June 29 – Careful – 1 Cor 10:21-22

 June 29 – Careful – 1 Cor 10:21-22

 

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

 

     Paul is basically telling the Corinthians you cannot live in both worlds.  You cannot be going to temples of your own making or someone else’s and worship God at the same time.  You cannot put both feet in the world and the Kingdom of God.  You cannot participate in the Lord’s table and drinking from the cup of the world.  If you embrace the world and what is means and symbolizes you will not be a part of the Kingdom of God.   You can’t sit on the fence because it is a barb wire fence. 

     When we try to be both we have lost our first love and are lukewarm.  This will provoke the Lord’s jealousy because He must be first for our sake not His.  When we are of the world, we have signed over our allegiance to the devil.  We are in danger of hell and the wrath of God.  The things are we know better and live in the illusion that God will not deal with us.  Also, we have not fully weighed the consequence our decisions.  Do we think we are stronger than Him?  God is not mocked we reap what we sow.  Paul is issuing a life and death appeal. 

June 28 – Heavy Truth – 1 Cor 10:20

 June 28 – Heavy Truth – 1 Cor 10:20

 

20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

 

     This verse is one of the most eye-opening verses in the Bible.  Paul states that the sacrifices made by the pagans which is a term used to speak of anyone who does know Christ.  When that sacrifice is made it is being offered to demons not to God.  This puts a who new spin on this.  So, when you see other religions offering worship, sacrifices and prayers they are being offered to demons plain and simple.  Paul says that he does want them to be participants is demon worship.  This also clarifies the lie propagated by universalists, liberal teachers and even some fundamentalists that the other religions are on par with Christianity.  When Jesus said He was only way, truth and life and route to the Father it was true.  Jesus is God’s answer all other answers are lies with their origin in demonic lies.  Paul is issuing a direct instruction to avoid participation in demon worship which we do when we put anything before God.

June 27 – Nothing – 1 Cor 10:19

 June 27 – Nothing – 1 Cor 10:19

 

19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

 

     Paul then begins to clarify a very important piece of information to the Corinthians.  They had just come out of idolatry.  Before they came to Christ, they were active participants in the Greek world with its myths and legends.  The were living in a city with a temple dedicated to Aphrodite with almost 2000 temple prostitutes.  They were also many minor temples and deities they worshipped and serve.  He states that book the altar and the food offered on it is nothing.  They are insignificant and have no value for they like the gods and deities they serve are nothing figments of man’s imagination and worship of evil beings.  Today of course we worship more material and philosophical things.  If you do not worship God, you will worship someone of your own making and the results are the same eternal separation from God.

June 26 – The Altar – 1 Cor 10:18

 June 26 – The Altar – 1 Cor 10:18

 

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

 

     Paul then points to the nation of Israel.  Paul was a Jew who lived and participated in the Jewish religion and lifestyle until his conversion.  As a Jew he had the privilege of eat and participating in the sacrifices and altars in Jerusalem and Judah.  All major religions in the ancient world understood the practice of sacrifices.  It was also common practice for the priests and those who serve in the temple also got to eat from the sacrifices that was offered.  Paul was asking them a question to which they knew the answer.  Israel is the role model and showcase for how true worship was done in the ancient world.

Prayer time for June 25, 2023

June 23 – Common Sense – 1 Cor 10:14-15

 June 23 – Common Sense – 1 Cor 10:14-15

 

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

 

     Paul then appeals to their common sense and wisdom.  He calls them his friends to invoke a personal response.  He then tells and warns them to flee idolatry.  Joseph when face with Potiphar’s wife chose instead of staying there and be tempted fled.  In the same way when face with idolatry in any form don’t think you are invincible instead book it out of there. 

     He then says he believes them to be sensible and wise.  They are to judge for the common-sense aspect of what he is suggesting.  He has given them examples and advice what to do in the face of many of the temptations they will face daily in Corinth.  The same advice is totally applicable to the modern Christian living in our modern world.  If you cannot stand than flee for there is no dishonor in that. 

June 22 – Escape Clause – 1 Cor 10:13

  

June 22 – Escape Clause – 1 Cor 10:13

 

 

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

 

     This verse is one of the most powerful, hopeful, and helpful verses in the Bible.  Paul says any temptation you face are common to all of us.  You are not so special that you get a special temptation.  We are all in the same boat.  The devil is using the same forms of attacks and same agenda for all of us. 

     Paul then states two things that are promises.  God will be faithful.  God will never abandon you.  He will also not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to endure.  Paul is saying that you have an amazing ability to endure and a resilience to recover.  You are more amazing and powerful than you thought. 

