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1 Corinthians 12-16 daily bread by Kevin E. Jesmer 2010

1 Corinthians 12-16 daily bread by Kevin E. Jesmer 2010

1 corinthians

 

Tuesday, October 19

 

THOSE WHO CONFESS “JESUS IS LORD”

 

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Key Verse 12:3

 

1.  The Holy Spirit given to believers (1-3)

Before knowing Christ, the Corinthians were lost in idol worship. The demons, behind the idols, tormented their hearts. But God, by his grace, sent the Holy Spirit to deliver them. He drove out demons and opened their spiritual eyes so they could accept Christ who was crucified for their sins. The Holy Spirit set them free to worship and serve God. (Lk 1:74) They could proclaim “Jesus is Lord!” Those who make this confession, from the heart, are Christians and the Holy Spirit dwells in them.

 

2.  The same spirit but different gifts (4-11)

Though there are different kinds of gifts, the same God works all of them in his people for his own purpose. God weaves together the expression of these gifts to accomplish world salvation. The Holy Spirit gives us our gift, or gifts, as he determines. We must discover what these gifts are, pray, step out in faith and find out how God will use us.

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me to make the confession “Jesus is Lord” and giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to use my gifts to glorify you in this world.

 

One Word: Jesus is Lord

 

 

Wednesday, October 20

 

YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Key Verse: 27

 

1. Unity and diversity in the body (12-26)

Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to explain the church. The body is made up of many parts. These parts function differently but are interrelated and interdependent. So it is with Christ. Though we come from different backgrounds, with varying gifts, we have the same spiritual Father. We have the same Lord. We are one body joined together by the one Holy Spirit. We must accept our God-given place in the body of Christ and foster an atmosphere of respect, love and concern among us…for we are one body.

 

2.   Eagerly desire the greater gifts (28-31)

Paul mentions apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, those with the gift of healing, helpers, administrators, and those who speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit raises up a body of believers and gives them spiritual gifts to transform their community and nation. It is God who appoints his servants and gifts them according to his purpose and plan.  We should ask God for greater gifts with a desire to serve the body of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, I repent of my selfishness. Help me to discover my gift and use it for your glory and the good of others.

 

One Word: We are the body of Christ

Thursday, October 21

 

THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Key Verse 13:13

 

1. Without love I am nothing (1-3)

In our “information” generation, we think that if we can fathom all knowledge and speak eloquently, we can do God’s work. However, without love it is nothing. People really want love rather than correct words and information.

 

2. What love is (4-7)

Paul tells us what true love is.Read over all these virtues slowly. True love is to bear one’s weaknesses and sins without judging, without giving up, and always having hope for them to grow. Love is being like Jesus.

 

3. Love is the greatest (8-13)

Love is everlasting. All other gifts are temporal. When Christ comes we shall see him face to face. We will have a perfect love relationship with our Heavenly Father which lasts forever. Faith and hope will be fulfilled. But our love for God will grow and bear fruit into eternity. The best love is yet to come.

 

Prayer: Lord, your love fully satisfies our souls.  Teach me what this love is and how I can practice this love.

 

One Word: Our love for God grows on forever.

 

Friday, October 22

 

GIFTS THAT EDIFY THE CHURCH

 

1 Corinthians 14:1-12

Key Verse 14:12

 

1.  Eagerly desire the gift of prophecy (1-6)

Along with love, we must eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. A prophet is one who makes Christ known through the Scripture. One who speaks in tongues speaks to God, from their spirit, in a language that others cannot understand. This gift builds up one’s personal relationship with God. Those who prophesy share the word of God in a language people understand, for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. Paul wanted the whole church built up with Bible teachers who have the gift of prophecy.

2. Excel in gifts that build up the church (7-12)

Think of musical instruments.  A harp or a flute can make a beautiful sound. But the musician must practice hard and play properly with other orchestra members. Trumpets convey tactical messages to soldiers on the battlefield. Unclear bugles cause confusion. Language is like this. If we do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, we become foreigners. So we must speak intelligible words. In this way we can build up the church.

 

Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument to reveal Christ clearly to people around me.

 

One Word: Edify the church

Saturday, October 23

 

IN YOUR THINKING BE ADULTS

 

1 Corinthians 14:13-25

Key Verse 14:20

 

1.  Worship with our spirit and our mind (13-22)

If we insist on our own ways and pray or sing only with our spirit, people cannot understand us nor respond to God from their hearts.  But when we think of others and use both our spirit and mind in worship, then people may understand what we are praying and singing and respond from their hearts and come to Jesus. In the church, let us act in spiritual maturity so that we can strengthen, encourage and comfort others.

