Interactive Sermon

1 Corinthians 5

If the end of chapter four was difficult to read, chapter five should drain the color from your face.  Behavior in the church--and such as even the world would find reprehensible.  Here's an outline:

v. 1-2 Paul has heard this report: sexual immorality that even the pagans wouldn't approve is going on in the church.  The church, he says, is proud of it.  Hard to imagine the church being proud of such behavior--but look at the response Paul expects, grief.  The church should be grieved by such sin.

v. 3-5 A key passage. First off, although Paul is not with the church in Corinth physically, he is with them in spirit--that this matter needs to be dealt with most seriously.  It is critical that the church--the whole church--agree, and stand together.  Secondly, note that Paul suggests that by "handing this individual over to Satan" may actually be a tool in God's hand to "save his spirit on the day of the Lord."  This is the intended end of such discipline, that salvation may result.

v. 6-8 The importance of this can hardly be understated. Paul uses the illustration of yeast and its effect on dough--a little bit works through the entire loaf.  So will the yeasts of malice and wickedness corrupt the body of Christ if left unchecked.

v. 7-13 Paul is careful to differentiate: he is talking about those inside and not those outside the church.  This may be the most crucial part of the teaching.  We're to be wary of those who profess to be believers but who thumb their noses at truth and righteousness.  In fact, at some point, we should disassociate ourselves from them.  He's not talking about those who do not believe in Christ, however. Those outside the church fall outside of the church's reach of discipline.

1 Corinthians 4

As we move on in our study, Paul seems to become a little more direct in his confrontation with the church at Corinth.  Here's an outline of chapter four:

v. 1-5 ~ Having opened the letter by pointing out that the wisdom of this world would judge the message of the cross as foolishness, Paul now warns the young church not to concern themselves with human judgment of their devotion to the Lord.  Having mentioned building into the lives of others with materials that would stand the test of time, or in other words that were of an eternal rather than temporal nature, he now asserts that nothing should be judged before its time--that these judgments belong to the Lord and His timing.

v. 6-13 ~ Paul speaks of himself and Apollos as examples.  He reminds the church that all the possess in the way of gifts and abilities are from God, and that they possess the "secrets of God" for a purpose--they are a part of what God is building (from chapter three).  Paul becomes very direct in this section of the chapter.  It could not have been comfortable for the young church to hear such words of comparison leveled at them.

v. 14-21 ~ Paul sums up the difficult section by assuring them he's meaning this as a warning.  Their role is critical.  God has given them all they need to be effective.  Paul himself will come back to check their progress.  This is a shared journey.

1 Corinthians 3

This weekend we'll move on to chapter three in our study.  Paul returns to an issue he mentioned briefly at the start of the letter--divisions among the faithful.  Here he points to the heart of the matter.  Here's an outline of the chapter:

v. 1-4 Jealousy, quarreling and selfishness - this, Paul demonstrates, is how the world behaves.  There's a carnality here that frustrates spiritual maturing.  Notice the phrases Paul uses like "you are still worldly" and "acting like mere men."  At the root of this division is immaturity and carnality.  In the specific instance he's addressing (that report he received from Chloe's household) it has manifest itself in their separating--some calling themselves followers of this teacher, and others of that teacher.

v. 5-15 Paul clarifies the role of teachers and their relationship to God's work.  God orchestrates this plan--He places teachers and ministers in just the right setting to sound just the right notes, but it is God who is the composer, arranger and conductor.  Paul, Apollos, Cephas, whomever--instruments in God's masterpiece.

v. 16-23 The chapter (indeed, this subject) concludes with a sober warning: Do not deceive yourselves!  God takes this matter very seriously. 

Paul commends unity to the young church as a matter of utmost importance.  He began his letter with a mention.  He clarifies it here.  He gives a warning--If anyone destroys God's temple, He will destroy them!  Sounds serious, doesn't it?

1 Corinthians 2

The editors have done us a bit of disservice in some of the places they've put chapter divsions.  Chapter one ended making the point: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  The first five verses of chapter two appear closely akin.

