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Imitate Me (1 Corinthians 4:14-16)

  “I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me” (1Co 4:14-16). As believers, we should live in such a way that we, too, can encourage others to imitate us. Paul was dealing with a divisive church. The church should have known better, but they were spiritually naive. “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” (1Co 3:1-3). There was a cacophony of voices competing for attention. “I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, countless tutors in C...
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Stay Humble and Remain Thankful (Deut. 8:10-14; Dan. 4:31-32, 24)

  “ When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Deu 8:10-14) In our nation, it is easy to think that our might has brought about our great prosperity. Let us never forget it is God Who gives the power to gain wealth. As He said to Israel, "But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this d...
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Face Your Fear and Trust God (Psalm 11:1-7)

“For the choir director. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain; For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?" The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.” (Psa 11:1-7, NAS95) How Can You Say Flee? There may be times in your life when everyone says to you, “Give up or give in.” That was the case for David. His friends saw how harm sought after him, probably in the person of Saul. They saw with their eyes and reasone...
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Share the Great Things God Has Done (Psalm 78:1-4)

  “A Maskil of Asaph. Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done” (Psa 78:1-4, NAS95). Do you speak of the great things God has done in your life? People often struggle with evangelism as it can seem too confrontational. That is no excuse to avoid evangelism. However, speaking to others about the blessings God has provided for you and your family is a powerful testimony and a potential door-opener. Instead of asking a person a hypothetical that will never happen, like: “What would you say to God if He asked you why He should let you into His heaven?” Just share a brief version of your salvation testimony. Or, share how God taught you something a...
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Two Reactions to the Gospel (Acts 7:54-60)

  “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:54-60, NAS95). Two reactions: one born out of love, the other out of hatred. The Gospel will often be met with anger. These Pharisees hated the ...
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God Forgives (Psalm 130:1-5)

  “A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope” (Psa 130:1-5, NAS95). The accuser wants to keep you from trusting God. Whenever you slip into sin, he is there to say, “You are not a Christian.” Or, “God will never forgive you because you keep sinning; you are just a hypocrite.” Thankfully, we are not accepted because of our performance. We are accepted because Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us. As the psalmist asks, if God should mark iniquities, who could stand? The answer is no one. But we do stand because we have a loving Savior who intercedes for us continually (Romans 8:34). It is because of the work of Christ that we stand forgiven, past, present, and future. This does not give...
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Put Feet to your Faith (Luke 17:12-14)

  “As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:12-14, NAS95). Here is a true act of faith. Told to go to the priest, they went. They were yet to be healed, but they went on anyway and were healed along the way. How often do we ask God for help and fail to put feet to our faith? We ask for faith to evangelise, but we never seek opportunities to evangelise. We ask God for victory over a particular sin, but then we make provisions to commit that sin. James describes this as being a hearer only. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jas 1:22, NAS95). Therefore, “... consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 6:11, NAS95) Take God at His Word. “For if we have...
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A Firm Foundation (Romans 9:33)

  A Firm Foundation  Scripture  “As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on  Him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 9:33 NKJV).  Commentary  Christ is a stumbling stone for many. The Jews could not imagine that God would come in such a humble fashion as Christ did. They placed all their trust in the law of God for their righteousness only to be disappointed.  However, those who trust in Christ shall never be ashamed. The word here literally means to make haste or run away as if panic has set in.   Shall not be Ashamed  This is taken substantially from the Septuagint translation of Isa 28:16, though with some variation. The Hebrew is "shall not make haste," as in our English version. This is the literal meaning of the Hebrew word, but it also means to be afraid , as one who makes haste often is; to be agitated with fear or fright; and hence it has a signification nearly similar ...
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Stay Humble (1 Corinthians 4:6-13)

  “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, w...
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Judge Not the Heart (1 Cornithians 4:3-5)

  “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. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 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” (1Co 4:3-5). Regarding our judgment, there is no earthly court capable of making perfect judgments. Paul acknowledges that even though he is not aware of any guilt, this does not absolve him. He knows only the Lord can judge us righteously. So, let us not judge man’s heart in man’s day. Leave that judgment for the Lord at His coming. Of course, that does not mean we are not to judge behavior. Clearly there are times when the church must judge. Paul, in this same letter, does just that. “It is actually reported that th...
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You Are a Servant of Christ and a Steward of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 4:1)

