1 cor 16:13-14
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With this final chapter, Paul is going to a sharp turn from a doctrinal road, onto a practical one. And its on this final stretch of road that Paul is gonna give us several exhortations in regard to giving, doing the Lord’s work, faithful living and love within the Christian fellowship.
Chapters 1-14 are all about their bad behavior.
Chapter 15 is all about their bad theology.
Even Chapter 13 is a correction of the lovelessness that characterized their church.
But the beautiful thing is all the rebuke and correction was done with love. Paul was full of love for God and out of that love for God comes his rebukes…just as the Lord has rebukes his children
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
With this final chapter, Paul is going to a sharp turn from a doctrinal road, onto a practical one. And its on this final stretch of road that Paul is gonna give us several exhortations in regard to giving, doing the Lord’s work, faithful living and love within the Christian fellowship.
Sometimes when Jacqueline and I are driving somewhere and she’s aware that we need to take the next right, but I usually am not. And I discover this about 20 meters before the turn when she announces turn here. I hit the breaks and yell like Maverick in Top Gun BANK RIGHT!!!
This is similar to Paul’s abrupt turn from the future life (resurrection) back to the present life right where the Corinthians are living.
But John MacArthur says:
The life to come is far from unrelated to living here and now. Whenever God gives us a glimpse of the end times or of heaven, it is always for the purpose of helping us live more faithfully on earth.
Now there’s no way I have time to unpack all the exhortations that lays down, but I think it might be helpful to somebody to give a little drive by on some.
I think its important to warn you that I’m going to bounce around this chapter a little while I do this, but I’m gonna park in verses 13 & 14 because it is those two little verses that I believe is Paul’s summation of the entire letter.
1. Giving
1. Giving
1 Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. 2 On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. 3 When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it is suitable for me to go as well, they will travel with me.
V
As you know Paul has been answer questions in from a letter the Corinthians sent him. And he has used this phrase “Now about” in some form to indicate he answering one of their direct questions.
And it is to their credit that they’re asking this question because we all want to know God’s expectations about giving.
Weirsbe said we can learn some basic principles from Paul’s instructions here:
Giving is an act of worship - It is tragic when church members give only as a duty and forget that our offerings are to be “spiritual sacrifices” presented to the Lord ().
It is tragic when church members give only as a duty and forget that our offerings are to be “spiritual sacrifices” presented to the Lord ().
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 622.
Giving is personal - Just as it is an act of worship it is also a privilege to share in what belongs to God anyway with those in need.
Giving is systematic - As systematic as our collecting our paycheck, we should be systematic in setting aside our giving.
Giving is proportionate - I really love this one. The Jewish believers would have been accustomed to giving a Tithe, which simply means 10%. But Paul did not indicate any specific amount. He was telling us we give out of what has been given us. God doesn’t give us more to horde, God gives us more to give.
2. In vv. 5-7 Paul sets the example that all our planning is subject to God’s perfect and sovereign plan.
2. In vv. 5-7 Paul sets the example that all our planning is subject to God’s perfect and sovereign plan.
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated among the Gentiles—a man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Shouldn’t you be filled with grief and remove from your congregation the one who did this? 3 Even though I am absent in the body, I am present in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who has been doing such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are. For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. 10 I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. 11 But actually, I wrote you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? 13 God judges outsiders. Remove the evil person from among you. 1 If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the trivial cases? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels—how much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have such matters, do you appoint as your judges those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who is able to arbitrate between fellow believers? 6 Instead, brother goes to court against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 As it is, to have legal disputes against one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves do wrong and cheat—and you do this to brothers and sisters! 9 Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, 10 no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. 11 And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will do away with both of them. However, the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? So should I take a part of Christ’s body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that anyone joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For Scripture says, The two will become one flesh. 17 But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. 18 Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. 19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body. 1 Now in response to the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to use a woman for sex.” 2 But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person has this gift, another has that. 8 I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, since it is better to marry than to burn with desire. 10 To the married I give this command—not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy by the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace. 16 Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife. 17 Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. 20 Let each of you remain in the situation in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity. 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called. 25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is faithful. 26 Because of the present distress, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 However, if you do get married, you have not sinned, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29 This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: The time is limited, so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they didn’t own anything, 31 and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away. 32 I want you to be without concerns. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But the married man is concerned about the things of the world—how he may please his wife—34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction. 36 If any man thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage, and he feels he should marry—he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart (who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will) and has decided in his heart to keep her as his fiancée, will do well. 38 So then he who marries his fiancée does well, but he who does not marry will do better. 39 A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants—only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my opinion. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
5 I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia—for I will be traveling through Macedonia—6 and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. 7 I don’t want to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.
