Book of 1 Corinthians

Showing Brotherly Love

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Collection and a Conclusion

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 16

As we finish our study of the Book of 1 Corinthians, we should keep in mind that someone had written a letter to the Apostle Paul about things going on in the Church at Corinth, and the Apostle Paul had written or dictated to a scribe the answers to their questions and had sent this epistle in the hands of Timothy a young preacher to get this church headed in the right direction.

All the epistles of the Apostle Paul are written to the Church established by the Lord Jesus Christ and are, in fact, the written Word of God established by the Holy Spirit.

It should have been clear to the Church in Corinth that it was from that first church in Jerusalem that the source from which all the blessings of the Gospel had flowed.

It was fitting for the early church to help the poor people of the first church in Jerusalem if they were able.

Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Gal 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

As we saw in Chapter 13, the Book of Love, the lovers of God give freely to Him. If we have the love of the Holy Spirit, then we will give to the Church.

What had the Lord Jesus said? Act_20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Psalms 41: Psa 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
Psa 41:2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
Psa 41:3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

Pro 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

The Lord Jesus is serious about this: Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Every child of God, even if they are poor, is also a saint of God!

At this time, it was the poor Christians in Jerusalem who struggled the most.

They were being persecuted by the members of Judaism and fellow Jews.

In Jerusalem was a sharp contrast between the rich and the poor, with the saints of God being the poorest of the poor.

Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

It is said many times that God will provide our needs, and many times He expects the Church to help in this matter.

Remember this was to help the saints of God in the church at Jerusalem and not a handout to all the poor, even though at times we can help them, but the Church comes first. It is the Church that has the promises of God!

This was to be a special gift for the poor in the church at Jerusalem, which we would call today a love offering.

Paul had given these same instructions to other churches he had established.

It had been thirty years since the church at Jerusalem had begun to practice the common ownership of goods, but this thing had soon ceased.

Many believed this had failed and caused widespread poverty among the Jewish Christians.

Whatever the cause, the believers in Jerusalem were in desperate need of help.

God has a special place in His heart for those who give unselfishly!

Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

What is being a good steward? 1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

*1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

This lesson is clear: the Church is to help meet the needs of the poor believers.

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

We can also see from this Scripture that the churches gathered together on Sundays, the first day of the week.

The Jews met on Saturdays as commanded in the Laws of Moses, but the Church has no such command, and the Church meets on the Lord’s Day. The church can also gather again on any other day, for where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus Christ, we can have church.

Rev_1:10 I was in the Spirit on “the Lord’s day”, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

It was on Sunday when the Lord Jesus Christ walked out of that grave.

Joh 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

It was on Sunday that the Apostles gathered after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Act 20:7 And upon “the first day of the week”, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Paul preached on the first day of the week, which is Sunday.

Notice the believers were not to make occasional offerings; they were to give regularly, every Lord’s Day, on the first day of the week.

They all were to give, even the poor were to give as they were able.

2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
2Co 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
2Co 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

It is giving that builds a strong fellowship among believers, as verse 14 states.

Any offering that was made was to be kept at God’s storehouse.

2Ch_31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

During the week, these believers were to lay up what they could and deliver it to the storehouse when they gathered together.

Today, this would be the treasury of the church.

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

*1Co 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
1Co 16:4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Notice that those who were to handle this money going to Jerusalem were to be hand-picked by the church.

This offering was to be handled very carefully.

They must choose men of character.
They must be men whom the church could approve and “trust” to handle the money.
They were to be men whom the Apostle Paul could commend through letters of commendation.

Paul would write letters on their behalf to the church in Jerusalem.

If Paul could not go with them, he would write letters of introduction for them.

This was something that was done so brothers could be received as brothers in the Lord and not as strangers.

Act 18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Rom 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
Rom 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

That phrase “your liberality” means the things we talk about in Chapter 13.

If this offering were not voluntary, it would mean nothing to the Lord and bring no reward to this church at Corinth.

It was not to be a gift of obligation but rather a gift of brotherly love for one another.

Paul himself would not touch this offering so he could remain above reproach at all times.

Even if his schedule allowed him to make the journey to Jerusalem, those men would be personally delivering that offering to the believers in Jerusalem.

*1Co 16:5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
1Co 16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
1Co 16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
1Co 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
1Co 16:10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
1Co 16:11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

We must know that there is always a need to keep in touch with God’s people.

All of us need strengthening and building up from time to time.

This world will wear us down, and it is just going to get worse!

We see here that God does not always want us to do as we plan to do.

God’s will must be the rule of our lives as we minister for Christ!

God is not too busy with all the things He does to not get personal with us.

We are wrong when we do not listen to Him!

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him “who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will”:

We must understand that all things are brought to pass by the will of God!

God has a purpose for each one of us, and also as a group!

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, “but according to his own purpose and grace”, which was given us in Christ Jesus “before the world began”,
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

What the Holy Spirit is saying is “it’s our time to shine” as we are brought into the plan God has had from the beginning, way back before Genesis.

No one upon this earth is as wise as God!

We can only be wise if we yield to the will of God!

Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

God does as He pleases, but everything He does is the right thing to do!

God does not adjust His plan according to events that happen upon this earth!

Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

1) There is the directed will of God; these are the things God actively brings about.

He creates. Isa 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

He controls this universe. Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and no one can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

He establishes rulers and governments. Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

He calls those to be saved. Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2) There is the permissive will of God.

This means that even though God has determined all things, He may do them Himself, or He may bring them about through secondary causes.

Sinful acts do not frustrate the plan of God; they just cause us to suffer the wrath of God. God does not ever cause sinful acts!

Man is responsible for all sinful acts that happen in this world.

All the things that God created have one purpose: they are designed to reveal the glory of God!

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Our Lord Jesus died, was buried, and has risen and returned to Heaven because this was the plan of God for our redemption.

Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Act 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Act 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Act 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

The Apostle Paul knew he could return to this church in Corinth only if it was in the will of God for him to do so.

At this time, they had Timothy, a young preacher who preached just as Paul did, and they would get the truth of the Gospel.

We would rather run our own lives, but once we recognize these truths of God, we know it is best to yield to His will for us, as did the Apostle Paul.

As we learned from Chapter 13, Paul expressed love rather than division.

*1Co 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
1Co 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
1Co 16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

We should understand that this Christian family of Aquila and Priscilla was greatly involved in establishing the churches in Corinth and in Ephesus.

They were also Paul’s partners in a trade that provided Paul with the funds for his journey. He accepted very little help from the churches.

They had established a church in their own home.

Many churches have begun in the humble surroundings of someone’s home.

Gethsemane met first in the home of a church member.

A holy kiss is the kiss of peace that should reign in all the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

The body of Christ is supposed to be one body, but we know that is not the case in today’s world.

We are all supposed to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ!
We all have the same Heavenly Father.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are all supposed to have the same Scriptures. There is only one true Word of God!
We are all going to the same New Heaven and New Jerusalem.
We are all filled with the same Holy Spirit.

We have to wonder why we do not act like it.

Paul’s signature on these epistles was a sign of the authenticity of the Word of God coming by the Holy Spirit.

2Th 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

Anathema in this passage means that those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ are objects of hatred, from disgust to all holy beings. They are guilty of rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ and deserve condemnation.

They have exposed themselves to the sentence of “everlasting destruction” from the presence of the Lord, which is what Maranatha says.

The word Maranatha means the Lord Jesus is coming, and He will judge all those who have made Him seem meaningless in this world, all those who are Anathema.

God is very serious about how we treat His Son!

Amen

The Gospel Truth

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Gospel and the Resurrection

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 15

The word “Gospel” means “Good News”. There is only one Gospel!

The Gospel is described in many ways:

Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

The Gospel of the Grace of God.

Mar 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The glorious Gospel.

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

The Everlasting Gospel.

This church at Corinth, like many churches today, is confused about the resurrection of believers.

This resurrection concerns our bodies, no matter if they are in the grave, have been burnt to ashes, thrown into the ocean, or eaten by some wild animal.

Some were denying the resurrection of the body.
Some were following false teaching, claiming that it occurred at the time of our death.
Some just said God couldn’t resurrect our old bodies when God made us from the dust of the ground to begin with.

There is nothing too hard for God!

Paul said this was a simple thing for God when He showed the power of resurrection by raising His own Son from the dead.

We do not need any other proof!

*1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

No matter where the Apostle Paul preached, he included the resurrection as part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We cannot take our stand on the Gospel of Jesus Christ without standing on the fact of His resurrection and our resurrection.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Paul had said earlier that he was not able to preach the meat of the Gospel to these Corinthians, but he did preach the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is a major doctrine and principle of our salvation and our resurrection.

We, as the Church, need to pay particular attention to this chapter.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

We should understand that we will see our Heavenly Father face-to-face, and we will be in a glorified body, and that body will be a version of the body we had when we were upon this earth.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Paul is declaring these things again to these Corinthians as if they had never heard them because they had not remained with them.

We must live by faith in the Word of God.

We already know that without faith, we cannot even please God.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We are being saved by the same Gospel that was presented to these Corinthians!

We must hold fast to the Gospel.

When we take a stand as a Christian, we are standing upon the truth of the Gospel!

Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

*1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

The first act of the Gospel was that Jesus Christ died for our sins, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.

Isa 53:5-8, Daniel 9:26, Psalms 22, Zec 12:10, Gen 22.

All these Scriptures teach us the death and resurrection of our Savior, God’s Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the first thing that should be preached because with His death, He paid for our sins.

Paul is saying that these are the first words that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The death of Jesus Christ was the substitute that Our Heavenly Father allowed for payment of our sins.

Jesus died as our sacrifice.
Jesus died as our ransom.
Jesus died as our propitiation.
Jesus died according to the Scriptures.

Luk 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luk 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Joh 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was despised and rejected by men.

*1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The second fact of the Gospel is that the Lord Jesus died and was buried, and He rose again on the third day, just as the Old Testament had testified.

We should understand that there were many witnesses to these events; they were not done in the dark or hidden from sight.

There are still those today who say there was no resurrection because there was no actual death.

We need to just pay attention to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the truth, and it is our faith that saves us and our faith that pleases our Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ did die a human death. No one buries a man who is alive except a murderer.

If Jesus had not been buried, then there could be no resurrection.

The empty tomb is still evidence that the Lord Jesus arose from the dead!

It is the resurrection of Christ Jesus that proves that our bodies will also one day rise from the grave, and our tombs will be empty no matter how our bodies were buried, scattered, or remain in some urn, or thrown in the ocean.

The resurrection proves that the Lord Jesus Christ is exactly who He says He is, the Living God!

There is no other power anywhere upon this earth that can raise people from their death!

Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is our Savior.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is the Spirit of Life.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is no liar.

Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

The resurrection proves that Christianity is real!
The resurrection proves that our Heavenly Father accepted the work that His Son Jesus did for our reconciliation, our salvation.

When the Lord Jesus prayed at Gethsemane, it was a prayer that His death would bring life through His resurrection.

His Heavenly Father heard His prayer!

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

His resurrection was essential in the plan of God for us to receive the Holy Spirit.

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

There was an empty tomb.
There was the shape of the linen wrappings. Those wrappings still retained the shape of the body. The Lord Jesus had passed right through those wrappings.

Remember Lazarus: Joh 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

The graveclothes of Jesus had remained in that empty tomb with the napkin folded and laid aside, which meant He would return.

Then some witnessed seeing Him after He arose.

*1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Peter, who had denied the Lord, now became one of the greatest witnesses for the Lord.

