Showing posts with label 1 corinthians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 corinthians. Show all posts

Friday, July 10, 2009

Day 82 Reading the Bible in 90 Days


Welcome to the long and winding road as we continue our stretch. Today we're going to finish Corinthians and also go into Galatians.

1 Corinthians 15

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

The statement many people ask you concerning Christianity often times is, is one saved. "Are you saved," they ask as they are evangelizing. This is awkward questioned if you are not knowledgeable and inappropriate question if you are. The verse above adds to what Jesus said in Matthew 24, "he that endures to the end shall be saved." Paul says the preached to us the gospel and we are saved if we keep in memory all that he has preached over the years. You have to constantly be doing what Paul teaches, which is ultimately what Jesus taught in order to be saved. If you stop, if you do not endure to the end; you will not be saved. So is there a once saved, always saved? No, you can always fall from grace.

Paul tells us that everything said about Jesus is true; that He died and rose on the third day, and was seen by many, then finally seen by Paul like one born out of due season (v8). Jesus was born into the God family ahead of the appointed time, which is to be at the seventh day. In terms of God birth, He was like a premature baby .

People in Paul's day did not believe in the Resurrection, and many today do not; however, these same people attend church and keep faith in the scripture. This is backwards; if there were no Resurrection I must be perfectly honest, there would be no reason to sit and read 12 chapters a day for the last 82 days. There is no great reward in this life to look towards, and no damnable punishment to fear; so it would be a free for all. Paul says if there is no resurrection then Christ wasn't raised. If Christ wasn't raised, we are still in our sins and doomed for death. All our loved ones who died and finished, never to be seen again and everything we do in serving God is in vain. In vain means for nothing.

20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

However, Jesus did rise from the dead, the first fruits of them that slept or died. In the feast of weeks; you are to wave your first fruits to the Lord, this represented Christ. Every man will be made alive in order, first Jesus, then all who died in Jesus Christ, and they will be raised at His coming. There is no man in heaven right now; but we already knew and confirmed that in the Old Testament.

Death Destroyed

26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Paul also explains that we will have the same looking body; but it will not be of flesh and blood. However, we must sow or plant this body in order to get a new body (v32-50). We are made of earth now; so we are earthy; but when we are resurrected we will have a heavenly body. When a seed is planted, you just don't get the fruit; you get a tree bearing fruit; so our resurrection or change will be glorious.

The Last Trumpet

51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Not all will die; but all will be changed into bodies that are incorruptible. In a twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet blown, which is the seventh trumpet. Then death will be put away.

55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

This great sting of death will be removed out of the righteous existence. Death is stinging; not only to the one who died; but more to the close family and friends the dead left behind. It is a sting that reminds us or should remind us rather of the painful decision to listen to Satan rather than God in the Garden of Eden. Every time someone dies, especially those close to us, it should remind you of the destruction sin has made on the earth. Hopefully, it sobers one to focus on God and Christ and avoid sin.

1 Corinthians 16

Paul is making plans, his travel plans with the saints and he is still keeping the feast of the Lord. 8But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. We will not move into the second book of Corinthians

2 Corinthians 1 Paul is still only greeting the Father and the Christ. I think Paul is a bit arrogant towards God the Holy Ghost. He has not greeted him in none of his letters as of yet.

2Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Paul tells us in this letter that we will have tribulations as he had great afflictions from God. He was near death plenty of times, and we read some of them in the Acts; but God delivers.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 2

Paul, being heavy of heart writes that we should all be forgiving people. Just as the example Jesus gave to forgive, we should always keep that in mind to forgive our brothers and sisters so that we can obtain mercy from the Father in Heaven.

2 Corinthians 3

Paul speaks on the glory of the New Covenant. If during the administration of death, which we are living in today, Moses was able to shine with the glory of God among the children of Israel, then certainly in the administration of life, which is to come and is with Jesus, the shine will be more glorious. Moses had to use a veil; but when we see Christ in His glory, we will not have to use a veil and Christ we will see in His full glory.

2 Corinthians 4

We share the gospel freely Paul adjures, we hold nothing back; if someone does not have it, it is because they are lost and refused it being blind to the ruler of this world, the devil. They did not want the gospel of truth that is in Christ, who is the image of God.

14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We are working hard each day of our lives to show ourselves approved of God, and we know God raised up Christ from the dead. So the hardships we go through in this life are just for a moment; it seems hard now; but the reward or eternal life and abundant life is not to compare to the few minutes of hardship we are having now. The key is verse 18; to look towards the things not seen; what is seen, the new car, is temporal, but what is not seen, the house of many mansions is eternal.

2 Corinthians 5

1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

This chapter is not meant to confuse but it can do a good job of it if you don't have a good understanding. Our body is our tabernacle, that is why on the Feast of Tabernacles, you dwell in temporary booths for seven days, then on the eighth day you get out of that booth. The seven days represents the 7 days you have in the flesh as a man (or woman). On the eighth day, you become God, if you've lived according to His ways, or you go into destruction. Same things with the circumcision, 7 days you have the foreskin representing flesh, then on the eighth day you are to circumcise the child representing the rolling off of flesh, being man, into becoming God.

So when we speak of a earthly house, we are indeed speaking of this body we are in now. It is not to say when we die, we leave this body and go to our heavenly body; but rather we will be changed into that body. Paul is speaking it as a metaphor, which make people thing they have a new body waiting for them; as if they look like Margaret Thatcher now, but when they receive their new body they will look like Cindy Crawford. That is not the case! What you have now, is what you'll have in the kingdom, except with more glory and shine.

6Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

While we are in the flesh, we are no good to the Father. He created us to be perfect beings to live forever. We search and found a way to die and so while we are in the flesh we are absent from the Lord.

10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We all will have to and we are doing so now; if you do so righteously now; you will avoid standing in judgment but will judge. Therefore we must continue our work as ambassadors for Christ. We should seek to get as many into His kingdom as possible.

2 Corinthians 6

1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

People usually take this and run with the globe thinking it is pertaining to marriage. They believe this gives them a reason to divorce their spouse because they are baptist and their spouse is Lutheran. It does not; rather Paul is saying don't spend quality time with unbelievers who refuse to believe. Remember, one spoiled apple can ruin the entire bag; this is why Jesus had a message of destroy evil out of Israel because it is cancerous. Before long you will have to kill the entire nation because you did not kill the two or three rebellious people.

Now the message is spare them, love them, take care of the evil people. Let the wheat grow with the tares, and they will be separated at the end of the the harvest because evil and good are intermingled like a black and white in the United States. Be careful in your engagement to unrighteous people, keep your guard and edge and purpose to attempt to shed light on them and not allow them to respread their darkness onto you.

2 Corinthians 7

1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

With all the promises of eternal life, rulership, no tears, no sorrow, we should rid ourselves of all filthiness and perfect our walk with the Lord. Why risk missing out on all of His goodness He has stored for us?

2nd Corinthians chapter 8

Being generous towards one another is goal of the godly to keep and establish. 9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Jesus made Himself poor just so He can serve us; so we should constantly be thinking of giving and being generous towards one another.

2 Corinthians 9

1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Although this is a preachers favorite line, "God loves a cheerful giver" it is a true line. Keep your tithes if you are unhappy to give it. Have you ever been bugged by someone about an item, then finally you say, "fine you can have it, take it!" Does the person take it? If they really needed the item, they will, but where I grew up they usually say something to the effect of, "I don't even want it anymore."

If you are not happy to give to God and to your fellow human, simply do not give then.

2 Corinthians Chapter 10

Paul is defending his ministry. Obviously some men had problems with how he was spreading the word of God; so Paul just takes measured steps to show that his work has been after the Lord.

18For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. The bottom line is that we need not approval from men; but from the Lord only.

2 Corinthians 11

1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Paul feared that after all his teaching, people will be subtly tricked into another doctrine that does not belong to Jesus yet it uses His name all the day long. So we have to be aware if someone comes to us preaching about another Jesus who Paul and the disciples have not preached about. We have to be aware of someone who comes with a spirit we have not heard. If they do, we should bear with them, or deal with them.

