Cornerstone community church service for December 24, 2023

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 22, 2023

 

Dec 22 – Grace – 1 Cor 16:22

 Dec 22 – Grace – 1 Cor 16:22

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.



Paul reminds his audience that it was the grace of the Lord Jesus that gave them this wonderful privilege. God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Unmerited favor. The love of God in action through grace and mercy. Paul wants it to be with them. To surround them. To flow through them to aa world in desperate need of it. We are the bearers of love, grace, mercy, and peace. We carry as message of hope in a hopeless world. We are the light that shines in the darkness. We flavor the bland world in which we live. The Lord Jesus made the way and now we are to carry on his mission, ministry, and work.

There is no greater privilege to do the will of the Father as Jesus did.

Living a victorious life

HOW TO BE JOYFUL

How to be a successful person

Ten ways to be effective.

8 rules to help you

Seven ways to be blessed

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 21, 2023

 

Dec 21 – Supply – 1 Cor 16:16

 Dec 21 – Supply – 1 Cor 16:16

 

17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.

 

      The three men mentioned in this verse were sent specifically from the church in Corinth.  They brought what Paul needed.  Whatever was lacking in his estimation was provided by the church.  This is a commendation because as a church they doing what was needed.  This just shows that no matter how broken we may seem we still have a redemptive gift, quality, and task to do.  Our job is to minister to one another in love.  Being aware of what is going on around is key to know in which way we can minister and be helpful.  Paul was pleased with what the church was accomplishing even though they had problems.  The key is to be outward focused and not inward.

Insulation from the world

Righteous nation

Billy Graham prayer for nation

The value of the Bible

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 20, 2023

 

Dec 20 – Voluntary Submission – 1 Cor 16:15

 Dec 20 – Voluntary Submission – 1 Cor 16:15

 

16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.

 

     When working in a church organization it is a choice.  Working with someone and trusting them is a choice.  A member of a church one time asked their pastor if they had authority over them and his response with this.  As a pastor any authority they have is voluntary.  You cannot make a person do anything they wish.  It is their choice.  Submission is an act of the will.  Our priority is submission to Christ and then to each other in love.  If you love someone you will work with them and as Paul says here join in the work and labor, it entails.  You are workers together in Christ.  It his work and kingdom that is being advance.

Robert Dean Steel talks about the lessons we can learn from Jonah - Part...

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 19, 2023

 

Dec 19 – The Example – 1 Cor 16:14

 Dec 19 – The Example – 1 Cor 16:14

 

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters,

 

     Paul then reminds the audience of Stephanas.  The exciting thing about this family is that all were serving the Lord.  There are five examples of entire families serving the Lord in the book of acts and Stephanas’ family is one.  Paul says they were the first converts in Achaia.  Their claim to fame is that they have devoted themselves to the service of God’s people.  Every church need volunteers and dedicated people to keep the work of the Lord running.  This was Stephanas claim to fame.

     Paul them urges them to be like this family.  Be willing to step up and help in anyway you can.  Today unfortunately it is 10% of the people doing the work while 90% enjoy the benefits.  Christianity is not a spectator sport.  It seems that in Paul’s day it was just like today and needed this exhortation and example to motivate them.

Robert Dean Steel talks about the lessons we can learn from Jonah - Part...

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 18, 2023

 

Dec 18 – Love – 1 Cor 16:13

 Dec 18 – Love – 1 Cor 16:13

 

14 Do everything in love.

 

     Like everything Paul just exhorted them to do the foundation for all faith and practice is love.  It is the essence, character, and nature of all Christian action.  Paul says that this is the very thing that makes us different than the world.  We are to exhibit and demonstrate the love of God.  It is what distinguishes us from all other parts of society.  We are known by it.

     Without love our faith is void.  We will be of no value.  All we say will have no impact if not backed up by love.  Love is who God is and who we must be.  The great commandment is to love one another.  Love is the one thing this hostile and confused world desperately need.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 15, 2023

 

Dec 15 – Peace not Contempt – 1 Cor 16:11

 Dec 15 – Peace not Contempt – 1 Cor 16:11

 

11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

 

     Paul is not being subtle in his instructions to the church.  He is directly challenging the different groups on the church.  He tells them to not treat Timothy with contempt.  This means the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.  This usually happens because the object of the contempt is considered not worthy of respect.  Timothy was there with a mandate from the Lord and Paul, and he carried all the authority and power Paul possessed. 

     Paul is asking them to instead of being strifeful and warlike to instead be peaceful so that when he returns instead of a bad report, he would bring a good report.  Paul says that he is expecting Timothy along with all the others that were traveling and encouraging the churches.  We get a very good picture of how the apostolic world operated in those times.

Robert Dean Steel explains what you look like in the Lord.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 14, 2023

 

Dec 14- Timothy - ! Cor 16:10

 Dec 14- Timothy - ! Cor 16:10

 

10 When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.

 

     Paul then informs them that Timothy another part of the apostolic team will be passing through.  Each person in Paul’s team has their assignment.  Timothy though he was the youngest member of the group he was known for his wisdom, anointing and enablement.  He had wisdom, clarity, and boldness.  He was often sent to settle things down.  This means by talent and gifting he was calm, cool, and collective. 