The Lord appeared to the remaining Apostles. Judas at that time was already dead having committed suicide. There were twelve Apostles after his death.

Then there were five hundred witnesses at one time who could testify to seeing the resurrected Christ.

Then the Lord appeared to James, His stepbrother, who would be the Pastor of the Church at Jerusalem.

It is then that the family of the Lord Jesus Christ found out that their stepbrother was telling the truth all along.

He later met Paul on the Damascus Road. Paul became the twelfth apostle hand-chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ.

And Paul preached:

*1Co 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Still today, some unbelievers deny the resurrection of the human body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that the Lord was one hundred percent God, but He was also one hundred percent human. That human body did die, but God cannot die. He has always existed!

Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Isa 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

There may be many things I do not understand and cannot explain, but the resurrection of my Savior has enough witnesses to make me a believer, and I have enough faith to accept all the Word of God as the truth.

BUT:

*1Co 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
1Co 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1Co 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is nothing to Christianity.

Most of this world believes in some supernatural being, and that being would not be much if it could not bring a human body back to life.

The message of the Gospel is the “good news” of our resurrected Savior, who is the God of the Bible and the God of all truth.

Since the God of the Bible raised the Lord Jesus Christ back to life, He will have no problem raising all the bodies in the future that He wants to raise.

Jesus said to his disciples after He had risen Luk 24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luk 24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

I will live forever in the presence of the Lord!
I will have a personal face-to-face relationship with the Lord!
I will be made perfect and serve the Lord face-to-face in a New Heaven and a New Earth!
I do know that I know all these things are true!

The Lord Jesus died to free me from death and all other believers, and His Father raised Him, so He will raise all those who have been freed from death!

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

*1Co 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1Co 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Christians whose bodies are in the sleep of death is a principle that we must reject as impossible!

The goodness, the faith, the love, the tenderness of that Saint of God cannot be dissolved into nothing.

God simply will not allow it!

Since Jesus Christ rose from His death, then that old body of that saint of God that is asleep in Jesus will also rise from that grave!

That old body will not only rise from the dead, but it will be glorified just as the body of Christ is glorified.

The Lord Jesus did not have to take His earthly body back to Heaven with Him, but He did.

He could just as easily have gone back in His Spirit, but He chose to take that earthly body with Him.

If the Lord Jesus Christ did not arise from that grave, then neither will we. It is just that simple.

Why do we question God so much when He expects us to have faith?

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ goes hand in hand with our own resurrection!

If all we have is hope in this life, then certainly we will be miserable as we grow older in years.

If we have served the Lord as He commanded and suffered for it, then we have endured something false.

But now Jesus Christ is risen!

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The fact is, we will live in the New Heaven with our Redeemer in our glorified bodies throughout eternity.

Since we are in our old body that is now glorified, we will be known by sight, just as we will recognize those who have gone before us by sight.

Where is our faith?

We should be very clear if it is possible to live in the presence of God, and it is, then the human body must first undergo a radical change. Th

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1Pe 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

*1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

If we are not settled on this issue of our bodies, then listen as Paul tells us how these things will take place.

The human body is flesh and blood. It is a physical body and not a spiritual body that will be needed in the New Heaven.

This body is made of earthly materials and substances, not spiritual materials and substances.

This body must be completely remade!

The bodies we have today are made to live in this physical world and dimension.

This physical body is made for the kingdoms of this world and not to inherit the Kingdom of God.

We cannot inherit eternity as we are; a change is necessary!

This means those who have gone on to meet the Lord and their old flesh was left behind and, includes any who are alive when the Trumpet sounds, and we will all meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

When we meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds, it will not be for salvation, but the Lord will take this time to issue rewards for the work that was done on earth.

1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The workman is saved the work itself is burned with fire.

Both the living and the dead will receive newly created bodies.

These things will happen quicker than can be seen clearly and will be invisible to those who will remain on earth during the tribulation period.

We should not worry, as the Lord Jesus said, the Lord’s children will hear that trumpet!

These things are absolutely certain!

The trumpet will sound.
The Lord’s saints will hear it.
The dead shall be raised incorruptible.
We shall be changed.
These things will take place in the twinkling of an eye.

Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

The resurrection of the damned will take place over a thousand years later than the Rapture of the Church.

*1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The nature of our old bodies is corruptible, but the nature of our new bodies will be uncorruptible!

You do not have to tell a senior citizen about how his body is deteriorating, and his days are getting shorter, and a day of death awaits us all unless the Lord Jesus returns soon.

We are all waiting for our heavenly body that will live throughout eternity.

We know that if we are going to live with God, then these old bodies must change!

*1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

This change of our bodies will swallow up death, as it will not exist in our new bodies.

The grave will no longer be in our future.

This is the victory that was promised by Jehovah long ago.

Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

It is sin that gave death its power, and the New Heaven is a place where there is no sin and there will never be any sin.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Sin will now be erased from the picture.

It is laws and standards that show us our shortcomings.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Yes, Lord, I believe you.

When we have been perfected by the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be no law hanging over our heads.

With no law, there will be no condemnation!

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

*1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

It was the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that proved He had the power over death.

It is through Him and Him alone that we can be resurrected from our death!

His perfect righteousness overcomes sin and sin’s penalty; it condemns sin!

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Those who are afraid of the Holy Ghost will find that He is our greatest gift after salvation.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

These things should encourage us all as we live for Jesus Christ.

These promises are to all those who believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! These are promises!

We must stand on the truth of our Lord, unmovable!

Unyielding.
Unshaken.
Undisturbed by what goes on in this world around us.

We must work harder for those we love and those we meet.

Our labor will not be in vain!

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Amen

Advanced in the Knowledge of Holiness

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Gift of Edifying

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 14

Edifying is the building up of Christian knowledge.

Edification is the process by which we, as believers, are built up. We are becoming advanced in knowledge and holiness.

1Pe_1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe_1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Without holiness, we will never get to see the Lord Jesus face to face!

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

We already know that “Love” is the number one gift we must seek, but after this, we should seek to prophesy, evangelizing the Word of God.

God calls each individual who He makes His Pastors, and Preachers, but we can seek the ability similair to this to be more able to witness for the Gospel and it is called evangelism.

We are all, every child of God is to be an evangelist. An evangelist is those who proclaim the “good news” of salvation effectively.

Prophesy, as used here, does not mean foretelling of things to come other than the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no need for prophets today because we have the completed Word of God and there will be no new prophecies.

Prophesy, as used here, means to open and apply the Scriptures to our lives under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

God calls those He wants behind the pulpits of the Church. All others place themselves and are not God called.

We should understand that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be used for the work of the ministry of Jesus Christ.

We are to use the Word of God to help desperate people in this world we live in to see a new life.

Desperate people are those who do not know the salvation plan of God and will perish without this knowledge.

Every human being will get an opportunity to say “yes” or say “no” to our Heavenly Father.

We should keep in mind that there are always some people who feel their gifts and abilities make them better and more favored and privileged than others.

As we know, the gift of tongues is especially subject to pride and super-spirituality because it involves a heavenly utterance as opposed to ordinary human language.

The Holy Spirit would never give everyone in the church the same gift of tongues!

Since chapter 12, the Apostle Paul has been speaking of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. All gifts come by the Holy Spirit, and He decides what gifts we need as we serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Some people may have natural talents, but these are different from the gifts of the Holy Spirit even though these talents should also be used for the cause of Christ.

We know that the gift of tongues speak of languages and not some language of angels or any other Heavenly figure.

*1Co 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Love in the Church will always be the number one gift of the Holy Spirit.

Every child of God is to possess the love of God!

Remember God is love!

1Jn_4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

The Holy Spirit is God, so the Holy Spirit is love.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The Holy Spirit produces love in every believer!

The next we should desire from the Holy Spirit then would be “prophesy” which is the ability to spread the Gospel as commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

There are no greater gifts of the Holy Spirit than these two!

As far as the gift of tongues, listen to the Apostle Paul.

*1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1Co 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

In reality, the gift of tongues is only for our benefit, and remember, tongues always speak of a known language.

Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

The gift of tongues in the Book of Acts and the Book to the Corinthians were the same.

Even if you know many languages it is still a lesser gift.

1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

The foundational gifts for the edifying of Church are: Apostle, Prophet, evangelist, pastor-teacher, and teacher.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Tongues are not foundational gifts of the Church and were never meant to be.

If anyone speaks in the Church, they must be understood if that message is to edify the Church!

*1Co 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
1Co 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1Co 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

There are two specific problems with tongues in the Church.

1) Tongues do not communicate in the Church apart from some other gift, which is “interpretation”.

1Co 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Those sitting in the pews would not know what was being said and could not profit from the message, which is the job of the speaker for them to understand.

The speaker is to share some revelation of the Holy Spirit or some knowledge, or some teaching given to him by the Holy Spirit.

This can be proven by musical instruments, which must have a distinct sound, or that sound is meaningless.

A military trumpet must have a specific message for the troops to understand.

A person must speak words that are understood, or his message will mean nothing to those listening, who came to hear what God had for them on that day.

There are many languages in our world, and each language has its own distinct speech.

If a foreigner speaks to me and I do not understand, then I am a barbarian, dumb and senseless to him, or He is as a barbarian, dumb and senseless to me.

We are to have zeal for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but tongues should be at the bottom of the list, still considering that tongues is all about language and not about some unknown language.

If we are not servants to our particular church, then we cannot help our church to grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus and our eternal blessings.

2) The second problem is that tongues do not communicate even in prayer without “interpretation”.

If we get into our closet and pray to our Heavenly Father in some unknown language, no doubt He will know what is in our heart, but when I pray, I want to be concise because prayer is just too important.

If someone is chosen to pray from the congregation and that person speaks in some unknown language, how is the congregation to know what is said without an interpreter?

The truth is that tongues will not continue until the return of our Lord. Those who learn what the Bible says will stop the speaking of tongues themselves as they learn the truth.

In truth, tongues were a part of the miraculous era of Jesus Christ and the Apostles and were necessary along with the gift of miracles as an authenticating sign of the Apostles.

Since we now have the complete Word of God, these things are no longer needed, and the Holy Spirit will not give these gifts to God’s people.

1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Tongues were a sign to the unbelieving Jews and, in this sense only were used only for evangelism.

When unbelieving Jews would enter into any assembly and hear people speaking in foreign languages, it was a sign to them from Jehovah.

Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

This sign should have led them to the Messiah, but they would not listen.

You want to get on the wrong side of the Lord?

Be the cause that someone walks in off the highways and hedges and thinks the whole church is mad because they cannot understand what is going on, and they leave and go to Hell because they never returned.

1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Worship must be orderly, showing the love of God!

*1Co 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

We should understand that the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit are for the edifying of the people of God, who are the Church.

The Church is not some building but the people of God, those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and are trying to follow in His ways.

There is only One Church, the Body of Christ!

This Scripture gives a view of just how divided this group of people was.

Each one of us must prepare ourselves before we go to the House of God.

We all have questions that we would love for the Lord our God to answer.

We should never go before the Lord empty-handed!

When in our daily lives we are made more aware of what the Lord Jesus Christ has given to us then He by our own mouths would love for us to tell Him about it.

We could call this a testimony, and we all should have a testimony of what the Lord has done in our lives after we confess to Him our sins and invite Him into our hearts.

He loves to hear from us how the Words of God have affected us.

When we attend the gathering of the Church with these things, we will notice our heart is filled with Him.

