Power of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

We want to understand the Cross of Jesus Christ is the power unto God. The power of God comes from the Cross of Jesus Christ — knowing Christ. What is the Cross? It is the instrument of death. It is dying to self.

As Christians, we understand the message of the Cross. Even though it is an instrument of death, we understand the power of the Cross. Without the death of Christ on the Cross, we would still be perishing eternally in our sins.

To people in the world, the Cross of Jesus Christ is nothing. It is stupidity. They do not believe in the power of the Cross. Look at all the people who wear crosses as jewelry and have no idea of its significance. They see it as something pretty to wear around their necks.

It is so important to recognize what the Cross means, if you are going to wear it. It is not pretty. It is an instrument of death and torment. When people were crucified, they suffered tremendously. When Christ was put on the Cross, He suffered and He was an innocent man. He suffered to save you and to save me.

The suffering of Christ on the Cross produced great power, because as He died on the Cross, He took on all our sins — past, present and future — and gave us salvation. That is the power of the Cross. That is the true message of the Cross.

A crossless Christ would mean no more
than a Christless cross.
-Vance Havner-

Submission Brings Unity

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

1 Corinthians 1:17

Can you believe it? The Cross of Jesus Christ is of no effect if the messenger is not empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. You can preach all you want. You can say whatever you want, but you will have no power. If you are not the true messenger, nothing will happen.

What happens to keep you from being the messenger? Division — not being one with Christ and not being one with people. Having your own agenda. Doing your own thing. Building your own kingdom. It will never work. God will not work with division.

What do we need to do? We need to submit — submission is the key to unity. The word is hupotasso, which translated means, “to arrange under,” with hupo translated as “under” and tasso translated “to arrange.”

We need to be under Christ. The only way to get under Christ is to humble yourself and become a servant for Christ. Then God can give you the message, and you can become the messenger, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

As God’s messengers, it is important for us to submit to Christ and to the leaders God sets over us. Then we can serve in unity through the power of the Holy Spirit.

A dead creed is of no use; we must have our creed
baptized with the Holy Ghost.
-C. H. Spurgeon-

Preach God’s Word

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

1 Corinthians 1:17

What was Paul’s mission? To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What often happens in ministry? We get so caught up in programs, we forget to preach and to teach. It is pretty heavy. We are here to preach, to evangelize, to expand our borders and tell people they are lost. This is not just for pastors; it is for everyone who calls themselves a Christian.

It is important we are sensitive to people. We need to be ready in season and out of season, to have the boldness to say, “This is where it’s at. This is what is going to happen. This is the bottom line.”

Look at what Paul said, not with wisdom of words. What does that mean? How many times do we want to impress people? We use big words and quote commentaries, and yet the message has not even penetrated our hearts. We cannot teach the Word of God, unless it has pierced our own hearts.

We can be educated, but if we do not know the Word of God, we are ignorant. We have no hope. I do not care how many degrees you have; they do not matter, if you do not know God. You have to know God and preach Christ.

The only thing we have to give people is the Word of God and the hope of Jesus Christ. Nothing else can replace Christ and the message of salvation — nothing!

Education is a progressive discovery
of our own ignorance.
-Will Durant-

Flawed but Usable

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

1 Corinthians 1:14-15

Underline this verse. Look at the humility of Paul. He was not building himself up. He was lifting up Christ, not Paul. This message is for you and for me. Do not try to build up your name. Do not think about your name. It is about Christ, not about us.

God wants to work in me and through my life. Why? He has so much to do in my life and through my life, but before He can use the vessel, He has to fashion it. It is like the potter and the clay. What does He do with the lump of clay? He has to work on it. He has to fashion it into something usable. It takes days, weeks, months and years for God to mold us and shape us into vessels He can use.

We are not perfect vessels. We are flawed but usable, because we are in the Master’s hands. We are only usable by Him. Once you think you are finally finished, perfected, He says, “Yes, I am taking you home. Now you will be perfect.”

As long as we are here, we are imperfect. We are going to make mistakes. We are going to trip and fall. We are going to make so many mistakes, but if God is for us, who can be against us? That is the bottom line. If God is using our lives, we do not have to be perfect; we have to be available to Him.

Christians are made, not born.
-Jerome-

Justice, Righteousness and Truth

Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

Isaiah 59:14-15

Isaiah was a prophet in Judah during the reign of four kings, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. During his lifetime, the kingdom of Judah had fallen into sin. They were a nation of evil, not following the teaching of the Lord. That is why Isaiah said, righteousness stands afar off.

These very words could be spoken today for two reasons. First, the world now considers Christians to be the enemy. Righteousness is looked at as hatred. When we stand for righteousness, we are accused of hate crimes. Because we depart from evil, we become prey for the ungodly. We are attacked by the public, by politicians and by the media.

The second reason we see this verse active today is because of the sin in the church. I believe the church has become ineffective in ministering to the world, because truth has fallen in the church. There are many in the church practicing sin. They are not accidentally sinning or unintentionally sinning, they are practicing sin. They say, “I know it is wrong, but I am going to do it anyway. God will forgive me.”

Wow, that is a scary statement! Why would a child of God presume upon the grace of God?

