July 17, 2020
Over the next 16 days we will be reading through the book of 1 Corinthians together. The church in Corinth was an absolute mess! They were plagued by serious issues of arrogance, division, sexual immorality, and confusion concerning doctrine as well as the particulars of their moral living under the gospel. This church needed a wake-up call, a call to repentance and purity, to renewed devotion to Christ, to love and unity, and to zeal for the gospel. The church has changed little over the last 2,000 years, but praise God that there is abundant grace for the mess! Each of us needs this same call to humility faithfulness, unity, and fervor today as much as they needed it then. Let’s heed this call which God gave the church at Corinth through the apostle Paul and let it shape the way we live as Christ’s body!
In this chapter Paul continues demonstrating to the Corinthians the error of their arrogance and boasting over one another. He reminds them of the grace of God that they have received, and how apart from that grace they would not have anything at all (v.7)!
It is so immensely important for us to always remember that every good thing we have is a gift from the hand of God. Apart from His grace to us through Jesus Christ, all we have earned for ourselves from God is His wrath, judgment, and condemnation. In Christ we have received precisely the opposite of these things, and they are only ever gifts of His grace! We have nothing that we did not receive from Him.
Paul then reminds the Corinthians of the true meaning of Christlikeness. Following after Jesus does not involve, as the Corinthians seem to have thought, being the strongest or the wisest or the most respected. On the contrary, Paul uses the example of the apostles to show them that it means becoming weak, foolish, hated and reviled in the eyes of the world, often joining with Christ in His sufferings. It is when we join with Christ in His sufferings and lowliness that we actually experience the power of His resurrection in and through us (Romans 8:17)!
1 Corinthians 4
The Ministry of Apostles
4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How can we fight the mindset of pride that causes us to lift ourselves up over others? How does remembering the grace of God decimate all notions of arrogance in our hearts?
Father, thank you for another day. Like Jabez prayed, bless me indeed – I do not ask for specifics, for I would either ask to consume in my flesh, or ask for too little. Enlarge may territory – Jabez simply asked for more territory, more influence. Father speak through me this day. Jabez prayed that Your hand would be with him. Likewise, Father, fill me anew and afresh with your Holy Spirit to enable me to accomplish your will today. Jabez cried out, “Help me to avoid evil, so as not to cause [You] pain.” And Father, as you honored his prayer, receive my humble words this day. Amen
Gracias padre lléname de tú espíritu santo bendice este día y que seas tú a gobernar dame la humildad y la sabiduría para serte fiel cada día más ser luz en la oscuridad y no piedra de tropiezo con tu guía espiritual y tú amor somos mejores cada día gracias padre amado por tu misericordia en Cristo Jesús amén ?
It is only by the grace and mercy of God that I/we can say “I am/we are “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” As we faithfully serve the Lord, He will lift us up. Our service is to “do justice, to love mercy and walk humbly with our God.”
Lord Jesus, help me daily to be faithful in what you have called me to do and be. Break me, melt me, mold me and fill me to do Your will. Amen
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!! Please mold me into the servant you want me to be. I want you to place on me the work that is needed to be the child of God that I need to be to spread the word to others. In Jesus name I pray Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
I have always said, “Only by the Grace of God, go I.” We are nothing and have nothing without You, LORD. You sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins who justified us and covered our sins. Without that loving act, we could never come before Your throne. Thank You for loving us so much that You made a way. Help me stay ever mindful of this truth and never be puffed up or arrogant for any reason. In the most precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Only your Spirit Lord, can give me the power over pride. Give me your gentle, quiet, yet powerful Spirit so that I can serve you well, in humility.
I want to ge regarded as a servant of Jesus Christ, trustworthy, prudent, strong and distinguished. I am an imitator of Him.
The “mysteries of God” are mentioned here. Are these mysteries God’s grace to us, or am I forgetting something else? I constantly question things to be certain that I have not misinterpreted something I have read or heard. Enjoying these devotionals.
I think the mysteries of God definitely include His Grace. The mysteries of God are also spiritual emanating from the Holy Spirit. Therefore the bible teaches that God had used the simple things to shame the wise. Spiritual things are mysterious to us because they are not determined by the flesh. The peace of God for instance that passeth understanding. The love your enemies and pray for them teaching. The fruit of the Holy Spirit which is imparted to believers as they grow and mature in their faith. That is what I think is encompassed in the mysteries of God, at least some of it as revealed to us for a lot is sealed and remains to be revealed. As we know, eyes have not seen, ears have not heard ……the things that God has prepared for those that love Him and keep his word. As you said Pat, it is all contained in the two words “His Grace”
Thank you Lord for your great love. and sacrifice for us. We yearn to love you back as you deserve . To hear you say …”well done good and faithful servant.”
Lord please enable us to work in your vineyard as hard as Paul and his fellow disciples did. Help us show your kind of love to people so that our joy will be full when we work and sacrifice to bring people into the knowledge of your Grace. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.
100 Bible Verses about
Mystery
Colossians 2:1-3 ESV
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Ephesians 3:2-6 ESV /
Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Colossians 1:26-27 ESV
The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory