How to Use Christian Freedom
"We are allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for us to do. "We are allowed to do all things," but not all things help others grow stronger. Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also. Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Do not ask questions about it. You may eat it, "because the earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it." Thsoe who are not believers may invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, eat anything that is put before you. Do not ask questions about it. But if anyone says to you, "That food was offered to idols," do not eat it. Do not eat it because of that person who told you and because eating it might be thought to be wrong. I don't mean you think it is wrong, but the other person might. But why, you ask, should my freedom be judged by someone else's conscience? If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I thank God? The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God. Never do anything that might hurt others--Jews, Greeks, or God's church--just as I, also, try to please everybody in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved. ~1 Corinthians 10:23-33~
In this passage, Paul talks about Christian ethics. How are we supposed to live as Christians? The answer is simple...anything we do should be done to build up others, but ultimately to give all the glory to God. Paul tells us three things: go beyond the law, glorify God, and finally live as Christians 24/7, 365 days a year! Wherever we are, whatever we're doing, live, so that we don't hinder the faith of another person, but we attract them to faith. No matter who it is, whether it be a christian, a non-christian, a religious person, an atheist...etc. we should not offend them in anyway by the ways of our lives, but if we offend them by telling them about the cross, then it's okay because they're not being offended by us, but by Jesus!
2009-02-23
2009-02-19
February 19, 2009 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Live as God Called You ~1 Corinthians 7:17-24~
But in any case each one of you should continue to live the way God has given you to live--the way you were when God called you. This is a rule I make in all the churches. If a man was already circumcised when he was called, he should not undo his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was called, he should not be circumcised. It is not important if a man is circumcised or not. The important thing is obeying God's commands. Each one of you should stay the way you were when God called you. If you were a slave when God called you, do not let that bother you. But if you can be free, then make good use of your freedom. Those who were slaves when the Lord called them are free persons who belong to the Lord. In the same way, those who were free when they were called are now Christ's slaves. You all were bought at a great price, so do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sister, each of you should stay as you were when you were called, and stay there with God.
In this passage, Paul is speaking about living the life God has called us to. We all have our roles in life, but are they roles that God has given to us, or are we choosing the way to live for ourselves? We have been bought at a price by God, so we should live the way he tells us to. We are free to serve Christ in less than ideal circumstances. God wasn't too good to do anything, yet He's the creator and owner of everything, so we should have no shame to do those things brought upon us.
But in any case each one of you should continue to live the way God has given you to live--the way you were when God called you. This is a rule I make in all the churches. If a man was already circumcised when he was called, he should not undo his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was called, he should not be circumcised. It is not important if a man is circumcised or not. The important thing is obeying God's commands. Each one of you should stay the way you were when God called you. If you were a slave when God called you, do not let that bother you. But if you can be free, then make good use of your freedom. Those who were slaves when the Lord called them are free persons who belong to the Lord. In the same way, those who were free when they were called are now Christ's slaves. You all were bought at a great price, so do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sister, each of you should stay as you were when you were called, and stay there with God.
In this passage, Paul is speaking about living the life God has called us to. We all have our roles in life, but are they roles that God has given to us, or are we choosing the way to live for ourselves? We have been bought at a price by God, so we should live the way he tells us to. We are free to serve Christ in less than ideal circumstances. God wasn't too good to do anything, yet He's the creator and owner of everything, so we should have no shame to do those things brought upon us.
2009-02-18
February 18, 2009 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Use Your Bodies for God's Glory
"I am allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for me to do. "I am allowed to do all things," but I will not let anything make me its slave. "Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food," but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and th eLord is for the body. By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead. Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take the parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute! It is written in the Scriptures, "The two will become one body." So you should know that anyone who joins witha prostitute will become one body with the prostitute. But the one who joins with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord. So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies. ~1 Corinthians 6:12-20~
So...I'm guessing the Corinthian Christians must have really struggled with sexual sin, because Paul keeps talking about it. I feel like it's similar to today...when we say "body," what do most people think of? So many are focused on the physical body, the sexual aspects of it, how appealing it is, if it's perfect, and etc. But as Christians, that shouldn't be our focus.
God made us in His image...our bodies are Holy, because God exists in our bodies. "One spirit with the Lord," that's what we should be aiming for. We have been given these bodies to honor God.
"I am allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for me to do. "I am allowed to do all things," but I will not let anything make me its slave. "Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food," but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and th eLord is for the body. By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead. Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take the parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute! It is written in the Scriptures, "The two will become one body." So you should know that anyone who joins witha prostitute will become one body with the prostitute. But the one who joins with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord. So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies. ~1 Corinthians 6:12-20~
So...I'm guessing the Corinthian Christians must have really struggled with sexual sin, because Paul keeps talking about it. I feel like it's similar to today...when we say "body," what do most people think of? So many are focused on the physical body, the sexual aspects of it, how appealing it is, if it's perfect, and etc. But as Christians, that shouldn't be our focus.
God made us in His image...our bodies are Holy, because God exists in our bodies. "One spirit with the Lord," that's what we should be aiming for. We have been given these bodies to honor God.
2009-02-17
February 17, 2009 1 Corinthians 5
Wickedness in the Church ~1 Corinthians 5~
It is actually being said that there is sexual sin among you. And it is a kind that does not happen even among people who do not know God. A man there has his father's wife. And you are proud! You should have been filled with sadness so that the man who did this should be put out of your group. I am not there with you in person, but I am with you in spirit. And I have already judged the man who did that sin as if I were really there. When you meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I meet with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, then hand this man over to Satan. So his sinful self will be destroyed, and his spirit will b esaved on the day of the Lord. Your bragging is not good. You kno the saying, "Just a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise." Takle out all the old yeast so that you will be a new batch of dough without yeast, which you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. So let us celebrate this feast, but not with the bread that has the old yeast--the yeast of sin and wickedness. Let us celebrate this feast with the bread that has no yeast--the bread of goodness and truth. I wrote you in my earlier letter not to associate with you those who sin sexually. But I did not mean you should not associate with those of this world who sin sexually, or with the greedy, or robbers, or those who worship idols. To get away from them you would have to leave this world. I am writing to tell you that you must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ but who sin sexually, or are greedy, or worship idols, or abuse others with words, or get drunk, or cheat people. Do not even eat with people like that. It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church. God will judge them. But you must judge the people who are part of the church. The Scripture says, "You must get rid of the evil person among you."
