Scripture

God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

Observation

If God destroys the wisdom of the wise and the intelligence of the intelligent (v.19), where does this leave the so-called wise people? God saw to it that the world cannot know Him through human wisdom. The cross, then, is foolish to the Greek and offensive to the Jews. It does not make sense through human reasoning.

To those of us who are being saved, Christ is God’s wisdom and God’s power. God does things the world considers powerless, and uses them to bring glory to his name, and to destroy all the pretentious arguments of the world.

Application

Ever since I was a new baby in Christ, a teenager in a Youth Group, people have thought, “How wonderful it would be if this pop star/ movie icon/ celebrity became a christian! They would have such an influence.” People have been thinking this way for centuries, but it turns out to be wrong.

It is not the conversion of famous people that impresses the world. God’s secret weapon for His Kingdom is the ordinary people, those who are despised by the elites and influencers.

Revivals, awakenings, and other moves of the Holy Spirit are not led by celebrities and the cool crowd. Very few people would seriously check out the gospel just because some mega-star claims to be a christian.

You and I are God’s ambassadors. It is up to us to celebrate God’s gift of salvation and share it with our family and friends. As we do that, God will “bring to nothing what the world considers important.”

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for saving me through Christ’s death on the cross. This seems to be nonsense to the wise of the world, but it is your power and your wisdom. Amen

Scripture

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction, but we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

Observation

Paul appeals for the Corinthians (and us) to live in harmony. There should be no quarrels amongst christians, and no faction revolving around celebrity pastors.

Christ has not been divided into factions. Nobody has been baptised into the name of Paul or Apollos.

Paul was not commissioned to baptise but to preach the Good News. This he does without clever words, but just with the centrality of the cross. The cross is foolish to those who are perishing, but the power of God to those who are being saved.

Application

It bemuses me the way that so-called “progressives” condemn christians for every form of prejudice and bigotry that can be imagined, but think Muslims are just wonderful and need to have their rights protected, even enhanced.

We hear a lot about Islamophobia, defined as an irrational fear or hatred of Muslims. Christophobia, which is far more prevalent, is never discussed.

Those who claim to hate religion generally hate christianity in particular, while tolerating other religions.

Only one religion in all the world has a cross at the centre, and a crucified saviour at its heart. It is the cross that is offensive above all else.

People like to think that they are OK, and not as bad as some paedophile or mass murderer. They don’t want to know that they are a sinner and need salvation.

The Good News is that Christ has paid the price for son once and for all. We don’t have to make sacrifices or do good deeds to prove to God that we are good enough. In Christ it is all done.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the cross. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay for my sin. Amen.

Scripture

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

Observation

This is the opening section of 1 Corinthians.

Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ, chosen by God. He is writing to the church in Corinth. They have been made holy through Christ, something they share with all who call on the name of Jesus.

Paul thanks God for these people. God has enriched them in every way. They have every spiritual gift, and Jesus will keep them strong to the end. God is faithful and He always does what He says.

Application

“He will keep you strong to the end.” This is a very powerful promise from the Holy Spirit.

If you ever struggle with doubt, or just trying to stay faithful to the call of God on your life, then know that God will keep you strong to the end.

I used to worry about whether I would fall away from God, but now I just trust in His faithfulness. He will keep me strong.

I have to do my part, of course. I cannot just do what I want to do, sinning in every way and then trusting Him to forgive me. This is about my relationship with God. I have to take that relationship with Him as seriously as He does.

The means that He uses to keep us strong are the Bible, prayer, sacraments, corporate worship. To avoid these things means that my spirit will become weak. When I actively pursue Him, He makes me strong in my spirit.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this awesome promise. As long as I keep seeking you, you will hold me firm in the palm of your hand and make me stronger in you. Amen.

Scripture

You are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are still controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

Observation

Paul says that when he was with the people in Corinth, he could not talk to them as to spiritual people. They were too worldly.

The church was divided into factions- one group following Paul, another Apollos. This, he says, is worldliness, sinfulness. The heroes they are following are just doing the work the Lord gave to them to do. It is God’s work. One may plant a seed, and another water it, but it is God who makes the plant grow.

Application

The sin of denominationalism was present in the early church.

Wherever people gather, there is a tendency to group into cliques of similar interest. The problem arises when we allow these smaller groups to become our focus.

These people who claimed to follow Apollos or Paul were not claiming to follow Jesus. They had truly lost the plot.

Today many people take pride in the label at the door of their church building. “I am Anglican”, “I am Catholic” and so on.

If the denominational affiliation of our congregation is our focus, then we are not looking to Jesus. We will never go beyond the most basic of teaching because we are not open to the spiritual things.

Churches, pastors, leaders, and in fact every member of a church, must always remember that while denominations are a convenient tag, Jesus must always come first.

To build up “my” church at the expense of Christ is idolatry. The Church belongs to Jesus, and He will build it in His way.

I am thankful for the variety of flavours of church (worship styles, governance etc) in my town. I am thankful for the other pastors who have gifts and callings that I don’t have. I rejoice when they are blessed, and I feel their hurt when they are set back.

There is only one church. We follow Jesus.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your church. May I always be faithful to Christ, seeking unity in the faith. Amen.

Scripture

The temptations in your life are no different fro what other people experience. God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so you can endure.

Observation

Paul reminds us of the experiences of the ancestors in the wilderness. They were guided by the cloud and passed through the water. They were tempted in various ways, and some of them yielded to the temptation.

The temptations in our life are no different to those faced by others. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can stand, and He will provide a way out.

Application

Sometimes we may feel that we are going through unique temptations and that we commit sins that nobody else ever did. This isn’t true. Our temptations are common to all people.

The good news is that if we truly surrender to God, He will provide us with the strength to overcome every temptation.

I have found in my life that every temptation is a questioning of God’s love for me or His willingness to supply my needs. In the heat of battle I forget who I am in Christ- a beloved son of God.

The solution to temptation is not to work up the strength to overcome it in my own ability. Nor is it to pray for the strength from God.

The solution is to go back to who I am. I spend time in worshipping and praising God. I meditate on His love and His character.

In losing myself in God, I find my true identity in Him. Then the temptations go away because the tempter is no longer able to touch me.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you always provide a way out of temptation. Help me to keep my focus on you and dwell in your presence always. Amen.