     This last promise is so powerful.  God gives you an escape clause.  If you cannot endure it or that you may be destroyed.  He will make a way where there is no way.  He will give you a way to escape.  He may send an angel like he did with Daniel.  He may send the fourth man in the fire like He did for the Hebrew children.  Either way you will endure or escape.  God will be faithful in His care for you.

June 21 – Constant Attention - 1 Cor 10:12

 June 21 – Constant Attention - 1 Cor 10:12

 

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

 

     Paul then issues a strong warning once again.  Don’t fall into the trap that you cannot or will not fall.  Jesus encountered this twisted thought when the leaders of Israel boasted they would not do the same things their fore fathers did.  They said they would never put a man of God to death and not long after they said this, they put Jesus to death.  Paul says never say never.  He wants them not to fall or believe in their infallibility.  We have three adversaries that threaten us everyday.  The world, the flesh and the devil never give up or surrender and they have one agenda and that is rob, kill, and destroy you.  Constant vigilance is the by word of the Christian.

June 20 - 1 Cor 10:11

 June 20 - 1 Cor 10:11

 

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.

 

     Paul points out that these things happened to them as examples were recorded as a warning for us.  The Bible contains many stories and examples for us to look at so we do not have to make the same mistake.  This book is a compass, guidebook and instruction manual given by God to help us navigate the world in which we live.  The examples of those who have gone before and the lesson they learned are excellent lessons we do not have to learn by the school of hard knocks.  The problem with the school of hard knocks is that we often get injured for life and carry the scars and injuries.

     Paul tells his readers and audience that all things will come to an end soon and so we should learn the lessons we need to learn and use these examples as a powerful deterrent for keep us from sin, idolatry, and sexual immorality.  Which by the way was shown everyday in the city of Corinth often blatantly.

June 19 – Repercussions - 1Cor 10:9-10

 June 19 – Repercussions - 1Cor 10:9-10

 

 

9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

 

     Paul then gives two more examples of what ancient Israel did.  Paul also issues a strong warning.  We should not test Christ as some of them did and we killed by snakes.  Remember it was the bronze snake in the wilderness that was lifted, and one look saved the person who looked.  In the same way Jesus Christ was lifted between heaven and earth as our sacrifice.  Paul is point out that there are strong consequence to testing and rejecting Christ. 

     The last example was ancient Israel grumbling and they were destroyed by an avenging angel.  Paul makes it clear that two things can bring grave consequences.  Testing Christ and grumbling against Him can bring destruction and even death.  Ananias and Sapphira are two examples given in the book of the Acts.  You cannot lie to God and not face some form of repercussion.

Prayer time for July 18, 2023

Cornerstone Community Church Service for Fathers Day - June 18, 2023

June 16 – Lessons Learned – 1 Cor 10:5

 June 16 – Lessons Learned – 1 Cor 10:5

 

5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

 

     Paul then issues a warning that even though they went through all these things God was not pleased with them and the original generation that came out of Egypt ending dying in the desert.  We know from the account of the Book of Numbers it was the report of the 10 spies that caused the people to rebel, and the unbelief of that generation doomed them.  We must in turn learn from these examples or we are doomed to make the same mistakes.  Paul would point this out in his second letter to the Corinthians.  God’s favor is amazing but so is his wrath.  Remember we reap what you sow.  A good lesson to learn early.

June 15 – Things to Come – 1 Cor 10:2-4

 June 15 – Things to Come – 1 Cor 10:2-4

 

2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

 

     They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  This means that they were in the same faith, experience, and spiritual blessing that Moses had.  This was also a symbol of what had happened to the Corinthians when they came to Christ.  This was what they call a typology which is an Old Testament type or shadow of something that was going to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ. 

     They all eat the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink.  They drank from the same spiritual rock that accompanied them.  Then Paul’s reveals that rock was Christ.  What a powerful typology.  The food we have today which is the Bible, the spiritual drink we have today is prayer, and all of this based and comes through Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith.  The correlation between the Old and New Testament is so powerful and the types and shadows of the Old Testament are fulfilled and revealed through Jesus Christ.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR JUNE 14, 2023

 

June 14 - 1 Cor 10:1 – God’s Presence – 1 Cor 10:1

 June 14 - 1 Cor 10:1 – God’s Presence – 1 Cor 10:1

 

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.