In this passage, Paul is talking about the sinful/evil people within the church. The sin focused on in this chapter is sexual sin. Whether it be homosexuality, cheating, affairs, having a sexual relationship with your stepmother, or etc. These are all the things that Paul saw within the Corinthian church, and he was very displeased. Although he says he's not there in person to see these things happening, he still knows that these things should not be happeneing, so he's telling the Corinthian church to get rid of these sins. Before Paul had mentioned it to them, the Corinthian church did not see this as a big sin, rather, they were pretty careless about this sin. They thought of it as, look, we're accepting and loving this brother who is doing such sin.
Paul teaches them that they're showing love in the wrong way. They shouldn't tolerate with these kinds of actions. Instead, they should be trying to fix the problem. Instead of judging those who aren't christians, expecting them to do the right things, we should focus on those who are already christians. Those within the church who are bringing such actions to the church...we need to fix that first.
It is actually being said that there is sexual sin among you. And it is a kind that does not happen even among people who do not know God. A man there has his father's wife. And you are proud! You should have been filled with sadness so that the man who did this should be put out of your group. I am not there with you in person, but I am with you in spirit. And I have already judged the man who did that sin as if I were really there. When you meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I meet with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, then hand this man over to Satan. So his sinful self will be destroyed, and his spirit will b esaved on the day of the Lord. Your bragging is not good. You kno the saying, "Just a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise." Takle out all the old yeast so that you will be a new batch of dough without yeast, which you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. So let us celebrate this feast, but not with the bread that has the old yeast--the yeast of sin and wickedness. Let us celebrate this feast with the bread that has no yeast--the bread of goodness and truth. I wrote you in my earlier letter not to associate with you those who sin sexually. But I did not mean you should not associate with those of this world who sin sexually, or with the greedy, or robbers, or those who worship idols. To get away from them you would have to leave this world. I am writing to tell you that you must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ but who sin sexually, or are greedy, or worship idols, or abuse others with words, or get drunk, or cheat people. Do not even eat with people like that. It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church. God will judge them. But you must judge the people who are part of the church. The Scripture says, "You must get rid of the evil person among you."
In this passage, Paul is talking about the sinful/evil people within the church. The sin focused on in this chapter is sexual sin. Whether it be homosexuality, cheating, affairs, having a sexual relationship with your stepmother, or etc. These are all the things that Paul saw within the Corinthian church, and he was very displeased. Although he says he's not there in person to see these things happening, he still knows that these things should not be happeneing, so he's telling the Corinthian church to get rid of these sins. Before Paul had mentioned it to them, the Corinthian church did not see this as a big sin, rather, they were pretty careless about this sin. They thought of it as, look, we're accepting and loving this brother who is doing such sin.
Paul teaches them that they're showing love in the wrong way. They shouldn't tolerate with these kinds of actions. Instead, they should be trying to fix the problem. Instead of judging those who aren't christians, expecting them to do the right things, we should focus on those who are already christians. Those within the church who are bringing such actions to the church...we need to fix that first.
2009-02-16
February 16, 2009 1 Corinthians 4
Apostles Are Servants of Christ ~1 Corinthians 4~
Too long to type it all, look it up!
This passage is Paul explaining to the Corinthian christians that apostles are servants of God. God has displayed the apostles so low, whereas the Corinthian christians were so "puffed up," in other words, full of pride, being full, with riches, reigning as royalty. Paul uses sarcasm to get the Corinthian christians to realize their pride, and that they should get rid of all that pride because they haven't done anything, God has. Everything they have, who they are, everything, everything around them, they're all God's works.
Throuhgout the passage, Paul compares the Corinthian Christians to the apostels, using sarcasm to contrast the difference between them. Most of all, the issue Corinthian Christians had was pride. Those christians thought they were better than anyone...especially the apostles. They had so much pride that they wanted to avoid humiliation and deprivation.
Today, people are so caught up in worldly success, in power, in wealth, in professions, and etc. That is just what the Corinthian christians were like and Paul had to teach them to not be like that. Also, when we listen to pastors these days, a lot of people are quick to judge the pastor on behalf of how comical, or how enthusiastic, or how interesting he/she is, but that shouldn't be it. The focus should be on the word itself. We need to becareful that we don't "think beyond what is written."
In the end, Paul is aware that the Corinthian christians are ashamed of themselves because Paul had pointed out all these things, but Paul's intentions were not to ashame them, but to warn them. Paul knows that these christians aren't too fond of him, but he says, " I urge you, imitate me." When they hear this, they are quick to disagree because Paul's reputation is so bad, but the way he lives is pleasing to God. That is why Paul tells them to imitate him...because he is regarded as a fool, weakling, all the more glory to God, and that glory shines through him.
We need to be aware of who we are...especially with so many things in this world, even the gifts God has given us, we need to use them for His glory, and not to bring praise to ourselves. All that does is bring pride upon ourselves, which is what we should not do. Paul says that he can't even judge himself, because he is still unaware of who he, himself is...He knows that his righteousness came from God, and not from himself. We say that we need to live like Jesus Christ, but I believe that a lot of us still aren't even able to live like Paul...
Too long to type it all, look it up!
This passage is Paul explaining to the Corinthian christians that apostles are servants of God. God has displayed the apostles so low, whereas the Corinthian christians were so "puffed up," in other words, full of pride, being full, with riches, reigning as royalty. Paul uses sarcasm to get the Corinthian christians to realize their pride, and that they should get rid of all that pride because they haven't done anything, God has. Everything they have, who they are, everything, everything around them, they're all God's works.
Throuhgout the passage, Paul compares the Corinthian Christians to the apostels, using sarcasm to contrast the difference between them. Most of all, the issue Corinthian Christians had was pride. Those christians thought they were better than anyone...especially the apostles. They had so much pride that they wanted to avoid humiliation and deprivation.
Today, people are so caught up in worldly success, in power, in wealth, in professions, and etc. That is just what the Corinthian christians were like and Paul had to teach them to not be like that. Also, when we listen to pastors these days, a lot of people are quick to judge the pastor on behalf of how comical, or how enthusiastic, or how interesting he/she is, but that shouldn't be it. The focus should be on the word itself. We need to becareful that we don't "think beyond what is written."
