1 Corinthians 3 - 9.29.26
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 3:7 - 9
“Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, Who makes things grow. The one’s who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
OBSERVATION: Though Paul had planted the seed of God’s Word that first gave birth to the church in Corinth, he recognized Apollo’s as the leader who followed him and watered the seed. Both of them together were equal in Christ, even though they had different gifts and abilities. Each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
APPLICATION: Yes, we will receive rewards in heaven! These rewards will be in the form of crowns:
THE CROWN OF LIFE will be rewarded to those who glorified Jesus through suffering.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12
THE CROWN OF REJOICING will be rewarded to those who have remained strong in the Lord by imitating Christ.
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes”. 1Thessalonians 2:19/ Philippians 4:1
THE UNFADING CROWN will be given to those who denied the flesh.
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS will be awarded to those who lived daily for Christ’s return.
“ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only me, but also to all who longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8
THE CROWN OF GLORY will be rewarded to those who shepherded Christ’s flock.
“…Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:3,4
PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you will help me to stay heavenly minded, focussing on You and the eternal rewards that come from following You, more than the temporary rewards here on earth.
Rewards don’t always come in this life, but thank You Lord for promising those who follow You that our best rewards await us in eternity.
- Robin Orefice
1 Corinthians 2 - 9.28.26
S - 1 Corinthians 2:8-9 - “None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But it is written that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived --- God has prepared these things for those who love Him.”
O - This must have been a trying time for Paul, to truly see the inability for the Corinthians knowing he had preached to them in the past and to see very little forward movement in their ability to see things through the spirit. Their views were very much on the worldly part of view, instead of the spiritual realm. Paul points out that the rulers of this time did not possess this wisdom , otherwise they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of Glory.
A - I need to become more reliant on the spiritual aspects instead of worldly wisdom. The Lord tells us things to do and we continually make choices without reading, praying, or listening to the Holy Spirit.
P - Lord, I pray that I continually seek you and the Holy Spirit in guidance. Lord, help me leave worldly ignorance behind and to love others unconditionally. Amen
- Brian Moen
Mark 15 - 9.25.26
Scripture: Mark 15:6-7
“Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was imprisoned with insurrectionists who had committed murder during the uprising.”
Observation:
Jesus is before Pilate on trial. Pilate offers to free the king of the Jews. The Pharisees and the crowd screamed, "Crucify Jesus," so a man named Barabbas was set free and Jesus went to the cross.
What is interesting is how Barabbas is described in the scripture. First, he is described as an insurrectionist who is a murderer. Second, Jesus's sacrifice saved Barabbas's physical life when he was released. We are not sure if Barabbas was ever spiritually saved, but his name is interesting. Barabbas's name means "Son of the Father." Jesus is "The Son of God the Father."
In an interesting lesson from Pastor Josh Howerton about the Day of Atonement, he shares about how this connects with Jesus's crucifixion and Barabbas's release. He shared how the Old Testament connects the release of Barrabas (sacrifice released) and Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. In Leviticus 16:7-10: “Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it as a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement by sending it into the wilderness.” Jesus was the sacrifice for our sins, and Barabbas—or insert your name—was the scapegoat. We were set free.
What caught my attention regarding Barabbas being physically saved is how it compares to some things in my own life and Mary (my wife). When I was a young kid I was hit by a car, and when Mary was a young adult, she was robbed at gunpoint. In both cases, God's Grace delivered us. It did not stop there. We still had to turn to Jesus for salvation. We can be saved physically but someday that will end. One day this body will pass but because Jesus was the sacrifice for my sins, I’ll have a new body in Heaven.
Application:
Nothing in the Bible is there by accident. The Scriptures are the inspired word of the Holy Spirit. Every word, comma, and every period is there for a reason. Matthew 5:18: "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." The Bible is not inconsistent or contradictory, as some people try and say. The Bible points to Jesus in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
If something you're reading stands out and you do not understand, write it down in your journal. Pray and read. Someday the Holy Spirit may reveal to you during your reading or hearing a sermon the scripture you had a question about. Seven times in the book of Revelation we read, "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Jesus does not want to be a mystery to us. He wants to have a close and personal relationship with us. He wants to reveal himself to us.
““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Prayer
Lord Jesus, your word is Holy, your word is truthful, and your word is to be cherished. It is amazing how many different ways in your word, Jesus, you showed us your life was going to be sacrificed for our sins. May we humbly cherish our opportunity to be in your word daily. Thank you. In Jesus name Amen
- Robert Oberg