Gospel Sermons
by William Ralston
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Romans 3: The Grace of God
"Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if
some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, 'That you may be
justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.' But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to
inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still
being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just."
[Romans 3:1-8]
Romans 2:1-5
"Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice
the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such
things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing
that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when
God's righteous judgment will be revealed." [Romans 2:1-5] While in the first chapter Paul was speaking to Christians, in chapter
two he switches his attention to the Jews, rebuking them for their hypocritical judgement of others.
Romans 1:18-32 - "Claiming to be Wise, They Became Fools"
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be
known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived,
ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give
thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the
immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the
dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who
is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves
the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled
with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God,
insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who
practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." [Romans 1:18-32]
In today's social climate where any speech that anyone is offended by is labeled "Hate Speech", scriptures like these are particularly criticized. Yet these words are meant
not as an expression of hate, but a plea of warning. When people willingly forsake all of God's precepts with abandon, God will eventually give them over to all manner of
depravity, dooming them to eventual destruction.
Romans 1:16-17 - The Righteousness of God
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith' [Romans 1:16-17].
God is Righteous. Not only is God (Christ) righteous, He is the ONLY posessor of true righteousness.
No man is righteous: "as it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become
worthless; no one does good, not even one.' 'Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.' 'The venom of asps is under their lips.' 'Their mouth is
full of curses and bitterness.' 'Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.' 'There is no fear of God
before their eyes.'" [Romans 3:10-18]
Being such a pure and Holy attribute, Righteousness cannot tolerate un-righteousness, therefore it follows that God cannnot tolerate man in his current state. We should
recognize what a truely blessed gift Christ's sacrifice is - to make it possible to impart a form of righteousness on us, that we may be united with God in spite of our sins.
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." [Romans 1:16]
Romans 1:8-10: "Your Faith is Proclaimed in All the World"
"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you." [Romans 1:8-10] What a joy it is when Gods word takes root and produces fruit. Paul in his epistles consistently thanks God for those who have heard the Word and have remained steadfast. "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven." [Colossians 1:3-5] We should all be grateful to God for those we know who are saved and hold steady in the faith.
Romans 1
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." [Romans 1:1-7] Paul was appointed by Christ himself to be an Apostle and missionary, to proclaim the Gospel - the culmination of God's plan for mankind throughout the ages.
Paul Called To Be An Apostle
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus." [Acts 9:3-8] Paul was the only apostle to have not known Jesus personally while He was alive on earth. A persecutor of Christians, Paul was a person of high standing in the Jewish government, and went about towns within the Jewish jurisdiction with great zeal, rounding up Christians to be jailed or executed. Believing that he was doing God's will, he had a miraculous encounter with Jesus in spiritual form that changed his life, transforming him from a strident persecuter of Christians to one of the greatest proclaimers of the Gospel.
Paul, A Slave of Christ
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures..." [Romans 1:1-2] The word used here, in the original language, is used 150 times in scripture, and always meant "slave", and not "servant". While slavery carries a negative connotation in today's society, in the first century it was not always so - In fact, it was often an honour to be a slave, particularly when in service to a wealthy or prestigious family. To be regarded as a slave to the most high God would certainly be a great honour and responsibility as well.
Nehemiah 4:10-12 - Total Commitment
"But Judah said, 'The strength of the burden-bearers is failing, and there is much rubbish; we are not able to work on the wall.' And our enemies said, 'They will not
know or see till we come into the midst of them and kill them and stop the work.' When the Jews who lived by them came they said to us ten times, 'From all the places where
they live they will come up against us.'" [Nehemiah 10:10-12]
Christ calls his people to a life of spiritual war and conflict. "Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the
good confession in the presence of many witnesses." [I Timothy 6:12] "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life
itself. Why, we felt that we had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" [II Corinthians
1:8-9]
Nehemiah 4: Overcoming Satan's Lies
"Now when Sanbal′lat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he ridiculed the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brethren and of the army of Samar′ia, 'What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?' Tobi′ah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, 'Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!' Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn back their taunt upon their own heads, and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from thy sight; for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders." [Nehemiah 4:1-5] Lies and nefarious speech are among Satan's favorite weapons. What a terrible fire can be started by one small spark, and what great mischief can be perpetrated by a few words!
"We Will Arise and Build"
"Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer disgrace.' And I told them of the hand of my God which had been upon me for good, and also of the words which the king had spoken to me. And they said, 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanbal′lat the Hor′onite and Tobi′ah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they derided us and despised us and said, 'What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?' Then I replied to them, 'The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build; but you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem.'" [Nehemiah 2:17-20] When we are aligned with God's will, Satan has no right or portion in our work, and we can stand before kings without fear.
Nehemiah 2:1-8 - Journey to Jerusalem
Continuing in our study of Nehemiah. In his grief over hearing the condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah becomes aquainted with God in a way he never was before, and petitions his king to send him to Jerusalem with materials needed to rebuild Jerusalem's wall. "In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Ar-ta-xerx′es, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, 'Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing else but sadness of the heart.' Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, 'Let the king live for ever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?' Then the king said to me, 'For what do you make request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may rebuild it.' And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), 'How long will you be gone, and when will you return?' So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah; and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house which I shall occupy.' And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me." [Nehemiah 2:1-8]
Nehemiah 1:3-6
"And they said to me, 'The survivors there in the province who escaped exile are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are
destroyed by fire.' When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days; and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, 'O Lord
God of heaven, the great and terrible God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let thy ear be attentive, and thy eyes
open, to hear the prayer of thy servant which I now pray before thee day and night for the people of Israel thy servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel,
which we have sinned against thee'." [Nehemiah 1:3-6] Unlike us, our God is a God who keeps his covenants perfectly, and has steadfast love
for those who love him and keep his commandments.
Nehemiah was a restorer. His task was to rebuild a destroyed Jerusalem from the ground up, even among people who opposed him and wanted to see him fail - this took great
courage and dedication. If we are to rebuild Christ's Church in the 21st century, it will require people like Nehemiah.