What do you mean another Jesus, I didn't know there were two? We read that it was Jesus custom to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and read and teach. We read Paul and the disciples doing like their Master as well. How often do we go to the church on the Sabbath day and read or be taught or teach?

Jesus said He has long time desired to come to the earth to Jerusalem. How often have you desired to be raptured into heaven to be with the Lord?

Jesus said He will raise up all that was given to Him on the last day. How often have you looked to heaven and thought about your loved one smiling down on you? You see, this is Jesus, and the other is the other Jesus that Paul is warning us to look out for and when we see that other Jesus we need to straighten him out.

13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

There were false prophets in the days of the children of Israel, so even there are false apostles in this day working deceit making themselves to be apostles of Jesus Christ. This is not amazing because they get it from Satan who made himself an angel of light. Satan couldn't trick anyone if you walked in the building and he said, "welcome to the house of Satan." I think anyone looking for Jesus would run. However, if Satan welcomed you in the name of Jesus, then proceed to share his doctrine cloaked under the name of Jesus, unless you read for yourself you would not know you are being hoodwinked.

Paul Boasts Boldly

21I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

22Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

Paul let's us know that he went through the ringer in serving the Lord. We read about some in Acts; but there is more (v23-28). He let's us know again that he is a Hebrew Israelite of the seed of Abraham just like the Pharisees and any other teacher of the bible.

Sometimes, it is good to read someones credentials.

2 Corinthians 12

Paul Reflects on the Day He was Blinded

1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

This is thought to be his famous out of body experience that movies have been based on; but it was simply the way he described it and a bit of lack of knowledge by people that has caused this. Paul knew a man Christ about 14 years ago, if Christ was in the earthly body or in His heavenly body, Paul could not tell only God knows. Paul said Christ was like someone caught up to the third heaven. This let's us know that there are three heavens; but more important to our fact is that Paul could not tell if Jesus appeared to him physically or was He in the third heaven shouting down to Paul. Paul could not know because light shined on him and blinded him to the ground.

Paul did not go to the third heaven, and he did not have an out of body experience. Whatever happened to Paul that day, he could not tell what it was, so how can we?

4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Here Paul is speaking of Jesus and not himself.

2 Corinthians 13

1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Jesus said the same thing and Moses wrote it that in two or three witnesses is a fact established.

5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

6But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Okay the Holy Ghost is mentioned but not in the capacity of God. Jesus also already told us that the comforter is the Holy Ghost, He will send in His name to comfort us. So we just have to find out what it is exactly and we will read about it soon.

Galatians 1

1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul was made an apostle by Jesus Christ, and not ordained by men. He greets us again by the Father and by Christ.

12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Paul was separated by Jesus to teach the nations. It says Gentiles a lot because the Gentiles (Romans) were ruling at the time and are now; but Paul was the apostle to the nations, the heathens and not just the Gentiles. He was not taught by man; after he was blinded he went into Arabia, then to Damascus for roughly three years, reading the scriptures over to get the solid understanding to be an able teacher of Christ. Then he came back and met with Peter about his mission.

19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. When we see or saw James the son of Mary; this is referring to Jesus brother in the flesh that Mary had after Jesus among other children. James is also the author of the book of James we will read shortly. With Paul's conversion; many people glorified God. We know how it is to see a guy who is good for nothing change his life and we immediately have to give God the glory for this.

Galatians Chapter 2

Paul was given a hard time after his conversion; but was ultimately accepted by the apostles. 7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Paul was sent to teach the heathen or what the Jews called the uncircumcision, just as Peter was sent to the lost tribes of Israel or the circumcision to teach the gospel.

Paul confronted Peter however, because he and the other apostles were not doing right. They ate with Gentiles secretly; but when other Jews came they would separate themselves as if they had no dealings with the Gentiles. Paul was not happy with this because, if Peter being a Jew is compelling Gentiles to live as the Jew; why was he acting like a Gentiles; one who is respecter of persons.