 

Paul now changes direction and then tells them about his Jewish history.  This is important because they will find out that their relationship that they have subscribed to has a long and glorious history.  He calls them brothers and sisters because they belong to a large family with many generations of history.  They have been grated in by the wonderful work of Jesus Christ.  They are living in the day of grace,

     The two facts he reveals in this verse is that their ancestors were all under the same cloud.  The cloud of course represents the presence, power, and glory of God which we have in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Secondly, they all passed through the same sea.  They were guided and protected by the Lord’s presence.  We do go through times of testing, but the promise is that God will be with us.  

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR JUNE 13, 2023

 

June 13 – Run to Win – 1 Cor 9:27

 June 13 – Run to Win – 1 Cor 9:27

 

27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

 

     Paul closes this section with the thought that like a boxer or a finely tuned athlete he self disciplines his body.  He does what is necessary to make it ready for the fight at hand.  He goes through the rigorous spiritual training and discipline necessary so that when he preaches to others, he will not be disqualified for the prize.  Paul is Christ focused.  He does worry about those running beside him.  He keeps his eyes on the prize.  He is running his own race.  When you worry about others in the race you become unfocused and can easily be distracted and end up running their race and not your own.  When you do that, you can also become disqualified because you forget the rules or go outside of the mark territory when rule the game. 

     As a Christian you must have strict set times for devotions, prayer, church attendance and training in evangelism.  The greatest thing to remember is make sure God is in the equation of your grace.  When you put the G in race you have grace.  A beautiful way to remember grace is God’s, Riches, At, Christ’s, Expense.  Run your race to win.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOOR JUNE 12, 2023

 

June 12 – No Shadow Boxing – 1 Cor 9:26

 June 12 – No Shadow Boxing – 1 Cor 9:26

 

26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

 

     This verse would have brought a chuckle to the audience and reader because Paul states I do not run like someone running aimlessly.  It is like a football halfback being given the ball and instead of running forward does zigzag patterns or running the wrong way.  It could be a basketball player who shows off their skills but never takes a shot.  This type of athleticism is useless and pointless. 

     Another illustration he uses is the boxer who shadow boxes.   They look good in theory and make a great show but when come face to face with a skilled opponent the outcome will not be pretty.  I saw a video that perfect showed this.  Here was a guy better the fight dancing around, doing summersaults for the crowd and then as soon as the fight started his opponent knocked him out with, the first punch.  Don’t be like that fellow.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR JUNE 9, 2023

 

June 9 – Rewards and Blessings – 1 Cor 9:23

 June 9 – Rewards and Blessings – 1 Cor 9:23

 

23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

 

     Paul has two reasons or motivating factor in which he operates.  First, he does all this for the sake of the gospel.  He shares the good news because he has been commissioned, called, and anointed to do so.  It burns within Him.  Jesus sets people free and we are the instruments in which this message lives and comes.  There are two eternal realities in which will face.  They are either going to heaven or hell.  The gospel is the good news that God has provided a way to eternal life in heaven.  God made a way where there was no way. 

     Paul also was excited about sharing in the blessings of the gospel.  Health, freedom, prosperity, forgiveness, abundance, and inheritance.  This is because of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ.  God gives us free gifts, but it cost Him everything.

Proverbs of Steel for June 8, 2023

 

June 8 – Sow Seed – 1 Cor 9:22

 June 8 – Sow Seed – 1 Cor 9:22

 

22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

 

     Paul ministered to people of all stripes and circumstances.  His philosophy is simple and direct.  He became all things o all people.  He also knew that just because he did this not all were going to accept his message.  The amazing things to that you can offer them freedom but, in some cases, people choose the prison of the world because they don’t know better, or the god of this world has continued to blind them to the truth.  The parable of the seed and Sower are a good model you sow seed, and the ground can be hard, shallow, or full of weeds.  The promise is that some will fall on good ground and reap a harvest of 30, 60, and 100-fold.  David wrote that you sow seed with tears and reap with joy.  The importance is to carry enough seed to keep sowing.  In other words, don’t give up there are those out there that are ready to harvest.  Wisdom is knowing who, where they are and how to reach them.

June 7 – Influencers – 1 Cor 9:21

 June 7 – Influencers – 1 Cor 9:21

 

21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.