In the end, Paul is aware that the Corinthian christians are ashamed of themselves because Paul had pointed out all these things, but Paul's intentions were not to ashame them, but to warn them. Paul knows that these christians aren't too fond of him, but he says, " I urge you, imitate me." When they hear this, they are quick to disagree because Paul's reputation is so bad, but the way he lives is pleasing to God. That is why Paul tells them to imitate him...because he is regarded as a fool, weakling, all the more glory to God, and that glory shines through him.
We need to be aware of who we are...especially with so many things in this world, even the gifts God has given us, we need to use them for His glory, and not to bring praise to ourselves. All that does is bring pride upon ourselves, which is what we should not do. Paul says that he can't even judge himself, because he is still unaware of who he, himself is...He knows that his righteousness came from God, and not from himself. We say that we need to live like Jesus Christ, but I believe that a lot of us still aren't even able to live like Paul...
2009-02-14
February 14, 2009 1 Corinthians 3
Following People Is Wrong ~1 Corinthians 3~
(LOOK IT UP, TOO LONG TO TYPE)
So...recently, the passages I have been doing my blogs on are all about wisdom. Nevertheless, this passage is also about wisdom. "the world, life, death, the present, and the future--all these belong to you. And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God," hence everything, everyone belongs to God.
The beginning part of this passage starts out with Paul talking to the church of Corinth...he says that they are still young, that they can only consume liquids, like a baby, and not solid foods, like an adult. They are still spiritually very young, and this is becuase they give into their own wisdom. They get jealous, they fight, they act like people of the world. They pick and fight over 'Apollos' and 'Paul', but the point is that neither of them matter. They are just people whom God has appointed to do certain things, just like each one of us. In the end, it is all for His kingdom, "We are God's workers, working together; you arel ike God's farm, God's house." We need to use the gifts God gave us in order to do His will and further His kingdom, He did not give us these gifts so that we may praise ourselves, or seek praise for ourselves because we have such wisdom.
If we believe we are wise in this world, we need to become fools so that we may truly be wise..."foolishness with God." God knows what we think, what we know, He knows all things. To Him, the things we know are nothing, because He is so wise, so...instead of bragging about those human leaders who know nothing compared to God, why don't we just brag about God, who knows all things? That is the message!
(LOOK IT UP, TOO LONG TO TYPE)
So...recently, the passages I have been doing my blogs on are all about wisdom. Nevertheless, this passage is also about wisdom. "the world, life, death, the present, and the future--all these belong to you. And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God," hence everything, everyone belongs to God.
The beginning part of this passage starts out with Paul talking to the church of Corinth...he says that they are still young, that they can only consume liquids, like a baby, and not solid foods, like an adult. They are still spiritually very young, and this is becuase they give into their own wisdom. They get jealous, they fight, they act like people of the world. They pick and fight over 'Apollos' and 'Paul', but the point is that neither of them matter. They are just people whom God has appointed to do certain things, just like each one of us. In the end, it is all for His kingdom, "We are God's workers, working together; you arel ike God's farm, God's house." We need to use the gifts God gave us in order to do His will and further His kingdom, He did not give us these gifts so that we may praise ourselves, or seek praise for ourselves because we have such wisdom.
If we believe we are wise in this world, we need to become fools so that we may truly be wise..."foolishness with God." God knows what we think, what we know, He knows all things. To Him, the things we know are nothing, because He is so wise, so...instead of bragging about those human leaders who know nothing compared to God, why don't we just brag about God, who knows all things? That is the message!
2009-02-13
February 13, 2009 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
GAHHHH!!!!!!!!! It's Friday the 13th...and then...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! ♡♥♡
God's Wisdom ~1 Corinthians 2:6-16~
However, I speak a wisdom to those who are mature. But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world, who are losing their power. I speak God's secret wisdom, which he has kept hidden. Before the world began, God planned this wisdom for our glory. None of the rulers of this world understood it. If they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written in the Scriptures: "No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit searches out all things, even the deep secrets of God. Who knows the thoughts that another person has? Only a person's spirit that lives within him knows his thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but we received the Spirit that is from God so that we can know all about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom but with words taught us by the Spirit. And so we explain spiritual truths to spiritual people. A person who does not have the Spirit does not accept the truths that come from the Spirit of God. That person thinks they are foolish and cannot understand them, because they can only be judged to be true by the Spirit. The spiritual person is able to judge all things, but no one can judge him. The Scripture says: "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been able to teach him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
"No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." What is this? It's God's wisdom! Only through the Spirit may we see these. But if we are caught up in our own foolishness...in human wisdom, we will not be able to see these things because we are neglecting the Spirit of God.
We need to have the mind of Christ in order to know these things...christian wisdom. The difference between christian wisdom and wisdom of the world is that: christian wisdom is the gospel, while wisdom of the world is society, belief systems, world view. That is why it states, "But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world." The rulers did not know/understand the wisdom of God, that is why Jesus Christ had to be crucified.
We need to look back onto our lives...what do we consider wisdom? Are we stuck on believing the things of this world, or are we devoted to the wisdom of Christ, the gospel?
God's Wisdom ~1 Corinthians 2:6-16~
However, I speak a wisdom to those who are mature. But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world, who are losing their power. I speak God's secret wisdom, which he has kept hidden. Before the world began, God planned this wisdom for our glory. None of the rulers of this world understood it. If they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written in the Scriptures: "No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit searches out all things, even the deep secrets of God. Who knows the thoughts that another person has? Only a person's spirit that lives within him knows his thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but we received the Spirit that is from God so that we can know all about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom but with words taught us by the Spirit. And so we explain spiritual truths to spiritual people. A person who does not have the Spirit does not accept the truths that come from the Spirit of God. That person thinks they are foolish and cannot understand them, because they can only be judged to be true by the Spirit. The spiritual person is able to judge all things, but no one can judge him. The Scripture says: "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been able to teach him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
"No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." What is this? It's God's wisdom! Only through the Spirit may we see these. But if we are caught up in our own foolishness...in human wisdom, we will not be able to see these things because we are neglecting the Spirit of God.