Sometimes may feel empty, and we want a refilling of the Holy Spirit and the message God has for us on that day we gather together.

At Corinth, everyone came with something, but the services had degenerated into utter disorder and mass confusion.

They all wanted gifts from the Holy Spirit that attracted attention much more than the gifts used to edify the Church and each other.

They were neglectful of the Church order!

Some had a hymn of praise.
Some had some doctrine they wanted enforced.
Some had a hidden mystery they wanted to reveal.
Some had an interpretation peculiar to themselves.
Some had some utterance in a foreign language.

None tried to promote common welfare for all their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Everyone was talking and doing their own thing.

This was a church of disorder!

To the visitor who came into the church, they heard nothing to tell them they needed a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The thing that made matters worse was when they all tried to speak in some unknown language.

If these things did not stop, this church would never be effective in the work the Lord Jesus Christ has given us all to do.

Every child of God with a personal relationship with Christ Jesus has the same job, and it is to tell others about the salvation plan of God through His Son Christ Jesus and what He has accomplished in our lives.

We attend Church to be edified by the Holy Spirit, and we must hear His message and apply it to our lives outside the Church.

*1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

We know that every word in this epistle came by the Holy Spirit.

We know that the word tongues is always interpreted as languages.

The Holy Spirit says no more than three people in the service were to speak in tongues and them not at the same time.

There was to be nothing out of order and no confusion.

There was always to be an interpreter, or no one was to speak in tongues (languages); they were to remain silent.

The person who spoke was to have the gift of tongues.

This was not some person who stood up with an impulse from the Holy Spirit that the person could not resist.

The one who stood up to speak had control of his words because he had the gift, and he could control what he was saying.

Those who stood up saying they had a message from the Holy Spirit in some gibberish did not have the gift of tongues.

No one could interpret such unknown words!

It would be hard to stop this sort of thing in a place where this takes place, but that place is to follow the Word of God, which is the Divine Truth.

This type of tongues, which is some unknown tongue, will only edify the person who is speaking it, as no one else will understand what is said.

The gift of “interpretation of tongues” involved the supernatural ability of someone in the assembly to interpret a foreign language, and that language would be translated into words for the people who were present to understand.

It was not a gift to translate some unknown language spoken on that day, which is impossible for people and not of God.

Since we now have the complete Word of God, the gift of tongues, along with the gift of miracles, is no longer given by the Holy Spirit.

God has given us the complete Bible, all the Word of God we need, and miracles happen through prayer and some intervention by God’s Angels.

If there were more than one man called of God to preach in that service, then they would take turns, and the other one would judge the words of the speaker to see if he followed the truth of God and the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Gospel.

*1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

We should understand that the preacher has one job and one job only, and that job is to edify their brethren.

2Ti_4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

What Word:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Did you know it is a sin to despise the Word of God?

1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

We are to listen closely to the preaching.

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Every true preacher has a message from the Holy Spirit and will contribute to any church.

If the Holy Spirit lives within the man of God, he will know how to bridle his tongue until he gets his chance to preach.

All of us who sit in the pews are to hold fast to the truth of God!

1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

We are not to accept everything we hear unless it is the truth of God.

Keep in mind, most of those in this church in Corinth did not have a copy of the Word of God, it was being written by the true men of God.

Today, here in the USA, we all have our own copy of the Word of God, so we can know that that preacher is speaking the truth or not.

When we accept the truth of God, we will be at peace and we will not be confused about anything that the Holy Spirit has given to us!

The next subject has caused some division in the Church just as it did in Corinth.

*1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

This chapter has been about the speaking of tongues, which, remember, are languages.

Next, this chapter has been about order in the Church.

We are never to take Scripture out of the context when it is given to us by the Holy Spirit.

Some believe that the women in this church were using tongues more than the men, and even this was causing the church to be divided.

This is not the only place Paul addresses the women in the church:

1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

The family is the model of what the Church should be.

Eph_5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

This Scripture was written for the turmoil of that time that was happening in Corinth.

Whatever this passage is saying, it is not saying that women are barred from participating and sharing their own gifts in the Church.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

This word prophesy means to speak under Divine inspiration.

I believe that women should not teach a men’s class, and I also believe that a man should not teach an all-women’s class.

Paul had already recognized the fact that women could come under Divine inspiration.

1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Co 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

Without good, godly women, most churches would fail to exist.

Paul then asks the church if they had received some special revelation on all these matters.

*1Co 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
1Co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

We should understand that no lost person can receive a Divine revelation from God until they have first come under Holy Ghost conviction from the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

We must also understand that there will never be a Divine revelation to anyone that goes against the Word of God that we already have!

There will always be those who think they are God’s greatest gift to mankind and to the Church.

There will be those who say they have some truth that no one else has.
Those who say they have some special insight.
Those who say they have some special revelation.
Those who say they have some special understanding.

All these are liars who are full of pride, and all puffed up about themselves.

Only the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of the truth and not some man or woman.

Many church groups say they are far above all others.

They, too, are deceived.

We should understand that the Books of the Bible from the Apostle Paul are the commandments of God, just as the Red-Letter words of Jesus Christ.

The speaking of tongues should have already left the Church and be non-existent, but it lingers on in certain denominations, even though they now have the truth of God, but they are not our enemies; they are dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is the preaching of God’s Word that is the greatest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Church is to conduct its business of leading the lost to Christ in an orderly fashion, but the Church is not to be so orderly that it becomes stiff and cold!

The congregation is to participate, and it is not limited to singing and the giving of offerings, but also testimonies, praise, and a good Amen from time to time.

Psa_47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

1Ti_2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

All those who reject the truth of the Apostle Paul are rejecting the truth of God.

Amen

Spiritual Gifts

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Unity Gained from Proper Use of Spiritual Gifts

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 12

What are Spiritual gifts?

A Spiritual gift is the God-given ability to serve Him in the command that He has given to us.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Spiritual gifts are given to the saints of God for the purpose that the whole Church might be built up and increased and grow to maturity.

It is the Holy Spirit who decides what gifts are best for us and best for the Church.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

The Holy Spirit He is God with equal standing in the Trinity of God.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Not three Gods but one God in three persons. The Triune God!

We may be born with natural talents, some of which are passed down from our parents, but Spiritual gifts have their origin with the Holy Spirit.

Some of these gifts are even called “grace” gifts, a gift of God’s “grace”.

Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.

Our lesson begins with verse 12, but let’s see verses 4 and 11 before we begin.

*1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The Apostle Paul is addressing these issues because of the controversies raging in this church in Corinth over so many things, and now, Spiritual gifts.

Paul said that there should be no pride, no controversy, and no division over Spiritual gifts because these gifts are decided by the Holy Spirit.

God had given many Spiritual gifts to the saints in Corinth so they could minister to the pagan citizens of Corinth, but this church could not minister the Gospel because of the many divisions inside the church.

The Lord Jesus Christ identifies His saints with Himself.

**The life we now live belongs to our Savior: Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

**We have put on the New Man: 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

**The Church is now the Body of Jesus Christ: Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

When we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, we were baptized in water as a symbol of our relationship with Christ.

We know from Scripture that we are now home to the Holy Spirit, so we are now baptized by the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

**The Holy will convict, chastise, and strengthen us until we are a useful member of the Body of Christ. Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

It does not matter what our background in life had been; we are all treated the same by the Holy Spirit, but this does not mean we will all have the same gifts to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are all united in One Body of Christ.

Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We should understand that the Holy Spirit is in fact, the “Living Water” of God

There is only one Church, one Body of Christ.

*1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Some who are less gifted feel like they are unimportant to the cause of Christ.

Some who are more gifted feel like they are God’s gift to the Church.

These are untrue things!

Every child of God has the same importance if we remain in the will of God!

The “Body of Christ” is not one member but all its members working in one cause.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The unity of the Christian Church is most important because we seek one common life, and it is eternal life.

It is the Life of Jesus Christ that supplies nourishment to the Body of Christ, and if one part falls away, then the Body of Christ loses its strength.

Why is the Church failing today because much of the Church has abandoned the nourishment that can come only from Jesus Christ!

1) Each member is necessary.
2) Each member has an essential function in the Church. The Church cannot function if the members do not function according to the gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit.
3) Each member is placed in the Body of Christ according to the will of God. God does not just set prominent members in the Church; God sets all members in the Church.
4) Each member is distinct.

Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

We must try to make the best use of the gifts God has given to us!

*1Co 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Luk 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

We must not envy those we think have more important gifts.

Those who seem to be more gifted must not look down on those who seem to have less gifts.

In fact, the less gifted members are more necessary to the Church!

That worker who is never seen by the crowd is much more essential to decisions for Jesus Christ than the evangelist who is at the center of view.

In fact, the prayer warrior who can reach Heaven may be the most essential member in the Church, even more than that great preacher behind that pulpit.

Charles Spurgeon had a hundred and twenty praying for him in a room right under his pulpit, and he gave the credit for his great sermons to them.

The point is that no believer or group of believers is to look down on the less gifted members in the Church, who are actually the backbone of the Church.

1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

*1Co 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1Co 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
1Co 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

What we consider great or small is never the same as how Jehovah sees things.

To God, only one thing is important, and it is that we faithfully fulfill the order He has given to us, His will for us.

God does not reward the size of the gift but the faithfulness to use that gift.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

In the human body, we have things like the heart, the kidneys, the lungs, and other organs. Though we cannot see them, they are of crucial importance to the body.
In the Body of Christ, it is exactly like that.

All the work that is to be done for the Lord Jesus Christ must be bathed in prayer. Therefore, the greatest gift may be that prayer warrior, but every member has their importance to the plan of God.

Even those sitting in the pews each have their particular importance as prayer warriors, and workers who take God’s message out into the world.

We are to support one another as we love each other. Support can mean many things besides money. Sometimes a good compliment goes a long way if it is done in love.

We must take our place with the gift God has given to us and pay attention to where we can be of the most profit to others.

Love is the greatest power in the Church, and many times it is shown the most by the faithful women of the Church.

We are all to complement one another for the Church to reach those that God intends to be reached!

*1Co 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

“Comely” means handsome, suitable, graceful, but just a little less than beautiful.

It can also mean well-formed, honorable, and noble.

We must understand that there is a difference between the Christian Doctrine of unity and equality, and the world’s doctrine of one standard for all.

In the Church, there is a place for the rich and the poor, the great and the small, the high and the low, the greatly gifted and those whose gift is unnoticeable to others, and no class of Christians is above the others or lower than the others in the Church.

We sometimes forget that it is the Lord Jesus who is building the Church for Our Heavenly Father.

With the Holy Spirit in the lead, the Church will be at peace with each other and the Church will be strong in the world.

A Church at peace and full of love will be full of members who have the same care for one another.

Act_4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:

This should describe the Church that the Lord Jesus is building during the Church Age, while realizing that the Kingdom of God is very near.

When one member is suffering, then all the Church should be suffering with them.

When one member is rejoicing, every member should be rejoicing with them.

Not one member is more important than another in the eyes of God, and we must use this as the Lord’s design for the Church.

*1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Every believer is a member of the Body of Christ!

Every believer has their own place in the Body of Christ!

It is a supreme privilege to be known as a child of God!

1) God has set Apostles in the Church if we understand that the modern apostle is an ambassador for Christ.

As ambassadors for Christ, we belong to Christ. We are commissioned by Jesus Christ.

We possess the authority and the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Just as every apostle, each ambassador is chosen by Jesus Christ.

There are no true Apostles today who saw the Lord Jesus when He was alive.