Here's a pretty basic outline of chapter two:

v. 1-5 Paul stresses that it wasn't his eloquence or superior wisdom that resulted in their coming to faith in Christ.  Rather he came in weakness and fear, that it might be a demonstration of God's power.

v. 6-10 Continuing to contrast wisdom and folly, Paul speaks of God's secret wisdom--his mysterious plan from before the ages, coming to pass, and being revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

v. 11-16 Finally Paul moves a bit into how God's Spirit reveals these things.

This chapter contains a number of what I like to call "big buts."  They provide a good map through this chapter's content.  You can find a few of my thoughts on this chapters buts over at the Big Buts site, here and here.

What do you observe in the chapter? Anything catch your attention? Comment here, or we'll chat about it in person on Sunday morning.

1 Corinthians 1

Sunday morning we'll begin our sixteen week study through 1 Corinthians at Christ's Church.  Are you ready with chapter one?  Here are some introductory observations and a brief outline heading into this weekend.

First, some background.  Corinth was located on the main land route between east and west and as such was a crossroads community--everything came and went through Corinth.  It was famous for its intellectual and material prosperity, as well as for its moral looseness.

Acts 18:1-18 gives a summary of Paul's time in Corinth and provides a glimpse of some of the people and the church's setting.  This is really all we have in scripture regarding the planting of the church at Corinth.  You might give that passage a quick read.

A quick scan of the first chapter yields a pretty natural outline. 

v. 1-3 Paul's greeting and address: Paul, an apostle... To the church of God at Corinth... Grace and peace to you...

v. 4-9 The letter begins with an acknowledgment of the good work that God has begun in Corinth and an encouragement: I thank God always for you... you have been enriched in every way... God who has called you is faithful...

v. 10-17 Paul identifies one reason for his writing. He has heard a report of division within the church: Some from Chloe's house have informed me... one of you says... while another says... Is Christ divided?

Note that Paul will speak more specifically of this matter in chapter 3.

v. 18-31 (and really into and through most of chapter 2 as well) Paul lays the foundation for our unity--the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

What do you observe in the chapter? Anything catch your attention? Comment here, or we'll chat about it in person on Sunday morning.

Your 2010 Bible Reading Plans

I'm curious. Have you any thoughts as to your Bible reading plans for the New Year?  Have you embarked on any daily / weekly / monthly strategies?  Any wish list?  Aims? 

In years past I've often adopted some strategy for reading and study with the entire year in mind.  Many years I've abandoned the plan along the way.  Some years I've stuck with it.

This year, for instance, I've picked back up my copy of the Chronological Bible.  I've mentioned it before.  It's a Bible that is structured chronologically, and therefore reads like a story.  I've utilized it for segments of the last couple of years.  This year, Lord willing, I want to see if I can stick with it all year through.  (I came close in 2008, I utilized the chronological approach for nine months out of the year--as I was also preaching through the "Story of God" at Christ's Church.)

I've also set my sights on particular studies I've wanted to accomplish during the course of a year.  This year, for instance, I intend to preach through "Letters to the Church" and so my personal studies for this series actually began in October of 2009, and will continue through most of this year.

Plans... we'll see how they unfold.

Speaking of plans and seeing how they'll unfold, here's something new I'm going to try this year at Christ's Church.  I mentioned the sermon study series "Letters to the Church."  I am going to begin that on January 10th, studying a chapter a week.  You can find the schedule on the church website www.ccnh.org.  My hope is that many members of our church family will study through the sixteen weeks with me.  It will be simple--read the chapter in advance of Sunday, and during the morning worship service I will build in some time for us to discuss the read as a part of the sermon time.  So, there's one plan you might consider.

How about you?  Are you looking for an idea?  Here is a website I ran across that suggests 20 different Bible reading strategies.  Give a look and see if any of them appeal to you.  Let's get into the word in 2010.  What do you say?