Paul expressed a desire to not just have a quick visit, but to spend even a whole winter with them. Probably to put the smack down on them, but in all his planning he recognizes that his plan is subject to God’s perfect and sovereign plan.
3. In vv. 8-9 sets the example to take advantage of opportunities to serve.
3. In vv. 8-9 sets the example to take advantage of opportunities to serve.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: Be Wise about … Christian Stewardship (1 Corinthians 16)
Paul had an open door of ministry in Ephesus, and this was important to him. He wanted to win the lost in Ephesus, not go to Corinth to pamper the saved.
How many times have I chosen the comfort of my couch and TV over the opportunities for service?
4. In vv. 10-11 Paul was warning we should see all who serve for Christ’s sake as servants of Christ and treat them accordingly.
4. In vv. 10-11 Paul was warning we should see all who serve for Christ’s sake as servants of Christ and treat them accordingly.
10 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 So let no one look down on him. Send him on his way in peace so that he can come to me, because I am expecting him with the brothers.
5. In v. 12 Paul teaches us to respect other people’s convictions.
5. In v. 12 Paul teaches us to respect other people’s convictions.
1 Cor 16:10-12
Let’s not forget that Paul has already rebuked them for their Pride regarding their christian leaders. Paul was warning we should see all who serve for Christ’s sake as servants of Christ and treat them accordingly.
Opening Up 1 Corinthians How to Treat Those Who Are ‘Second-in-Commands’ (vv. 10–11)
WE SHOULD SEE ALL WHO SERVE US for Christ’s sake as his servants and treat them accordingly
6. In v. 15-16 Paul uses the house of Stephanus’ devotion to serve as a living example for them to emulate.
6. In v. 15-16 Paul uses the house of Stephanus’ devotion to serve as a living example for them to emulate.
This is relevant for us today. There are many brothers and sisters that God has sent across our path to show us a living example of service to Him.
One commentator puts it like this:
We cannot be another person’s conscience or guidance. When there is a difference of opinion, having stated our views, we must respect the decisions others make, learning to trust God for the outcome.
7. In vv. 17-18, Paul uses the example of how the fellowship and encouragement of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus refreshed his spirit.
7. In vv. 17-18, Paul uses the example of how the fellowship and encouragement of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus refreshed his spirit.
Commentator Derek Prime said:
Opening Up 1 Corinthians How to Make Fellowship Real (v. 17)
Christian fellowship has the unique ability to refresh our spirits
Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus
8. In v. 19-21 Paul exhorts them to greet each other warmly.
8. In v. 19-21 Paul exhorts them to greet each other warmly.
We cannot be another person’s conscience or guidance. When there is a difference of opinion, having stated our views, we must respect the decisions others make, learning to trust God for the outcome.
Derek Prime, Opening up 1 Corinthians, Opening Up Commentary (Leominister: Day One Publications, 2005), 146.
The holy kiss was a custom for NT times and was only done between those of the same sex. Today, our version of the holy kiss might be a hug or handshake with two hands.
9. In v. 22 Paul that we should honor Jesus by loving him. This is the Phileo love. The love of great affection or loyalty for.
9. In v. 22 Paul that we should honor Jesus by loving him. This is the Phileo love. The love of great affection or loyalty for.
10. And it is in that love in vv. 23-24 that Paul says goodbye with Christ’s love.
10. And it is in that love in vv. 23-24 that Paul says goodbye with Christ’s love.
So for the greater part of 1 Corinthians, Paul has been rebuking and correcting the church in Corinth.
Chapters 1-14 are all about their bad behavior.
Chapter 15 is all about their bad theology.
Even Chapter 13 is a correction of the lovelessness that characterized their church.
But the beautiful thing is all the rebuke and correction was done with love. Paul was full of love for God and out of that love for God comes his rebukes…just as the Lord has rebukes his children:
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
In verses 13-14, Paul gives 5 final imperatives. 5 B’s if you will.