21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Our faith in Jesus is what will keep us; not our deeds of the law. Which law?

Galatians Chapter 3

So do we have faith in Jesus as our sacrifice or do we continue to keep the law of animal sacrifice? This is what this chapter is saying while leaving words out. Do we have faith in Jesus or do we keep the law? It is obvious, some Jews in Galatia had reverted back to killing and sacrificing animals to God. Doing this voids Jesus and puts no faith in His death and resurrection as our passover lamb.

13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law of animal sacrifice. After we sinned; we had to go get a goat or lamb and kill it to make atonement of our sins. It was pointless because the animal didn't sin, we did, so it didn't even remove our sin. Paying a speeding ticket doesn't remove it from your record. Paying bail doesn't remove being arrested from your record. Getting a pardon and a forgiveness removes those from your record. Jesus pardoned us; and removed the curse of killing animals as was law to do; and instead we find grace through Him.

Jesus tells the Father to forgive him, he didn't mean to do it. That is how we get grace from our High Priest, Jesus Christ.

17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Genesis 17 is the covenant; and Jesus confirmed it; now this covenant came 430 before the law of animal sacrifice. Animal sacrificial law cannot dis annul the promise that God made Abraham.

19Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

The law was added because of sins. So we know for a fact this is animal sacrificial law. The wages of sin is death; so instead of man dying, God implemented a temporary law to slow down sinning. It was not in the laws of the world to go to jail for murder. It was added for those who broke the law and murdered someone.

24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The law of animal sacrifice was to let us know what Jesus was for us; a sin offering. When we sinned and an animal took our place in dying we were suppose to see that this is exactly what Jesus was going to do in place of the animal for us. Instead we just continue to enjoy the great taste of roasted lamb and goat, and even brought other unclean animals into the mix.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Once you have faith in Jesus and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, we become one, no longer Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor, men, women, but are one in Jesus Christ. We still must keep the commandments of the Lord but not the animal sacrificial commandment, which He nailed to the cross when the veil ripped in the temple when He died.

This concludes our reading today; we will see again tomorrow.

--

Due

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Day 81 of Reading the Bible in 90 Days


Good morning; the count begins. We are having fun and learning a great deal. I'm so happy to do this and I'm so happy you've joined the entire time. Let us begin in Romans chapter 15 today.

Romans 15


1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.


Paul tells us that those who are strong in the faith should have patience with those who are not as strong. It is the same thing in the physical world, men should have patience with women, strongest military men should bear the infirmities of the weak and go to war instead them, and do this until the weak have grown in faith. Because it is good to please your neighbor although the world has totally forgotten about doing this. In verse three we see the prophecy written in the Psalms and in Songs of Songs chapter 1; the reproaches of the children of Israel and the world have fallen on Jesus Christ.


8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:


Jesus was the minister of the circumcision for the truth of God and He confirmed the promises made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the covenant that the circumcision was a token of; you can read about it in Genesis 17 and 22. Daniel chapter 9 confirmed that Jesus the Messiah would confirm these covenants for us when He died for our sins.


Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles


16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.


Romans Chapter 16


Paul is greeting a bunch of saints in his farewell letter to the Romans; but here is a verse that stands out:


20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.


In day one of this reading; we saw Eve deceived and Adam disobedient and Satan lying, and they all received punishments from God. Satan's punishment is shown here, the God of peace shall bruise Satan's head doing so under your feet, and Satan will bruise the Lord's heel. Once again; this was Jesus in the very beginning.


The Truth Kept Secret Until Revealed by the Prophets Through Scriptures


25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:


We're moving right into 1st Corinthians chapter 1

1 Corinthians 1


3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.


I just like to point out how Paul has no respect for God the Holy Spirit because he always greets us through God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. He never makes mention of God the Holy Ghost. It is because, perhaps, the Holy Spirit is not part of the Godhead.


