082006

What on Earth Are You Doing for Heaven’s Sake?
Making a Difference in the World
What can God Accomplish Through You?


1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (Monday)
““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. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” (NIV)
1) What exactly is the “message of the cross”?
2) Why do you suppose God’s chooses those who are what “society” might call “misfits”, “ignorant” or even, “outcasts”?
3) Does it offend you to be thought of as “foolish” for Christ’s sake?
4) How did and does God make worldly wisdom foolish? I like the KJV, “…confounds (literally, puts to shame) the wise”! (1 Corinthians 1:27)
a) Jesus proved this statement over and over in His earthly ministry. His miracles were outside of realm of man’s own reasoning:
i) Jesus turned “water” into wine (John 2:1-10—why not just make wine?)
(1) Little sidebar here: For years I wondered at what I felt was a very insignificant miracle. Why would this be Christ’s first miracle—the first visible sign from God the Father that supported and upheld His Son’s claim to Deity? God forgive me, I felt this was almost demeaning—not worthy of the awesome power and nature of Christ. I can’t tell you how many times I skipped over this miracle—totally baffled! I actually felt it lacked dignity! I had often questioned God on this one! That is, until I heard a Beth Moore teaching on this very subject. She pointed out that the Holy Spirit is often referred to water and wine in the scriptures (Matthew 9:11-17; John 4:7-15; Acts 2:1-18) and of course, we are told we are clay in the Potter’s hands (Isaiah 64:8). Now, God’s chosen and holy one, please read Acts 2:1-21 and 2 Corinthians 4:5-7! Sure sounds like Christ is filling our bodies, our “earthen jars,” with God’s Living Water and holy Wine to me! Oh, no wonder we are told the “world” cannot comprehend God’s wisdom—even believers (me) just don’t get the entire picture until and unless the Holy Spirit reveals it to us through His word! Let all the world be still and silent before Him! Glory!
ii) Rather than going to the place where a sick child lie dying, Jesus sends a grieving father away with these words as his only assurance, “You may go. Your son will live”! (John 4:47-52—many would have viewed this as a dismissal!)
iii) A poor man had been an invalid for 38 years—unmercifully pushed away any time there was an opportunity for healing (the stirring of the waters). Yet, Jesus asks him, “Do you want to get healed?” (John 5:1-9—the world would think—of course he does! Why else sit here day after day! Let me ask you—have you ever seen a person who wallowed in their misery, always talking about their circumstance, but never taking the necessary steps to get beyond the problem? Maybe, Jesus knew something we don’t! Or, maybe, Jesus just wanted this man to stop and take another look at his desperate situation. It’s possible that after 38 years, this man may have become blind as well as lame!)
iv) A women with an issue of blood for 12 is healed just by simply touching the hem of Jesus garment (Matthew 9:20-22)
v) Two blind men are healed when Jesus simply touches their eyes (Matthew 9:27-30)
vi) Jesus feeds five thousands men (not including the women and children) with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:14-21)
vii) After a paralyzed man friends, desperate to get their friend to Jesus so he could be healed, dig through the roof of Peter’s house! They boldly lower their friend right in front of Jesus (right in the middle of His teaching) and rather than healing the man as his friends hoped, Jesus says, “Son, thy sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:1-12) Jesus’ remark angered some in the crowd, so to prove His authority to forgive sin (thus, again establishing His claim to Deity), Jesus then heals the man and sends him on his way!
viii) A man blind from birth comes to Jesus for healing. Jesus puts a salve mixture of His own salvia and mud on the man’s eyes and tells him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam, which means “Sent”. (It’s almost as if that body of water was created for just that moment!)
ix) Ten lepers cried out to Jesus for healing. He sends them to the priests—I’m sure they had already been that route! It was only on their way that they were healed—by Jesus! (Luke 17:12-19)
5) What was the wisdom of Jesus’ day that kept His own people from believing that He was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, or Christ?
6) Do you fall into the “give me some kind of sign”, the “I have to have significant historical, scientific, physical and/or personal knowledge to back up Jesus’ claims”, or the “I’ll take the cross and Christ crucified” category?