No one today possesses many of the gifts given to those Apostles.

Still, as ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will give us the gifts that are needed and that we can use for the good of the Church and the glory of God.

2) Second, God has set prophets in the Church, but those prophets are our preachers, pastors, evangelists, and missionaries, and do not use the name prophet anymore because we have the complete Word of God which the Holy Spirit uses to give that man of God the message God wants us to have on that particular day.

I’m sure God still speaks to those He has called, but there is no new prophecy to be given that we do not already have in the Scriptures.

3) God has set teachers in the Church, and each teacher is to use the existing Scriptures to teach as the truth of God and not deviate from those Scriptures.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

4) It is only God who can perform miracles today, and much of it is because of prayer, but we also know we are surrounded by Angels, and we may not know until we get to Heaven the things God has saved us from and the miracles that have kept us going. Even when the Apostles performed miracles, it was through the power of God, not a power they had themselves. They also had the Holy Spirit living within them.

5) The gift of healing is no longer given to men but comes according to prayer and the will of God.

Jas 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Jas 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Jas 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

6) The gift of helps belongs to those who are always ready to jump in to help others who are in need. Some believers are always ready to lend a helping hand, and every Christian should have a part of this gift because it is a sign of love.

7) The gift of tongues is looked upon differently in many denominations, but the Bible is specific that the word tongues means languages and known languages.

Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

They never spoke in an unknown language. This was never a foundational gift to the Church.

Tongues were actually a sign of unbelief!

1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

What we should understand is that the Holy Spirit will give us what we need to remain in the will of God and be useful to the glory of the Church and the glory of God.

There is a reason the Holy Spirit gives such gifts to believers: Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

We are to take the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Glory of God and not any glory for ourselves!

Amen

We Must Have the Love of God

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Agape Love

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 13

The word “Agape” is the Greek word for “love”.

Our lesson states that “if a church is having problems, love is always the fix”.

Our love for the Lord Jesus Christ will resolve any doctrinal issue within the Church.

When we love the Lord Jesus, we will love each other, and Church problems will go away.

There is no question, “what the world needs now is love, sweet love”!

This love must be according to the truth of God!

What the Church needs is love, the love that Jesus Christ has shown to each of us and His expectation that we will follow in His ways.

Throughout this passage, the word we see for love is “charity”.

In the Bible, the word “charity” is not used as we use it today for supporting a Christian cause; it is always used for “love”.

There are a whole lot of charities out there today that do not support good causes, but they are allowed to exist.

Let’s compare the various types of love:

1) There is “passionate love or eros love”. This is the physical love between a man and a woman.
It can also describe the love we have for our nation or the ambition of those who are seeking power, wealth, or fame.
This type of love is never used in the New Testament.

2) There is “affectionate love or storge love”. This is the kind of love that exists between a parent and child and between a loyal citizen and a trustworthy ruler.
This type of love is also not used in the New Testament.

3) There is “endearing love or philia love”. This is the love that cherishes. This is the love of a husband and wife for each other, or a brother for a brother, or a sister for a sister, or a friend for their dearest friends.
It is a love that cherishes, that holds someone or something ever so dear to their heart.

4) Then there is “selfless and sacrificial love or agape love.” Agape love is the love of the mind and loves a person even when they don’t deserve it, even those who are unworthy to be loved, the love our Savior has for each of us. The love our Creator has for His creations.

It is the love of God for the ungodly.
It is the love of God for the unworthy.
It is the love of God for His enemies.
It is the love of God for sinners.

Selfless love, Agape love, is the greatest love in all of life and in all of Heaven!

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

*1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

There is an absolute necessity for love in the Church!

There is an absolute necessity for love in every child of God!

The superior quality of life is love; it is not in any gift we possess.
The most excellent way to live and serve the Lord is to possess and share His love; it is not in gifts.

Note: Paul did not say he spoke with all the languages of man, nor did he say he spoke the language of angels; he just said even if he did and did not have the love of God in him, he would be nothing more than a trumpet or a cymbal.

Being able to have a conversation with anyone we meet and we do not show the love of God is meaningless.

We all know that if a person with no musical talent, such as myself, were to use cymbals or any musical instrument, I would be making nothing but noise!

There are Christians today who can speak in almost all languages of the world, but if they do not know how to show the love of God, then they are not good witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we do these things, without love, we become useless to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Though someone becomes the best preacher in the world, if he does not have love, he is just someone who is making noise that the church can do without.

*1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Even if a preacher has the gift of speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they can predict and proclaim the truth of God’s Word, but have no love, they are useless in the work that Jesus Christ has given to us to accomplish.

He may possess the stature, the eloquence, and the descriptive language in the world, but if he does not have love, he is nothing, and his gift of preaching means nothing because if those he is preaching to cannot feel the love of God, then his preaching is nothing and he is nothing.

There is a great danger of those who know so much about the Word of God that they make themselves superior to God’s people, and God’s people will be turned off by this speaker.

It is possible to long for souls and preach the glories of Heaven and the tragedy of Hell with an attitude and a tone that no one sitting in the pews will ever want because there is no love in his words.

There is such a gift of understanding “all mysteries and all knowledge” of all the things God has revealed and all that man has ever learned and discovered, yet without love, this knowledge is meaningless because there is always the danger of looking down on others.

There is such a gift as the gift of faith, and it is a very special gift given by the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus said this faith could move mountains and do great things for God, but without love, he could do nothing to win those lost souls for Jesus Christ.

Some of these men of God have an overblown sense of importance about themselves; they are not good witnesses for the Lord Jesus.

If we are trying to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ, then nothing can help us more than having love in our hearts for all people as He does and as He showed when He was upon this earth.

*1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

When we give out of duty, God does not acknowledge that gift.
When we feel forced to give, it is meaningless.
When we give because we have it and the needy do not have it, it is meaningless.
When we give with a rebuke because those who receive are irresponsible, it means nothing.
When we give unsacrificially, it is meaningless.

If we cannot express the love of God to those around us, then we are useless in the work the Lord has commanded us to do!

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Without love, I am of no benefit to my Heavenly Father, and He cannot use me!

*1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

If we do not know it, then we must know it is love that builds the Church!

Any church that does not show love to anyone, and this means anyone, who enters the sanctuary of God will not gain any new members.

What is given to us in these Scriptures is not to be taken as a definition of charity.

What is given in these Scriptures is the behavior of each Christian as we live before others in the Church and before the world outside the Church.

Our love for the lost of this world must endure in these last days.

Our love for the lost of this world must endure the evils in it, as this world gets even worse than it is now.

There is nothing in this world that we should envy. Envy includes malice, grudge, jealousy, and an evil eye.

Love is patient with all people, but not patient with the circumstances of their sin!

Love does not seek revenge.

Love controls itself to win another person to Christ and to help them to live and serve.

Love is kind even when we do not want to be kind.

Love is not boastful.

Love is not full of pride, nor brag, nor seeking recognition.

Love does not think evil of anyone.

Love is not rude.

Love is not disgraceful.

Love is not selfish.

Love seeks to serve, does not seek to be served.

Love is not resentful.

Love suffers any evil that comes to it and then forgets that it happened.

Love will never rejoice in unrighteousness!

We should understand by now, in these last days, that we will only be fed with tragedy from the reports of the world, and many times with open lies, and they are intentional.

Love rejoices in the truth, and there is no greater truth than the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ!

Love endures with patience and dignity unless the well-being of our brothers and sisters requires us to stand against such things, and then we will stand on their behalf.

*1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Love never fails because the Word of God is the truth, and truth cannot fail.

The prophecies of Muhammad will fail.
The prophecies of Zoroaster will fail.
The prophecies of Krishna will fail.
The prophecies of Confucius will fail.
The prophecies of Joseph Smith will fail.
The prophecies of Ron Hubbard will fail.
The prophecies of Nostradamus will fail.
The prophecies of these men will fail and then fade away!

The prophecies of the Lord Jesus will reign supreme because He cannot fail!

Love is perfect and complete, but as humans, we do not know what perfect means unless we know the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

The “Day of Perfection” will come with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ!

On that day, only those who will be made perfect will stand and endure throughout eternity.

What is the one word that will describe Heaven? That word is charity, “love”, “agape love”!

Love is far superior to any gift that the Holy Spirit may give to us in the Church Age because love rules every Age.

Far too many believers glory in earthly gifts and abilities instead of serving the Lord and ministering in love!

It is love that will bring a Christian to maturity of behavior, the love of Jesus Christ!

While upon this earth, all that we are and all that we possess, including our abilities, our knowledge, and our being, are all as a child.

While we are on this earth, we are immature and imperfect, no matter what area of life we are in at that time.

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

*1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

We can only be perfect on the Day we are Redeemed!

Eph_4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Luk_21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Love is being face-to-face with our Holy and Perfect God!

Love is when a Church can come together and truly be identified as the Body of Christ.

Eph_4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

It is only love that will bring us into a face-to-face relationship with Jehovah and a perfect knowledge of the truth!

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

*1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

What are the three characteristics every Christian must have?

Faith, Hope, and Love are the sum of perfection on Earth!

We believe only in the things we love!

We hope only for those whom we love!

Love alone is the sum of perfection in Heaven!

We see that faith and hope cannot work without love!

The Holy Spirit is love, and He produces love in every child of God.

If God does not possess love, He could not produce love in each believer!

1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pureheart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

When we get to Heaven, the one thing we will all witness will be the perfect love of our Savior.

We witness the love of Christ in the Scriptures, but we just cannot wrap our minds around what it really means, but we will on that day we are made perfect!

Amen

A Memorial to Our Savior

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Instructions for Godly Worship

1 Corinthians Chapter 11: Verses 17-34

What is the greatest problem of the modern church today? The modern church gathers together not for the betterment of the church, but for the worse.

We are to come together to hear the message God has for us on that particular day and apply that message to our lives when we step back into the world.

We know that if we love the Lord, then He knows it.

We had better know that the reason we attend church is also known to the Lord!

Do we come to receive the instructions from Jehovah so that we can grow in the Lord?
Do we come out of curiosity?
Do we come to observe worldly interest?
Do we come without any preparation of heart?

Are we soon wearying of the services we attend?

Eze 14:2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Do we love the Word of God or not?
Are we just partially convinced of the truth of God?
Do we stifle the Holy Spirit?

If we do not come together for the betterment of the Church and our lives, then we will come together for the worse!

This is highly displeasing to Jehovah!

Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

There are only two ordinances assigned to the Church.

One is Baptism.
The other is the Lord’s Supper.

Our lesson today is concentrated on the Lord’s Supper.

Here in the South, when the word supper is mentioned, it used to mean that the last meal of the day, when the whole family would come together to prepare for the end of the day and maybe plan a little for the next day.

For the Jews, that evening supper was the principal meal of the day.

The Lord’s Supper is something that is, for the most part, entirely different.

In our church, we say communion, and communion is fellowship with the Lord.
Communion is between the Lord Jesus Christ and His people.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

The Lord’s Supper is called the cup of blessing because in it there is fellowship with Jesus Christ and His disciples, and among the disciples with one another.

1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Every child of God belongs to Jesus Christ, and we can enjoy our relationship with Him!

Only those who belong to Jesus Christ should take part in Communion.

As the Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon, communion means the good things in us that come by Jesus Christ.

Phm 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Phm 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
Phm 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

*1Co 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

Paul begins his rebuke of the way this Corinthian Church was celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

As Independent Baptists, we only recognize two ordinances, which are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

An ordinance is an outward rite prescribed by Jesus Christ to be performed by His Church.

Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night of His crucifixion.

Luk 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

This was the New Covenant in contrast with the old Mosaic Covenant.

Only through His death could this New Covenant be applied to the Church because it was the death of Christ that provided forgiveness of sins, which is discussed later in this lesson.

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the death of our Savior!

As we celebrate the memorial of our Savior, we must emphasize that we have faith that He died so that we could be forgiven.

This church in Corinth was even divided in this celebration, that is to remind us of what the Lord Jesus has already done for us.

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

* 1Co 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
1Co 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
1Co 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

These Corinthians were tragically abusing the Lord’s Supper!

When divisions are in any church, the Spirit of the Church is in disorder!

Minds and hearts are not upon the Lord but on the causes of this division.

Paul knew how these matters would grow and become rumors and exaggerations.

Paul understood there was great truth in the letter he had received from this church.

This church needed to work on its problems before it could be a true House of God.

None of these things could catch the Lord off guard or by surprise.

In fact, the Lord will allow these things to persist so the true believers can stand out in the turmoil.

These people who cause this division in any church will cause the love and truth of genuine believers to shine brightly, which is what verse 19 tells us.

No Spiritual unity can exist where there is no supreme affection for Jesus Christ.

We are all to unite with Jesus Christ because He is the Head of the Church.

It seems so many places of worship have forgotten this today.

The Lord’s Supper is our way of showing our faith in the Lord but here in Corinth it was perverted into a means of gluttony and drunkenness.

Today, we see churches that are perverted, Bibles that are perverted, and Christian ministries that are perverted.

The one good thing for the pastor of any church was that he could tell who were genuine Christians and those who were not.

*1Co 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
1Co 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

This gathering of this church was meaningless to the Lord, and He would never be a part of such a gathering!

It is impossible to have a divided church and honor the Lord Jesus!

Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

When the early church observed the Lord’s Supper, they would incorporate it with what was called a “love feast”.

Everyone brought all the food they could in order that there would be plenty for everyone, including the poor and the slaves who could not bring very much.

The idea was to have a common meal where everyone shared, and everyone would have enough to eat.

This church at Corinth began to abuse the Supper. Instead of sharing, everyone sat off in their little group of friends and shared the food they brought only with that group.

Some were neglected and had very little to eat, if anything.
Some were indulging as gluttons, trying to make sure that group had nothing to eat.
Some treated the whole thing as a social gathering, bringing alcohol to drink off to the side and becoming drunk.

This was no longer a Christian fellowship, and there was no love shown to the brethren.

This was no celebration of the Lord’s Supper!

This celebration was meaningless and useless in furthering the Gospel and strengthening the Church.

This celebration ruined the testimony of this church.

Some outside the church who believed would talk about how Satan had accomplished so much in the church in such a short period of time.

Satan is working hard in many churches today!

Paul said you must despise the House of God to do such things.

Paul said Do you not have homes to do such things and not bring this inside the church.

They abused the sanctity of the Church.
They shamed the poor and the slaves who had little food.
They corrupted the Lord’s Supper.
They slapped the face of the Lord Jesus Christ.
They were proud of themselves.

A divided church is a sin against the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul said, “How can I praise such a gathering in the House, the Lord Jesus has built”?

1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Paul tells this church the truth of the Lord’s Supper.

*1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come

What is the real meaning of the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord’s Supper involves our looking back to the historical event of the cross and anticipating His return, which could happen any day now.

The Lord’s Supper is a communion of believers with each other.

1Co 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

At the Lord’s Supper, we will all eat and drink the same symbolic elements of the body of our Lord as we become the Body of Christ in common faith!

**What is the meaning of the bread? Jesus said: “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me”.

We must remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Glory of God!

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The Lord Jesus took part in His final meal Himself. He was standing there with His disciples, who would become the Apostles.

That bread symbolized the Lord’s body.

**In passing the cup, Jesus said: “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”.

Jesus did not say this was His blood, but it symbolized His blood, just as it was a symbol of the New Covenant God has made with mankind.

His body had to be broken for this New Covenant to take place, and it was broken for all mankind, but especially for those who love Him.

The Lord Jesus substituted His body for my body on that cross and the body of every sinner who has ever lived and will live in the future, though that future may now be short.

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

**The Lord did these things for us, and of the bread He said: “This do in remembrance of me”

Of the cup He said: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”.

This means we are to stir up our minds to meditate upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God.

The Old Covenant, the Old Testament, is set aside, and this New Covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ and not the blood of bulls and goats.

Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Every church is to set time aside to observe the Lord’s Supper, which is to concentrate our minds upon our Savior.

His death.
His return.

Jesus Christ died for us that we might live for Him!

We must understand that there can be severe consequences for taking part in the Lord’s Supper unworthily!

*1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

We know that Paul has sent this letter by Timothy to preach to the Corinthian church, but this letter would be preached to every Christian church of that day, and we have a copy of it today.

We know that if we have sin in our hearts, God will not answer our prayers.

Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

In partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we must understand its purpose.

Psa_116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psa 116:14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

The same night of the Lord’s Supper, we know that He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

If we partake of the Lord’s Supper with sin in our lives, then we are not saved by the “grace” of God, we have not accepted the New Covenant of God, and we have partaken of the Lord’s Supper unworthily.

The Lord Jesus died for our sins; He had no sin.

The Lord’s Supper shows forth His death until He returns!

This event commemorates the death of our Savior.

1) Not His life, for He lived in holiness without sin.
2) Not His teaching, though He spoke in Divine Truth.
3) Not His miracles, though He walks in mercy.
4) But His death, not glorious, but broken. His blood, not flowing through His veins, but shed for all mankind.

The Lord’s Supper is when we see our own sins laid upon Him
The Lord’s Supper is when we see our souls washed by Him.
The Lord’s Supper is when we see our doom reversed by Him.
The Lord’s Supper is when we see our lives secured by Him.

So, we must show forth His death till He comes.

The eleven disciples who remained became more faithful witnesses after the Lord’s Supper, and we should also, if we can see how great our salvation is.

Those who partake of the Lord’s Supper unworthily put the Lord in open shame.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Those who have no concept of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His death in payment for our sin, and partake of the Lord’s Supper show irreverence of the body and the blood of the Son of God, will stir the judgment of God the Father.

It sounds serious because it is serious!

1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

*1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
1Co 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
1Co 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

If we know we have unconfessed sin, we should not take part in the two ordinances of the Church, and certainly not the Lord’s Supper.

If we take that word “judgment” to mean “discern,” we need to examine ourselves to make sure we are not living in sin or carrying some unconfessed sin in our hearts; we must certainly not take part in the Lord’s Supper.

We must confess our sin and repent of that sin, knowing that God will chasten us, but He chastens us out of His love for us. If we continue in sin, we may be running the risk of being judged with the unbelievers.

We must share and demonstrate our love by putting others first, serving one another.

We must not bring condemnation upon ourselves. We must repent of our old life. We must change what we have been doing.
We can eat our meals at home, but the Lord’s Supper is for those who truly trust in the salvation plan of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jonah realized His sin, he cried unto the Lord with these words: Jon 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

Amen

Examples for the Modern Church

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Admonitions from Israel’s History

Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 10

Idolatry is the practice of paying divine honor to any object that is created.

There are three forms of idolatry:

1) Fetishism: the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stones, etc.
2) Nature worship: the worship of the sun, the moon, and the stars as the supposed powers of nature.
3) Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors or heroes.

During their long residence in Egypt, the Hebrews fell into idolatry.

Eze 20:7 Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

The world before the flood was a wicked and idolatrous world:

Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

What is the first commandment given to Israel after Jehovah freed them from Egypt? Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

Today, throughout the world, people worship everything but Jehovah God!

Those who worship themselves have made themselves to be God.

*1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
1Co 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

As Paul gets further into this epistle, he will eventually get to the security of the believer.

The security of the believer is one of the great doctrines of Scripture, but unfortunately, it is taught without much understanding and without the warnings that come from the Word of God.

We know that when the time of judgment comes, God will first judge the Church.

There are multitudes in the Church who are not truly converted to Jesus Christ, but they have a false security and are overconfident.

They say they are saved, but their lifestyle says different.

Saying and knowing are two different things.

Being baptized and belonging to a church does not mean we are saved.

Taking part in the Lord’s Supper does not mean we are saved.

Being greatly gifted and very active in the Church does not make a person safe and secure in Jesus Christ.

These things were problems in the Church in Corinth.

As Christians, we are in a race for an incorruptible Crown, but this crown is not given on a silver platter.

We must actually be in the race!

The nation of Israel was a prime example of a people who had been greatly privileged by Jehovah, and it led to a people who felt safe and secure, yet many of them perished in the wilderness after Jehovah had saved them from Egypt.

All of them shared the many blessings of God, but none of that group but a few entered into the Promised Land.

The Israelites were as much a people of God as we are today, yet most of them fell in the wilderness of sin.

In truth, the possession of great privileges does not secure us from the danger of falling from the “Grace” of God.

The worst sins of Israel were a direct result of idolatry!

Idolatry is not a light matter to Jehovah God!

Today, many in the Church are willing to be delivered from Hell but shy away from living life like Jesus Christ, which is the standard for being a Christian, and which is the standard for repentance.

What did Jesus teach the Jews?

Mrk_1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

What has Jesus taught the Church?

Rev_2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The Israelites accepted the position as God’s people, but failed in the duties of being God’s people.

Is the Church doing the same thing today?

We love to say we are the children of God, but is the Church fulfilling the duties of the Church?

Many who say they are Christians were never truly converted and have never really repented of their sins before God!

Israel passed through the Red Sea as if on dry land.

Archaeologists have found the place of the crossing of Israel, even finding the chariot of that Pharaoh, but now Egypt will not allow any more research because it changes the narrative that they want remembered.

There are many other spots that certain governments have placed off limits because they would change the narrative of the world.

Many more like them do not want the Bible to prove itself to be the truth, but it proves itself every day.

Israel had the presence of Jesus Christ with them.

God gave His Son the Leader to lead them to the Promised Land. That Rock was Christ!

God took care of their day-to-day needs.

Jesus Christ was the source, the Energy and the Power, and the Person who caused water from the Rock, caused the Red Sea to part, who caused the cloud to guide Israel, and rained down the manna, and who gave Moses the promises of God.

Jesus Christ is the Jehovah of the Old Testament!

We should remember there were over six hundred thousand men alone who broke away from the bondage of Egypt.

This means we do not know the actual number of the children of Israel.

We know that only two families, the family of Caleb and the family of Joshua, stayed true to the Lord; the rest died and were replaced before they entered into the Promised Land.

So, we have proof that God will save people from one tragedy, but still not allow them into His Heaven.

We must know that we know we are saved according to the Word of God, or we could still end up in Hell.

These things are a warning to the Church!

*1Co 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

These things were examples for the Church to learn from!

God has given us a Jewish history lesson for the Church to learn because we know that God never changes.

The things that happened to the Hebrews (Jews) are valuable lessons to Christians, and we must not ever forget this!

Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Then God gives us some of these examples.

*1Co 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
1Co 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
1Co 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
1Co 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

**Warning number one: While Moses was upon the Mountain with God, the children of Israel began lusting after the things of the flesh.
Many of them turned to idolatry. Aaron made that golden calf, and the people began dancing around it.

In typology, we know our Lord Jesus is now on Heaven’s Mountain, and the Church is lusting after the flesh and worshipping idols.