Resurrection as Gospel and a Source of Power
"Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me." [I Corinthians 15:1-8]
Nehemiah 1:2-3
"Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital, that Hana′ni, one of my brethren, came with certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that survived, who had escaped exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, 'The survivors there in the province who escaped exile are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.'" [Nehemiah 1:2-3]
Hebrews 4:1 - "Let Us Fear"
"Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers." [Hebrews 4:1]
The Lord Shall Renew Their Strength
"Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, 'My way is hid from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God'? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." [Isaiah 40:27-31]
The Coming of John the Baptist: "...he will be great before the Lord"
"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechari'ah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli'jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.'" [Luke 1:13-17]
Lukewarm Worship is Worse Than No Worship At All
"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you,
O priests, who despise my name. But you say, 'How have we despised your name?' By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying
that the Lord's table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil?
Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a
gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on
my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand."
[Malachi 1:6-10]
The Greatest Commandment
"But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sad'ducees, they came together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a
question, to test him. 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.'"
[Matthew 22:34-40]
I Samuel 15: To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has also rejected you from being king.'"
[I Samuel 15:22-23]
Revival Part 2: Sending Out the Apostles
"These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, 'Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. [Matthew 10:5-15]
Introduction to Revival
Often the Church's role in people's lives is diminished by the teachings of political activism from the pulpit. God beckons us to a higher calling, that of true religion - a renewed and serious interest in all things spiritual.
Daniel in the Lions' Den
"Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!'
And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning
Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and
went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, 'O Daniel, servant of the
living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?' Then Daniel said to the king, 'O king, live forever! My God sent his angel
and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.' Then the king was
exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted
in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions-they, their children, and their wives.
And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces."
[Daniel 6:16-28]
Matthew 13:24-30 - Parable of the Weeds
"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." [Matthew 13:24-30]
Parable of the Sower
In I Corinthians 3:6, Paul refers to God's people as "God's field." In Old Testament, we see that the heart of man is compared to soil, with the capability of being either hard or soft (Jeremiah 4:3-4). This is the idea which is conveyed in our text and Jesus reveals to us that there are four types of soil representing the hearts of four types of people. There is the ground that is along the path which represents hard hearts (Luke 8:12). The shallow soil along rock is good for a little while and represents those who are quick to believe yet there is no depth of soil. Consequently, they fall away in times of testing [Luke 8:13]. The soil which is full of thorns represents those who while hearing the word are choked out and do not produce fruit [Luke 8:14]. "As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." [Luke 8:15]
Matthew 12:33-37 - A Tree is Known by it's Fruit
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." [Matthew 12:33-37].
Matthew 12:1-8 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice
"At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, 'Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.' He said to them, 'Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." [Matthew 12:1-8].
Index
Matthew 11:25-30 - The Revelation to the Little Ones
"At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." [Matthew 11:25-30].
Matthew 11:20-24 - Woe To Unrepentant Cities
"Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.'" [Matthew 11:20-24].
Matthew 11:1-19 - Dealing With Discouragement
"When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.' As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 'But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.'" [Matthew 11:1-19].
The Reasons for Division
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." [Matthew 10:34-39] Just as in the 21st century, Jesus was a divisive force among the people of the 1st century. But just like in the 1st century, His message to us is "Follow Me".
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles Part 2
"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." [Matthew 10:16-23]
Matthew 10 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
"These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, 'Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.'" [Matthew 10:5-15]
Matthew 9:27 - Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
"And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David.' When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to him, 'Yes, Lord.' Then he touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith be it done to you.' And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, 'See that no one knows about it.' But they went away and spread his fame through all that district." [Matthew 9:27-31]
Psalm 3: You, O Lord, Are a Shield About Me
Surrounded by enemies, including his own son and the nation of Israel, King David raises this prayer to God: "O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, 'There is no salvation for him in God.' But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!" [Psalm 3:1-8]
Matthew 9:18-26 - He Spoke These Things To Them
"While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her,
and she will live.' And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up
behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, 'If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.' Jesus turned, and seeing her he
said, 'Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.' And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute
players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, 'Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put
outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.
And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David.' When he entered the house, the blind men came to him,
and Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to him, 'Yes, Lord.' Then he touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith be
it done to you.' And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, 'See that no one knows about it.' But they went away and spread his fame through all that
district."
[Matthew 9:18-26]
Matthew 9:18-38 - The Harvest is Plenty, But the Laborers Few
"While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her,
and she will live.' And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up
behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, 'If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.' Jesus turned, and seeing her he
said, 'Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.' And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute
players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, 'Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put
outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.
And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David.' When he entered the house, the blind men came to him,
and Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to him, 'Yes, Lord.' Then he touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith be
it done to you.' And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, 'See that no one knows about it.' But they went away and spread his fame through all that
district.
As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled,
saying, 'Never was anything like this seen in Israel.' But the Pharisees said, 'He casts out demons by the prince of demons.'
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every
affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,
'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
[Matthew 9:18-38]
Index
Matthew 9:14-17 - Old Wineskins
"Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved." [Matthew 9:14-17]
Matthew 9:9-13 Jesus Calls Matthew, Calls Sinners - Not the Righteous
"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?' But when he heard it, he said, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" [Matthew 9:9-13]
Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus Heals a Paralytic
"And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.' And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, 'This man is blaspheming.' But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' he then said to the paralytic 'Rise, pick up your bed and go home.' And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men." [Matthew 9:1-8]
Matthew 8:23-27 The Winds and The Sea Obey His Will
"And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, 'Save us, Lord; we are perishing.' And he said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'" [Matthew 8:23-27]
Matthew 8:18 The Cost of Discipleship
"Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, 'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' Another of the disciples said to him, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' And Jesus said to him, 'Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.'" [Matthew 8:18-22]
Matthew 8:14-17 - Jesus Slips Away
"And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 'He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.'"[Matthew 8:14-17]
Matthew 8:5-13 - Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant
When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment. [Matthew 8:5-13]
Matthew 8:1-4 - Jesus Heals a Leper
As Jesus concludes the "Sermon on the Mount", he descends the hill and is accosted by a leper: "When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.' And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." [Matthew 8:1-3] In ancient times leprosy was regarded by many to be the result of sin - if a person is "unclean" outside, he must be unclean inside, also. In our day, we have those we consider "lepers" - people who suffer misfortune or poverty and are regarded by many as sinful. The logic goes "If he was right with God, he wouldn't be suffering so". Who are those that you consider to be "spiritual lepers"?