We need to have the mind of Christ in order to know these things...christian wisdom. The difference between christian wisdom and wisdom of the world is that: christian wisdom is the gospel, while wisdom of the world is society, belief systems, world view. That is why it states, "But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world." The rulers did not know/understand the wisdom of God, that is why Jesus Christ had to be crucified.
We need to look back onto our lives...what do we consider wisdom? Are we stuck on believing the things of this world, or are we devoted to the wisdom of Christ, the gospel?
2009-02-12
February 12, 2009 1 Corinthians 2:2-5
The Message of Christ's Death
Dear brothers and sisters, when I came to you, I did not come preaching God's secret with fancy words or a show of human wisdom. I decided that while I was with you I would forget about everything except Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. So when I came to you, I was weak and fearful and trembling. My teaching and preaching were not with words of human wisdom that persuade people but with proof of the power that the Spirit gives. This was so that your faith would be in God's power and not in human wisdom. ~1 Corinthians 2:1-5~
This passage simply explains that we do not need fancy words to learn about God. All we need is the message of the cross. Just like the first night's message of Pastor Thomas, the cross is so important, but a lot of the times, we neglect to acknowledge it. We forget about it, but the cross is so essential in our christian lives. The cross reveals God's power, that He, Himself, would come down to Earth, to suffer such a painful death, right in front of our very own eyes. To prove that He is powerful, and that He cares for us. That message, right there, explains everything. To picture the scene, to try and put ourselves in that scene gives me chills. I couldn't bare watching the torture. That's what should convict our hearts, not the fancy words, or the big vocabulary, but the power of the Spirit...that which can move our hearts.
Dear brothers and sisters, when I came to you, I did not come preaching God's secret with fancy words or a show of human wisdom. I decided that while I was with you I would forget about everything except Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. So when I came to you, I was weak and fearful and trembling. My teaching and preaching were not with words of human wisdom that persuade people but with proof of the power that the Spirit gives. This was so that your faith would be in God's power and not in human wisdom. ~1 Corinthians 2:1-5~
This passage simply explains that we do not need fancy words to learn about God. All we need is the message of the cross. Just like the first night's message of Pastor Thomas, the cross is so important, but a lot of the times, we neglect to acknowledge it. We forget about it, but the cross is so essential in our christian lives. The cross reveals God's power, that He, Himself, would come down to Earth, to suffer such a painful death, right in front of our very own eyes. To prove that He is powerful, and that He cares for us. That message, right there, explains everything. To picture the scene, to try and put ourselves in that scene gives me chills. I couldn't bare watching the torture. That's what should convict our hearts, not the fancy words, or the big vocabulary, but the power of the Spirit...that which can move our hearts.
2009-02-11
February 11, 2009 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Christ Is God's Power and Wisdom
The teaching about the cross is foolishness to those who are being lost, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. It is written in the Scriptures: "I will cause the wise to loser their wisdom; I will make the wise unable to understand." Where is the wise person? Where is the educated person? Where is the skilled talker of this world? God has made the widsom of the world foolish. In the wisdom of God the world did not know God through its own wisdom. So God chose to use the message that sounds foolish to save those who believe. The Jews ask for miracles, and the Greeks want widsom. But we preach a crucified Christ. This causes the Jews to stumble and is foolishness to non-Jews. But Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God to those people God has called-Jews and Greeks. Even the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sister, look at what you were when God called you. Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence. Not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and he chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose what the world thinks is unimportant and what the world looks down on and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. God did this so that no one can brag in his presence. Becuase of God you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God. In Christ we are put right with God, and have been made holy, and have been set free from sin. So, as the Scripture says, "If people want to brag, they should brag only about the Lord." ~1 Corinthians 1:18-31~
This passage is about God's wisdom and power. God's wisdom and power is Christ Jesus. Through our saviour, we have received wisdom and power. Although all of us want a God who heals us, a God who would take the pain/suffering away from us, but...that is not who our God is. Our God, instead of rescuing us from our troubles, joins with us in our troubles and rescues us that way. Our God, instead of taking away the pain, enters into the pain with us, and bears our pain. Our God, instead of fixing things for us when we our powers aren't strong enough, weakens himself, to be alongside with us in our weakness. This is our God. This is the foolishness of the cross.
This powerful God expects us to do the same thing. He expects us to enter into each other's pains and burdens, and those of the world around us. To the expectations of the world (world view) this is a very foolish way of life, but to those who have taken up their own cross to follow Jesus, this is the one and only way of life! It is the power of God that is within us!
The teaching about the cross is foolishness to those who are being lost, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. It is written in the Scriptures: "I will cause the wise to loser their wisdom; I will make the wise unable to understand." Where is the wise person? Where is the educated person? Where is the skilled talker of this world? God has made the widsom of the world foolish. In the wisdom of God the world did not know God through its own wisdom. So God chose to use the message that sounds foolish to save those who believe. The Jews ask for miracles, and the Greeks want widsom. But we preach a crucified Christ. This causes the Jews to stumble and is foolishness to non-Jews. But Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God to those people God has called-Jews and Greeks. Even the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sister, look at what you were when God called you. Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence. Not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and he chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose what the world thinks is unimportant and what the world looks down on and thinks is nothing in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. God did this so that no one can brag in his presence. Becuase of God you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God. In Christ we are put right with God, and have been made holy, and have been set free from sin. So, as the Scripture says, "If people want to brag, they should brag only about the Lord." ~1 Corinthians 1:18-31~
This passage is about God's wisdom and power. God's wisdom and power is Christ Jesus. Through our saviour, we have received wisdom and power. Although all of us want a God who heals us, a God who would take the pain/suffering away from us, but...that is not who our God is. Our God, instead of rescuing us from our troubles, joins with us in our troubles and rescues us that way. Our God, instead of taking away the pain, enters into the pain with us, and bears our pain. Our God, instead of fixing things for us when we our powers aren't strong enough, weakens himself, to be alongside with us in our weakness. This is our God. This is the foolishness of the cross.
This powerful God expects us to do the same thing. He expects us to enter into each other's pains and burdens, and those of the world around us. To the expectations of the world (world view) this is a very foolish way of life, but to those who have taken up their own cross to follow Jesus, this is the one and only way of life! It is the power of God that is within us!