While there started to be much disputes in the church over different topics, and many churches get into this in our days where they say, "pastor Xyz says this," but another will say "well pastor Abc does this and says it is this way," and no one ever says "well what does the Bible say about it?" Paul had to remind them that he does not have a kingdom to put anyone in nor a lake of fire to dump anyone into; so they should focus on pleasing God.


13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
We were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; so it is Him we should take all questions to.


The Father Gave It to the Babes and Not the Wise & Prudent


25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;


You'll notice that those who are celebrity, wise in the world, rich, it is hard for them to walk the true path of God. If they do you almost instantly see them drop from the celebrity lime light and the media will begin to make them look foolish; but the ways of God are hid from the prudent and are given to people of simplicity.

1 Corinthians chapter 2


5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Paul tells the Corinthians that their faith should not be by the wisdom of men; but in the power of God. If you believe in the power of God, then your faith is very strong because you will be able to believe the resurrection from the dead, you can believe that although men like you and I have written the pages in the Bible thousands of years ago; but with the direction of God have they preserved it and passed it down intact for us to read and believe today. That is certainly the power of God.


Paul expresses that people of the world will look at us with biblical understanding as we are knowledgeable but they are wondering how we know so much about the bible? It is because the spirit of God is in us, revealing to us the things we ask for; but also we walk in the Spirit so it is pleasing to the Lord to give.


14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


A man who does not believe you can read this entire bible to him with understanding but he won't understand so the Lord will not give him anything spiritually because he does not believe. Did Jesus heal anyone who did not believe that He could do it? No.

1 Corinthians 3


Divisions in the Church!


1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?


Paul again talks about people saying they follow Paul, while others follow another; Paul says make sure you follow Christ.


11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
In the word of God; you may have read a book that made you think about following the Lord, or a friend took you to their bible study and certain things discussed there intrigued you, and then you were inspired to read the entire bible. These are all foundational things that brought us to the word of God; but everyone has to remember that the first foundation was laid by Jesus Christ. No man comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him.


18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.


If you think you are wise in this world, humble yourself and call yourself foolish so the Lord can actually make you wise. No additional water can be poured into a full bucket without it over flowing. And who knows, the water that overflows could be the good knowledgeable water. So empty out first, get rid of all your past wise inclinations and be foolish before God.

1 Corinthians 4


5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.


There is no reason to judge; but to wait on the Lord to return and do the judging because we are sure at that time all judgment will be righteous and not slighted. We also should not think we are oh so great because God has given us understanding in His word. REMEMBER, we read it so we obviously did not discover it! So what wisdom is in us? Just the wisdom to read it and accept it as true.

1 Corinthians 5


1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. Here we have some people who were committing fornication. If we look up the word it says, "voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other (dictionary.com)."


If this is the case; it is probably youngsters, not officially married, probably with no plans to marry, and no covenant agreement to marry. They are just having sexual intercourse. This is not good because any woman who is penetrated is defiled so in spiritual reality, there is no such thing as fornication. When you lie with a woman, she becomes yours and you become hers. Jacob had to keep all four women because he penetrated them. David had many wives but was only punished for penetrating one that was not his. So if you believe you can "hanky-panky" around because you are not married with an agreement, think again and pray to the Lord for understanding with this.


6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Just a little sin makes the makes the whole body sinful.
7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


In a duality of meanings, purge out the old leaven; in other words, get rid of the old person you were before you knew the Lord and become new with the baptism because Jesus Christ is our Passover, sacrificed for us, for our sins. Jesus was the Passover lamb whose blood covers our sins; so it is important to make sure you take the Passover  at its time, in its season as Leviticus 23 outlines for us. The Passover ceremony represents Jesus.


If we get rid of our past lives filled with fornication and other immoral ungodly acts then we can enjoy and keep the feast of the Lord with sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians chapter 6


Saint's Will Judge the World, Even Angels

2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.


We should be able to make good judgment today being that if we are resurrected with Christ we will judge angels and many others. Paul is attempting to help the people prepare for judging big things and not pertain to small matters. A man will become God at the resurrection and make a judgment on Satan the devil. Isn't that something? So stop taking your brother to court and make a good judgment on the issue.