Matthew 7:17-23 - Bearing Fruit
"So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." [Matthew 7:17-20]
Matthew 7:15-20 - Wolves Among Us
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." [Matthew 7:15] False prophets give us tantalizing messages, but are inwardly full of lies and deceit. Wolves seek to devour the innocent by leading them astray. "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" [Matthew 7:16] Are we sheep, wolves, or goats?
Index
Matthew 7:13 - The Narrow Gate
Jesus warns of the difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven. "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." [Matthew 7:13-14] A similar admonition can be found in Luke: "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out."[Luke 13:24] Jesus is the only gate to Heaven, but narrow also is the path we must follow to be faithful Christians.
Matthew 7 - The "Golden Rule": "..for this is the Law and the Prophets."
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them..." [Matthew 7:12] - This is part of the verse that we refer to as the "Golden Rule", and this first part is the part that people most often quote. At a glance it could be regarded as "words of wisdom" or "good advice", but for the second half of the verse: "..for this is the Law and the Prophets.". When read in this context, the verse is obviously far more profound than "good advice" - it is a distillation of the entire meaning of the Old Testament.
Matthew 7:7 - Ask, and It Will Be Given
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" [Matthew 7:7-11]
Matthew 7:1-5 - Judge Not?
"Judge not, that you be not judged". [Matthew 7:1 2]. This may well be the most quoted passage in the bible, and may also be the most missused. Taken out of context, it appears to tell us that we are not to judge anyone, regardless of their deeds and lifestyle. However, reading the very next verses, a more complete context can be gained. "For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" [Matthew 7:2-5]. These verses are aimed at the hypocrits and sinners of the audience who judge others while doing the same or worse themselves.
Matthew 6:25 - Be Not Anxious
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." [Matthew 6:25-33]
Matthew 6:22 - The Eye is the Lamp of the Body
"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.
If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" [Matthew 6:22-23] Jesus suggests that our entire spiritual well-being
is dependent of the behavior of our eyes. James used a rudder analogy to talk about the tongue - "Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by
strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs." [James 3:4] The same analogy could be used
for the eye.
The eye produces and maintains affection - If you have never looked at something, it's hard to long after it. As a lamp fills a room with light, the eye can also fill
our souls with the light of Jesus. "If your eye is healthy" refers to having a single focus. We can't look at two opposing masters for enlightenment. If we're successful
in looking at Jesus alone, we are promised that our whole body will be filled with light.
Matthew 6:19 - Where Your Treasure Is
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal" [Matthew 6:19].
Jesus gives instructions on managing our blessings - Verse 19 tells us what not to do, and verse 20 tells us the better way: "but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." He concludes in verse 21: " For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also." This strikes at the heart of our devotion to God - we should love the Creator more than we do His creation. The devil is often successful in
"choking out" our love for God by tempting us to love our possessions. God already knows what temporal things we need: "And do not seek what you are to eat and what
you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and
these things will be added to you. [Luke 12:29-31]. When asked by a rich young ruler "what must I do to inherit eternal life?", Jesus
tells him "..Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." [Luke 18:22].
Though we need worldly provisions to survive through our brief stay on earth, even greater is our need for treasure laid up for our eternal lives.
The Lord's Instructions on Fasting
Fasting should not be done for outward appearances, but for the Lord who sees in secret, that he may reward you openly [Matthew 6:16-18].
In Matthew 6 it is mentioned right next to prayer, which implies it's importantance. Fasting could be looked at like a feast rather than deprivation, much the same as
giving of your means - something to be joyfull about.
Fasting is a matter of personal choice, depending on health, etc. There are many health benefits related to fasting but more importantly, spiritual benefits can be
realised.
There is a time for eating, a time for praying, and a time for fasting. Fasting is often done during times of distress, or when deep, intense prayer is called for.
In the New Testament we are not commanded to fast, just as we are not commanded to give a certain amount of our means to the Lord as in the Old Testament. But like
giving, we are taught to give our service to God in accordance with our level of gratitute and love for our Lord.
Fasting is something that "catches the eye" of our Lord. It accentuates the fact that we are serious about what we are praying for. It was used in the Old Testament
to avert the judgement of God [I Kings 21:27-29, Jonah 3:4-10], used in Acts to prepare for annoiting new apostles
[Acts 13:2-3], and required when greater power from the Holy Spirit was needed [Matthew 17:20-21].
Ask God to give you hunger for the bread of life rather than hunger for food for the body.
Church Growth: Which Church are We?
When asked by a lawyer what the greatest command was, Jesus replied: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind"
[Matthew 22:37] Hosea admonished the Hebrews of his time: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow
ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you." [Hosea 10:12] God's vision for every
generation is that Christ's Church be filled in abundance. Why are we content to reach limited numbers of people when God is able to fill our Churches, if we gain His
favor?
God has called us to influence society - to be the "salt of the earth". God articulates his disappointment with the poor state of his people in Ezekiel's time:
"And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none."
[Ezekiel 22:30] We are in the same such critical hour now. Either we will be like the vibrant, growing church described in Acts, or the
stagnant, failing church in Laodicea.
Gods Vision for Trying Times
William preaches an excellent sermon on the world's need to repent and come to God - God has done his part, now we need to do ours.
Index
The Lord's Prayer
Matthew 6:5-15 contains Jesus' instructions to his followers concerning prayer to God, and contains what Christians refer to as "The Lord's Prayer". Jesus tells his followers how and why they should pray, and gives an example of an appropriate petition to God.