2009-02-10
February 10, 2009 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Problems in the Church
I beg you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you agree with each other and not be split into groups. I beg that you be completely joined together by having the same kind of thinking and the same purpose. My brothers and sisters, some people from Chloe's family have told me quite plainly that there are quarrels among you. This is what I mean: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another says, "I follow Apollos"; another says, "I follow Peter"; and another says, "I follow Christ." Christ has been divided up into different groups! Did Paul die on the cross for you? No! Were you baptized in the name of Paul? No! I thank God I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius so that now no one can say you were baptized in my name. (I also baptized the family of Stephanas, but I do not remember that I baptized anyone else.) Christ did not send me to baptize people but to preach the Good News. And he sent me to preach the Good News without using words of human wisdom so that the cross of Christ would not lose its power. ~1 Corinthians 1:10-17~
This passage is about unity within the church! Our fellowship, Cornerstone, has had several problems because we broke unity within the church. These things happened because members of the church had some conflicts. These are the things that Satan looks for within a church. Our purpose is to have unity, to become one body of Christ. When that unity/bond is broken, we are weakened, and that's when Satan attacks. Satan's tactics are to divide and conquer. First step is to divide, which means that unity is broken within a church, but we should be praying that we have continuous love within the church, between the members, so that we do not end up with conflicts, causing a breakage in the bond. If we do have some negative emotions towards another member, or uncomfortable feelings towards another member, we should pray about it...that we are able to diminish those feelings. Also, pray that our church, is one body, unified in the name of Jesus Christ.
I beg you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you agree with each other and not be split into groups. I beg that you be completely joined together by having the same kind of thinking and the same purpose. My brothers and sisters, some people from Chloe's family have told me quite plainly that there are quarrels among you. This is what I mean: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another says, "I follow Apollos"; another says, "I follow Peter"; and another says, "I follow Christ." Christ has been divided up into different groups! Did Paul die on the cross for you? No! Were you baptized in the name of Paul? No! I thank God I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius so that now no one can say you were baptized in my name. (I also baptized the family of Stephanas, but I do not remember that I baptized anyone else.) Christ did not send me to baptize people but to preach the Good News. And he sent me to preach the Good News without using words of human wisdom so that the cross of Christ would not lose its power. ~1 Corinthians 1:10-17~
This passage is about unity within the church! Our fellowship, Cornerstone, has had several problems because we broke unity within the church. These things happened because members of the church had some conflicts. These are the things that Satan looks for within a church. Our purpose is to have unity, to become one body of Christ. When that unity/bond is broken, we are weakened, and that's when Satan attacks. Satan's tactics are to divide and conquer. First step is to divide, which means that unity is broken within a church, but we should be praying that we have continuous love within the church, between the members, so that we do not end up with conflicts, causing a breakage in the bond. If we do have some negative emotions towards another member, or uncomfortable feelings towards another member, we should pray about it...that we are able to diminish those feelings. Also, pray that our church, is one body, unified in the name of Jesus Christ.
2009-02-09
February 9, 2009 Luke 21:34-38
Be Ready All the Time
"Be careful not to spend your time feasting, drinking, or worrying about worldly things. If you do, that day might come on you suddenly, like a trap on all people on earth. So be ready all the time. Pray that you will be strong enough to escape all these things that will happen and that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man." During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple, and at night he went out of the city and stayed on the Mount of Olives. Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him. ~Luke 21:34-38~
Are you READY? This passage is about being prepared for anything to happen. We shouldn't spend our days just drowned in our own selfish and foolish lives...thinking only about what pleases us...asking for what we want...living lives full of sin. Every single day of our lives, we should live according to the Bible. We are supposed to be like Christ, but many of us have failed to do so. We need to ask God to help us to have that desire, that passion, that diligence, that courage to withstand temptation...any other characteristics of the Son of Man. Without God's help, we cannot do anything. The passage talks about winning the battle against evil...that when the day comes for the Son of Man to approach us, we should be able to stand strong, and be proud of who we have made ourselves to be.
"Be careful not to spend your time feasting, drinking, or worrying about worldly things. If you do, that day might come on you suddenly, like a trap on all people on earth. So be ready all the time. Pray that you will be strong enough to escape all these things that will happen and that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man." During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple, and at night he went out of the city and stayed on the Mount of Olives. Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him. ~Luke 21:34-38~
Are you READY? This passage is about being prepared for anything to happen. We shouldn't spend our days just drowned in our own selfish and foolish lives...thinking only about what pleases us...asking for what we want...living lives full of sin. Every single day of our lives, we should live according to the Bible. We are supposed to be like Christ, but many of us have failed to do so. We need to ask God to help us to have that desire, that passion, that diligence, that courage to withstand temptation...any other characteristics of the Son of Man. Without God's help, we cannot do anything. The passage talks about winning the battle against evil...that when the day comes for the Son of Man to approach us, we should be able to stand strong, and be proud of who we have made ourselves to be.
2009-02-07
February 7, 2009 Luke 13:1-5
Change Your Hearts
At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. Jesus answered, "Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were! What about those eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than all the others who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will all be destroyed too!" ~Luke 13:1-5~
We sing, change my heart o God, make it ever true, change my heart o God, may I be like You. When we sing these words, we should really think about what we are singing up to God. Are we being sincere when we sing these words? If not, what's the point?
A lot of christians claim that they have changed their hearts, but most of the time it doesn't last long, and they go back to being their usual selves, without even realizing. We say we wanna give our hearts to God, we say we wanna live our lives, sacrificed to Him, but we have other idols in our lives...our priorities might not be set right...we don't read continually, we don't pray continually...we slack off! That is what is meant by this passage. Although we are all sinners and can never be perfect, the focus of our life is to live to be like Christ. In order to do this, we really, really, really need to be sincere when we say we wanna be like Christ, we wanna become living sacrifices. Our goal is to truly change our hearts so that we may not make the same mistakes again...so that we may not be destroyed, but we may live to see the Kingdom, eternally!
At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. Jesus answered, "Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were! What about those eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than all the others who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will all be destroyed too!" ~Luke 13:1-5~
We sing, change my heart o God, make it ever true, change my heart o God, may I be like You. When we sing these words, we should really think about what we are singing up to God. Are we being sincere when we sing these words? If not, what's the point?