The Wicked Do Not Inherit the Kingdom of God

9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.


I saw effeminate in there and had to look it up. It means not manly, or men having softness or traits of a woman. I think Paul is referring to your local homosexual hangouts. These do not enter into God's kingdom.


Fornicators

14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


When you lay with different people, you are joining together with these; a man go deal with a harlot and boom you have joined Christ to a harlot. Paul says to flee from this and not sin against your own body because you are still in a rent to own situation. God is the bank that bought the house, you are in the flesh renting it; hoping to own it on the last day. Do not defile the house while waiting for ownership; follow the rules of the lease before the whole house is burned to the ground.

1 Corinthians 7


The Answer to Fornication is Marriage

1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.


If you feel you have to have sexual intercourse regularly, then Paul recommends a woman find herself a husband and a man find himself a wife. And render benevolence to each other; for this is one of the chief reasons for marriage, the intimacy.


Paul tells the unmarried and the widow to refrain from marrying unless they just feel they have to. 9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. It is better to marry then to commit adultery or fornication and burn in the fire.


10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.


We read where the Lord said this when the Sadducees and Pharisees were trying to tempt Him. Only for adultery; other than that, there is no such thing as divorce to the Lord. Your husband beats you or is abusive; leave but do not remarry. Give him time to get help for that; report it to the elders, if he doesn't get help send him to the dept of corrections, let some men beat on him. The thing is pray and fast very hard before you think of getting a divorce.


Paul also address marriages where both were not into the word but suddenly you see the light and are into the Lord's word. Your spouse is not; do not leave your spouse because they do not want to deal with the Lord. If they want to leave, then you allow them to leave; but do not push them away.


19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.


Paul is referring to people here and not the actual circumcision. Being an Israelite is nothing, being a non Israelite is nothing, all that matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. This is what Paul is illustrating in verse 19.


32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.


Paul is telling the virgins and unmarried their advantage; and it is quite true. A man is focused on pleasing God; and a part of pleasing God is pleasing your wife. The only thing is your wife is more tangible to your physical than God is; so at times men get caught up in pleasing their wives more than they please God. Do not let this be you. The unmarried have the ability to focus on the Lord. However, it is a blessing from the Lord to send a man a good wife, and a woman a good husband.

1 Corinthians 8


1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.


Stop it. There is only one God, the Father, so offering anything to anyone or anything else is not to be done.


13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.


In other words; drinking wine is not a sin but many consider it offensive. If you are ministering to someone who believes drinking is bad; then do not drink when that person is around. Do no ill-perceived functions so people do not turn away from the word of God at your behavior, which may not be sin, but appears so to the unlearned in the word of God.


1 Corinthians chapter 9


Paul says he is worthy of his pay and worthy to teach being an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He became all things to all people in order to teach them and it become important as we teach other that we do what we are teaching unless we get thrown out for being a hypocrite.


27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 10


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


This is a big chapter in the New Testament by Paul, because although we have already prove it many times, and read it many times, this confirms it and it screams volumes to the average bible reader.


When the children of Israel came out of Egypt under the cloud, do not be ignorant of the fact they passed through a sea that parted for them and were baptized to Moses (he was the intercessor). Those in the wilderness at the same bible food we are eating today, they ate the same spiritual meat and drink, that drink was the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament He was not known as Jesus, He was Jehovah or Yahweh. He came in His Father's name that is why He was Jesus while here in the flesh.


So if Jesus Christ is the so-called mean Old Testament God, who killed people for picking up sticks on the Sabbath day, who sent serpents to bite and kill people who grudged against Him and His servant Moses, He gave the Ten Commandments from the mount, He separated the clean and unclean beast we can eat, He gave Israel the blessings and curses, He punished David for adultery, and He gave us the feast days and High Sabbaths to observe, then ended it with He does not change, what do you think we have to do?


Take warning and take heed and follow the commandments of God. It has been JESUS the entire time that is why He said we have never heard the Father nor seen His shape.