If you’ve been soaking in this whole chapter, these two verses are really the summation of the entire letter.
If you’re like me, I am not very good at remembering lots and lots of information. However, I am fairly good at remembering small bits of information.
I really think that this is what Paul is doing here.
These are 5 powerful principles in the form of 5 imperatives that will help them remember all of what he has said in the first 15 chapters.
I can see guys tattooing these one 5 commands on their forearm Be Alert, Firm, Mature, Strong, Loving.
Anyway, let’s dive in.
13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Be Alert
Be Alert
In the NT there are at least 6 things we are told to be on alert for.
First Corinthians: Unlocking the Scriptures for You Final Wrap-up (16:13–18)
1. “Be on your guard” (1 Corinthians 16:13). This usually has to do with remaining alert for the second coming. Paul does not wish them to become wishy-washy with the idea that Christ’s second coming is not relevant nor certain.
Be on alert for Satan
Be on alert for Satan
8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
We need to learn satan’s strategies, found in 3 main areas:
Lust of the flesh
Lust of the eyes
The boastful pride of life.
16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world.
Be alert for Temptation
Be alert for Temptation
38 Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
If we are not watching and seeking the Lord’s help in prayer, we often will not even notice temptation when it comes.
Be alert for Apathy and Indifference
Be alert for Apathy and Indifference
By definition, an apathetic and indifferent person is insensitive and therefore cannot be alert.
To neglect Scripture is to disregard it and treat it as if it means nothing. Before long we cannot remember what we have received and heard, and the Lord’s way becomes more and more vague and indefinite leading to indifference.
Be alert for False Teachers
Be alert for False Teachers
The New Testament gives many warnings about false teachers.
1 There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.
Paul warns us to be on alert for any teaching that does not square with Scripture.
3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
The first 4 are negative, but the NT also gives us some positive things to be alert for.
Jesus tells us to:
Watch and Pray
Watch and Pray
38 Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Prayer strengthens us in God’s way and protects us from satan’s way.
Prayer isn’t some ritual its the heartbeat of the spiritual life.
Paul says:
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Paul calls us to
The Lord’s Return
The Lord’s Return
The two great motives we have for living faithfully for Christ are remembering what He did for us on the cross and looking forward to His coming again.
Be Firm
Be Firm
Another principle for powerful living is standing firm in the faith.
The Corinthians, like many of the Ephesians, were being “carried about by every wind of teaching.” ()
First Corinthians: Unlocking the Scriptures for You Final Wrap-up (16:13–18)
2. “Stand firm” in doctrine (1 Corinthians 16:13). False doctrines lead to loose morals, and Paul wants them to tie their conduct to their beliefs.
False doctrines lead to loose morals, and Paul wants them to tie their conduct to their beliefs.
14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
To the Corinthians, much was relative and tentative…not firm.
In regard to “Faith”....Paul is not referring to trusting or salvation faith....but faith in regards to sound doctrine.
the faith (v. 13)—the Christian faith, that is, sound doctrine — John MacArthur
MacArthur, John F.. 1 Corinthians (p. 119). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
John MacArthur says that Satan cannot take saving faith away from us, but he can and often does, obscure the content of our faith, the sound doctrines of God’s Word.
MacArthur, John F.. 1 Corinthians (p. 119). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
If we are to be firm in the faith, we must be well taught in the Word, looking at everything and judging everything by God’s truth and standards.
If we don’t we’re in danger of slipping into wrong thinking, wrong belief and wrong behavior.
The Corinthians apparently had become corrupted by the influence of their unbelieving friends and neighbors ().
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness;
We need to be praying for each other as Epaphras prayed for the Colossians that we may stand perfect and fully assure in all the will of God. ()
Be Mature
Be Mature
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills.
In some of our translations, this call to be mature is expressed to act like men.
What do you think Paul is saying here?
Paul had already pleaded with them:
20 Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.
The idea here is GROW UP!
The mature person has a sense of control, confidence and courage that the immature or childish person doesn’t have.
I’m sure he’s frustrated about this one because even when Paul was pastoring among them he had to talk to them like babies.
1 For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready,
21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
In fact, do remember your dad’s threat of violence to get you back in line...DON’T MAKE ME COME UP THERE!
Like that Paul essentially gave them a warning saying:
21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
John MacArthur says:
Maturity is one of the marks of love (), a virtue in which the Corinthians were especially deficient. Love strives for maturity in all good things—in doctrine, in spiritual insight, in emotional stability and control, in personal relationships, in moral purity, and in all the fruit of the Spirit ().
***I think that we can say that about the church today. The universal church not just the brick and morter church.
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.
So how do we grow and mature?
By longing for:
2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation,
Scripture provides all the spiritual and moral nourishment we need:
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Be Strong
Be Strong
First Corinthians: Unlocking the Scriptures for You Final Wrap-up (16:13–18)
2. “Stand firm” in doctrine (1 Corinthians 16:13). False doctrines lead to loose morals, and Paul wants them to tie their conduct to their beliefs.
Paul is not telling us here to dig deep. Find the strength.
Paul is not telling us here to dig deep. Find the strength.
John MacArthur says:
This verb is in the passive voice, and literally means “be strengthened.”
This is comforting to me because I KNOW I’m not strong enough against satan and my flesh.
We cannot strengthen ourselves. That’s the Lord’s job. Which is even better news!
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
On our part we just have to submit and obey. Easy enough??!?!
Or is it?
None the less we MUST. We need His strength.
One commentator said, Only a strong spirit can successfully battle and overcome the flesh, but the Corinthians were weak here too.
Paul told them for you are still fleshy.
You know when we decided to go through 1 Corinthians my thought is that we would be prepared to counsel and
And Paul knew there was jealousy and strife among them…they were acting like “mere men” not men filled with the Spirit. ()
They thought that they were spiritually strong…but their actions and their living suggested otherwise…which has been the theme throughout this whole letter.
It’s when we think we are so strong in ourselves that we are in the greatest danger of falling. (1 Cor 10:12).
Car running out of gas story:
God had given me a helpmeet to help me avoid such calamities, but, like Paul said:
12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.
12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.
The point that Paul is making here, is that there is power in our weakness.
Jesus told Paul when He called him up to heaven:
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
2 cor
And Jesus is the source of ALL spiritual strength as Paul declared to the Philippians:
13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE LEAST:
Be Loving
Be Loving
First Corinthians: Unlocking the Scriptures for You Final Wrap-up (16:13–18)
4. “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). He wants them to take seriously the fact that most of their problems, if not all of them, could have been solved if they had applied his teaching in 1 Corinthians 13 to them.
I like to think that I am a pretty loving guy. Well until that sermon on chapter 13 we watched a few weeks back.
But before that…when we were deciding to come here I remember watching a video about Nadine in which kids at the house of laughter continuously described how she loved them. I was like, I CAN DO THAT!
John MacArthur says:
This fifth principle for powerful living is the most comprehensive, and without it the others could make us crusty, militant and hard.
What I discovered over years being here, I wasn’t as loving as I thought I was.
You see, I had just graduated seminary, completed support raising in record time, was appointed as a missionary.
I HAD ARRIVED!!!!!.
I was:
Alert
Firm
Strong
Mature
Strong
But God has taught me that none of that matters without love.
I discovered that I was crusty, militant and hard.
God has taught me that none of that matters without love.
This fifth principle for powerful living is the most comprehensive, and without it the others could make us crusty, militant and hard.
MacArthur continues:
Love complements and balances everything else. It is the beautiful, softening principle.
It keeps our firmness from becoming hardness and our strength from becoming domineering.
It keeps our maturity gentle and considerate.
It keeps our right doctrine from becoming obstinate dogmatism and our right living from becoming smug self-righteousness.
GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME! I have been guilty of ALL of these negative characteristics worst of all to my own wife!!!
Why?? Why do you think that I was unbalanced?
I think Paul David Tripp puts it best:
What keeps us from loving others? Isn’t it always love of self that gets in the way of a consistent and practical love for others? Here’s the point: only people who keep the first great commandment will ever keep the second great commandment. Only when God is in His rightful place will others be in the appropriate place in my heart and life. Only when I love God above all else will I ever love others as myself.
Love is what the Corinthians needed most…and they were sorely lacking…otherwise Paul wouldn’t have written this letter.