A lot of christians claim that they have changed their hearts, but most of the time it doesn't last long, and they go back to being their usual selves, without even realizing. We say we wanna give our hearts to God, we say we wanna live our lives, sacrificed to Him, but we have other idols in our lives...our priorities might not be set right...we don't read continually, we don't pray continually...we slack off! That is what is meant by this passage. Although we are all sinners and can never be perfect, the focus of our life is to live to be like Christ. In order to do this, we really, really, really need to be sincere when we say we wanna be like Christ, we wanna become living sacrifices. Our goal is to truly change our hearts so that we may not make the same mistakes again...so that we may not be destroyed, but we may live to see the Kingdom, eternally!
2009-02-05
February 5, 2009 Luke 22:24-30
Be Like A Servant ~Luke 22:24-30~
The apostles also began to argue about which one of them was the most important. But Jesus said to them, "The kings of the non-Jewish people rule over them, and those who have authority over others like to be called 'friends of the people.' But you must not be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant. Who is more important: the one sitting at the table or the one serving? You think the one at the table is more important, but I am like a servant among you. "You have stayed with me through my struggles. Just as my Father has given me a kingdom, I also give you a kingdom so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This passage is about being a servant. Just as Jesus served His twelve disciples and many others, including us because He died on the cross to wash away our sins, we need to learn to become servants. Although we may want to be the ones being served, our purpose is to serve, and by doing so, we will be receive in the Kingdom of God.
Being a member of a church also means that you are responsible for serving within the church. Whether it may be just by praying for the church, cleaning, cooking, creating/holding events, treasurer, small group leader, praise band, pastor, and etc, these are all ways of becoming servants. If we don't serve each other, who will?
In the passage, one of the verse states: "the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant." That verse says it all. The youngest/weakest, should be the one being served, and the leader/most authority, should be the one serving. We all want honor, we all want praise, we all want recognition, we all want attention, but that is not how it should be. Jesus, one whom should receive all praise and honor, laid down His life for our sake. We are called to lay down our lives, humbly, in sacrificial service to one another. "To serve is to reign with Christ."
The apostles also began to argue about which one of them was the most important. But Jesus said to them, "The kings of the non-Jewish people rule over them, and those who have authority over others like to be called 'friends of the people.' But you must not be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant. Who is more important: the one sitting at the table or the one serving? You think the one at the table is more important, but I am like a servant among you. "You have stayed with me through my struggles. Just as my Father has given me a kingdom, I also give you a kingdom so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This passage is about being a servant. Just as Jesus served His twelve disciples and many others, including us because He died on the cross to wash away our sins, we need to learn to become servants. Although we may want to be the ones being served, our purpose is to serve, and by doing so, we will be receive in the Kingdom of God.
Being a member of a church also means that you are responsible for serving within the church. Whether it may be just by praying for the church, cleaning, cooking, creating/holding events, treasurer, small group leader, praise band, pastor, and etc, these are all ways of becoming servants. If we don't serve each other, who will?
In the passage, one of the verse states: "the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant." That verse says it all. The youngest/weakest, should be the one being served, and the leader/most authority, should be the one serving. We all want honor, we all want praise, we all want recognition, we all want attention, but that is not how it should be. Jesus, one whom should receive all praise and honor, laid down His life for our sake. We are called to lay down our lives, humbly, in sacrificial service to one another. "To serve is to reign with Christ."
2009-02-04
February 4, 2009 Luke 12:8-12
Don't Be Ashamed of Jesus
"I tell you, all those who stand before others and say they believe in me, I, the Son of Man, will say before the angels of God that they belong to me. But all who stand before others and say they donot believe in me, I will say before the angels of God that they do not belong to me. "Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. "When you are brought into the synagogues before the leaders and other powerful people, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say. At that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say." ~Luke 12:8-12~
Today at prayer meeting, we sang the song, 'Unashamed.' Just like the title of that song, this passage is about being unashamed. Denying Christ is denying the Holy Spirit, is denying God. If we deny any of the three, we will also be denied as the son/daughter of God. The verse, "remain in me, and I will remain in you," says the exact thing. If we don't deny, we are remaining in Him, in faith, and that means that God will also claim us, otherwise, "I will say before the angels of God that they do not belong to me."
No matter where we are, or in whomever's presence, we should be able to confidently say, that we are the son/daughter of God. That He remains in us because we remain in Him. Just like the lyrics, And I know I'm weak, I know I'm unworthy, To call upon Your name, But because of grace, Because of Your mercy, I stand here unashamed.
"I tell you, all those who stand before others and say they believe in me, I, the Son of Man, will say before the angels of God that they belong to me. But all who stand before others and say they donot believe in me, I will say before the angels of God that they do not belong to me. "Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. "When you are brought into the synagogues before the leaders and other powerful people, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say. At that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say." ~Luke 12:8-12~
Today at prayer meeting, we sang the song, 'Unashamed.' Just like the title of that song, this passage is about being unashamed. Denying Christ is denying the Holy Spirit, is denying God. If we deny any of the three, we will also be denied as the son/daughter of God. The verse, "remain in me, and I will remain in you," says the exact thing. If we don't deny, we are remaining in Him, in faith, and that means that God will also claim us, otherwise, "I will say before the angels of God that they do not belong to me."
No matter where we are, or in whomever's presence, we should be able to confidently say, that we are the son/daughter of God. That He remains in us because we remain in Him. Just like the lyrics, And I know I'm weak, I know I'm unworthy, To call upon Your name, But because of grace, Because of Your mercy, I stand here unashamed.
2009-02-03
February 3, 2009 Luke 11:24-26
The Empty Person
"When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But when it finds no place, it says, 'I will go back to the house I left.' And when it comes back, it finds that house swept clean and made neat. Then the evil spirit goes out and brings seven other spirits more evil than it is, and they go in and live there. So the person has even more trouble than before." ~Luke 11:24-26~
This passage is another short and simple parable of Jesus. It talks about the empty heart! When an evil spirit approaches a person with a dry heart, it is able to go into that person's heart, causing that person to be evil, sinning against God, not being the christian he/she should be. Then the evil spirit is called to leave, and when it does, it goes out, looking for another person to make evil, but when it finds nothing, it returns to that original person, finding a cleansed heart...a heart that's pure as snow. This causes the evil spirit to go out and bring seven more spirits with it, in order to cause more disruption. As a result, that person has an even harder time getting rid of those evil spirits, and trying to go back to the pure, christian he/she used to be.
