1 Corinthians_9

Scripture

1 Corinthians 9: 24-25

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in such games goes into strict training. They do it to get the crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

 

Observation

Paul continues his letter to the church of Corinth by telling them the rights that he has as an apostle, and then by talking about his freedom in Christ. He ends this section by urging the people who follow his example, to do so with excellence and not halfway.

 

Understanding

Have you ever seen someone get disqualified at the Olympics? It’s pretty heart-breaking… especially because they’ve trained for so long to not even get the opportunity to run the race. They have no chance at a medal, no chance at recognition, no chance to compete. I say all this because I feel like we do this to ourselves sometimes. We disqualify ourselves before the race even begins. But Paul presents a really important idea here: the race needs to be run, no matter the cost. And I want to add onto what Paul says here to: RUN THE RACE, DON’T DISQUALIFY YOURSELF! We train and train, but when the time comes we decide to disqualify ourselves. But that isn’t the point of a race or journey at all.

We do it to get a crown that will last forever… that seems to carry some heavy implications. A race that gives eternal life as the prize, I mean who wouldn’t want to run that race to the best of your ability? When I reach the end of my race I want to hear the words “Well done good and faithful servant.” And that only only comes through full dedication, and choosing to actually run the race.

 

Life Application

So how exactly do we engage in strict training?

• Have a good trainer (and there is no better trainer than the Holy Spirit)
• Have a good training manual (the Bible is probably the best instructional you can get)
• Have a group that holds you to your goals (like a discipleship partner or a group of people you trust with your life)

All these ensure running the race with the utmost effort and honor, and you are sure to win a prize :)

-Allison Khan

1 Corinthians___8

Scripture

1 Corinthians 8:1b

But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

Observation - What does it say?

The Corinthian Christ-followers had been struggling with what to do regarding things scripture wasn’t clear about. Can you eat meat that’s been sacrificed to an idol? To some it seemed wrong, as if they would be somehow participating in this idol worship. To others it seemed fine because in their hearts they knew they only worshiped the one true God. Paul sets the stage for how to handle these situations: in love.

Understanding - What does it mean?

As Christ-followers, we should be most concerned with building others up in love.

Sometimes it’s better to refrain from doing something you believe to be acceptable, for the sake of other believers who have different convictions. Romans 14 goes into more detail on these issues Scripture isn't explicitly clear about, saying that we must follow our convictions. If we are convinced something is wrong but do it anyway, we sin. If another person is convinced the same thing is acceptable and they do it, it isn't sin for them. 

So the point is, we should love others enough to refrain from doing what we're free to do, if doing it will embolden them to join you and sin. For us, maybe it's not considering not eating meat sacrificed to idols, but refraining from watching the rated R movie or drinking alcohol when believers who see problem with those things are present.

Life Application

God, please fill my heart with your love. I desire love more than knowledge. I desire to deeply carry people in my heart more than my freedom to do certain things. Break my heart! Fill my heart with love! With compassion! With empathy! In Jesus’ name I ask, Amen.

 

- Levi Thompson

Psalm 45

Scripture

 

Psalms 45:10-11 NIV

 

“Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.”

Observation-What does it say?

 

This Psalm is a wedding song! It is also “a prophecy of Messiah the Prince, and points to him as a Bridegroom espousing the church to himself, and as a King ruling in it, and for it.” (Reference: Matthew Henry’s commentary on Christianity.com)

 

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with the Church.

 

Christ is the Husband (bridegroom) and the Church is the Bride. We forsake ALL others after getting married because after vows, we become ONE flesh and make a commitment for life with our spouse. The same goes with our relationship with Jesus. We need to be ALL in, not just partially in, for our Lord is a jealous God and does not want anyone or anything to come between us and Him.

 

Life Application

 

Have you forsaken all others and things for our Groom (Christ)?

 

Moses and I are taking Pastor and DeLaine’s DSU course, 6 Great Dates! It’s an awesome reminder that we need to keep investing in our marriages and date each other in order to keep the spark alive!On the flip side with our faith, are we putting the same time and investment into our relationship with Jesus as we did in the beginning?We need to remind ourselves of the fire in the beginning of our faith and go back to our First Love. We must be reminded of our testimonies to reignite that spark, the same way we need to remember what we love about our spouses in order to keep pressing forward as a couple. This Wedding Psalm is a great reminder of that!-Michelle Gaddi