Good Morning “Firm Standers”. 1 Corinthians 16 today.
They say the first and last parts of a speech or message are what people remember most. It’s fitting then, after all that Paul has addressed through this letter - that he leaves them with something of key importance.
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB1995
When asked which commandment was greatest, Jesus responds to the Pharisees by saying “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like unto it. Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31). He goes on to tell them that all of The Law falls under these two. This is God love, “Agape” love (John 13:34). Love that sacrifices, even cultural approval or acceptance (Matthew 10:22; Luke 6:22).
Why did they need to be alert? Because we are in a Spiritual Battle and Satan comes any way he can (1 Peter 5:8)… even from within the church (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Jude 1:4). Stand firm in the faith! Turn your belief into faith action (James 1:22; James 2:17) - do not be corrupted by the world or its philosophies that contradict Scripture (Roman’s 12:2). Act like men, be strong… The spiritual battle is real. Our families, and our churches, our world needs warriors; ready and willing to battle evil and stand for righteousness.
Courage is needed to step out despite fear - to look different, to be salt and light - restraint (Matthew 5:13-16). Rooted in the Word of God (Joshua 1:8), strengthened by the Holy Spirit we CAN be strong (1 John 4:4)! Everything in love… remember love does not give hearty approval to sin (Romans 12:9). Sin results in bad consequences and if not dealt with, eventual death - separation from God (Romans 6:23).
What kind of love encourages, or gives hearty approval to something like that? The thief (Satan) comes to seek, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He is set on making eternity hell for as many as he can. The deception we just read about yesterday in 1 Corinthians 15:33 has somehow convinced us sin can be a “good” thing (Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:32).
Don’t be deceived! Stand on The Word! You gotta know It to stand on It (Ephesians 6:10-18)!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
They say the first and last parts of a speech or message are what people remember most. It’s fitting then, after all that Paul has addressed through this letter - that he leaves them with something of key importance.
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB1995
When asked which commandment was greatest, Jesus responds to the Pharisees by saying “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like unto it. Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31). He goes on to tell them that all of The Law falls under these two. This is God love, “Agape” love (John 13:34). Love that sacrifices, even cultural approval or acceptance (Matthew 10:22; Luke 6:22).
Why did they need to be alert? Because we are in a Spiritual Battle and Satan comes any way he can (1 Peter 5:8)… even from within the church (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Jude 1:4). Stand firm in the faith! Turn your belief into faith action (James 1:22; James 2:17) - do not be corrupted by the world or its philosophies that contradict Scripture (Roman’s 12:2). Act like men, be strong… The spiritual battle is real. Our families, and our churches, our world needs warriors; ready and willing to battle evil and stand for righteousness.
Courage is needed to step out despite fear - to look different, to be salt and light - restraint (Matthew 5:13-16). Rooted in the Word of God (Joshua 1:8), strengthened by the Holy Spirit we CAN be strong (1 John 4:4)! Everything in love… remember love does not give hearty approval to sin (Romans 12:9). Sin results in bad consequences and if not dealt with, eventual death - separation from God (Romans 6:23).
What kind of love encourages, or gives hearty approval to something like that? The thief (Satan) comes to seek, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He is set on making eternity hell for as many as he can. The deception we just read about yesterday in 1 Corinthians 15:33 has somehow convinced us sin can be a “good” thing (Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:32).
Don’t be deceived! Stand on The Word! You gotta know It to stand on It (Ephesians 6:10-18)!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
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