Once we let go of our guard, those evil spirits will be out, looking for us. Looking for an easy heart to get into, a dry heart...this is through falling for temptation, sinning, weakness, lack of faith, and etc. Once that evil spirit gets a hold of our heart, it's hard to execute it, then to ban it from coming back into our hearts. And even if we do, although confess our sins, are washed clean, if our heart is empty, the evil spirit (the devil) will attack again, this time with more power..."seven other spirits more evil than it is," that means that it's complete...the final stages of evil. Being empty means that we forget to recognize the salvation, the power of the spirit because we are caught up in ourselves to depend on ourselves...that causes emptiness. We should never leave behind the spirit of God! We need it 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." John 15:5
"When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But when it finds no place, it says, 'I will go back to the house I left.' And when it comes back, it finds that house swept clean and made neat. Then the evil spirit goes out and brings seven other spirits more evil than it is, and they go in and live there. So the person has even more trouble than before." ~Luke 11:24-26~
This passage is another short and simple parable of Jesus. It talks about the empty heart! When an evil spirit approaches a person with a dry heart, it is able to go into that person's heart, causing that person to be evil, sinning against God, not being the christian he/she should be. Then the evil spirit is called to leave, and when it does, it goes out, looking for another person to make evil, but when it finds nothing, it returns to that original person, finding a cleansed heart...a heart that's pure as snow. This causes the evil spirit to go out and bring seven more spirits with it, in order to cause more disruption. As a result, that person has an even harder time getting rid of those evil spirits, and trying to go back to the pure, christian he/she used to be.
Once we let go of our guard, those evil spirits will be out, looking for us. Looking for an easy heart to get into, a dry heart...this is through falling for temptation, sinning, weakness, lack of faith, and etc. Once that evil spirit gets a hold of our heart, it's hard to execute it, then to ban it from coming back into our hearts. And even if we do, although confess our sins, are washed clean, if our heart is empty, the evil spirit (the devil) will attack again, this time with more power..."seven other spirits more evil than it is," that means that it's complete...the final stages of evil. Being empty means that we forget to recognize the salvation, the power of the spirit because we are caught up in ourselves to depend on ourselves...that causes emptiness. We should never leave behind the spirit of God! We need it 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." John 15:5
2009-02-02
February 2, 2009 Luke 12:13-21
Jesus Warns Against Selfishness
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide with me the property our father left us." But Jesus said to him, "Who said I should judge or decide between you?" Then Jesus said to them, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns." Then Jesus told this story: "There was a rich man who had some land, which grew good crop. He thought to himself, 'What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and other goods. Then I can say to myself, "I have neough good things stored to last for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!"' "But God said to him, 'Foolish man! Tonight your life will be taken from you. So who will get those things you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God." ~Luke 12:13-21~
This is another passage about wealth/treasures/possessions. Jesus talks about a man rich in crops, but for the love of them and himself, he is too greedy and selfish to share with anybody, even if he has such an abundance. Unfortunately, all those riches go to waste because his life is taken that night. The last verse says, "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God." If only the man thought of tithing, or sharing with the less privileged...
Lots of times, we are just like the foolish, selfish man. Although we are not filthy rich, even the littlest things we receive, we are so caught up within ourselves that we forget to share. This doesn't have to do with just money...for example: we receive so much love from family, friends, God, and etc. but some people are less fortunate...kids get thrown away by parents, left behind, in sorrow. Another example is food: we have an abundance of food no matter how much we feel like we don't have anything to eat. There are so many others in this world who don't even get to eat one meal a day, while we eat three or more per day.
Sharing is caring...that's what we learn in like kindergarten! Being selfish doesn't bring anything good. You can be selfish about the things you have, but that'll make friends go away, family go away...sooner or later you will have nobody to share those things with, to make memories...you'll be a loner. You never know when you will die or when Jesus Christ will come back...in order to prepare for that, we need to share...not only wealth/possessions, but also the gospel! All those things aren't ours in the first place, so it won't hurt to share...by doing so, we will be building up treasures in the Kingdom and we will receive multiples!
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide with me the property our father left us." But Jesus said to him, "Who said I should judge or decide between you?" Then Jesus said to them, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns." Then Jesus told this story: "There was a rich man who had some land, which grew good crop. He thought to himself, 'What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and other goods. Then I can say to myself, "I have neough good things stored to last for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!"' "But God said to him, 'Foolish man! Tonight your life will be taken from you. So who will get those things you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God." ~Luke 12:13-21~
This is another passage about wealth/treasures/possessions. Jesus talks about a man rich in crops, but for the love of them and himself, he is too greedy and selfish to share with anybody, even if he has such an abundance. Unfortunately, all those riches go to waste because his life is taken that night. The last verse says, "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God." If only the man thought of tithing, or sharing with the less privileged...
Lots of times, we are just like the foolish, selfish man. Although we are not filthy rich, even the littlest things we receive, we are so caught up within ourselves that we forget to share. This doesn't have to do with just money...for example: we receive so much love from family, friends, God, and etc. but some people are less fortunate...kids get thrown away by parents, left behind, in sorrow. Another example is food: we have an abundance of food no matter how much we feel like we don't have anything to eat. There are so many others in this world who don't even get to eat one meal a day, while we eat three or more per day.
Sharing is caring...that's what we learn in like kindergarten! Being selfish doesn't bring anything good. You can be selfish about the things you have, but that'll make friends go away, family go away...sooner or later you will have nobody to share those things with, to make memories...you'll be a loner. You never know when you will die or when Jesus Christ will come back...in order to prepare for that, we need to share...not only wealth/possessions, but also the gospel! All those things aren't ours in the first place, so it won't hurt to share...by doing so, we will be building up treasures in the Kingdom and we will receive multiples!