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


Not everyone that left Egypt entered into the land. In fact if you were over twenty when you came out of Egypt, you didn't get into the land. This is why it is good to read; so we learn from other people's mistakes and not just our own.


The Old Testament Were Written for Our Warnings

9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.


The Gentiles still sacrifice to devils and not God. You have to pick a table to eat from; you can't sit at the Lord of the Sabbath's table and at the 1st day of the week's table at the same time; you must pick one.

1 Corinthians 11


1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.


While in church woman should have her head covered and a man should have his uncovered for the reasons in verses 3.


7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.


Man is in the image of God and woman was taken from man. For this cause, a woman should have power on her head, she should have her covering because of the angels. Satan, a fallen angel, came and deceived Eve because she did not have her head (the man) covered. She was deceived because of this.

1 Corinthians 12


1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.


We all have different gifts we bring to the table spiritually. You may be able to heal, or you may just put a smile and comforting word in the mouth of those who see you; who knows; but we all have spiritual gifts from the Lord and should be thankful to Him for them.


Since we are all the body of Christ and all members we are all just as important.


21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.


Just think of it in terms of your body, if you were to lose just your baby toe you'd feel the awkwardness in losing that member.

1 Corinthians 13


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


Here is Paul's chapter on love. It is important to have love and charity. Many people do not know how to love and have a kind heart because the Gentiles exercise authority over each other. So that mentality is one that wants to rule over others; and it is hard to show love when you want to rule over others and when you are being ruled over harshly.


11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Every man today needs to adopt this and end being childish.

1 Corinthians 14


1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
This chapter is about the spiritual gifts and of speaking in tongues. Whenever we speak, we are using our tongues so we all speak in tongues to say the least. However, tongues can mean languages in some instances, and then it can mean speaking in a way no one understands as you see some preachers and church members do.
3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.


When you speak clearly prophesying, you edify men; when you speak in an unknown tongue, you edify yourself. So far in this reading the words are in the English language, the official language of the countries I am citizen of. But if I type this: akdadk;akd adafkad akd;adka;dak. Perhaps, you cannot understand it (I can't either); that does not edify you. If I told you that it means, peace on earth (it does not); then it would be edifying. So when someone has a moment and they utter things that clearly no one can understand, i.e, speaking in tongues, then it will be profitable for you to explain what you said to the edifying of others listening.


5I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.


Paul spoke many languages; this is probably one of the many reasons the Lord used Him to be an apostle to the Gentiles. One has to be able to communicate the Lord's word. This is what Paul is referring to when he says he wish we could speak with tongues. He is not referring to the babbling of the mouth seen in some churches today (I do write this not to offend but to educate and edify).


11Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
If you speak and non can understand you; you are barbaric in nature.
13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. Just as a man who speaks Spanish to another man who does not understand Spanish, it is pointless unless he or someone interprets it for the listener. The same way it should be done when one speaks in tongues, they should explain what they are saying.


19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.


To a Japanese crowd that speaks no English, I'd rather be able to say in Japanese "Peace be with you all." than to preach two hours of what is written in the book of Romans in English. I believe that makes sense? If you are going to speak the tongues you should have the people understand what you are saying.


20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.


Now understanding this, that the Lord wrote with other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; so if they spoke the old Hebrew language, then another tongue or language qualifies English, French, Spanish, etc to be spoken to this people.


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


Women Preaching?

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


Not today with all the women preachers on television; but there is room on this one; it is that, concerning the word of God, a woman should not preside over a man.


22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.


Speaking in tongues, the babbling in the zeal for God, Paul categorized that as people wanting to give or have a sign from God and Jesus said a evil generation seeks after a sign. Therefore speaking in tongues is a sign for people who actually do not believe. It is a sign for non-believers and not believers. If you speak in tongues and do not edify the church in what you said, that is a sign of non believers.


Peace and grace today; we have read another 14 or 15 chapters and we are done for today. We will resume tomorrow in the name of Jesus Christ.


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