 

     Paul has the amazing foresight to see the world as it was.  He knew that he was a round peg trying to fit in square hole.  He also had the wisdom to know how to flow in the world in which he lived.  Wisdom is walking in knowledge, insight, and discernment.  You are not walking with rose colored glasses.  The world is a dark place full of evil and sin.  You know people are hurting and you learn how to minister to them where they are.  Paul knew he was free was man’s law, but he was under the law of Christ.  This law is one of love.  Love is the standard under which we operate.  It is the evidence of our relationship with Christ.  Paul chose to live in a manner that the Jews would except what he said but with the wisdom to not compromise his Christian faith.  Esther and Mordecai lived in the Persian world, but they also knew how to operate in the world in which they lived.  They were influencers and world changers.  You can do the same by asking the Lord to give you direction, help, and wisdom.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR JUNE 6, 2023

 

June 6 – Learn to Flow – 1 Cor 9:19-20

 June 6 – Learn to Flow – 1 Cor 9:19-20

 

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

 

     Paul then reveals his strategy to win those in his world.  He says though I can free and belong to no one.  Jesus Christ sets us free, and we need to stay free.  This is a decision and choice.   Paul says that his method of reaching others is to blend and work in their world.  He used his business connections as a tent maker to make this happen.  His goal and aim are to win as many as possible.  To understand how people think you need to know the world in which they live.  Remember we are in this world but not of it.  You make the choice to study, research and be a part of that world.  However, you also make the choice to not live as them.  You choose to remain like Daniel and Joseph to be an influencer but not to partake in what they are doing.  You are like a chameleon you blend in, but you are not part of the landscape.  You influence but are not influenced by the world.  So, whether it the Greek or Jewish world Paul chose to live among them to win but never to comprise his faith or message.  This is the ebb and flow of ministry.

CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICE FOR JUNE 4, 2023

Prayer time for June 4, 2023

Proverbs of Steel for June 2, 2023

 

June 2 – Paul Boast – 1 Cor 9:15

 June 2 – Paul Boast – 1 Cor 9:15

 

15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.

 

     Paul had not used any of the rights that he was privilege to.  He was also not writing to them to get their sympathy or to guilt them into giving him offerings or gifts.  Paul was explaining his view on this subject.  He wanted his fellow laborers to be able to get he support they needed to preach the gospel without hindrance.  He was also setting things straight about this matter. 

     Paul stated clearly and concisely his view on what he did.  He said he would rather die that allow anyone to deprive him of this boast.  This was a live or die situation for Paul.  He enjoyed seeing God provide through his own labor.  This also gave him connections in the business community he would not have if he was exclusively in the church world.  He was a marketplace preacher.  He preferred this but he also wanted to make dure that his fellow laborers would be adequately compensated.

June 1 – You get what you sow – 1 Cor 9:13-14

 June 1 – You get what you sow – 1 Cor 9:13-14

 

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

 

     It is obvious that this had become a problem in the Corinthian church.  Of course, it had divided the church because who were they supposed to support.  Paul then reminds them of a commonly known practice both in the Greek and Hebrew world.  Those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple and those who serve at the altar get what is offered on the altar.  This was true in the Jewish and Greek world.  This was illustrated in the temples amply in the temples in the city.  So, in the same way and this is very important.  The Lord has commanded so this subject has a divine component or element to it.  It is a divine statue or command that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.  This issue is no longer voluntarily it has a divine command with it. 

     Paul up to this point had been building his case but then at the right moment brings down the hammer on the issue and reminds his readers and audience of the divine command and component to proper compensation for those who minister the gospel and the churches responsibility to them. There is no escaping one’s responsibility because it effects our own compensation and reward for what we do for the Lord.  You neglect the servant of the Lord, and it has a direct effect on how the Lord compensates and rewards you for what you do.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR JUNE 1, 2023

 

June 1 – You get what you sow – 1 Cor 9:13-14

 June 1 – You get what you sow – 1 Cor 9:13-14

 

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

 

     It is obvious that this had become a problem in the Corinthian church.  Of course, it had divided the church because who were they supposed to support.  Paul then reminds them of a commonly known practice both in the Greek and Hebrew world.  Those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple and those who serve at the altar get what is offered on the altar.  This was true in the Jewish and Greek world.  This was illustrated in the temples amply in the temples in the city.  So, in the same way and this is very important.  The Lord has commanded so this subject has a divine component or element to it.  It is a divine statue or command that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.  This issue is no longer voluntarily it has a divine command with it. 

     Paul up to this point had been building his case but then at the right moment brings down the hammer on the issue and reminds his readers and audience of the divine command and component to proper compensation for those who minister the gospel and the churches responsibility to them. There is no escaping one’s responsibility because it effects our own compensation and reward for what we do for the Lord.  You neglect the servant of the Lord, and it has a direct effect on how the Lord compensates and rewards you for what you do.