2009-02-01
February 1, 2009 Luke 16:1-13
True Wealth
Jesus also said to his followers, "Once there was a rich man who had a manager to take care of his business. This manager was accused of cheating him. So he called the manager in and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of what you have done with my money, because you can't be my manager any longer' The manager thought to himself, 'What will I do since my master is taking my job away from me? I am not strong enought to dig ditches, and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I'll do so that when I lose my job people will welcome me into their homes.' "So the manager called in everyone hwo owed the master money. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe?' He answered, 'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil.' The manager said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write four hundred gallon.' Then the manager asked another one, 'How much do you owe?' He answered, 'One thousand bushels of wheat.' Then the manager said to him, 'Take your bill and write eight hundred bushels.' So, the master praised the dishonest manager for being clever. Yes, wordly people are more clever with their own kind than spiritual people are. "I tell you, make friends for yourselves using worldly riches sot hat when those riches are gone, you will be welcomed in those homes that continue forever. Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with a little is dishonest with a lot. If you cannot be trusted with wordly riches, then who will trust you with a lot. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, then who will trust you with true riches? And if you cannot be trusted with things that belong to someone else, who will give you things of your own? "No servant can serve two masters. The servant will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches." ~Luke 16:1-13~
The parable of the unjust steward! This passage is about wealth...what true wealth really is. When we say wealth, most people would think about money, but that's not what Jesus is pointing out. In the previous passages, there were 3 other parables, each with its own point. This parable is talking about an unjust steward...you and me! Just as the manager is lazy and doesn't wanna do his work, so he steals from the master, we are the same way with God. God has given each one of us our unique talents, but most of the time, we don't use those talents to please God, to do His will, instead we're too busy trying to do things for ourselves...which makes us the unjust steward.
In the parable, the wealth is money, but true wealth for us, believers, is spiritual wealth.
God has given us everything that we "have," not own, because everything in the world, even our lives, aren't ours, it's God's. Everyday, we are so busy to focus on the worldly riches that we forget to build up treasures for later on. In scripture, we are told to build up treasures in heaven...for where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). It's so hard to think about giving up those things we have for our future, but once we do...once we learn to use those gifts God has given us, not only are we doing ourselves a favor, we are also doing God's will. Jesus says, "make friends for yourselves using worldly riches sot hat when those riches are gone, you will be welcomed in those homes that continue forever," by this, He doesn't mean worldly friends, but spiritual friends who will be awaiting us. We need to be aware of the worldly things, and use them to reach out to those who are still a part of the world. By obeying God, we will please Him, we will be considered His friend, one whom awaits to receive us in the everlasting kingdom.
The second part of the passage mentions those who can or cannot be trusted with worldy riches. This means that those who manage worldly riches can also manage true riches, those who cannot even mannage worldly riches will not be able to manage true riches, therefore will not be given true riches. In other words, doing well here on earth will promote us in the kingdom...if we can make profitable use of our lives that God has given us here on Earth, we will be given eternal life.
Don't forget, life is short...we are only here for a short time...our lives of 70, 80, 90/+ years on Earth, is nothing compared to how long God has been waiting for us, even before creation, so in reality, our lives are really, really short. This means, that we should try even harder to do God's will on Earth, while we are given the opportunity.
Jesus also said to his followers, "Once there was a rich man who had a manager to take care of his business. This manager was accused of cheating him. So he called the manager in and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of what you have done with my money, because you can't be my manager any longer' The manager thought to himself, 'What will I do since my master is taking my job away from me? I am not strong enought to dig ditches, and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I'll do so that when I lose my job people will welcome me into their homes.' "So the manager called in everyone hwo owed the master money. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe?' He answered, 'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil.' The manager said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write four hundred gallon.' Then the manager asked another one, 'How much do you owe?' He answered, 'One thousand bushels of wheat.' Then the manager said to him, 'Take your bill and write eight hundred bushels.' So, the master praised the dishonest manager for being clever. Yes, wordly people are more clever with their own kind than spiritual people are. "I tell you, make friends for yourselves using worldly riches sot hat when those riches are gone, you will be welcomed in those homes that continue forever. Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with a little is dishonest with a lot. If you cannot be trusted with wordly riches, then who will trust you with a lot. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, then who will trust you with true riches? And if you cannot be trusted with things that belong to someone else, who will give you things of your own? "No servant can serve two masters. The servant will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches." ~Luke 16:1-13~
The parable of the unjust steward! This passage is about wealth...what true wealth really is. When we say wealth, most people would think about money, but that's not what Jesus is pointing out. In the previous passages, there were 3 other parables, each with its own point. This parable is talking about an unjust steward...you and me! Just as the manager is lazy and doesn't wanna do his work, so he steals from the master, we are the same way with God. God has given each one of us our unique talents, but most of the time, we don't use those talents to please God, to do His will, instead we're too busy trying to do things for ourselves...which makes us the unjust steward.
In the parable, the wealth is money, but true wealth for us, believers, is spiritual wealth.
God has given us everything that we "have," not own, because everything in the world, even our lives, aren't ours, it's God's. Everyday, we are so busy to focus on the worldly riches that we forget to build up treasures for later on. In scripture, we are told to build up treasures in heaven...for where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). It's so hard to think about giving up those things we have for our future, but once we do...once we learn to use those gifts God has given us, not only are we doing ourselves a favor, we are also doing God's will. Jesus says, "make friends for yourselves using worldly riches sot hat when those riches are gone, you will be welcomed in those homes that continue forever," by this, He doesn't mean worldly friends, but spiritual friends who will be awaiting us. We need to be aware of the worldly things, and use them to reach out to those who are still a part of the world. By obeying God, we will please Him, we will be considered His friend, one whom awaits to receive us in the everlasting kingdom.
The second part of the passage mentions those who can or cannot be trusted with worldy riches. This means that those who manage worldly riches can also manage true riches, those who cannot even mannage worldly riches will not be able to manage true riches, therefore will not be given true riches. In other words, doing well here on earth will promote us in the kingdom...if we can make profitable use of our lives that God has given us here on Earth, we will be given eternal life.
Don't forget, life is short...we are only here for a short time...our lives of 70, 80, 90/+ years on Earth, is nothing compared to how long God has been waiting for us, even before creation, so in reality, our lives are really, really short. This means, that we should try even harder to do God's will on Earth, while we are given the opportunity.
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