We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

1 Corinthians 4

We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 1 Corinthians 4:13

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 4:6-13. As a starting point, the commentary* provides as it main idea for the text: "[b]ecause Christians have received every good thing from God, they should avoid superiority, expect opposition, and live humbly."  It* then, in the introduction, further outlines Paul's intent for the text: "[t]he Corinthians had both a pride and an unbelief problem. They were taking pride in particular spiritual leaders and were arrogant in terms of who they thought they were and what they had achieved. Paul knew how deadly these twin sins can be in the body of Christ, the local church. So he confronts them."

The commentary* then outlines and provides details for the following divisions:

1. Be Careful about Being Prideful about Whom You Follow (4:6-7): Paul first warns the church of Corinth, and by extension all believers, about misunderstanding the "nature" of the gospel, the "role of the Christian minister," and the "attitude of the Christian minister." He starts by sharing how the church leaders live life humbly so that they serve as a model for the church - he builds on text going back to 1 Corinthians 1:10 with analogies referring to the leaders as servants, co-workers, and managers/craftsmen sent and gifted by God. The leaders are mere vessels to advance God's kingdom and unworthy of worship - it is Jesus alone worthy of our worship.  The commentary* writes about the "cult of personality," arrogance/pride, etc. that consumed the church in Corinth: "[Paul] does not want the church to be arrogant, prideful, or puffed up, choosing favorites like worldly political parties do. We need to hear the same warning. Don’t be seduced by the ways of the world when it comes to your leaders."  Additionally, the message on boasting is reinforced as Paul reminds us that all we have is by grace not through our own efforts as "[e]very good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). As a result we are no better than anyone else.
   
2. Be Careful about Being Arrogant about Who You Are (4:8-13): Paul then moves, using sarcasm and self-effacing language about himself and the other church leaders, to admonish the church about their arrogance and focus on "cult of personality."  He provides a contrasting portrait of the church leaders (spectacle of shame, fools, weak, dishonored, hungry/thirsty, poorly clothed/homeless, roughly treated, mere manual laborers, reviled, persecuted, slandered, scum, and garbage) vs the church body in Corinth and how they felt about themselves (arrogant and prideful). We are referred to Lamentations 3:45 as scriptural support for Paul's reference to the faithful as scum and garbage. Focus on Christ for Your identity - not the world!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God who humbled himself so that I could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life - simply incredible.  Thank You Jesus!  I am OF COURSE not deserving.  My sin persists...daily.  Please forgive me for my sins of both commission and omission.  Help me turn from such sin, overcome it and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I continue with Ephesians 4, focusing on v1-16. As I posted yesterday, unity within the church is a primary theme as Paul seeks to keep the church in Ephesus on mission - all working together towards the same end, which is to spread the gospel.  John Piper, digs deeper here, and writes that this text from Paul's letter to the Ephesians is urging us to participate in small groups as a core and necessary component of our church experience - we cannot simply attend church just on Sundays as God intends so much more for us as a church body. He leans heavily on v16, which starts in v15 where believers are urged to "[speak] truth in love, [and] grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ" and then Piper uses the text to explain how God sees us "growing up."  He collapses v16 to show that God wants "the whole body" to "[make] the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."  Piper then goes on to write how "grace given to each one of us" (v7-8) enables this body to minister to itself, thereby not relying on entirely on church staff to do all the work.  Piper closes his message with this: "So what verse 16 means when it says that 'the whole body causes the growth of the body' when 'each individual part is working properly,' it means that all the members have gifts, and all of those gifts are to be used in building up the body 'in love.' And this is how Christ, the all-supplying, supernatural Head of the body, builds and cares for his church." Speaking for myself, I know that I need a small group experience as part of my church life.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me brothers and sisters in Christ from whom I am encouraged, supported, loved, etc. Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I move on to Ephesians 4, which focuses on church unity.  This is a very important theme as the mission of the church (locally and globally) is of course negatively impacted by tensions, conflict, and a failure to heed to gospel-centered teaching - John Piper provides a good definition of Christian unity here. In writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul emphasizes a few themes to drive unity - these themes include how although each of us are different and our spiritual gifts are different, God knits us together as a church and body of Christ (v16). We are encouraged to build each other up, not tear one another down, and to put away "bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander...[and] all malice."  Instead we are urged to "[b]e kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of the grace You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14-15

