1 Corinthians 4 - 9.30.26

Scripture: 1 Cor 4:16

“Therefore I urge you to imitate me”

Observation

This is from Paul’s second letter to Corinthians. In the verse before this, Paul reminds the church of Corinthians that though they have many guardians in Christ, it was Paul who brought them to the Lord, and therefore he is their spiritual father (1 Cor 4:15). Then he asks them to imitate him.

In a parallel verse, Paul says “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1, AMP)

Application

Can truly ask the people we mentor to imitate us? Do we reflect Christ? Does our character show Christ not only when we are in front of others, but also when we are by ourselves with our guards down, and in our authentic selves? Can we tell our spouse and our children as Paul said, “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ”?

I love the Sunday School song - “He is still working on me to make me what I ought to be; It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun and the earth and jupiter and mars; How loving and patient he must be, he is still working on me!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4okXv4Qn0&list=RDKr4okXv4Qn0&start_radio=1)

Thank God for his patience, and for his forgiveness, and for his redemption when our walk falls from his standards, and we are poor reflections of Christ. Thank God for the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Let us pray that we will be able to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10). Let us walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal 5:16). Let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Rom 13:14). 

Prayer

Dear Father, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for your patience with me. I want to be like you. I pray that I will be conformed to the image of your son (Rom 8:29). I pray that you will work in me, and will transform me to your image (2 Cor 3:18). You have promised that when you are revealed, I will be like you for I shall see you as you are (1 John 3:2). I pray that this mind will be in me, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5). I pray that you will help me to travail in prayer till Christ is formed in me (Gal 4:19). I pray that I will walk just as you walked (1 John 2:6). I pray that the name of God will not be blasphemed among the Gentiles because of me (Rom 2:24). I pray that you will help me to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is my reasonable service, and that I will not be conformed to this world, but will be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom 12:1-2). Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight (Ps 19:4). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

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