     Paul exhorts them to see that they do not give him any trouble but to work with him.  Preachers can go into churches with pre-conceived ideas, so Paul want them to give him their full attention and not try to intimidate him because of his youth.  Paul reminds them Timothy is carrying on the work of the Lord just as Paul does.  Timothy then should be respected because he too has been a mandate and task directly by the Lord.  The principle of do not touch the Lord’s anointed is in play here.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 13, 2023

 

Dec 13 – Be Careful – 1 Cor 16:9

 Dec 13 – Be Careful – 1 Cor 16:9

 

9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

 

     The reason for him staying on in Ephesus was the fact that a great work had opened for him.  God was doing great and wonderful things in that city.  Paul wanted to be a part of something for God.  Often when a revival or move of God has happened it needs a steady and consistent hand of leadership.  Someone with a proven track record who can guide the church through it.  This is because the devil would love to get in and sidetrack the opportunity.  Paul stated this in the next sentence.  He said that there were many opposing him, so it was important that he stayed until the opponents were effectively dealt with and the church was strong steady and in good order.  Any church doing something great will have three opponents, the devil, the world and human agents who are jealous.

Robert Dean Steel talks about the life of DL Moody

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DECEMBER 12, 2023

 

Dec 12 – Until Pentecost – 1 Cor 16:8

 Dec 12 – Until Pentecost – 1 Cor 16:8

 

8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost.

 

     This indicates where this letter is being written from.  Paul is currently in Ephesus working among the believers there.  Remember he was a travelling apostle.  He wanted to go where no one had preached before.  He also wanted to make sure that the churches he had founded or had been a part of were well established.  In this case he was in Ephesus in Asia Minor and it was intention to stay on till after Pentecost which was bought a Jewish holiday but also had a deep meaning for Christians because that was the time when the Holy Spirit fell among the Christians and began the mission and ministry of the church with power. 

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 11, 2023

 

Dec 11 – The Lord’s Will – 1 Cor 16:7

 Dec 11 – The Lord’s Will – 1 Cor 16:7

 

7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

 

     Paul makes it clear that his travels and plans are always subject to the Lord’s will.  He is a man of the Holy Spirit.  He knows that his days are open and fluid because the Lord has different opportunities available.  Psalm 37:23 reminds us that the steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord.  We are not our own we have been bought with a price. 

     Paul had already learned in previous times that he may have wanted to go somewhere but the Holy Spirit had different plans.  In fact, the Holy Spirit had restrained him from going to Asia and instead gave him a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for Paul to come there.  The lesson we learn is that we may have plans but be ready for them to change by the Lord.

Cornerstone community church service for December 10, 2023

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 8, 2022

 

Dec 8 – All are One – 1 Cor 16:4

 Dec 8 – All are One – 1 Cor 16:4

 

4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

 

     Paul then would also include himself in this group to deliver the greetings and the offering to the church in Jerusalem.  He would seek advice from the leadership in Corinth on the matter.  Paul even though he was the founder of these churches he did not assume that he was greater or less than anyone else in the church. 

     The church is a living organism working on behalf of the Lord in every community.  Each member of the church are ministers of the gospel with two tasks.  First, to tell other and help them to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Secondly, they are to love those who God brings across their path.  The message is a combination of truth and love.

Dec 7 – Letters – 1 Cor 16:3

 Dec 7 – Letters – 1 Cor 16:3

 

3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.

 

     Paul makes it clear that this offering is for the church at Jerusalem.  It had been revealed that there was at the time a famine in Judah and the offering was designed to help the church to cope.  We would call this a love offering or a gofundme project.  Now Paul was also going to send men that had the approval of the church and to safeguard the money.  This was common practice because of robbers and thieves on the way there who would try to steal the money. 

     These men would also bring letter of introduction and greetings from the church in Corinth.  As today letters of recommendation carry weight and importance.  You just don’t let anyone waltz in and say something.  These were recommendations that would give clarity and wisdom to the receiver.

Isaiah 7:14

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 6, 2023

 

Dec 6 – Proper Giving 1 1 Cor 16:2

 Dec 6 – Proper Giving 1 1 Cor 16:2

 

2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

 

     Paul encourages them on the first day of the week which shows that by this time the transition from the sabbath to the Lord’s Day was complete.  Remember it was in Corinth that Paul for his time here made a conscious decision to go exclusively to the gentiles and with that making the Lord’s Day a part of that transition. 

     He tells them to set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income.  He is not telling them what to give but making it clear it should be something given freely and in such a way you don’t be lacking in your day-to-day expenses.  He tells them to save it up for so when he finally does come there will be no need for collections.  Paul is advocating for responsible giving.

PROVERRBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 5, 2023

 

Dec 5 – The Offering – 1 Cor 16:1

 Dec 5 – The Offering – 1 Cor 16:1

 

 1 Corinthians 16

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

 

     Paul is giving simple instructions on how to take up an offering.  He reminds them that this is an offering for all the Lord’s people.  In the New Testament is not just giving of the 10 percent which was a requirement of the Jews.  The Christian has a threefold obligation.  First, we give of our time.  Next, we give of our talents, skills and giftings.  Thirdly, our resources.  Each has a goal and that is to meet the need of all God’s people.  When William Booth was asked to give the mission of the Salvation army in one word, he states, “Others.” 

     Payl reveals that he has already given the instruction how to give to the Galatian churches and they church at Corinth could follow their example.  Paul made sure that all the churches he was associated followed the same protocols for consistency.

Living in the light of Eternity with Robert Dean Steel

Living in the light of Eternity with Robert Dean Steel

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR DEC 4, 2023