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter eighteen Gospel Unity, which covers Romans 14:1-15:13.  My focus today is v14:1-12, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Liberty." With the start of Romans 14, Paul moves from a focus on living in the light (with urgency) and on loving others (including  enemies), to a warning that we not judge other believers over inconsequential matters and not to "quarrel over opinions" (v14:1). Paul argues his case that regardless of whether someone "observes the day," "eats,' or "abstains," as long as they honor and give thanks to the Lord - their worship is proper in the eyes of the Lord.  "Honor of the Lord" and "thanks to God" are mentioned thrice and twice respectively - underscoring Paul's point. Paul wraps up these verses with a sober reminder how all will face the Day of Judgement (including with reference to Isaiah 45:23), implying that our primary focus should be that each invidividual believer pursue holiness and their own journey with God. 

My commentary points out that Paul sought to drive unity among believers who focused on strict adherence to cultural and social practices (i.e. eating, etc.) versus those who ate "anything" and found freedom from the law - the commentary refers to the latter as perhaps stronger more mature Christians and likely Gentiles in Paul's day as Jews were more likely to follow the Mosaic ceremonial law even as believers.  Regardless, Paul, again drives unity among both camps around the gospel and Jesus Christ.  The commentary goes further to describe "three levels of importance" (1) matters essential for salvation, (2) matters important to the faith and the church but not important for salvation, and (3) matters of indifference--debatable nonessentials/preferences.  We should unify around (1) and (2) and not let (3) divide the church. Stronger believers should not condemn or judge weaker believers and vice-versa. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who placed supportive and encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ in my life - those who don't judge or condemn me for inconsequential matters.  They also encourage and support me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings!  My sin continues - again worry!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose Your as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Romans 12

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

 

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of God's Mercy, which covers Romans 12:1-16.  My focus today is Romans 12:3-16, which my commentary refers to under the heading Offer Yourself to Your Church.  As my post yesterday indicates, Romans 12 includes extensive "imperatives" in light of the "mercies" and grace Paul describes previously to Romans 12. These imperatives include:

• Do not think of yourself highly; do not be haughty or be wise in your own sight; think of yourself with sober judgement - clearly and with an eye towards how we are all sinful and in needed of God's correction and molding; be humble and associate with those in need (v12:3,16)
• Give of our time generously to the church and others based on our and others' gifting (v12:4-8); see also 1 Corinthians 12
  
• Love others and hold fast to what is good - just as God does, hate sin and evil (v12:9)
• Support and encourage one another (v12:10, 15)
• Be joyful/cheerful and full of zeal (v12:11)
  
• Be patient in our trials (v12:12)
• Pray (v12:12)
• Provide and give to ministries in your church; offer up possessions (home, etc.) as hospitality (v12:13)
• Bless those who persecute you; be harmonious (v12:16)

For this morning, my focus is on these imperatives as an appropriate response to God's grace and mercy.  My commentary states and emphasizes how this morning's text urges us to live together and in unity in the church, depending on each other to fulfill the church's mission and strengthening the church. We are to see the imperatives here is not exhaustive as the commentary refers to the imperatives here as "teaching and serving gifts" whereas elsewhere in scripture there is focus on verbal and non verbal gifts. Teaching gifts are emphasized to be seen as practical, spiritual and for exhortation (i.e. "comforting, encouraging, pleading"). Bottom line, gifts are to be used for the good of the church and its mission. 

Given the substance and degree of material worthy of review from today's commentary - I end my time today pausing after a review of the commentary that looks at 12:3-8 and will pick up tomorrow with the commentary looking at 12:9-16. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the Church and for providing brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I can serve and grow in relationship in Christ and experience greater fullness of life. What a tremendous blessing.  I am not deserving of how You knit together the church and how it blesses me. My sins are great and they continue.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Romans 4:9-17

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Romans 4:16-17

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with my review of chapter five Faith Alone, which covers the entirety of Romans 4.  My focus today is Romans 4:9-17. Paul continues to use Abraham as the example from the Old Testament (and as our forefather) to build on his statement that we are justified by faith alone. 