Matthew 5:38 - Walking in Grace Toward Outsiders
The Jewish nation had long held the Law of Moses in the utmost respect and honor. Any change in the status of their law was sure to be received unfavorably by them. Therefore, Christ quite early in his ministry took pains to spell out for them his true and proper relationship to the Law of Moses. Nevertheless, the difference in "fulfilling" and "destroying" the Law of Moses was about the same as the difference between "paying off" a promissory note and "repudiating" it. In either case, it is effectively removed. Christ took the law out of the way [Col. 2:14-16]; and yet he did so, not by violating it, but by it! Christ fulfilled the law (1) by his own unswerving obedience to it, (2) by his exact manifestation as its promised Messiah, and (3) by enlarging and expanding its teachings, lifting them to a higher and purer level, and by bringing all the Old Testament teachings to perfection in the perfect Law of Liberty.
Matthew 5:27-30
V:27 Once more, Christ selected as his target one of the great and highly respected words of the Decalogue, blasting it with his "BUT I SAY UNTO YOU!" No wonder Christ's teachings on this occasion resulted in astonishment and amazement among the people (Matthew 7:28,29). V:28 Thus, Christ made the lustful thought as sinful as the overt act. In the light of this, who is innocent? In this commandment, just as in the case of the Fifth Commandment, Jesus was more concerned with antecedents than with overt sins. Adultery proceeds from impure thinking; and in this passage Christ's law appears far higher and more discerning than the Decalogue. V:30 The location of this verse in the midst of Jesus' teaching on adultery makes the meaning clear. Christ expects his followers to avoid gross sin by keeping the fountain of the heart sweet and clean. That this requires exertion, self-denial, and determination of heroic proportions is seen in the implied comparison of plucking out the right eye. The comparison is valid and is so recognized in medicine which often amputates an offending member to save the entire physical body. The giving up of cherished sin is far more difficult but just as necessary - those who would enter into life. Matt 18:8-9
Matthew 5:21-26: Jesus Teaches "Thou shalt not kill"
What Christ did at this point in his teachings is bold, daring, and sensational beyond anything one could imagine today. Here was the case of a prophet, yet relatively unknown, placing himself squarely on record as superior to the Law of Moses, even the Decalogue. Christ in this chapter mentioned several of the commandments, exposed their weakness, and specifically elevated his own will and teachings ABOVE them. He also laid bare, in the most painful manner for the ceremonialists, the awful weakness of the Decalogue, in that a person might indeed keep the letter of it without being in any sense at all truly righteous in the eyes of God! Of course, the Pharisees were the obvious and notorious examples of that very condition; they kept the commandments, but were children of the devil. Jesus opposed the Pharisees and their way of life as essentially sinful in spite of all punctilious observances of tithes, ceremonies, and formalities of the Mosaic religion, embellished, of course, with countless traditions of their own.
Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfilling the Law
The Jewish nation had long held the Law of Moses in the utmost respect and honor. Any change in the status of their law was sure to be received unfavorably by them. Therefore, Christ quite early in his ministry took pains to spell out for them his true and proper relationship to the Law of Moses. Nevertheless, the difference in "fulfilling" and "destroying" the Law of Moses was about the same as the difference between "paying off" a promissory note and "repudiating" it. In either case, it is effectively removed. Christ took the law out of the way [Colossians 2:14-16]; and yet he did so, not by violating it, but by it! Christ fulfilled the law (1) by his own unswerving obedience to it, (2) by his exact manifestation as its promised Messiah, and (3) by enlarging and expanding its teachings, lifting them to a higher and purer level, and by bringing all the Old Testament teachings to perfection in the perfect Law of Liberty.
Matthew 5:13-16: Christians Are The Salt Of The Earth
Salt keeps food from being tasteless and preserves it from corruption. Both these functions are performed by Christians for society as a whole. A little more salt (true followers of God) would have preserved Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction. Another pertinent observation regarding salt is that it must come in contact with that which is to be benefited by it. So must Christians come in contact with the rest of mankind. Christ did not encourage isolation and severe avoidance of all forms of indulgence. It is also proper to observe that salt is indispensable. So are Christians. The light Christians give forth to others is truly derived from Christ. Just as all light, energy, and power on earth are derived from the sun, center of our solar system, just so, all moral and spiritual light are derived from the Sun of Righteousness, our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ forbade permitting business and commerce to obscure one's influence for the truth. He warned against permitting cares, duties, and obligations of life to take precedence over faith. He prohibited licentiousness, laziness, or idleness. Jesus concluded his analysis of the Christian's relationship to the world, making them to be both salt and light.
Matthew 5: The First Sermon of Jesus Christ
When Jesus began to speak, He was prepared to make the declaration of the cardinal principles set forth in the ensuing discourse, called the Sermon on the Mount. The word "blessed" means "happy" and is so translated by some. Persons with the attitude of the poor in spirit shall have the privilege of becoming members of the kingdom, namely by entering it by means of the new birth. Why should Christians mourn? They mourn from those sorrows and bereavements which are the common lot of all men. How unspeakably blessed, therefore, is the promise of our Savior, "THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED!" Inherit the earth ... does not refer exclusively to the "new heaven and the new earth", but to this present earth as well. This is a statement that their relationship to the earth and its possessions shall be such as to bring them the greatest possible benefit and enjoyment of it. The desire for righteousness is the only desire of man that can be truly and finally satisfied. This is to say that those who are merciful toward others shall receive for themselves mercy from Almighty God. Those who are merciful toward others shall receive for themselves mercy from Almighty God. The citizens of His kingdom shall be peacemakers. Indeed, persons without this attitude need not apply.
Matthew 4: The Double-edged Sword of The Word of God
The temptation of the first Adam took place in a garden; the temptation of the second Adam took place in a wilderness. Temptation is in itself no sin. This is implicit in the fact that Christ was tempted. The oft-repeated lie of Satan that it is as wrong to desire to do evil as it is actually to do evil is frustrated by this passage. It is not temptation to do wrong that constitutes sin, but YIELDING to that temptation. Jesus' answer to temptation was, "It is written ... it is written ... and again, it is written!" The Lord's followers should meet every crucial test of life with a like response! This places the highest stamp of approval upon the Bible. It is simply unthinkable that the Christ of God would have relied upon a merely human and fallible book in his encounter with the Prince of Evil. Jesus' use of the Scriptures in this situation plainly marks them as the words OF GOD! Indeed, this principle is dogmatically asserted, "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." The Christian should receive as his never-to-be-rejected authority in spiritual matters, the word of God, the word only, every word, and nothing but the word. Satan's promise has no bearing on the Christian, which is regulated by the word of God, not by Satan's words.
