King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Chapters: I CORINTHIANS 1-4
Study: Fool to The World, Wise to Christ
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
I just spent two hours designing a commitment card for my church in regards to faith promise, which is committing yourself to giving an offering for missionary support. The design was not hard and neither were the words, what was hard was the devil doing everything possible to keep me from saving the project. The program kept freezing up on me and erased it, even though I saved it. Nevertheless, I got it done after redoing it three times. Well, another thing that might be going on is that God has something important that He wants me to talk about today, but then again, the devil does not know my thoughts or God’s, he is just a pain like one of these infirmities that never seem to go away, but he will not prevail.
[Romans 8:36-39 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.]
The Book of I Corinthians was written by Paul to all believers, but directed to those in Corinth, he wrote it about 59AD. The purpose of the book was to address doctrinal problems that brought division between the Corinthian believers. What we are to learn from the book is that Jesus Christ, our risen Lord, indwells and works in every believer through the Holy Spirit, [1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.]
Paul spent nearly two years in Corinth, preaching the Gospel with great success, it was there that one of the first Christian churches was formed, consisting of both Jews and Greeks. A conflict arose, false doctrine was being taught, and this caused a great division among the members, instead of trusting God, they trusted the man of God. Paul stresses the importance of the church knowing and preaching the same Gospel.
[1 Corinthians 1:1-6 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:]
[through the will of God,] Nothing and no one can stop the will of God, especially not the devil. God, will give us whatever means necessary to further His cause, no matter how many obstacles he puts in our way. It is God’s will for every believer to be a testimony of Christ living inside of them so that we too can lead some to Christ. And it does not matter if God uses us to lead one or millions to Christ, we are all equals in Christ. And do you know why? We all preach the same message, which is the Gospel.
[1 Corinthians 1:9-13 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?]
[and that there be no divisions among you;] My pastor literates the importance of there being no clicks in our church as that is where divisions begin. As I mentioned yesterday, Christians are terrible at uniting together, but we all need to realize that we are all in this together. Not everyone is called to be a pastor, evangelist, teacher, or missionary, but we are all called to pray for one another and come together as one, [1 Corinthians 12:12-13,23-25 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.]
You see, to the world, being saved by grace through our faith in the sinless death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is foolish, but to us who are saved, they are the wisest words we will ever hear. Paul, goes on to remind us that we were once fools too, that was until we learned of Christ, and receiving Him as our Saviour is the wisest decision we will ever make.
[1 Corinthians 1:18-24 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.]
[I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,] Paul was referring to this passage, [Isaiah 29:13-15 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?] These fools may be able to fool their counterparts or even some of us who are true into believing that they are true, but God knows the truth and it will always come out.
[hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?] Just think about how foolish the world sounds right now? Covid, transgender, diversity, critical race theory, climate change, life on other planets, all of these things are made up and foolish because none of them exist as the world perceives them to be. Yes, Covid 19 existed, but was a corona virus, and is long gone, just like every other corona virus that comes and goes year after year, but a different strain. These fools, who think they they are so smart, are doing all of this to keep people who believe their lies under their control, and if they are going to believe the lies over the truth, then so be it, [Romans 1:22-24 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:]
There is that word again, heart, and let me tell you what all of this is really all about, death. The world, and most religions fear death so much that they think that if they just stop people from living then, they would live. Well, wake up people, death is unavoidable, and you can get rid of all the cows you want, that is still not going to stop the world from being destroyed. The only thing that is going to save you when the earth will be destroyed is Jesus Christ, that is as long as you believe the Gospel and accept Him as your Saviour. This is not rocket science, this is the simple, honest, Gospel, and Paul goes on to remind us that we do not need a degree to lead someone to Christ, we just need to believe in it ourselves and give our own testimony.
[1 Corinthians 2:1-7 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:]
[And I was with you in weakness, and in fear,] We are not sent out to preach the Gospel to the fools to tell them just how foolish they are, we are sent out to preach the Gospel to those who want to hear it. And this is why God uses people from all walks of life, which is what true diversity is, what we experience as Christians is used to bring others to Christ. We cannot reach everyone with the Gospel the same way, yes, the message is the same, but the approach is different, sometimes it takes for us to be in a weakened state or fearful because this is not about our glory, it is about Christ and revealing Him through whatever state God needs us to be in order to reach them.
[1 Corinthians 2:9-10,14-16 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.]
[But we have the mind of Christ.] This is what Paul is conveying, the approach in how we reach them all comes from the Holy Spirit and how He directs us to reach them. Why do you think that there are four books that preach the same message about the Gospel? It was to show us that it does not matter who we are, Jew, Gentile, Greek, Chinese, Italian, Hungarian, rich or poor, black, white, or red skinned, we all have the mind of Christ. I will tell you what, while we may be able to reach some people by reading Scripture, most respond to our worldly knowledge as we are reminded that sometimes we also need to speak carnally to reach them.
[1 Corinthians 3:1-3,8-11 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.]
[But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.] [Carnal; Pertaining to flesh; fleshly; sensual;] Remember, Paul, spoke to them as being carnal, meaning he reached them by teaching the Gospel without the use of a lot of Scripture. That did not mean that he was carnal, he still honored God by living his life as a temple of God, which we who are saved all are by the way.
[1 Corinthians 3:16-21 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;]
[If any man defile the temple of God,] Think about who Paul is referring to here, as it relates to being truly carnal. He is not referring to true saved, born again Christians, he is referring to the carnal unsaved ones, who appeared to be saved. It is like what Jesus said, [Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.]
New converts, backsliders, those who have gotten saved, but have not been taught anything else, are not able to bear all the knowledge of mature Christians. Therefore, we are to approach them as babes in Christ. Right now, you are where you need to be, the foundation has been laid, and you are standing upon the rock of Christ. Brick by brick, God is building something great inside of you, no matter what You do, you will not fail with Christ, and even if you do, God will bless you through your faithfulness. Paul, stress the importance of our being ministers of Christ, and that we be accountable because after all, we are stewards of the mysteries of God.
[1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.]
[but he that judgeth me is the Lord.] We learn and teach absolutely nothing if we rip and tear each other apart, which is why Jesus said, [Matthew 7:3-5 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.] We are all sinners saved by grace, and therefore, we are not to look at them as sinners, but souls who need that same grace that we are given. We answer to no one, but God, and while we may look like spectacles, we are no fools.
[1 Corinthians 4:9-14 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.]
[We are fools for Christ’s sake,] To the world, and religious, preaching about a man that died almost two thousand years ago is foolishness, but it is only by believing this foolishness that we can be saved. To the world, we are made spectacles because we remain faithful to Christ, and the more faithful we are the more we are despised. Let me tell you, it literally takes the strength of Christ to do what we do as a Christian, whether it is working in His ministry or in a grocery store, but the rewards are something that no one can ever take from us. I rather be despised as a Christian than be a lover of the world, [Psalms 119:141-144 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. 142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. 144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.]
Today’s Prayer: God, They may call me a fool for trusting in You, but I rather be a fool for Christ because I am more than a conqueror, I am Yours. When affliction comes my way, I admit, all I want to do it hide in a corner somewhere, and not talk to anyone, but when I come to my senses I realize that You are always there, ready to pick me up, and show me how to handle things. You are so merciful to me that it tears me to think that I suffered when all I had to do was come to You. Lord, there is no one like You, so loving, so trusting, so fearing, just as a Father should be, You may not remove the affliction, but Your grace is sufficient enough to help me through it, and I thank You for that. Walk with me, guide me, and abide in me, let me be who You need me to be to reach the lost. I love You Lord and ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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