My commentary indicates that the text from today makes two key points: (1) we are not justified by circumcision, and (2) we are not justified by the law. Verse 11 is used to point out how circumcision was a "sign" and "seal" of faith - and not a cause or basis of faith. We are encouraged here to see how justification by faith and not by circumcision or the law gives hope to Jews and Gentiles alike as v16 highlights how Abraham is the "father of many nations." The commentary also indicates that "[b]elieving leads to belonging."  We are finally encouraged to focus on v17 where my commentary states that Paul looks at the nature of Abraham's faith as he is a "model for us as he believed in God 'who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist."  God created the world and our faith - from nothing, even our spiritual deadness. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me faith - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving - by a long shot.  My sin of many kinds, continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Romans 3:27-31

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Romans 3:31

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I completed my review of chapter four The Glory of Christ's Salvation, where we look at the implications of the gospel as laid out by Paul in Romans 3:27-31.  Paul looks at how we are to respond to Christ's death on the cross, His resurrection - the gospel.  He looks at the question of what we are to do with the law?  We are not justified by works as required by the law, nor by knowledge of the law, nor by any special status - as both Jews and Gentiles are saved.  We are saved and justified by faith.  Jesus did not come to overthrow the law but to fulfill/confirm it and as my previous study of Providence reminds me that God gives us the Holy Spirit to drive the obedience to the law He seeks. 

In looking at v27-31 in more detail, my commentary starts by reminding that we are not to boast - we did not earn our salvation.  The first implication being that we are to be humbled. It also states that all of Martin Luther's Five Solas are contained in these verses "with verse 27 falling in the 'in the glory of God alone' category".

Second, in v28-21 we (as a church) are to be unified as "the cross, then, destroys discrimination."  Jew and Gentile alike are saved. There is to be no ethnic hostility. "His grace enables us to be 'gracists,' not racists."

Comment and discuss this post here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the grace You pour out for me.  My sin, of many flavors, continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Romans

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-6

Today, I started a new study based on what my Friday morning men's group will be starting - a study on the book of Romans.  As a companion to this study, based on recommendations from others I respect, I am using a commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook).  This commentary, authored by Tony Merida and edited as well by Merida, David Platt, and Daniel Akin, is part of the Christ-Centered Exposition series available from Christianbook.com. I am careful as I approach this study as John Piper has referred to this book (in terms of his ability to offer a sermon series on the book) as both the "greatest letter ever written" and "daunting" with the daunting aspect being a key reason for the care and caution as I proceed. 

The commentary emphasizes three key themes as background for Romans:

1. it is a "Gospel-saturated letter"
2. it is a "community-building letter"
3. it is a "missional-letter"

On (1) the commentary states that "the gospel frames the letter" and Paul uses Romans to defend "the substance of the gospel, and he also describes how the gospel should shape Christian living and fuel Christian mission." The commentary goes on to state that "[i]n today's pluralistic, relativistic, skeptical world, there is great confusion regarding the nature of God, sin, and salvation. There is also a great need for professing Christians to grow in theological discernment."

On (2) the commentary describes division in Rome among Jewish and Gentile Christians and this "gave Paul an occasion to create a glorious, multi-ethic vision for the people of God." My commentary also states that this division and Paul's occasion to address it should encourage us to "pray for the Lord to help us love our (diverse) brothers and sisters better."

Finally, on (3) the commentary describes how Paul uses Romans to seek "support for his mission to Spain." See also Romans 15:24-29. The commentary indicates that Paul hopes to "unify the Christians in Rome so that they may be a home base for his mission to Spain."

Tomorrow I will being to unpack Romans - starting with Romans 1:1-7.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God indeed and You are worthy of my full attention - indeed aggressive attentiveness!  I have tasted and seen Your glory and it is amazing indeed and You have transformed my heart and life as a result!  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of these and all of the blessings You pour out for me.  I worry, and I am easily distracted by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Philippians 1-4