**Warning number two: Immorality took over the children of Israel.

And the Lord Jesus says to the Church, Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

**Warning number three: Neither let us tempt Jesus Christ. They tried the Lord’s patience.

You want to get to Hell! Go ahead and see how far you can go to test the patience of the Lord Jesus Christ. These children of Israel always felt that God expected too much from them. Many in the Church still feel this way today!

Many of them even longed for things they left behind in Egypt. Even onions. Who can believe that? Many people love onions, but I doubt they would choose slavery to get them.

Many Christians think they will be forgiven even if they take that second look.
If they just get a taste, or if they could just touch, or if they slip just a little, or if they hold back just a little, which is the sin of covetousness.

Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

**Warning number four: These people could not go a day without murmuring, complaining, and grumbling.

It is the same for the Church of today. So many today are not satisfied with the truth and seek to make their own truth. Much of the Church has moved away from the truth of solid preaching and seeks a church and a Bible that goes along with their own thoughts of Christianity, forgetting what being a Christian is all about.

Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Jud 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

All these things are examples for the Church not to get caught up in!

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Rom 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must be sure of our salvation, and we must know what it is to be Christian!

To be Christian is to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This name was given to the followers of Jesus Christ by unbelievers.

Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

This name was given to the followers of Christ in sarcasm.

How many in the Church today would the world call Christian when the word I hear the most is hypocrites?

All these things that Paul has mentioned today should cause us to look at ourselves and just see what our standing is with God.

*1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

We must understand that was impossible for any Christian in Corinth to avoid coming in contact with idolatrous practices in its many forms.

We can also say this about America today!

We must understand this warning from the Holy Spirit.

Most every church acknowledges that we are in the last days of the Church Age.

The Church Age is the Age of Grace. There will be no other Age of Grace as Jehovah moves forward with His plans!

Grace is the way God deals with people today. We are a foolish church if we do not heed the warning Jehovah is showing us in the examples of how He dealt with Israel.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Any person can fall, especially when we get to thinking we cannot fall.

As long as we are still in the Church Age, there is no way to escape temptation!

We can be encouraged that there will be no temptation that is not common to everyone else.

This means we can prepare for those temptations.

No temptation will be superhuman.
No temptation will be unique to the Church.
No temptation will be beyond our capacity to handle.
No temptation will be terrifying in any sense of the word.

Every temptation that attacks the believer is common to all humans!

Most every Christian has already overcome most of these temptations, and yes, some of us have fallen and caved in, but we have repented and asked for forgiveness, and we can still be overcome if we are not prepared for them.

We should also understand that the Lord limits every single temptation within our limits to overcome it.

We must have enough faith to believe this. God will provide a way out of that temptation!

2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

We of the Church have a greater responsibility to overcome temptation than the Jews because we can read of the mistakes they made and see how Jehovah dealt with them.

The modern Church has no excuse for sinking into sin!

*1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
1Co 10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Co 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
1Co 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
1Co 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1Co 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

We must know that Satan is out to cut the heart of Jehovah and to destroy God’s purpose in saving mankind.

Satan smiles every time he turns a person away from the Lord Jesus Christ by enticing us to give our lives to the things and the false gods of this world.

When we become consumed by the things of this world, then we have fulfilled the will of Satan, the Devil.

We had better understand that God will not allow us to be a guest at His table and be a guest at the table of idolatrous devils.

This is being a hypocrite, and we will provoke the Lord’s wrath, and there will be no hypocrites in Heaven!

Even if we know that a certain thing is legal for us to do without it being a sin, should we do it?

There are limits to Christian freedom!

Should Christians attend social functions with our neighbors and fellow employees who are not saved?

We should ask ourselves:

1) Is it beneficial to me as a Christian?
2) Will it violate my conscience; will it grieve the Holy Spirit?
3) Will our actions affect our relationship with another Christian?
4) Are we just being courteous and kind to that unbeliever, who may just be seeing how far we are willing to go against his thoughts of God?
5) Does it hurt the conscience of another believer?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then we should not attend.

Even if our own conscience is not bothered, we are to act for the sake of others!

We are not to do anything that might offend another brother or sister in Christ!

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

*1Co 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
1Co 10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

No man has a right to interfere with the liberty that is enjoyed by another if his own conscious, his own conduct, and his own convictions are not affected.

If I am doing no harm according to the Word of God, then why should I be judged by another Christian after I have asked God to bless my meal?

In fact, I do not have the right if it causes harm to another brother or sister who may think that I am worshipping idols when I should know better!

Bearing the criticism of another brother or sister in Christ will not be worth my attending such a social event.

We must keep in mind that everything we do outside the Church is to be for the glory of God!

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

We are not to be so concerned about our own rights that we have forgotten that all things we do are to be for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Lord tells us: Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We cannot allow our light to grow dim!

We are never to be stumbling blocks to the Jews, to unbelievers, nor believers!

We are to do absolutely nothing that will offend another person or cause them to stumble because this goes against the Lord’s rule of love!

We are God’s children, and again Jesus says: Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

We are not to seek our own profit because we are left upon this earth to seek the profit of our Savior!

Again, our Lord Jesus says: Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

The world might ignore our Savior, but our life outside the Church is to bring Him glory every day that God the Father gives us!

Amen

Living By Love

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Claiming Rights and Living by Love

Book of 1 Corinthians, Chapters 8 and 9

In this lesson, we will see the contrast between knowledge and love.

We know the Word of God provides us with the knowledge of how to live our lives according to the Word of God.

God has a response to every question we have in this life, no matter what it is!

The City of Corinth was a pagan city, full of idolatry.

Most of the meat sold in the marketplaces had been offered in sacrifice to idols, pagan gods.

A portion of a sacrifice was offered as a burnt offering to a false god; the person who offered the meat would get a portion, and the rest of the meat would be sold in the marketplaces.

Practically every social event in Corinth served meat that had been offered as a sacrifice to false gods.

What was a Christian to do when they went shopping for meat for their own families?

They had no idea where that meat came from, just as we have no idea when we go shopping for meat for our own families today.

There were also great social functions in the city, and many of them were held in the temples built for the worship of these false gods.

Could a Christian attend these events and eat the meals that were served, knowing that the meat might have been offered to false gods?

Many felt that it was wrong to buy meat that had been offered to false gods, but they could not tell if the meat they bought had been used as a sacrifice or if the meat came from some other source.

For this reason, many Christian believers became vegetarians.

Just as these Corinthians, Christians of today live amid a sinful and pleasure-mad world, and we will have questions.

These Corinthians wrote a letter to the Apostle Paul seeking answers to these questions, and the Church of today has those answers.

The greatest questions of today are about Christian freedoms.

Are we free to do as we please?

What restraints are put on Christian Liberty?

What controls our behavior in this wicked world?

What is Christian love?

Today, we have the complete Word of God, and it gives us all the answers we need to live in this life.

*1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

We must understand the three Christian graces which are Faith, Hope and Charity!

Faith is the vision of the unseen: Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This is our trust in God.

Hope is our desire to be with our Creator: Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Charity (love) is the necessary condition of our dwelling with God and God in us: 1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

We know that God is love: 1Jn_4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn_4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

God loved us when we were worthless to Him, and we must strive to love like God loves and show that love not only to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to those we witness to.

It will be our love that will define us as Christians in the end!

Then, we need to first judge all things by love and not by knowledge.

We all have knowledge if we study the Bible and attend a Bible believing Church, but we all may not have the love of God within us as we go through this world.

The knowledge we have learned may come forth as pride, and our pride may interfere with our love.

It is our love that must define our bodies as a Temple of God!

We certainly have much more knowledge about God’s creations, but it is by no means perfect knowledge.

We have much knowledge about the true Church, but it is love that builds the Church.

It is good to have clear views of Christian liberty, but if we exercise that knowledge without love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, then that knowledge is not fruitful for the Body of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is not given to us to do as we please!

We have the Holy Spirit living within us to give us freedom to serve the Lord Jesus, which is perfect freedom.

We are free to obey all the Word of God.

We are free from the law of sin and death: Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

We have complete freedom to do the things that are in God’s will for us.

When God created this world, we live in, He said that it was all good.

Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

No actions of any Saint of God are unlawful if they are in accordance with God’s design in creation.

We should understand that desires are a function of our bodies that God made. So, in this sense, we have complete freedom.

1) We must understand that many things in this world are neither worthwhile nor are they profitable.
2) We must understand that many things in this world are not wise. Some things will enslave us and not bring self-respect.

We are never to become slaves to anything on this earth, which would include such things as drugs or alcohol, or substance abuse.

We are to preserve our self-control to control the things upon this earth and not be controlled by any of them.

Our good health and our emotions depend upon us being in control of our bodies and our spirits.

Indulgence in any of the appetites of the body is one of the greatest sins of any believer.

Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Our knowledge is useless if it is not bound by love for each other!

It is love that unites us with Jehovah.

If we love Jehovah, then He knows it and accepts it.

We are not accepted by God because of our knowledge!

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

*1Co 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
1Co 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

As Christians, we know that there is no God but Jehovah.

We know that no idol is God and is nothing in this world, no matter what their worshippers may think.

There is no God but One, and He is Jehovah.

False gods are gods of the mind and imagination, ideas and notions.

They are gods made of wood and stone.

They are gods and lords of their own creation.

We could all sit down and think about what a perfect God should be, but we do not even know what perfect really means; we just know that our Savior is perfect and He is a perfect God.

We know that an idol is created because the Devil has influenced the mind of that person.
We know that an idol could represent the demons and evil spirits in our world.

1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

There is indeed demonic influence in our world.

Even the powers of nature are worshipped as gods.

Even the Roman emperors claimed to be gods.

As Christians, we know that all these so-called gods do not exist except in the minds of some foolish people.

We know that there is, but one God and He is our Creator.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

There are just far too many in our world who have not met the Lord Jesus Christ.

*1Co 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1Co 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

We already know that this church in Corinth was full of baby Christians and was full of division.

They had not understood the truth of Jehovah.

They had many times eaten of this sacrificial meat and had visited the temples of false gods and taken part in the big banquets.

To them, to continue to do these things had to be a sin against Jehovah and apostasy.

It was their conscience that was weak. They just could not accept that this meat could be clean.

They could not tell what meat came from which source, so to them all the meat was unclean.

Too many, they just did not ask the source of the meat, and they just took it home and ate their conscience free and clear of any wrong.

We can see a lack of faith by those who became vegetarians.

They were not strong enough spiritually to control their minds and beliefs.

Act 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Food is immaterial to God. Food does not make us more spiritual or less spiritual.

The eating of food does not make us acceptable to God nor does it better or worse.

We lose nothing by not eating and we gain nothing by eating.

Some would tell you that this same line of thought would apply to wine or alcohol, but the Scripture never said wine was clean.

Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Isa 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Isa 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

Isa 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

There are many more places in the Scriptures concerning wine and alcohol.

We understand that there is such a thing as Christian Freedom, so the question of real importance is, “What effect will our conduct have on others”?

*1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Co 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1Co 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

Some people use verse 8 to say “fasting” is not needed for a Christian, because of the words “but meat commendeth us not to God”, but this would be a wrong interpretation.

We do have liberties as true Christians, but we are in sin if we lead anyone to do that which he thinks is wrong.

We make things worse for the “babe in Christ” by our example if we teach them to act in contradiction of their conscience.

God has revealed Himself through conscience; Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Conscience may be regarded as an inward monitor or the voice of God in the soul, that passes judgment on men’s response to the moral law.

