long as we are telling the truth there should be no divison among believers.

The book of I Corinthians is the 7th book, also known as the 2nd epistle (letter) of the New Testament and contains 16 chapters. The author of the epistle is Paul and it was written to the believers of Corinth. The purpose of the epistle was to answer questions and concerns that were addressed by the Corinthians. What we are to learn from the book is the love is the greatest spiritual key to effective Christian life and ministry.

Paul confronted the philosophical Greeks of Corinth, "Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 1:1-3).

He presented the message of his Redeemer in hopes that he would not be rejected as he was in Athens (Acts 17). "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (1:4-9).

Now, the church at Corinth was divided over who was the most spiritual leader. Paul wanted them to realize that all ministers were just servants through whom they believed. "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (1:10-17). We are not competitors, but all servants of God, we just have different title in which to serve Him. God is no respector of persons as long as we are serving Him we are all the same.

As Christians we are all members of the Body of Christ. Our foremost concern should be that we become perfectly joined as the one body of Christ that He intends for us to be. All of us need each other, so that together we can fulfill the Lord's will in the Body of Christ through our prayers, tithes, gifts, talents, and witnessing to others. No one should feel either indispensable or inadequate, for all are one in Christ. "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (3:8-11).

It takes every Christian to make up the Body of Christ, which is the Church, and, without exception, everyone is needed. This leaves no room for envying another person's ability or usefulness, nor for being puffed up with pride as if we had done everything ourselves. Both jealousy and pride dishonor Christ and destroy the spirit of unity. Such differences are often ignored because jealousy and pride are not recognized as the real problem. It is important to recognize that Paul was not expecting uniformity of views, but oneness of Spirit in the midst of differences. At times it is better to agree to disagree, we may not always see eye to eye in how we are taught, but the main focus is to join together as one Body of Christ teaching the Gospel to the lost.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We thank You for Your marvelous grace that was poured out in the sacrificial death of Your Son and is made available to all for salvation from sin. You want all men and women, boys and girls to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth. We’re grateful for those You raise up to be arms of compassion and instruments of blessing to others in the body of Christ and to those still clinging to the world. Whether we were protected from the ravages of sin or we are experiencing Your restoring grace we thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has given us strength; that He considered us faithful, appointing us to be His servants for the furtherance of the Gospel. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Have a wonderful day and week.
God Bless,
Christina

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