Matthew 3: John the Baptist, Forerunner for Jesus Christ
This chapter follows some thirty years after the events recorded in the previous chapter. The public appearance of the Baptist marked a new era. He came forward in the two-fold capacity of a prophet and forerunner of the Messiah. Since prophecy had been silent for 400 years, and all patriotic Jews were longing for the coming of the Messiah to deliver them from the Roman yoke, it is not surprising that he was welcomed with enthusiasm; and that those who ventured to doubt his mission found it expedient to dissemble. John's message was one of repentance. Benjamin Franklin, pioneer Restoration preacher, proclaimed that God appointed three changes in conversion and three actions designed to effect those three changes. These are FAITH to change the heart (mind); REPENTANCE to change the will; and BAPTISM to change the status. John was the herald of this approaching king, Christ, in his kingdom. That this wonderful new kingdom was not to be a kingdom of this world in the ordinary and secular sense was a fact unknown to the Jews and only dimly appreciated by the Twelve themselves, especially at first. The kingdom of God and the church are one and the same institution, and this fact is more and more apparent.
Matthew 2: An Image of Satan's Destruction
The first verse of Isaiah starts with a reference to the baptism of Christ, upon which occasion the Spirit of God in the form of a dove descended and alighted upon Jesus, remaining upon him. Nothing like this is written of Isaiah. Jesus Christ alone possessed the Spirit of God without limitation. The message and work of the Speaker here far transcend those of a prophet, even Isaiah; they are characteristic of deity. It is contrary to the entire spirit of Isaiah's writings for him to have glorified himself in such language as that which appears here. Without any question whatever, we have here another passage like the others labeled "The Song of the Servant." Some have interpreted these verses as a fifth Servant Song. This interpretation is required by simple logic. The Suffering Servant is Christ; this passage refers to Christ; therefore, the passage refers to the Suffering Servant, regardless of the fact that the title does not appear in the passage! Christ referred to an even greater deliverance of men, their deliverance from the captivity and bondage of sin. Our Lord did not come to earth on a mission of getting people out of jail!
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Isaiah 61: Jesus, the Fulfillment of Scripture
The first verse of Isaiah starts with a reference to the baptism of Christ, upon which occasion the Spirit of God in the form of a dove descended and alighted upon Jesus, remaining upon him. Nothing like this is written of Isaiah. Jesus Christ alone possessed the Spirit of God without limitation. The message and work of the Speaker here far transcend those of a prophet, even Isaiah; they are characteristic of deity. It is contrary to the entire spirit of Isaiah's writings for him to have glorified himself in such language as that which appears here. Without any question whatever, we have here another passage like the others labeled "The Song of the Servant." Some have interpreted these verses as a fifth Servant Song. This interpretation is required by simple logic. The Suffering Servant is Christ; this passage refers to Christ; therefore, the passage refers to the Suffering Servant, regardless of the fact that the title does not appear in the passage! Christ referred to an even greater deliverance of men, their deliverance from the captivity and bondage of sin. Our Lord did not come to earth on a mission of getting people out of jail!
Ephesians 1:15-23: The Spirit of Promise
The "love, joy and peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, etc.," which mark the true Spirit of promise in Christian hearts are here considered to be one in kind with the joys of the redeemed in heaven. The Christian life, faithfully lived, is itself the beginning of the heavenly adventure. Verse 15 begins a prayer Paul penned on behalf of his addressees, running through the end of Ephesians. Paul did not cease to give thanks for his converts. The constant, never-failing supplications of Paul for the beloved in Christ cannot fail to impress any thoughtful person. Paul never forgot to pray for others, and thanksgiving was a prominent, invariable element in all of Paul's prayers that have come down to us. Whatever the circumstances, he always found something to be thankful for. The apostle did not pray that God would give to all the Ephesians the knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, by an immediate revelation made to themselves; but that he would enable them to understand the revelation of these doctrines which was made to the apostles, and which they preached to the world. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus Christ spoke of "all authority" in heaven and upon earth having been given unto him; and exactly the same teaching is here. It is not merely the fact of Christ's universal, eternal power which Paul affirmed here; the significant thing is that he is the head of that community of men and women on earth called "the church" who are his body, his spiritual body, having an intimate and eternal connection with the all-powerful One who is actually the "head" of that spiritual body.
I Corinthians 15: Resurrection
Practically all of this chapter is devoted to teaching concerning the resurrection. Starting with how The dead will be raised [I Corinthians 15:1-34]: The resurrection of Christ proves it [I Corinthians 15:1-11], because the Scriptures foretold it [I Corinthians 15:1-4], and eyewitnesses attested it [I Corinthians 15:5-11]. Denial of the resurrection is absurd [I Corinthians 15:12-34], because If the dead rise not, it would mean Christ did not [I Corinthians 15:13], it would follow that preaching was useless [I Corinthians 15:14], it would mean faith was worthless [I Corinthians 15:14],it would mean that the apostles were liars [I Corinthians 15:15], it would deny all possibility of salvation from sin [I Corinthians 15:16-17], it would mean that the righteous dead were lost [I Corinthians 15:18], it would mean all believers in Christ were to be pitied [I Corinthians 15:19], it would mean that even the rite of baptism for the dead, as practiced by the heathen, was absurd [I Corinthians 15:29], and it would mean that sufferings and privations of the apostles were vain and useless [I Corinthians 15:31-34]. An illustration of the reasonableness of the doctrine of the resurrection (introduced parenthetically, as often in Paul's writings) [I Corinthians 15:20-28] includes: "But now hath Christ been raised up [I Corinthians 15:20]", Paul could not wait until the conclusion of his argument, but dogmatically declared the truth of the resurrection; "As death came to all through one person (Adam), it is fitting that the resurrection should come through one" [I Corinthians 15:21-22]; The order of the resurrection is given [I Corinthians 15:23-28]. Finally, we come to the practical application of the doctrine of the resurrection [I Corinthians 15:55-58]: It places the Christian in a position of strength, the great victory already having been won [I Corinthians 15:55-57];and all of the Christian's energies should be devoted fully to the service of God, being assured that his labor is not in vain "in the Lord" [I Corinthians 15:58].