  “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1). A simple request. Paul wants to be known as a servant of Christ and minister of the Gospel. Wouldn’t you? More importantly, shouldn’t you? Of course, that means, “In this case moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2). When you think of trustworthiness, what comes to mind? It often involves being reliable, honest, and deserving of confidence. Let us be reliable. “... Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15). Let us be honest. “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void” (1 Corinthians 1:17). Let us be deserving of confidence. “Be diligent to present yourself appr...
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Don't Be Self-Deceived (1 Corinthians 3:18-23)

  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS"; and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS." So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God (1 Corinthians 3:18-23 NAS95). Beloved, guard your heart against self-grandizement. Thinking you have the corner on wisdom is the first step towards self-deception. Thinking you are serving God and the church with worldly wisdom will only lead to your demise. You must humble yourself to become wise, not with worldly wisdom, but with wisdom from above. Never boast in men, including yo...
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You Are the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

  Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NAS95). Paul uses the Old Testament temple as a picture of the body of Christ today. The foundation is Christ, and we are building upon that foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. When tested by fire, only the gold, silver, and precious stones will survive. These are good works, right attitudes, and holy behavior. Paul goes on to say that, as the temple of God, we have a responsibility to be holy. He emphasizes this responsibility with a hard saying: If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. Matthew Henry addresses these verses. From other parts of the epistle, it appears that the false teachers among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt, to pollute, and destroy the buildin...
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Ask God for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-12)

  In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, "Ask what you wish me to give you." Then Solomon said, "You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. "Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. "So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. God said to him, "Because...
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Spiritual Warfare (Exodus 17:8-13)

  Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword (Exodus 17:8-13 NAS95). Joshua was given the task of fighting against Amalek. The Amalekites were a treacherous people who hated Israel. They were descendants of Esau, whom God had cursed for their betrayal. Balaam said of them, And he looke...
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Jesus Wept (John 11:35)

Jesus wept (John 11:35 NAS95). Jesus did not weep for Lazarus; He knew well that He would raise Lazarus from the dead.  Instead, He wept for the souls of those who still did not believe that He was the Resurrection and the Life. Read what He said to His disciples. . . . He *said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him" (John 11:11-15 NAS95). Why would Jesus say He was glad for their sake that Lazarus had died? Clearly, Jesus was not mourning Lazarus's death. He was grieving over the spiritual deadness of their hearts. Of course He also felt their pain, but I doubt that was the ...
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Build Carefully (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

  According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NAS95). The ministry is fraught with pitfalls. Pride was the devil's downfall, and is near to every preacher and minister of the Gospel, professional and lay.  The minister preaches a powerful message, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Then, sta...
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Spiritual Pride Inhibits Growth (1 Corintians 3:1-3)

  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV). The enemy of spiritual growth is sin. The particular sins Paul refers to in this passage are envy, strife, and divisions. The Corinthians were lining up behind their favorite ministers and fighting over who was the best.  The devil excels at identifying people's weaknesses. He has always used the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to draw believers away from Christ (1 John 2:16 cp. Luke 4:1-13). When we take our eyes off of Christ and start valuing humanism, we cease to grow. Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itsel...
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Open Line of Communication (1 Corinthians 2:12-16)

  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM?" But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12-16 NKJV). When a person is saved, they become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new birth not only gives you a new standing in Christ’s righteousness, it also opens a new line of communication. The Holy Spirit indwells you and communicates God’s will to you. You have the mind of Christ. This was necessa...
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Christ in You (1 Corinthians 2:6-8)

  However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:6-8 NKJV). What a privilege you have to know the wisdom of God. It is the mystery made manifest to the saints, Colossians 1:26, though formerly hid from the heathen world; it was only shown in dark types and distant prophecies, but now is revealed and made known by the Spirit of God. Jesus Christ is the Lord of glory; a title much too great for any creature (Matthew Henry).  Make it your passion to explore the depths of Christ's love. Do not be content to know the Gospel on a superficial level. Praise God for your salvation, but dive deep into this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory...
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