7) We touched on this last week. Who is that Stumbling, or Cornerstone? (Isaiah 8:13-15; 28:16; Romans 9:32-33; Ephesians 2:19-22)
8) I don’t for one moment believe that God is in anyway foolish! Though I have to admit—I have a difficult time trying to fully comprehend this great truth: God created man and woman, knowing full well that they would sin, causing eternal separation from their Creator. Man and woman, indeed the whole earth was placed under a curse, because of the just penalty of sin—death (Genesis 1-3)! Even more difficult to understand is that He did so knowing He would somehow be “morally” and even “legally” bound by His own holiness and justice that the only acceptable Substitute for our sins was His own beloved Son, Jesus Christ! It wasn’t enough that Jesus had to leave behind the very throne room of heaven, no, He must “put off” all His heavenly glory and “put on” human flesh—undergoing horrible pain and suffering, even to death on the cross. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23) Jesus did so in order to re-claim a rebellious and hard-hearted people (me) as His own! In other words, God “accounted”, or “reckoned” Jesus as our sin and actually made Him our curse! Now, we, praise God, become Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Galatians 3:13)! Foolishness? No! A magnificently wise God! “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" (Romans 11:33-34) Amen!
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (Tuesday)
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1) Well, what were you when God called you? I shudder at the mere thought of it! Worse, I am horrified at what I might have become if God allowed me to continue to live the number of years I have. The truth is, I don’t believe I would be here right now had I not accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior back in July 1973—can’t explain it, I just know! It would be my greatest sorrow to stand before a fair, just and awesomely holy God at His Great White Throne of Judgment and know all the wonderful things He had planned for me—things I would have missed because I was too foolish to bow my knee before God’s unsearchable wisdom!
2) Why is it difficult, almost impossible for someone of wealth, “position” or “influence”, or intelligence to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ? (Matthew 6:19-21; 13-18-23 (especially verse 22); 19:16-26 and Ephesians 4:17-19)
a) Please read Matthew 22:1-10. Who were the invited guests and why didn’t they come to the wedding banquet?
i) God chose the entire nation and people of Israel, the most insignificant of nations, to be a holy nation, a priesthood to our God (Exodus 19:5-6). (I think you can see evidence of God’s type of wisdom in that decision, too!) Israel was given sonship and the promises of God. The law was given to show them sin and point them to the Living God (Romans 9:3-5). They were to use their royal position to be light, revealing God’s salvation to a lost world (Isaiah 42:5-7). Rather than panting and thirsting after God, they grumbled and complained—they demanded more and more “signs” or miracles (Matthew 12:39-42)! Utterly lacking in trust and faith, they further hardened their hearts against God and became puffed up—proud—exclusive! (See a little of God’s reasoning here?)
(1) Like the invited guests in the parable, Israel refused her King (Matthew 23:37-39). Israel would rather live by a set of “rules”, having an outward “show” of righteousness. They denied, even to themselves, their own sinfulness, choosing hypocrisy over the only true righteousness of God—that which can only be found through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Christ Jesus! (Matthew 5:17-20; 15:1-9; 23:23-33)
b) God still desires that His banquet hall be filled to overflowing! So, where did He decide to turn? Street corners—what type of people do you usually find on a street corner? Exactly! We are the ones who are without any redeeming qualities—any hope! We are the very ones who know that we desperately need saving and a Savior!
c) I don’t want you to ever question God’s faithfulness to you or to Israel. They were and still are blinded to God’s plan to save all people because and through their of their unbelief. They chose to pick and choose scriptures that would benefit them on this earth—that the Messiah or the Christ would be King over Israel. They were looking for an earthly kingdom. Oh, that will come, but what they missed was that first, the Suffering Servant must come—Jesus Christ (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). They skipped over the most important part of our salvation—Christ’s substitutional suffering and death in our behalf! Still, God is faithful, who promised—His gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29; Hebrews 10:23)! Salvation has come to the Gentiles (you and me) because of Israel’s transgression. Know, dear one, God’s plan for her is still unfolding! (Romans 11:1-11) Oh, Israel will come into her fullness! A new Jerusalem awaits her and us! (Revelation 3:11-12) I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to find out Jesus’ new name—one that has never been defiled or blasphemed! Hallelujah!