Wishing You Big Buts For The New Year

{Borrowed this post from www.bigbutsofthebible.com - Internet home of the word BUT, Lord of all conjunctions. Have you bookmarked that site yet?}

 

Sure, for years it's been singing a chorus of Auld Lang Syne.  I propose a new tradition: Meditating on some New Year's appropriate Big Buts.  I offer a handful in these few verses:

On forgetting the past and moving forward ~

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:12-14

On learning from past mistakes ~

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. -Hebrews 12:10-11

On trusting in God and living in faith ~

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him--but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. -1 Corinthians 2:9-10

May the Lord bless you and keep you in 2010 and always!

What's The Use?

Church: A thing of the past?

I recently had a conversation with a friend who has grown cold in his enthusiasm for church attendance and participation.  He mentioned a few things in particular that discouraged him.  Here's a list in no particular order:

* The church he attends had recently experienced tremendous growth, so as to have changed the feel from small church culture to large church culture for him.

* With that growth there was, for his thinking, a major shift in emphasis where money and giving was concerned. "Every sermon is about giving now," he said.

* He reiterated that he isn't simply discouraged with the church he attends, but church in general--he has no interest in searching for a new church home.

* He's not sure he's been growing in Christ (or has seen his faith grow) for all his participation in church over the years.  He attributes spiritual growth in his life to a handful of relationships he has with other believers in Christ, but outside the parameters of church.

* He personally feels as though he gets body participation more through his years-long involvement in a community bible study (where many of those relationships are)--the kinds of things people say that a church should provide he receives from those he has participated with over the years in the study group.

* Looking back he doesn't see "the benefit" of his years of attending just about every service and participating in just about every ministry the church offered.

Now, let me testify to my friend's having done the church thing to the full, for the many years that I've known him.  Let me assure you that my friend is of sound mind and theology.  He's not back-sliding or wandering to the best of my observations.  He just says he's "over" church.

How would you counsel a friend in such a situation?  Ever have similar thoughts and feelings?

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Big Buts: The Website

If you haven't bookmarked it yet, what are you waiting for?

Two weeks into www.bigbutsofthebible.com and the regular views are building.  What's going on over there?  Glad you asked.  All things pertaining to the little three letter conjunction that can forever change the way you read the scriptures.  You'll find daily posts that include bible study and devotional thoughts, historical uses, cultural adaptations and other fun and games concerning that all important word--but.  You'll be able to read a But-O-The-Week and a But-i-Ful Quote, as well as link to the official Big Buts Facebook page, all from the Big Buts main site.

I've also got a special Advent series based on buts that appear in Hymns, Carols, Bible texts and holiday writings kicking off the Christmas season at the end of November.

Of course, there will also be news there concerning the Big Buts of the Bible: Gospel of Matthew project as it nears completion.

How can you help?

1) Bookmark the page.  Study along.  Chime in through comments, email, or in conversation over the topics and posts.

2) Tell others about the site.  Link people to www.bigbutsofthebible.com and encourage them to stop in and study the scriptures with us.

3) Become a "fan" of the official Facebook Page.

4) Add fans. Ask everyone you know if they like big buts.  Send them a Facebook recommendation.

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Puritan Prayers

Over the last couple of weeks I've entered into a few conversations about prayer, and more specifically how we learn to pray. In my experience, much learning on prayer came through the examples of others--praying together, and in some cases modeling my prayers after theirs.

A decade ago when I announced to my friends in Florida that I was leaving to accept a call to Christ's Church in New Hampshire, a dear couple who had been these prayer examples to me for years handed me a book called The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.  Over the last decade I have spent considerable time in the book at different seasons. The prayers of the Puritans have, as the friends I've prayed with over the years, enriched my experience of prayer.  Here's the prayer for which the collection of prayers that make up the book was named:

The Valley of Vision

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly; Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime, stars can be seen from the deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;

Let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in poverty, Thy glory in my valley.

 

May this prayer be a blessing to you, today.

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