 

2.  Encourage response to the gospel (23-25)

Unbelievers come to church longing for rest in the word of God. They need comfort, hope and the forgiveness of sins which are all found in the gospel. But if all they find are people speaking only in tongues they will think Christians are out of their minds. The gospel will not be communicated to them. But if they hear words of prophecy, the message of the gospel, they can repent of their sins and restore their love relationship with God. That is why we must eagerly desire the gift of prophecy, the word of God.

 

Prayer: Lord, I want to worship you in my spirit and in my mind. Use me to make an environment where others can respond to the word of God.

 

One Word: Worship with your spirit and your mind

Sunday, October 24

 

WORSHIP IN AN ORDERLY WAY

 

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Key Verse 14:40

 

1.  Worship that pleases God (26-33)

At the time there were hymns, words of instruction, revelation, tongues and interpretation.  All of these elements of worship work together in an orderly fashion in order to reveal Jesus through his word. In our own ministry, may the word of God be transmitted in ways that can reveal Christ and edify the church. God is pleased by worship that is orderly and peaceful. Then he will work powerfully.

 

2.  Consider the context of worship (34-40)

The Corinthians were ancient Greeks. They had a church program suited for their unique context. At that time, women’s social position was very low. That is how it was back then. We may not understand or accept it. But one thing we can understand is their love for God and their desire to spread the gospel across the Roman world. Each nation must discover their own appropriate worship program. The important thing is to worship God together in a fitting and orderly way.
Prayer: Lord, help me to worship you in a fitting and orderly way so that the word of God may touch peoples’ hearts.

 

One Word: Our God is a God of order and peace

 

 

Monday, October 25

 

THE LIFE GIVING GOSPEL

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Key Verse 15:3-4

 

1. The contents of the gospel (1-4)

The gospel contains two main elements: Christ’s death, and Christ’s resurrection. We need both. The wages of sin is death. Because of sin we face judgment. No one escapes God’s judgment, which is eternal and agonizing. But God, in his great mercy has solved our sin problem. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures paying off the demand of sin. Christ forgave our sins and freed us from the consequences of sin. Next is Christ’s resurrection. Sin brings death. Christ defeated the power of death through his resurrection giving us final victory over the power of death. Now we have a living hope in the kingdom of God. Praise Jesus!

 

2. Witnesses of the resurrection (5-11)

Paul introduces eyewitnesses to prove the fact of Christ’s resurrection. These men were changed from fearful to courageous, from selfish to sacrificial, from self-centered to God-centered. When we hear and believe, we too can meet the Risen Christ and become resurrection witnesses with our changed lives.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me of the gospel. Help me to live as a resurrection witness.

 

One Word: Hold firmly to Jesus’ gospel.

Tuesday, October 26

 

THE NECESSITY OF THE RESSURRECTION

 

1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Key Verse 15:12

 

1.  The resurrection is absolutely necessary (12)

Some Christians denied the bodily resurrection of the dead. Why? Maybe they felt that faith in the resurrection was not necessary. Their faith in Jesus was more concerned with their present situation than with mankind’s sin and eternal life through the death and resurrection of Christ.

 

2.  If there is no resurrection… (13-19)

Then the whole world is under the power of death and all activities end in death. Then faith would be in vain. Our preaching would be useless and our sacrifices would be pointless. We would be denying the almighty power of God. There would be no way to solve our sin problem and we would still be in our sins. We would be pitiable people. But Jesus Christ was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures and Christians are not pitiful people. For they are the forgiven ones, bound for eternal life in the kingdom of God with our Lord Jesus. They are the most glorious people in the glorious resurrection of Jesus.

 

Prayer: I believe that Jesus died and rose again and all believers will rise too. Use me to tell the world about this life giving fact.

 

One Word: The resurrection: absolutely necessary

 

Wednesday, October 27

 

THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

 

1 Corinthians 15:20-34

Key Verse 15:24

 

1.  The power of the Risen Jesus (20—32)

The Risen Christ has power to change a one’s inner person. Those who met the Risen Christ were all changed into new people whose hearts were burning with the spirit of boldness and victory, inspired to participate in the remaining sufferings of Christ. The Risen Christ has the power to give people a new life free from the power of death. They have eternal life. The Risen Christ has the power to restore the Kingdom of God. He will destroy all evil and unrighteousness. The Risen Christ, the One and Only Son of God, will destroy this last enemy of mankind, death, with his resurrection power.

 

2.  Some good advice (33-34)

Paul gave some final advice. He told them to avoid bad company. “Bad company” are those who live without resurrection faith. He also tells them to come back to their senses and stop sinning. This means engaging their resurrection faith and serving our Lord Jesus with this faith.

 

Prayer: Lord, so many of our young people have despaired of life and have lost all hope. Transform them with your resurrection power.

 

One Word: The power of the Risen Christ

 

Thursday, October 28

 

THE GLORY OF THE RESURRECTION

 

1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Key Verse 15:49

 

1.  God gives us resurrection bodies (35-41)

Some Corinthians questioned how the dead were raised. To explain, Paul states that a seed must die for a plant to come to life and produce many more seeds. In the same way our body should die to receive a new resurrection body. Again, when we plant a seed God gives it a body. Physical bodies are seeds. They are for life on earth. From these seeds God gives heavenly bodies. We should never live in fear of death, but live by faith with this resurrection principle.

 

  1. The life giving spirit of Jesus (42-49)

We despair over our weaknesses, sins and mistakes and the unavoidable fact that our physical bodies will perish. But this makes us long for a spiritual body. A spiritual body is a resurrection body. It is imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. It will be suitable for our lives in the kingdom of God.  We will bear the likeness of the Risen Jesus himself. This body can not be achieved through long hours in the gym. It can only be achieved through Jesus’ life-giving spirit.

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the real hope of acquiring a resurrection body that will be in the likeness of Jesus. Help me to seek this glory.

 

One Word: Bearing the likeness of Christ

Friday, October 29

 

THE ULTIMATE VICTORY

 

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Key Verse 15: 57

 

1.  We will all be changed (50-57)

Flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God. But our resurrection bodies can! And this will happen when Jesus comes again. At the last trumpet call, Jesus will come again as King of kings and Lord of lords. We will be caught up with other resurrected believers in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air. We will be changed and dwell with our beloved Lord Jesus forever. (1 Thess 4:16-17)This is great day of salvation for all who are in Christ. On that day, the power of death will be completely destroyed. The elements of death will no longer have any hold. Death will be swallowed up in victory.

 

2.  Stand firm (58)

Knowing that we will be partakers of the resurrection, how must we live? We must stand firm in our gospel faith, letting nothing move us from seeking the glory of the resurrection. We must give our hearts all the more to the work of the Lord, because our labor in the Lord is never in vain.

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for completely destroying the power of death and filling our lives with a deep sense of victory. Help me to stand firm and give myself fully to your work on earth.

 

One Word: We have the victory through Jesus

Saturday, October 30

 

THE PRIVILEGE OF PARTICIPATING

 

1 Corinthians 16:1-12

Key Verse 16: 1

 

1.  Prepare your gift (1)

Paul gave them a great opportunity to participate in the collection for God’s people. This offering was to be sent to Jerusalem as relief for believers. Gentile Christians could express their love towards their Jewish brethren. Paul gave instructions concerning the offering. On the Lord’s Day, the offering was to be presented. It was to be prepared. Giving to God should be first on our minds. “Each one” must offer to God. Their offering was a gift, reflecting a willing and joyful heart, with a deep sense of God’s grace. Those who offer like this will be blessed by God.

 

2.  Paul’s plans and request (5-12)

Paul wanted to spend some quality time with the Corinthians, despite of their “issues’. In their time of need, he wanted to be with them, counsel them, and pray for them. Paul treated them as valuable coworkers who could participate meaningfully in world mission along with him. When he could not be there in person, he would send some fellow leaders, Timothy and Apollos.
Prayer: Thank you for the privilege of participating in offering. Open my eyes to see the need around me and widen my heart to show your love to others.

 

One Word:  Being part of world mission

Sunday, October 31

 

STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH

 

1 Corinthians 16:13-24

Key Verse 16:13-14

 

1.  Final exhortations (13-18)

Paul exhorts the Corinthian saying, “Be on your guard.” …be vigilant against the devil’s work. Second, “stand firm in the faith.” Christian faith stands on the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We must stand firm in this faith and God will give us eternal victory. Third, “be men of courage.” God’s people must be courageous especially to offer our lives for the work of God like Stephanas’ household. Fourth, “be strong.” We must be strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fifth, “Do everything in love.” The love of Christ should be in our hearts at all times refreshing each others’ spirits and providing for their needs. Whatever we do, we should do in love.

 

2.   Final greetings (19-24)

Paul encouraged the affection of Christ in the Christian community. He told them that only Christ can save us. Then Paul cried, “Come, O Lord!” longing for Jesus’ coming in power and glory. Finally, Paul ends with the grace of Christ. He knew that the grace of Christ is greater than all our sin.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your constant words of love and encouragement. Help me to love and encourage others.

 

One Word: Do everything in love

 

 




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