3) When you think of boasting, does something specific come to your mind? (Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:6)
4) Have you ever been around someone who is boastful—even if they were being totally truthful? Did you find yourself mentally or verbally comparing your own accomplishments? Did it make you feel less significance if you didn’t measure up?
5) Now, imagine our Creator God! We live and move and have our being in HIM! (Acts 17:28) God spoke and it was so! This world was spoken into existence and it could just as easily be spoken out of existence—it’s only God’s grace that holds all things together (Colossians 1:17)! How dare any of us boast as if we were able to do anything outside God’s permissive will! Even Jesus Christ did nothing of His own volition while on this earth, and He was God (John 8:28-29)!
6) There is another reason not to boast! We are all created in God’s own image! Each of us is unique in our gifts, talents, skills, abilities, time and money. But, we are all part of the same body—the body of Christ! Each part of Christ’s body is necessary to the others, and each has an honored position in Christ! ( 1 Corinthians 12) We would do well to remember Jesus’ admonishment, “The greatest in the kingdom of God will humble himself (or herself) as a child and be a servant (Matthew 18:1-4; 23:11)
7) Jeremiah 9:23 gives us the only reason to boast: “This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.”
8) Okay, I know you hear this from me all the time, but my favorite verse is Romans 4:17b, “God…calls things that are not as though they were.” Are you an “are not”? You can feel like one even if you are a believer! Beloved, God sees all the way to the finished product you will become! He’s a faith God and He sees you and me through eyes of faith! Don’t fret! He’ll make you the “are” that He wants you to be! (1 John 3:2) Trust Him!
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (Wednesday)
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” (NIV)
1) The situation Paul faced in Corinth was that some in this church body were apparently judging Paul’s simple message of the cross based on his presentation! Perhaps, the fact that Paul was not among the original twelve apostles (those who actually walked, talked and were taught by Jesus while He was on the earth) had a role to play in their haughty attitudes! Also, Paul’s small stature and his apparent choice to come in “meekness” to the Corinthians during a previous visit had caused many to believe that Paul was “weak” and lacked the full authority of Christ to preach the gospel! My, how looking at others through the eyes of our own self-importance distorts the truth! What other motive(s) can you think of that may have played into Paul’s having to defend himself and his message?
2) What does Romans 16:17 have to say about those who are causing divisions in the church body?
3) Honestly, many of us have been Christians for years! Do we ever “tire” of hearing the simple message of the cross? Why is it so important that this is preached over and over and over again?
4) Paul’s writings to the churches are the most detailed, Christ-revealing scriptures in the entire Bible! True, they are also probably the most difficult to fully understand. I believe this is in part due to the fact that Paul was so zealous for his own brethren (the Jews) to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah of the Old Testament writings—plus the fact that Paul had studied the law under the most respected rabbis of his time! If we have difficultly understanding, it’s because we have not delved into the Old Testament, or “covenant” that God established with Israel (Luke 24:13-32)!
5) Instead of using “many” and “persuasive” words, how did Paul choose to ministered to the Corinthians during that first trip? (Zechariah 4:6; 1 Corinthians 4:15)
6) Well, lest you too think Paul truly was a total wimp, since you are already in 1 Corinthians 4, go ahead and read verses 18-21. What would Paul find out when he did finally get to Corinth?
7) What is it about this world? We all crave the “flash”, “charisma”, the “instant”—a gospel that makes us feel good—blessing, blessing, blessing! We’re all about the pizzazz! Little wonder some in Corinth thought Paul dull! Why would Paul’s “Christ crucified” message be an “impalpable” message to them?
8) Can you think of any persuasive church leaders who captivated their audiences, only to suffer shame when they horribly fell in front of the whole world?
9) Have you have been approached by someone who is trying to convince you to purchase an item? An item you have never heard of, don’t know if you need or want it—or what you’d do with it once you brought it? Was this person overpowering, obnoxious, unbelievably persistent and forceful—never, ever shutting up? Well, that’s how the world sees Christians sometimes, and the reality is, (Spike) that’s how we appear sometimes—as if we are forcing or trying to shove the gospel down someone else’s throat! That’s us in our own strength—a work of our flesh! This is probably the biggest turn-off to others who may be seeking truth! Dear one, I hope you tremble at the thought of causing another to stumble over the Cornerstone that is Christ Jesus, knowing they may have forever missed God’s salvation and blessings in their lives! So, what are some ways that the true power of God is demonstrated in our lives?
a) Oh, pray that God’s power would be demonstrated to the world by our love (John 13:33-35; Romans 13:8-10)! Oh, if we walk in love, then, and only then, God will be able to speak to the world through us! Let’s work hard at getting out of God’s way!
b) Other demonstrations of God’s power in our life are that He leads us to:
i) complete joy (John 15:5-11; Romans 12:12)
ii) live in harmony and peace with others (1 Peter 3:8)
iii) right-living (Romans 12; 16; 13:1-7a; Ephesians 6:6-9; Titus 2:12; 1 Peter 2:12; 3:1)
iv) meekness and humility (2 Corinthians 10:1a; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 5:5)
v) patience (Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; James 5:7-8)
vi) purity, godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Peter 3:2; 2 Peter 3:11-14)
vii) gentleness (Philippians 4:5)
viii) fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
ix) respect, honor, submitting and preferring one another (Romans 12:10b; 13:7b; 1 Peter 3:15; Ephesians 5:21)
x) showing hospitality and service to one another (Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:9)
xi) Unity (Romans 15:5; Ephesians 4:3)
xii) acceptance of one another (Romans 15:7)
xiii) encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:24)
xiv) kindness and compassion for one another (Ephesians 4:32)
xv) bearing with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
xvi) forgiving others (Colossians 3:13)
10) Bear with me, I may have left out a few, but I have to ask—do any of these demonstrations of God’s power have anything at all to do with our own power?
2 Corinthians 2:4-10a (Thursday)
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "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.” (NIV)
1) This passage ties in with Wednesday’s question #2. If we belong to a congregation where the main message given on Sunday morning is salvation based—what Paul refers to as the “sincere milk” of God’s word (1 Peter 2:2), how do mature believers hear a more mature “message of wisdom”?
2) Spiritual maturity means we have moved from the “sincere milk” to the “solid food, or meat” of God’s word. Before you get a little “puffy” about going so deep with God, what did Jesus say was His “food or His meat”? (John 4:30-34—also see this in the KJV)
3) Oh, you thought getting into the “meat” (1 Corinthians 3:2) of God’s word meant something different, didn’t you? Me, too. Once! I thought the more “knowledge” of God’s word I obtained to, the more spiritual I would become. Lie! No, we become more spiritually mature by obedience! Like Christ, obedience is our “meat”! Can you be obedient without being in God’s word? No, but it doesn’t matter to God how much scriptural knowledge you possess if you’re not obedient to what His word has already shown you!
2 Corinthians 2:10b-16 (Friday)
“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.” (NIV)
1) See, here is the verse that we all want to grab hold of! Please know that if you are seeking after the “deep things” of God, and not panting and thirsting after God alone, like Israel, you are going to fall—hard! That’s pride—that’s our flesh! That’s why Paul said that when he came to the Corinthians, he came knowing nothing but Christ! Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:31) Not, “If so and so has a lot of knowledge, or if he can really get the congregation stirred up, then he or she will win a lot of people for me. No! Christ alone—always Christ and Him crucified—and you, dear one, crucified with Him so He can live in and through you! Glory to God!
2) I like what this week’s Transformation has to say about “the deep things of God”:
“There are feelings which are so personal, things which are so private, experiences which are so intimate that no one knows them except a man’s own spirit. Paul argues that the same is true of God. There are deep and intimate things in Him which only His Spirit knows; and that Spirit is the only person who can lead us into intimate knowledge of God.”
“The moment we put our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit joins our lives and begins transforming us into Christ’s image—He indwells us, He liberates us from the oppressive power of sin, He searches the depths of God and communicates His thoughts to us as we depend upon Him.”
“The Holy Spirit gives us understanding of God and His Word so that we might have the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to do what is right. Wisdom is not just knowing the godly thing—it is doing the godly thing.”

WhatonEarthAreYouDoingforHeavensSake_MakingaDifferenceintheWorld_1 Corinthians1,2_082006