I CORINTHIANS

Today is Thursday.  It is another cold day outside and the last day of school at Grand View Christian Academy before the Christmas Vacation.  I was again Walking Thru the Bible last night, and enjoyed going through I, II, & III John and Jude.  Next week we look at Revelations!  Well, today I am in I Corinthians, and here are some thoughts to share:

1) SAMENESS- We are so very different, but we are to have some sameness about us.  In I Cor. 1:10, we are pleaded with by Paul to "speak the same thing"  and have the "same mind", and to have the "same judgment".  All in this one verse we are to have this sameness.  Now how is that possible?  Well, because we have the same Holy Spirit, the same Savior, and the same Word of God!  If we start out with these three the same, then it is so much easier to end up with the same speaking, mind, and judgment.  So let us realize that God brings about the sameness as we spend our time with Him.

2) POWER!  I Cor. 4:20 reads:  "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."  God's Kingdom, God's Word, God's Message, God's Methods, God's Son, all have power!  It is the power to change a life, save a soul, change an eternity, and make a difference.  Power is a theme with Paul in I Corinthians where they are more concerned about talking and ideas rather than what makes the difference, the power of God!  Notice these verses that refer to "power".  

1 Corinthians 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 Corinthians 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 4:19  But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
1 Corinthians 4:20  For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
OK, perhaps this is enough, but realize these are only six of the nineteen verses that deal with "power" in I Corinthians! 

3) I CAN SEE IT- You don't have to tell me that you love God.... IF you do... I can see it!  This is what I Cor. 8:3 tells us:  "But if any man love God, the same is know of him."  I will know it.  I can see it.  I can see it by how you interact with others.  Your love for Christ will cause you to love others.  I can see it how you put others first.  To love Christ means that you prefer others over yourself.  I can see it in your faithfulness to Church.  Your love for Christ will want you to be in the Church that Christ established. (a local, visible assembly)  I could see it if I saw your giving.  Your love for Christ will inspire you to invest generously into the work of God through your local assembly, your Church.  I can see it when you share the Gospel.  Your love for Christ will cause you to witness, to sing, to give, to love, to share, to be kind, longsuffering, gentle, full of praise for God and others, faithful, serving, teaching, ministering, gracious, tenderhearted, compassionate, and on and on....

I CAN SEE IT!!  Don't tell me how much you LOVE God...... SHOW me!!  I'll do the same for you too!

Well, hope you have a blessed day.  Pastor Mike Mutchler