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Day 349 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this afternoon I read the last of Paul's prison epistles - Philippians. My commentary* notes in this letter: "While still imprisoned, Paul also reaches out to the Christians in Philippi, with whom he has maintained close ties since his three visits to their city. Paul clearly feels a special relationship to the Philippians, not only because of his close association with them in past years but also because they have often generously contributed to his support....In this letter Paul is writing to a small-town congregation in which two women, Euodia and Syntyche, have had a falling out. As is so often the case when personality conflicts develop, their personal animosity is splitting the whole church. Therefore Paul pleads with the two women—and indeed all Christians—to learn to love each other more. Paul bases his appeal on the bedrock example of Christ’s own humility in putting others’ interests first, even at great personal cost. The apostle urges them to sacrifice their selfish feelings and to commit themselves to working out their problems, particularly in light of the fact that their pagan neighbors are watching their behavior. He points out that his appeal is not based upon any credentials that he himself might have, but upon the compelling love of Christ which was demonstrated in his life and sacrificial death. This love, says Paul, is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy—and the only basis upon which fractured groups or interpersonal relations may be healed."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Although, as noted by both my commentary* as well as commentary from the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) which both indicate several themes (including Paul's thankfulness for the Philippians' financial support, and for warnings about false teachers), this afternoon I am most struck by how Paul focuses on an exhortation to Euodia and Syntyche to put aside their disagreements and focus on service and love of one another as a gesture of unity within the local church. John MacArthur indicates that "apparently, the disunity in the Philippian church was about to destroy the integrity of its testimony". 

I often struggle with pride and arrogance and these sins cause me to lash out to others in various settings and of course this causes problems of disunity and fracture.  Paul stresses humility and service to others once again as a means to drive unity.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with other believers in the church - these people have supported and encouraged me through difficult times and I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus! Yet I often put my own interests above others and this causes great harm.  Please forgive me Jesus for these sins and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 11-14

Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 1 Corinthians 14:26

Day 334 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this afternoon the focus is on chapters 11-14 of Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. One of Paul's emphases with these chapters is unity within the church based on the New Covenant which based on John Piper's post includes not just a covenant to Christ but also to the local church.  Paul encourages believers to support one another within the church, particularly those in need (1 Corinthians 11), but also to support one another in use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12).  Paul describes love as the greatest gift and all of the other gifts means nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13).  

See also

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Corinthians 1-4

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Day 332 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning focusing on Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. Paul stresses unity in Christ as the primary theme in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians.  Some had begun to follow specific teachers such as Paul or Apollos (see post yesterday). Some began to view themselves as better than others as a result and so Paul also warns of pride and arrogance. Paul urges humility as we all serve Christ and no one is better than another.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is You who are amazing and anything amazing that I experience is because of You at work in me and others - I am amazed at how You work in me...as broken as I am.  I am blessed.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am blessed beyond what I deserve - I fail often to love You first and I am easily distracted by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

2 Kings 17-18

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Day 188 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning we see Israel's (northern kingdom) fall. My commentary* describes "one of the darkest hours of God's chosen nation" and how "[d]espite prophetic warnings, Israel still rejects God, and the end is at hand for the northern tribes. Last-minute desperation will lead to an alliance with Egypt in an effort to stave off Assyria, but the cause is hopeless. After a three-year siege, Samaria will fall and many of the people of Israel will be led captive to Assyria. Their lands and homes will be occupied by settlers sent in from Babylonia and other Eastern countries. These new Samaritans will become a hybrid people and will develop an unusual mixed religion."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Detailed thoroughly in today's reading, there are many factors leading to Israel's fall, but in my mind lack of gratitude and humility are key - we must be thankful for all that God has done and that all that we are and have are from Him alone and not of our own doing.  We express our gratitude through daily worship and time with God.

I am struck with how BOTH Judah and Israel were complicit in Israel's fall.  From my reading this morning God "removed them from [H]is presence" (2 Kings 17:18, 23). We should never want this to happen!  Unity, encouragement of one another, and accountability in our faith are also important. 

God desires to get the attention of both kingdoms and so instead of a single kingdom as we see under David and Solomon, we get the divided kingdoms as today's reading refers back to 1 Kings 11 where Israel is "tore away" from Judah:

When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin. 2 Kings 17:21

Today's reading is also a stark reminder how the church and believers must remain united in love of the Lord.  See also 1 Corinthians 12:12:26.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much for me and who continues to be with me - always!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I continue to sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised[.]

2 Samuel 8:2-14, 12:18-31, 23:8-39, 1 Chronicles 18:2-13, and 11:10-47

These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised[.] 1 Chronicles 11:10

Day 99 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the death of David and Bathsheba's illegitimate child, David's reaction, and how God, despite David's sin, maintained favor as towards David - twice it is mentioned that "[t]he Lord gave David victory wherever he went" (2 Samuel 8:6, 14). 