Psalm 80: A Desperate Plea for Revival
We are studying Psalm 80 within the context of a desperate plea for true spiritual revival within the church, our nation, and world. This psalm appears to reflect the period of the Babylonian captivity, a period of hardship and disaster for the entire Hebrew nation. God is petitioned for salvation in the prayers in Psalm 80:1-7, with the names of the particular tribes bracketing the northern and southern tribes of Israel, and God being the leader of all Israel. The latter half of the Psalm refers to God taking Israel out of the Egyptian slavery, though God had ignored them for their later degeneracy. The psalm ends in a desperate plea to return to His children, to help change His children back to himself, and restore them to their former glory. The way back to a truly revived spirit in Christ is to turn away from the utter degeneracy of the world, and seek the face of God in earnest.
Acts 2:42-47: The Revivalist Church
In the last few verses of Acts 2, we see an image of what it looks like to keep a great church. As this church did, so should every church do, the apostles' teaching being the only doctrinal authority in the Christian religion, and Christians offered prayers at any and all times, and in any and all places. The signs mentioned were of such a powerful and supernatural nature, that fear came upon the whole community of Christians, and presumably upon many in Jerusalem besides these. Verses 44-46 do NOT speak about "Christian Communism", as these two ideas are radically different from each other. Where Christians give willingly out of their love of God, Communism forces men to give out of fear of the State. It is difficult to imagine a more significant chain of events than those related in this chapter, closing as it does, with this reference to a successful, ongoing church, faithful to God and to each other.
I Corinthians 12: Members Of Christ's Body
This and the following two chapters were written to correct disorders which had arisen in the Corinthian church over the question of spiritual gifts, especially with regard to envy and strife over the relative importance of various gifts. The great test of all spirituality is its relation to Christ and his spiritual body the church. So-called "gifts" that led to the denunciation of Christ or any conduct that contravened the will of Christ were not of God, but of the devil. "Gifts" that take people away from the church are not of God's Spirit at all, but are derived from the evil one [I Corinthians 12:1-3]. There is diversity in the unity of the church, since the Lord has not given the same gifts to all Christians [I Corinthians 12:4-11]. The great metaphor of "the body" is developed as a figure of Christ's spiritual body, the church [I Corinthians 12:12-31].
The Corinthian Church and the Lord's Supper
This and the following three chapters are usually construed as Paul's corrective admonition regarding the "worship services"; but since the first paragraph [I Corinthians 11:1-16] undoubtedly refers to social customs, there being even some doubt of its application to any worship service whatever, there is no need for adherence to such an outline. Throughout this epistle, the apostle Paul dealt with miscellaneous church conditions and disorders, making it nearly impossible to fit the epistle into any form of classical outline. The first paragraph regards the veiling of women [I Corinthians 11:1-16], and the second teaches concerning the Lord's supper [I Corinthians 11:17-34].
I Corinthians 10 & 11: Communion
This and the following three chapters are usually construed as Paul's corrective admonition regarding the "worship services"; but
since the first paragraph [I Corinthians 11:1-16] undoubtedly refers to social customs, there being
even some doubt of its application to any worship service whatever, there is no need for adherence to such an outline. Throughout this
epistle, the apostle Paul dealt with miscellaneous church conditions and disorders, making it nearly impossible to fit the epistle into
any form of classical outline.
The first paragraph regards the veiling of women [I Corinthians 11:1-16], and the second
teaches concerning the Lord's supper [I Corinthians 11:17-34].
I Corinthians 10: "Do What It Says"
In I Corinthians 10:1, Paul refutes the impression that the Lord's Supper and Christian Baptism causes immunity to any contamination from idolatry; baptism is an antitype of Israel's passing through the Red Sea [I Corinthians 10:2]; the spiritual food of the Gospel is an antitype of Israel's manna [I Corinthians 10:3]; the spiritual drink from the rock that was Christ is an antitype of water from the cleft rock [I Corinthians 10:4]; Paul warns of the results of disobedience by bringing Israel up as an example [I Corinthians 10:5]; baptism and partaking in the Lord's table does not cause immunity to sin [I Corinthians 10:6]; a warning about idolatry [I Corinthians 10:7]; a warning about sexual immorality [I Corinthians 10:8]; a warning about testing God's obedience to His law [I Corinthians 10:9]; the Old Testament is an example and warning to Christians [I Corinthians 10:11].
Hebrews 13: Hospitality to Strangers
We're speaking on the first two versus of Hebrews 13. These are worthy indeed of standing thus alone as a divine injunction of the greatest importance, speaking directly to our mission here at the Main Street Church of Christ. Our brother! He stands before us, like ourselves, made in the image of God, an heir of eternal life, and a beneficiary of the blood of Christ; and our love should reach out to him with all of the emotional thrust of which the heart is capable. And who is my brother? Not him alone who belongs to my little circle, but the "stranger," as taught in these verses, that man we may never have seen before, but a man in extremity, needing love and compassion in a world that has little of either, such a man as that befriended by the Good Samaritan. Every man is my brother; for, if I miss him in Christ, I shall hit him in Adam!
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I Corinthians 9: The Christian Race
Paul exhorts Christians to earnestly contend in the contest of Christian life. "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." [I Corinthians 9:19] Our God has put in us the ability to alter history by our decisions. "To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings." [I Corinthians 9:20-23] "And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet..." [Acts 22:2] Many times we are guilty of doing the opposite and placing unnecessary stumbling blocks. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?" [I Corinthians 9:24] "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." [I Corinthians 9:25] "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." [I Corinthians 9:27] If we want to be a professional athlete in the race of Christian life, we need to do what professional athletes do.
