I CORINTHIANS

I have not blogged in a few days.  We had company and it took up my time.  Hope you are having a blessed week: 1) OFFENCES- In I Cor. 8:13, Paul says:  "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."  The Bible also says:  "offences will come" in Luke 17:1; but in Romans 16:17 we are told to "mark them which cause divisions and offences"; we also know that all of us offend at time because God's Word says in James 3:2 "For in many things we offend all.  If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."  (How many perfect people do you know?)  So if we all at times are offensive, what is the secret to living in harmony?  Ps. 119:165- "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."  IF we delight in God's Word, God gives us the ability to be offended without being offended!!  We do this because we understand a HIGHER purpose:  "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace."  As believers, we have a higher reason to sluff off petty offensive things because Christ suffered all of our offences so we too ought to bear the reproach of others patiently.  Don't defend yourself, let God vindicate you!! 2) THE PREACHER'S PAY- I Cor. 9:14- "they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."  and "the laborer is worthy of his hire".  These verses talk about paying the pastor of the church.  Once I was getting gas and talking with the attendant.  He was a Morman.  He asked me if my church paid me for being the pastor and I said yes.  He said:  We don't pay our pastors.  I said:  "I know, but there is a Bible reason."  He looked blank, so I said:  "The Bible says that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel, but since your pastors don't preach the Gospel, they shouldn't live of the Gospel!"  Ha!  But it is true! 3) FOLLOW ME- I Cor. 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."  Leadership and followship.  Church members are to follow their pastor.  "whose faith follow".  Churches have problems when there are too many leaders instead of one pastor who lovingly leads the congregation to fulfill the great commission.  In every area of life, God has ordained authority and we had best get with the program or we will see our whole society fall apart.  As believers, it starts in the home and in the church for us, and then works out into our society.  Well, that's all for today, just a few thoughts.  Hope you have a blessed day!! Pastor Mike Mutchler