He wants them to take seriously the fact that most of their problems, if not all of them, could have been solved if they had applied his teaching in to them.
But, Love is what believers of ALL ages have needed most.
Peter writes:
8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Come on…Love is what ALL people of ALL ages need most. Think of the world we would have if LOVE dominated, complimented and balanced us.
You say, Dulin this so so easy for you to say. It is hard to look at this depraved world with all of its iniquities and all of its grossness and not recoil...
Bu
I KNOW! I have done and do it even to this day.
I’m with ya.
But the power that lives inside you is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and Jesus said through His saint Paul
8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The NT is stacked with related commands.
Peter says:
8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.
John says:
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
19 We love because he first loved us.
The one that really gets me is in the gospel of John.
34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods? 35 If he called those whom the word of God came to ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—
33 Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
33 “We aren’t stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because you—being a man—make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods? 35 If he called those whom the word of God came to ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—
John 10:34-35
John 10:33-
IMMEDIATELY after Jesus tells them that He is leaving and they cannot come, He gives them a new commandment. Love one another JUST LIKE I have loved you.
Parting questions
There's a point to why Jesus is giving them this new command.
Because He is leaving and no one will see Him together with His disciples, and the only way the world will be able to identify His disciples (even today) is that they will see the love His disciples have for one another.
It is important to note 2 things.
First, in two sentences, Jesus commands them to love each other 3 times.
Any student of Scripture knows that when something is repeated several times its important.
Second, the word “if”. There’s a cause and effect here.
In the coding world we would call this an IF - Then - Else statement.
In the “IF” statement there is a condition that needs to be considered. And if that condition is found to be true whatever command is in the THEN statement will be executed.
If that condition is found to be false, than whatever command in the ELSE statement will be executed.
Jesus is saying IF - the condition is what???? if you love one another…if that is true?
What’s the “THEN”??? - people will know you’re my disciples.
But if the condition is no true…namely
So if we are living our lives right, if we’re walking in the Spirit, if we’re loving each other people will see disciples of Christ.
In other words, people will see Jesus.
This is a dangerous prospect because we may only have contact with some folks for a very very brief time
Therefore possibly the only Jesus they will ever see is the Jesus they see in us.
We’ve got to take this very very seriously because if the condition—love one another---is false.
What happens? People don’t see a disciple of Jesus
Therefore they don’t see Jesus at all.
And perhaps they’re right.
If they don’t see us love each other with patience, kindness, without envy, or arrogance; If they don’t witness a love that is not rude or self-seeking, is not irritable and without a record of wrongs…then we are NOTHING.
Worst of all…Jesus is nothing.
This is why Paul EXHORTS us:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
1 cor 13:
When we were discussing which book to go through in our fellowship time, I suggested 1 Corinthians because as we all know, and have learned, they were jacked up. But they were jacked up because they were just starting out. This church thing was a very very new thing to them. It was unprecidented in their day.
And since we hoped and aspired to plant a church here one day, I suspected that national believers would face much of the newness that the Corinthian church did.
But I have come away from this letter EXTREMELY convicted for myself. Chapter 13 alone has brought me to my knees.
Which is great because I had become too big and God had become too small…AGAIN.
In closing, I’d like to just leave you with a few questions that I gathered from various commentaries:
How warm is the fellowship of your church fellowship?
How warm is the fellowship of your church fellowship?
In what ways can we encourage its greater warmth?
In what ways can we encourage its greater warmth?
Opening Up 1 Corinthians To Think about and Discuss
2. How warm is the fellowship of your church fellowship? In what ways can we encourage its greater warmth?
If the Apostle Paul were to address a letter to your local church, what about your congregation would he affirm and what would he rebuke?
11) If the Apostle Paul were to address a letter to your local church, what about your congregation would he affirm and what would he rebuke? What are the implications of this for you personally? _____ 12) In what concrete ways can you be a more supportive team player to your church leadership this week? _____ 13) What is the primary truth or principle from this study that you want to study and ponder more?
What are the implications of this for you personally?
In what concrete ways can you be a more supportive team player to your church fellowship this week?
What is the primary truth or principle from this study that you want to study and ponder more?
MacArthur, John F.. 1 Corinthians (p. 122). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.HB
****PRAY****