I Corinthians 8 & 9: Hospitality for the Saints
Paul established four timeless principles of Christian behavior in the course of his writing on this subject, these being: (1) that what is permissible behavior for one man may, in certain circumstances, be dangerous and sinful in another; (2) that no Christian conduct should be evaluated solely from the standpoint of knowledge, but in the light of the love of brethren, with regard to its possible influence upon others, and in the light of what others may think of it; (3) that no Christian has a right to practice anything, however innocent it may be to him, if in so doing he shall damage the faith of another; and (4) that whatever is done, even to the weakest member of the body of Christ, is also done to Christ himself, and that weakening or destroying the faith of even the least and weakest of Christ's members is a sin of the greatest magnitude against Christ himself. "A pleasure or an indulgence which may be the ruin of someone else is not a pleasure but a sin."
I Corinthians 7: Difficult Christian Answers
Like many other chapters which are sometimes labeled "difficult," this one contains some of the most instructive teaching in the New Testament, and affords glimpses of the apostolic method which add greatly to one's faith in the integrity of the apostles. This is one of the most interesting chapters in the New Testament, due to the nature of its being Paul's apostolic answers to no less than six questions propounded in a letter from the church at Corinth. Paul starts with the duties of married Christian couples [I Corinthians 7:1-7]; The question of singleness and celibacy [I Corinthians 7:8-9]; The question about divorce [I Corinthians 7:10-11]; The question about Pagan-Christian marriages [I Corinthians 7:12-16]; Becoming a Christian does not wipe your pre-existing obligations from you [I Corinthians 7:17-24]; The question of Christian fathers arranging marriages [I Corinthians 7:25-38].
Psalm 51: The Ultimate Prayer for Forgiveness
There may be no more impassioned or beautiful prayer for forgiveness and renewal in the Bible than here. The poet's wrongdoing has overwhelmed him. His remorse and his plea are intense. David accepts personal responsibility for what he's done [Psalm 51:1-9]. Four different words for sin: transgressions [Psalm 51:1,3]; iniquity [Psalm 51:2,5,9]; evil [Psalm 51:4]; sin [Psalm 51:2-5,9]. David's multiple petitions for forgiveness [Psalm 51:1,2,7,9,14]. David's prayer for renewal [Psalm 51:10-13]. David's vow to offer spiritual sacrifices [Psalm 51:14-17]. David's intercession for Jerusalem [Psalm 51:17-18].
I Corinthians 6: Flee Immorality, Seek Righteousness
A vast proportion of the whole Corinthian population participated in such sins as are catalogued here in I Corinthians 6:9-10; Paul calls attention to the conditions from which they had been rescued by Christ [I Corinthians 6:11]; The purpose of the body is not the gratification of its appetites, but it is for the Lord, a reference to the indwelling of the Spirit [I Corinthians 6:13]; We will be raised through the power of God, [I Corinthians 6:14]; Protesting the incongruity of debasing such members of Christ in immorality [I Corinthians 6:15]; The true Christian, having been joined to the Lord through his conversion from sin, is one in spirit with the Lord [I Corinthians 6:17]; Flee fornication [I Corinthians 6:18]; Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God [I Corinthians 6:19]; Glorify God in your body [I Corinthians 6:20].
I Corinthians: Church Discipline
Paul starts with ferocious rebuke of the grossest of sins [I Corinthians 5:1]; Mourning the prideful boasting of such sin [I Corinthians 5:2]; Paul reminds that he is among the church in spirit, and can rebuke such sin remotely [I Corinthians 5:3-4]; Paul denounces these sins in the strongest and most potent language possible [I Corinthians 5:5]; Paul reminds the church that such sin can destroy the entire church [ I Corinthians 5:6-8]; He reminds the church not to keep company with the worst sinners among them [I Corinthians 5:9-11]; Paul's main point is that the church must not tolerate the presence of evil in its midst [I Corinthians 5:12].
People Believe What They Want to Believe
There have been many so-called "messiahs" throughout history. There have been revolutionaries, religious leaders and self-proclaimed saviors - but which of these was able to raise himself from the dead? "So the Jews said to him, 'What sign do you show us for doing these things?' Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'" [John 2:18-19]. Speaking of His life Jesus declared: "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." [John 10:18]. Jesus had to leave us, so that the Holy Spirit could be sent; "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judge." [John 16:6-11]. "This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing." [Acts 2:32]. People believe what they want to believe. Those who are willing to believe can find plenty of proof through the scriptures and through common-sense logic. "For those who do not believe, no proof is sufficient - for those who do believe, no proof is necessary." [Unknown Author].
Paul Rebukes Contented Wealth
Paul refutes any notion of approval of factions, instead rebuking factious leaders in Corinth [I Corinthians 4:6]. God gives to every man life, talent, ability, opportunity, health, personality, strength, everything that he is or has [I Corinthians 4:7]; Paul strongly disapproves of the pompous and overblown leaders of both the church and city of Corinth [I Corinthians 4:8]; Paul draws the pictures of himself and fellow apostles as "the last and most worthless band" brought fourth to die in the great arena, where all view the spectacle, [I Corinthians 4:9]; Paul rebukes the disgusting development and moral ugliness of the behavior of his child, the Church in Corinth [I Corinthians 4:10-13]; Paul isn't trying to be rough or harsh, but corrective as a father would be to his children [I Corinthians 4:14].
I Corinthians 4: Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Paul and Apollos are to Jesus as doctors serving under a principal physician [I Corinthians 4:1]; Trustworthiness was the outstanding characteristic of a good steward, and it was that which Paul brought into view here [I Corinthians 4.2]; The Lord, the righteous judge of all people [I Corinthians 4:3]; The only judgment that matters will be from by the Lord at the final judgment, and people do not have sufficient competence to judge one another, or themselves [I Corinthians 4:4-5].