We can study the Bible and learn every prophecy and think we know all that we can about Jehovah, but if we do not use these things to benefit others, such as babes in Christ, then these things will not bring the blessings of the Lord but rather reproach for the cause of Christ.

No matter how great a Christian we think we are, we must not become a stumbling block to a new Christian and especially to that one who left the Church before they experienced the salvation of Jesus Christ.

1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Note that phrase in verse nine: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumblingblock to them that are weak”.

To the world, the Church is already a place full of hypocrites, so why would we ever make matters worse?

When Christians are seen out in public doing questionable things, others are sometimes influenced by the things they see us do, but in the wrong way.

We must never forget that none of us are so Spiritual that we cannot fall.

*1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

There is no greater sin for the Christian than to damage the conscience of another believer!

A wounded conscience will make any person feel useless and helpless and may destroy their drive and initiative, and ambition.

Jesus Christ died for us in our weakness. If we lead some poor soul astray, we have committed a terrible sin against the truth of Jesus Christ.

What had the Lord Jesus told the Apostle Paul on his day of salvation?

Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Any persecution of any believer is the same as persecuting the Lord Jesus Christ!

*1Co 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

We must understand that we have no value in ourselves, but because of the work of Jesus Christ, we are valuable in Heaven!

If we are striving to be more like Jesus Christ, then we must remember what He has said: Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Our love for our brothers and sisters should mean that we will self-sacrifice for their welfare.

In the Church, we will influence more people by example than we will influence by our knowledge!

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

*1Co 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

We can see that the Apostle enslaved himself to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As did the Lord Jesus: Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

We talk about Christian freedom, and we have certain freedoms, but we are free to walk with the Lord.

When we walk with the Lord, we are not as likely to return to the bondage of this world, which is bondage to the Devil.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

This passage may apply more to preachers or pastors, but it also applies to every Christian.

The one purpose of following the Lord Jesus is to reach out to the lost and be a witness for Christ.

Paul said he was free from all men, but he had enslaved himself by love to serve one another.

As we are free because of Jesus Christ, we are not obligated to conform to the world’s opinions.

We are never to compromise our convictions, but we must show the love of God to those we are trying to witness to.

We must remember our humble Shepherd and how He treated everyone He met, no matter their walk in life.

Paul obeyed the laws of Moses when he witnessed to Jews, as did the Lord, as long as nothing violated his walk with Christ.

This is a great example for the Church today.

We are free to do all things that do not violate the Law of God.

Though Paul would be obedient to the Law of Moses as best he could, he did not compel any Gentile to do the same.

Paul would go along with the customs of the Gentiles that were not in violation of the Laws of God.

Paul would go along with babes in Christ and refrain from doing some things that he had the Christian freedom to do.

Paul would not become a stumbling block to anyone seeking Jesus Christ!

The most important “grace” we have in our possession is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

No true Pastor or preacher, or even a Christian believer, can approach the Christian life with a bad attitude.

*1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but onereceiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

One of the great festivals of the Greeks took place in Corinth during the Isthmian Games in honor of Poseidon, which took place every three years.

When Paul mentioned the word race, these people knew what he was talking about.

No racer entered those games determined to lose, knowing that only one would be crowned the victor.

To be honest, it is the race itself that brings excitement and not always the winner.

As Christians, we all enter the Christian race to be winners, and we can know that our journey to Heaven will be exciting if we put our hearts into it.

God expects us to run and run hard!

Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

A racer will spend much time preparing his body for that one day of the race.

He will prepare his body.
He will prepare his mind.
He will prepare his spirit.

As Christians, we must be just as disciplined as these athletes.

A true athlete will not put anything into his body that is corrupt or polluted.

Remember, our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

We must control our minds and our thoughts, and we must give in to the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

That crown we receive from Heaven is far greater than any crown we could receive on this earth.

We must make every time we witness count toward salvation, even if we water where someone else has planted the seed.

We cannot allow our bodies to dictate our actions.

As we age, our bodies will tell us it is just too tired to do anything and has too much pain.

God will not accept this as an excuse!

We are not to be slaves to our bodies; our bodies must be a slave to our work for the Lord!

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

That cross is a sign of pain and death, but we must overcome it because we can never die, and that cross will drive us to success.

To give in to our bodies is to be disqualified from the race!

We will struggle with sin all our days, but we cannot allow sin to dictate our actions.

There is nothing that we do that can separate us from the love of God.

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Amen

Biblical Marriage

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Godly Instructions for Marriage

1 Corinthians Chapter 7

We know that marriage was instituted while Adam and Eve were still in the Garden of Eden.

At this time, the human race was in that period of life described as innocence.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Gen 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Gen 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

A Biblical marriage can only be between one man and one woman.

One man, born a man, lives as a man, and one woman, born a woman, has lived her life as a woman.

God does not recognize the marriage of two homosexuals
God does not recognize the marriage of the LGBTQ movement.
God does not recognize the marriage of two people who are confused about their gender.
God will never recognize the marriage of more than one wife.
God will never recognize the marriage of a man and some animal.

God will only recognize a marriage that is in obedience to the Word of God, and the Church should do the same, or be in defiance of the Word of God and living in sin.

We know these things have divided many so-called churches today, just as they divided the Church at Corinth.

The Church at Corinth was a cesspool of immorality, just as the City of Corinth was immoral.

Many churches of today have rejected the Word of God and have allowed all sorts of immorality into the church.

Every church of today needs to be concerned about marriage.

Believers must understand the concept of marriage because it was Jehovah who instituted the concept of marriage to begin with.

Chapter 7 and verse 1

*1Co 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Even if society is falling apart, which it is, in the divorce courts of this world and immorality and cohabitation run rampant, and it is, the Church that Jesus Christ built must hold high the truth of Biblical marriage.

Marriage is ordained of God, and God never changes.

Mal_3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;

It is a fact that God said it is not good for man to live alone, but here Paul says it is good for a man not to touch a woman, but this is not a contradiction.

There are special situations for not marrying!

That word “good” means advisable. Which can mean that it is open to advice.

Let’s look at the words of Jesus Christ: Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Mat 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
Mat 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
**Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

There are times that unmarried persons should remain unmarried because of situations happening in this world by unbelievers, such as Christian persecution, but we can also include wars, economic collapse, disease, obligations, and some other things.

We should also consider what God has called us to do.

We know that most men would not be able to live in this because of the sin of lust.

Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

What is a virgin?

Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

A man could remain pure because there is no immoral sin between the singles in the Lord’s Church.

Of course, it is the same for women.

Notice next the command of the Holy Spirit.

*1Co 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

This Scripture should be the rule of the Church!

This marriage is done to avoid fornication.

We are sexual beings, but we are to follow the Word of God to avoid sin.

Without marriage, there would be no human race!

Without marriage, there would be no foundation for the family.

Notice this verse eliminates polygamy.
This verse eliminates the marriage of two lesbians.
This verse eliminates the marriage of two men.
This verse eliminates the marriage of two people who do not know if they are a man or a woman.
This verse eliminates the marriage of a human and an animal.

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

A good marriage is a type of the design of the Church that Jesus Christ has built.

Many groups of the human race will no longer exist simply because they have neglected true marriage, and this may be why some have already disappeared.

Jer 29:6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

Some countries, like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, are already experiencing noticeable population declines.
The U.S. and many countries in western Europe have below-replacement fertility rates but have not yet seen significant population decline.
China, for many years, allowed only one child, and the parents chose boys over girls, but now China is begging for families to have three children.
Our President said we should pay families to have children.

God said to Israel Get married and have enough children so that their population would not go down while they were in captivity.

God blesses the good marriage.
God blesses those who keep themselves pure.
God blesses those who give themselves to the work of the Lord and remain single.
God blesses those who live a life that avoids sin!

*1Co 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

We must understand that there are mutual duties within a marriage.

That word benevolence used here means debt.

Both the husband and the wife have rights in a Biblical marriage. Each one can expect to receive some things from the other.

Both have a responsibility to pay the other exactly what is due to them.

If we go back to the very first marriage of Adam and Eve, we know that in typology, this first marriage was a type of the Church.

It was God who said that a man should not be left alone.

It was the Church that the Lord God formed.

Jesus Christ has but one wife, and it is the Church. Jesus Christ did not have a wife when He walked upon this earth, and He did not lust for any woman, and He certainly was not gay.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who has made the Church happy by His “Grace”.

The Church has but one husband, and it is Jesus Christ, and comes by “Faith”.

Hos 3:3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

The marriage of one man to one woman is special and is to be eternal, and is to be based on love!

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

The word “render” used here is a continuous action.

The rights and the duties of the man and the woman are to be continually fulfilled.

Some say this verse means sexual rights, but it pertains to all the rights and the duties of the husband and the wife.

To the husbands:

1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

To the wives:

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Marriage is mutual ownership.

*1Co 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1Co 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

We must understand that a good marriage comes because these two people will put comfort, well-being, and happiness before their own.

Every married couple has made obligations to each other that they must keep.

It is not a matter of giving and taking; it is just a matter of giving to each other.

God knows we have sexual needs, and He gives us the outlet of marriage to satisfy those needs.

Heb_13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Just as God is in everything, He is clear and forceful in His instructions for a good marriage.

Both husbands and wives have equal rights over the other’s body. This is part of the marriage union.
Both the husband and the wife belong to each other so fully that to withhold is an act of fraud, cheating the other of what he is due.
Both the husband and the wife must agree to abstain, but only for fasting and prayer. This is the only exception given in Scripture.
We know that the health of each other is also important.

These things are the beginning of an intimate family structure that has disappeared in this sinful world, but must take place with God’s people.

Neither the husband nor the wife will stay apart from their spouse for too long a period of time because of temptation.

We have to give Satan his due; he is strong in temptation, especially in this sex crazed society.

The stronger the bond of marriage between two Christians, the stronger the loyalty and the security of the family.

A good marriage begins when both husband and wife have surrendered their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only His presence and power can keep marriages according to the Word of God, along with much prayer and, yes, some fasting.

It is not good for us to believe that every marriage would work out just because we are obedient to the things mentioned by Paul, when we know that without prayer, nothing will work in this world.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We are all created differently from each other, and we will do things differently, but Jesus Christ is always the same, and He will guide us in His ways in all things, even marriage.

*1Co 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
1Co 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Marriage is God’s gift to society.
Being single is also God’s gift.

Because persecution was coming to the Church, Paul said it might be best to remain single to those people who had already lived much of their lives in wickedness.

The fact is, everyone must do as God’s gifts call them to do.

Corinth was an immoral city, so many of these church members had already been married and divorced and remarried, and many of these second marriages were any better than those first marriages because of wickedness.

Paul said it might be better for them to stay as they were when they were saved.

It was time for wickedness to end in the Church.

The Lord Jesus has given us the one rule for divorce: Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

No doubt some women were saved without their husbands, and some men were saved without their wives, and the Lord Jesus said this was not a good reason for divorce.

If that unbeliever decides to depart from the marriage, then they should remain unmarried or be reconciled back together.

The Lord Jesus explains this to every Pharisee: Mat 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Mat 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
Mat 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

As the Lord Jesus explains, why would we ever want to live in sin and call ourselves Christians?

We would be no different from the world.

Paul said to these Corinthians it would be better to remain single than to live in sin.

We should understand that God hates divorce!

Mal 2:16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

To God, divorce is not just a wrong choice; it is a destruction of His work, a violent act He abhors.

There are three groups of people in this Church at Corinth.