Today's reading also includes focus on David's mighty men or warriors who, "...together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised..." (1 Chronicles 11:10).

I have previously posted on why and how believing men need other believing men to walk alongside them in their journey with Christ, particularly in light of my post yesterday, where I discussed our internal and external enemies regarding sin.

I am grateful how God has provided other men in my life to encourage and strengthen me in my journey.

Today, I am convicted how I should strengthen other men as others have strengthened me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided MANY great Christian men in my life who have walked alongside me - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...he loved him as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 18-20 and Psalm 59

...he loved him as he loved himself. 1 Samuel 18:1, 3, and 20:17

Day 89 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on David's continued rise to prominence within Israel, and correspondingly, Saul's growing jealousy and anger towards David - and Saul seeks to kill David.  In the midst of this, Jonathan and David enjoy a flourishing friendship and this friendship is my focus today.

First, God commands us to love others (see Matthew 22:34-40 and John 13:34-35).  Next, we all NEED brothers and sisters in Christ, and in particular men need other men.  It is through unity with others - particularly other believers - where we draw strength.  That is why

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.

Ruth 1-4

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. Ruth 4:18-22

Day 79 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Ruth, a young widower Moabite woman with great loyalty and love for her mother-in-law, an older widower Israelite woman named Naomi.

John Piper has a great summary of Ruth and he believes the key takeaway from Ruth is that "[i]t was written and it has been preached to give you some...encouragement and hope that all the perplexing turns in your life lately are not dead-end streets. In all the setbacks of your life as a believer God is plotting for your joy."

Both Ruth and Naomi suffer greatly but lean on each other.  In my view this is another great takeaway - unity centered on faith among believers helps us persist through the trials and tribulations of life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me great men and women believers who have helped me walk through dark valleys - thank You Jesus!  My faith has been strengthened through these people - angels indeed.  I am not deserving of how You bless me with these angels.  I continue to sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

3 John 1

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. v8

In contrast to Diotrephes (see v9-10), Gaius extends hospitality to other (itinerant) believers (ministers) and John commends Gaius for this in this very personal letter.  John believes that it is important to "work together [with other believers] for the truth".

See also posts on , .

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for and sustains all things - thank You Jesus for how You provide and sustain.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

1 Timothy 1

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. v8

Paul starts out writing Timothy about the need to prevent the spread of false teaching.  Doctrinal truth is critical and we should avoid false teachers and teachings for many reasons - which of course starts with a desire to SEEK truth (or a "hunger and thirst for righteousness" - see also Matthew 5:6).  We can practically gain a better understanding of truth through both our own study as well as study with and through others as "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17).  

John Piper provides great insights into how the search for truth and fellowship/unity are both important - see this post.  Unity can only be gained through truth.  Piper calls this "purity for the sake of unity".

On the other hand, which is also what Piper indicates, false teaching creates division.

If we have truth in our heart, we should expect to see fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) - I believe it is useful to ask those around us if fruit is present in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am grateful for the fruit You have produced in my life.  I know You are not done but I DO know that fruit is present - thank You Jesus!  Thank You for giving me a desire for You, faith, and truth.  Yet I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues - daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Romans 16

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. v17-18

As Paul closes out his letter to believers in Rome, he focuses once again on unity but this time through the lens of doctrinal purity. There are people both in the church who pull us apart and away from God - we must be on the lookout for these people and avoid them.

Also, John Piper, in this post, helps us understand that we must have BOTH unity and doctrinal purity and emphasizes purity for the sake of unity as both cannot exist without each other.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has helped me find both greater purity and unity through brothers and sisters in Christ - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love and blessings as I worry - far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

John 17

Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. v23

In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays for all believers and He prays that they be unified - this is important because churches often are not unified for various reasons.  When the world sees churches as lacking in unity, it gives outsiders an opportunity to claim hypocrisy and it damages the purpose/mission of the church.  When the church (and churches unified with each other) is unified it is apparent to the world (community) around the church and this attracts the world to the church and Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have provided me with a great church and I am grateful!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of the love and blessings You pour out on me.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.