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The Penal Disposition Theory
The foundation of Paul's teaching is stated concisely in I Corinthians 2:2 - "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified". The Gospel is the most lofty and important concept to ever enter the heart of man and should never be considered less important than "deeper" concepts of the Bible. The Gospel of Christ is offensive [John 3:19-20]. Our job is to point to Jesus [John 1:29]. Paul laboured to condemn the world of sin in order to make the need for radical salvation clear. When Christ comes he will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgement [John 16:8]. If we don't preach on God's attitude on sin and lawlessness, how is the Holy Spirit to bless us? There is none holy like God [I Samuel 2:2]. He is righteous and kind [Psalm 145:17]. Just as a pig doesn't understand that he's filthy, we by nature don't know that we're sinful, and just as a pig would not be allowed in a palace with his filth, we in our sin cannot be allowed in God's presence. God is just by nature, and therefore must judge sin. He is also merciful, and therefore He put into place a system to redeem us from sin, beginning with the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament and culminating in the sacrifice of Christ. In light of Christ's love and sacrifice for us, what sort of people should we be toward each other?
I Corinthians 3: The Foundation of the Church of Christ
Paul begins to change metaphors in the last two words of I Corinthians 3:9: God's building. Paul lays the foundation of Christ, others continue the building [I Corinthians 3:10]. No other foundation but Christ [I Corinthians 3:11]. Paul explains in metaphor how the Church must be made. The first three materials are True Christians, the latter of worldly-minded hypocrites [I Corinthians 3:12]. The Church surviving the day of judgment [I Corinthians 3:13]. Persons led to Christ through the efforts of any Christian may defect from the faith, proving themselves wood, hay or stubble [I Corinthians 3:14-15]. The true temple of God, therefore, has never been anything else except the church of Jesus Christ our Lord [I Corinthians 3:16]. "It is clear what is meant by the judgment of God: it may refer to suffering loss, but also to eternal life." [I Corinthians 3:18] Admonitions of previous behavior; correction in where wisdom comes from [I Corinthians 3:19]. "Human thought is fruitless in the sense of not producing anything of spiritual value that redeems man from sin..." [I Corinthians 3:20] Paul condemned the sin of their calling themselves after the names of men [ I Corinthians 3:21]. Here the Christian is viewed as the possessor of everything in Christ [I Corinthians 3:22]. Affirmation of the Corinthian church as being of Christ, in Christ [I Corinthians 3:23].
I Corinthians 3: Trust in God
Paul pointed out that even apostolic authority was not absolute and that even he himself and Apollos were but stewards of Christ, their first concern being to please the Lord, and not to accommodate their teaching to win favor with false teachers. He stated that the lower courts of conscience and public opinion were inferior to the judgment of the Lord [I Corinthians 4:1-5]. We agree with Adam Clarke that a more logical division of the chapters would have been to extend chapter 3 through the fifth verse here. In I Corinthians 4:6, Paul pointed out that his use of his own name and that of Apollos was not to be construed as an admission that he and Apollos had actually headed any divisive parties in Corinth, but that he had used these names figuratively for the purpose of teaching against all divisions. Most of the remainder of the chapter deals with the false teacher, without naming him, ending with a dramatic promise that he would return to Corinth, the Lord willing, and that the Lord would enable him to vanquish the false teacher and set the Corinthians once more in the right way of humility and service. He severely condemned their vain-glorious boasting, egotism and conceit [I Corinthians 4:7-21].
I Corinthians 2-3: A Call to Maturity
We speak wisdom, however, among them that are full-grown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor among the rulers of this world, who are coming to naught. All Christians begin as "babes in Christ" [I Corinthians 3:1]; but through prayerful study and growth they may attain unto the "stature of the fullness of Christ" [Ephesians 4:13]. To all who are thus full-grown is revealed a measure of the knowledge of God's wisdom. Paul's blunt reference to this truth states that it forcefully applies even to "the rulers of this world." Not even they ever attained to any wisdom whatever in any manner comparable to the wisdom of God, the proof of it being that they themselves "are coming to naught." And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ [I Corinthians 3:1]. The SPIRITUAL were those who, after conversion, had continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, no longer continuing as "babes in Christ." The CARNAL were those who were continuing to live like the unconverted, full of envy, jealousy and strife.
I Corinthians 1:17ff - The Weak Things of the World
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." [I Corinthians 1:18]; God will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent [I Corinthians 1:19]; The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom [I Corinthians 1:22]; Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, for the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men [I Corinthians 1:24-25]. God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise and what is weak in the world to shame the strong [I Corinthians 1:27]; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are [I Corinthians 1:28], so that no human being might boast in the presence of God [I Corinthians 1:29].
I Corinthians: Divisions in the Assembly
Firstly Paul had heard of the contentions among the Corinthians by them which were of the house of Chloe. The apostle reproves their dissensions, and vindicates himself from being any cause of them [I Corinthians 1:10-17]. States the simple means which God uses to convert sinners and confound the wisdom of the wise, etc. [I Corinthians 1:18-21]. Why the Jews and Greeks did not believe [I Corinthians 1:22]. The matter of the apostle's preaching, and the reasons why that preaching was effectual to the salvation of men [I Corinthians 1:23-29]. All should glory in God, because all blessings are dispensed by Him through Christ Jesus [I Corinthians 1:30-31].
I Corinthians: The Formation and Development of the Assembly at Corinth
During his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul had come to Europe for the first time (around 51 - 54 AD). He also came to Corinth via Philippi, Thessalonica and Athens [Acts 18]. There he remained for 18 months for the Lord "had much people in this city" [Acts 18:10]. Paul began his ministry of preaching the gospel in the synagogues of the Jews. Quite a few came to believe in the Lord Jesus. But when other Jews refused the message, Paul withdrew from them and spoke to Greeks also. This is how a large assembly of Jews and Greeks came into existence in this city as a result of the apostle's activity [I Corinthians 4:15; Acts 18:4]. Corinth was a large seaport and commercial city on the Isthmus of Northern Greece and the Peloponnese with two well-known seaports (Cenchrea and Lech-ion). Its central location made Corinth a centre of trade, culture and philosophy, but also of entertainment, immorality and idolatry. The immorality of the Corinthians was proverbial.
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