1) The unmarried.
2) The married.
3) The rest of them.

There were mixed marriages of believers with non-believers.

*1Co 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
1Co 7:13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

What do we do on those occasions when we cannot find the answer we are seeking from the Word of God?

The Lord Jesus gives us this answer: Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Joh 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

When those times come that we just do not know what to do, we must not forget we have the Holy Spirit living within us, and we must trust Him to lead us.

We may also have to do some fasting and praying.

God will not leave us in the dark, and we know the Lord Jesus is the Light in all things of God!

These were those church members who gave themselves to the Lord, but their spouse did not.

God has already warned us against marrying someone who is lost.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Sometimes people have enough love to stay together under all circumstances, and sometimes they don’t.

We must understand that we are living under “Grace”, and we must show that “Grace” to the unbelieving spouse.
We must also show forgiveness to that person the same forgiveness we have received from Christ.
We must show the love that Christ has shown us.

The bond of this marriage is still holy in the eyes of God.

Any children that are born from this relationship are just as children born from any Christian marriage.

Rom 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

But they choose to depart from marriage, the believer is under no obligation to try to stop them from leaving.

*1Co 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
1Co 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

If you are married to an unbeliever, you are not under bond to that unbeliever if they choose to depart for that reason.

We do not know if this is true if you choose to marry an unbeliever after your salvation, because God commands us not to do this.

2Co_6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Remember what God says are commands and not suggestions.

If one person in the marriage of one man and one woman gets saved and the other rejects the Gospel, then that person should try to keep the marriage functioning, but this may not be possible.

If that unbeliever decides to depart, then that marriage bond is broken, and that person is free to marry again, but only to a believer.

We can see that “peace” in each believer’s life is important to God!

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Some saints would even try to keep that marriage together in the hope of leading that spouse to the Lord, but there is no way of knowing this.

In fact, in most cases, it is the unbeliever who would try to lead the saved spouse back into the world.

In every portion of our lives, God has called us to live in peace!

One more important thing we should see is that the believer is not to initiate this divorce, but it is the unbeliever who has decided to get a divorce.

This was a problem in the early church.

One of the great heathen complaints against early Christians was that Christianity broke up families.

This is something that the Lord Jesus said would happen, and it will get worse.

Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

God is never caught by surprise.

God tells us to abide in the same calling wherein He has called us.

We are bought with the price of the blood of Jesus Christ; we are to serve Him rather than serve mankind.

If we are married when God calls us, then we should not seek to be loosed.

If we are single, it may be best that we do not marry, but we must beware of the sin of lust.

It is very hard for a young person to remain single because this wicked world is so full of immorality and peer pressure.

Every wife is bound by law!

*1Co 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
1Co 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

Every Christian widow has the right to remarry, but a Christian widow is only free to remarry another Christian.

This commandment of the Lord is as plain as can be written.

She may be happier if she remains single, if God is calling her to remain single.

Remaining unmarried may offer this widow more opportunity to serve the Lord.

It is always more important to remain in the will of God for our lives!

We must remember that every word we have from the Apostle Paul came by the Holy Spirit.

Every word we have in our possession is a word that came from our Heavenly Father.

Psa 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Amen

Lawsuits and Loose Living

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Lawsuits and Loose Living

1 Corinthians Chapter 6

As we learned last week, there must be discipline in the Church that belongs to Jesus Christ. If we are not willing to discipline sinful members, we are not being obedient to the Word of God, and we are lacking in faith.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Today, we get into another subject about church members and the saints of God.

A “lawsuit” is described as a suit in law for the recovery of a supposed right, a process in law instituted by a party to compel another to do him justice.

We simply say legal disputes.

We should understand that this passage deals only with disputes between Christian brothers and sisters.

It has nothing to do with unbelievers or disputes between unbelievers!

In the end, we will see that a true believer might ought to suffer wrong rather than risk doing wrong.

The Apostle Paul will lead us through this thought, one question at a time.

The first question.

*1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

What Paul is saying is: “How dare you saints of God go to unbelievers to settle any issue you have with another saint of God”?

A Christian can expect no justice from unbelievers, and two Christians might easily decide small matters in a private and friendly manner.

There is no real reason why two believers should not be able to settle a dispute themselves!

Believers should not be disputing and arguing over rights and authority, nor the things and possessions of this world.

Christians are to use the things they have possession of to further the cause of Christ.

Paul called those secular laws unjust, and most of those judges were ruled by Rome or appointed by Rome and were certainly unjust.

Christians were hated in most places, and it would be hard for Christians to get a fair trial.

In reality, when believers try to settle disputes with other believers before the world, it damages the name of Jesus Christ.

Jesus taught: Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

If we truly love one another, we will not cause each other harm in any way.

Christians have the Holy Spirit living within them, and the fruit of the Spirit is:

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Those Christians who do not possess the “Fruit” of the Spirit may not be saved.

The word “fruit” is singular, so each Christian should possess all the traits that are mentioned here.

The world is a terrible place because it does not have the Holy Spirit or the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

When Christians take their disputes with other Christians to the world, we make the Lord Jesus look foolish.

He has already given us the means of solving issues with each other.

Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The problems in any church can be resolved if we live and learn as the Word of God instructs us.

Our lifestyle must not resemble the lifestyle of the world!

*1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

What Paul is saying is that all this information is in the Bible; if you would just read and study it, you would know what God said about all these things.

This verse tells us that believers are to judge “all disputes” between themselves.

We should be able to judge the smallest matters, which are the things that pertain to this life.

We must never take these things to the world!

We will one day judge the world!

We will one day judge and govern angels in the next world, which we may not understand as of yet.

We lower ourselves and lose our dignity as the saints of God when we take our church problems to the world!

The word judge as it is used here means to govern and administer the affairs of the Church, which the world is to have no part of.

Jesus Christ told the Apostles that they would oversee Israel during the Millennial Kingdom.

Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Paul tells the Church that we will govern and oversee the Gentiles during the Millennial Kingdom.

Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

There may be judging, which is governing, supervision, and oversight throughout eternity.

Verse 2 says the world will be judged by the Church that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of.

Those who reject the Lord Jesus will never live the life of a Christian, so how could they ever judge the life of a Christian?

Judgment can only come when the Word of God is the “Standard” for all laws.

This “Standard” is rejected by the world of today!

We should be able to judge the things of this life!

*1Co 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

If we care for the Lord Jesus Christ, we would suffer ourselves rather than bring reproach to the Christian name!

Unbelievers are as nothing to the Church.
Unbelievers are of no account in judging matters in the Church.
Unbelievers are not held in high esteem within the Church.
Unbelievers have no standing in the Church.

Why would we ever take matters of the Church to an unbeliever?

They do not live the life of Christ, nor do they intend to.

They do not have the Holy Spirit to rely on!

This Church at Corinth had fallen from Grace and needed to return to the truth of God.

When problems arise between believers about everyday things, other believers ought to be able to give solutions.

These things did not require any Spiritual insight to come to the proper conclusion.

*1Co 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
1Co 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

Salvation is our great deliverance from the guilt and pollution of sin and can only be accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Once we are saved, we find that the things of this world have little, or no value as compared to the things of Heaven.

Knowing this, why in the world would we take our issues with other brothers and sisters to a court of non-believers?

Surely there are plenty of people in the Church who are competent to settle such disputes.

If we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask God!

Jas_1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

There should be nothing that comes between two children of God that needs to be settled in a court of unbelievers!

If we feel that outside courts would be better able to handle simple disputes between two Christians, it only proves that their worldliness is stronger than their Christianity.

We are also saying that there are no wise men in the Church who understand our problem.

Then we do not accept that the wisdom of God is far superior to the wisdom of this world!

*1Co 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
1Co 6:8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

Rather than cause friction in the Church, why not just give in?

Why not suffer being wronged and cheated rather than wronging or cheating another brother in Christ?

Just going to an outside court is defeating the principles of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Just going outside the Church ruins our testimony for Jesus Christ.

Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Obviously, these things concern disputes between two members of the same church and not the broken laws of the world.

No doubt that some of these Corinthians were guilty.
They wanted some of the things their brothers had.
They did not steal them outright but sought them by outside legal means.
The world may have called it legal, but they were cheating and stealing from God and God would deal with them.

The Lord Jesus said: Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man:

Can church members who do such things really be saved?

We can surely say they are unrighteous, and we could question their character.

*1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

We should be able to see that some of these things are things that God will condemn and reject.

We can expect that nothing can save a person who practices these sins.

We cannot defy God and get into His House!

As Christians, we should know these things!

Since God is righteous, His Church must be righteous to be accepted by Him!

Many people profess religion.
Many people practice religion.
Many people talk about religion.
Many people defend their beliefs about religion.

So, they live their lives according to religion.

However, Christianity is not about religion but is about a “relationship” with God!

God’s “Grace” is not given to us as a free ticket to sin.

There are very few people in the many churches who think that God will reject them!

Most church members think God will accept them, and many of them are wrong.

The Lord Jesus taught by parables, and there is one we should pay attention to.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

If this oil represents the Holy Spirit, then Jesus is saying that only about half of the Church is truly saved.

Remember, God will judge the Church before He judges this world!

Many believe that deception sins are not fatal, but they seem to forget what being a Christian is about.

2Jn_1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

God simply says that none of these persons shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

We should know these things!

*1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

If we truly give ourselves to the Lord Jesus, then those sins of our old life have been forgiven, and God will never bring them up in our relationship!

Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

We cannot be saved by anyone other than the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

We can then be “Born Again” into the family of God!

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

We were once dead in trespasses and sins: Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

We cannot approach God without faith: Jas 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

That faith must be in the work that the Lord Jesus Christ did to save us: Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The Lord will save everyone who calls upon Him with a pure heart!

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

We know what we were before we met Jesus Christ, and when we see others doing those same things or similar things, then we know they are not saved.

This is not judging, this is knowing them by their fruit!

We cannot say we are saved unless we have a salvation experience!

It is a once-for-all event because the Scriptures tell us this.

We are not to return to the world, and its sin pollution. The worst of all pollution.

God the Father takes our “faith” in the Lord Jesus Christ and counts our faith as righteousness.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We do not have any righteousness of our own.
We are still imperfect.
We know we are short of God’s glory.

We must surrender our new life to God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and worship Him.

It is these things that honor God the Father, and He will gift us with God the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus takes care of our past.
The Lord Jesus takes care of our present.
The Lord Jesus takes care of our future.

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Are all things now lawful to us as the Saints of God?

*1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

The Holy Spirit is not given to us to do as we please!

We have the Holy Spirit living within us to give us freedom to serve the Lord Jesus, which is perfect freedom.

We are free from the law of sin and death: Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

We have complete freedom to do the things that are in God’s will for us.

When God created this world, we live in He said that it was all good.

Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

No actions of any Saint of God are unlawful if they are in accordance with God’s design in creation.

We should understand that desires are a function of our bodies that God made. So, in this sense, we have complete freedom.

1) We must understand that many things in this world are neither worthwhile nor are they profitable.
2) We must understand that many things in this world are not wise. Some things will enslave us and not bring self-respect.

We are never to become slaves to anything on this earth, which would include such things as drugs or alcohol, or substance abuse.

We are to preserve our self-control to control the things upon this earth and not be controlled by any of them.

Our good health and our emotions depend upon us being in control of our bodies and our spirits.

Indulgence in any of the appetites of the body is one of the greatest sins of any believer.

Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they (sinners, the unsaved) do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Paul adds: 1Co 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

**1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Amen