Preface
Christians can sometimes get into a mess by organizing themselves into a local church. Each person in the church is an imperfect, forgiven, damaged saint. They are not omniscient, nor are they completely sanctified, so they make mistakes, they fight with others, they impose their values on others and they still sin. This is clearly a recipe for a mess.
Sexual Immorality is Always Bad, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
A libertarian self-absorbed philosophy of life often defends its choices with an aggressive argument for individuality, “I’m not hurting anyone else. I choose to live the way I want. That is my right and no one else’s business.”
Preserving Marriage, 1 Corinthians 7:1-16
Marriage and fidelity give a person a protection and satisfaction that has no other equal. Sexual satisfaction is a benefit to both husband and wife.
Enter the Race to Win: 1 Corinthians 9:23-27
Athletes set their sights on a crown that is made of vegetation. It is a crown or recognition placed on the head of the one who wins a rac. But, it is a prize that will not last. It will wilt, decompose, and fade away.
But those who are followers of Jesus Christ pursue a prize that will last forever. It has a value that is eternal. Interestingly, there is NO emphasis on only ONE winning this prize. Instead, it is available for everyone who runs this race.
Super Heroes among Us: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The distribution of gifts belongs exclusively to the Spirit. It is a remarkable function to have the third person of the Trinity giving out supernatural endowments, enabling their effective use and knitting the myriad of Christians together as one united body. This feature of active spiritual gifts is a powerful testimony of the presence of God among a gathering of believers.
Jesus Has Risen – 1 Corinthians 15:12-34
We cannot accept Jesus’ Resurrection as true but deny the validity of the resurrection prophetically. Jesus’ Resurrection validates our future resurrection as prophetic fact. Nothing is more important.
Comfort Through Times of Trouble – 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
We hurt. It is compounded by the feelings of helplessness and aloneness. Our minds drown in the mire of suspicion, fear, despondency and doubt.
But God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, pours His compassion and comfort into our lives. He wraps us in His strong arms and soothes our hurt. Those troubles no longer become the focus of our lives because His presence overwhelms them.
Mercy for All – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
When God brings His grace and invades our hopeless lives, we are undone. As recipients of His goodness, we are stunned, realizing our failings more than ever, especially as we become aware that Jesus died for those sins. It doesn’t bring us to neutral but brings us to eternal significance.
There is Life Beyond this Life – 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
As we mature in our faith, we must learn to live not just by what our earthly eyes see. Rather, we must also look through the eyes of faith and ponder what will be forever. Whenever that transition occurs for us, it will be glorious.
Ministers Love All People – 2 Corinthians 6:3-13
No one in the ministry is careless about people. None of us ever want to be the cause of someone else’s stumbling. But, we don’t serve with paranoia. Stuff happens. It can even be brutal but we’re not whiners, complainers nor do we react with nasty attacks. Instead, we who are called to His ministry work diligently to endure everything no matter how troublesome, difficult or stressful the work becomes.
Generous Giving – 2 Corinthians 9:6-14
Once we decide on how much to give to the Lord’s work, we should stick to our plan. The giving must, however, be done with a cheerful attitude. God doesn’t need our money but He loves a giver who does so with gladness in his giving.
Weapons of Righteousness – 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
Two qualities helped the Apostle Paul face the horrific task of facing those who were his critics. One was “meekness” and the other was “gentleness”. The first is an inner strength of character that can accept the abuse by others with calmness. The second is graciousness larger than one single life. Both are supernatural Christ-like qualities demonstrated by our savior Himself.
Serious Scrutiny – 2 Corinthians 12:19-21
Quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder are symptoms of lives that do not submit to the Lordship of Christ. These habits divide people. Expressions of these aspects of life hurt relationships, destroy loyalty and distract from the true Gospel presentation.
Grace, Unity and Hope – 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Life is rough. We all have regrettable moments, scars from unpleasant encounters and nightmares of distant horrible episodes. Nevertheless, grace changes the focus.
There are no magic pills that wipe out the past from our memories. History has a way of solidifying facts permanently recorded somewhere in the recesses of our minds. That reality, however, does not have to be our focus in life That is the option that grace gives us.