Today is the start of a new year. Take an inventory of your life and see if there is anything you need to give over to God, so you can begin the New Year with justice, righteousness and truth.

Indeed, I tremble for my country
when I reflect that God is just.
-Thomas Jefferson-

For or Against God

“But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

Luke 21:9-10

We have seen so much happening in the past few years with wars, earthquakes and failing economies around the world. We see God’s hand at work, and surely we know we are living in perilous times.

I was talking to some older gentlemen and asked them, “Have you ever seen anything like what is going on today, in your lifetime?” They said, “No.” I asked if they believed something was happening, not just in America, but in the world, and one of them said, “I think God is angry.”

I thought about it for a moment. As nation after nation turns from Israel, we see the Word of God coming to life before our eyes. Scriptures say those who turn against God’s people will be cursed.

Israel is a little country. They are facing many challenges right now. They have nuclear weapons and they will defend themselves, but they want to see if the United States is with them or not.

We know, eventually, Israel will be by themselves, but do we want to be one of the nations who turns our back on God’s people? As we see the Scriptures unfolding every day, we each have to decide if we are for God or against Him.

God will give the rebel what he chooses
and what he deserves.
-Simon Austen-

Be Spiritually Prepared

And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Luke 21:11

All these events will be happening around the world, and there will be no way of escaping. Does this sound familiar? We have been experiencing earthquakes, and they brought to mind this verse.

We have seen them hit in Chile, Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, Haiti and here in the United States on the east coast. You have to wonder why we are experiencing so many at one time. When I go back to my childhood, I remember one major earthquake when I was in Mexico City, in 1956. It rocked Mexico City. It was huge!

Then, of course, in California, we have had earthquakes, but not the big one. We all think we are prepared, but I do not think California will be able to withstand an earthquake the size of the Japan quake. We will be out of food, water, transportation. It will be horrific.

There are going to be more earthquakes, but we do not know when or where. In California, an earthquake is expected, but what we have seen happening is earthquakes in unexpected places.

What does that tell you? We have to be prepared, not just physically, but spiritually. Time is short!

Procrastination is not only the thief of time,
it is the grave of opportunity.
-Author Unknown-

God is Speaking Loud and Clear

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

Luke 21:12

Think about all the things we see happening around the world, and you know God is speaking, so loud and clear, for people to get their lives together. I am talking about us, the church, not people on the outside in the world. We really have to be sensitive today; we have to be spirit-filled, and we have to stop pretending or spiritualizing things. We have to keep the main thing, the main thing.

What is the main thing? It is our relationship with Jesus Christ. We have to maintain a right relationship with the Lord, not being phonies. That is the key thing, because we cannot control disasters. Not just natural or economic disasters, but look at the great persecution of the church around the world.

We are in control of our spiritual lives. We choose whether we are going to walk with the Lord or in the world. You cannot do both — you cannot.

The thing you have to keep at the front of your mind is the Lord is getting ready to return. We see it every day, and things will get worse as Christian persecution increases. The handwriting is on the wall. Yet there are many people who do not believe it in their hearts, even here in the church today. God is speaking loud and clear. Now is not the time to go to sleep.

When men try to extinguish the light
of the Gospel it burns more brightly.
-Henry T. Mahan-

God is My Refuge

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.”

Luke 21:34-35

The thing about it is, when tragedy comes, you do not know if you are going to be maimed or die. If you die, that is cool, if you are right with God.

Think of all the people in Indonesia, Haiti and Japan. When the earthquakes hit and the tsunamis followed, many had no warning. They had no time to escape. They were casualties of the unexpected tragedies.

For those who survived, there was no food, no water and no housing. In Japan, they had the reactors melting down. They were the most prepared in the whole world. They had food and water stocked up. They had gone through emergency drills, but God surprised them when He brought that 9.0 earthquake.

I am not trying to scare you, but we all must take an examination of our lives. We can stock up on food and water. We can organize emergency plans for our families, but we never really know what is going to happen. We can do all that is good and necessary to take care of our families, but in the end, if we are not right with the Lord, it is all for nothing.

When the disasters of life strike, our only real refuge is God — nothing else.

Security is not the absence of danger,
but the presence of God.
-Author Unknown-

Speak Out

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.

2 Timothy 3:1-2

We just really have to think about these things. This world is perishing. I am not just talking physically, but spiritually. We see the spiritual death of many today. We see it and think it is so sad, but what are we doing about it? We send money to charities to help those hit by disasters, but we do not share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those perishing eternally.

We cannot continue to wait for someone else to reach the world. These are not normal days; these are dangerous days. God is speaking loud and clear, because He is getting ready to come.

Look at what is happening in Israel. It is the greatest sign we have. The president of Iran is boasting about the coming of their holy man and coming against God’s people. It is not only Iran. The world is turning against Israel, and these are God’s people. God said, ‘I will bless those who bless you [Israel], And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

I wonder how many people will be cursed in these last days, because they do not support Israel. We need to really speak out like never before. Do not be afraid to speak out.

You do not love the Lord at all unless
you love the souls of others.
-C. H. Spurgeon-

No Excuse for Division

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of
one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:1-2

As I study Paul’s epistles, I get blown away. If we really want to be leaders in the church, then we really need to know what Paul wrote. He wrote to each of the churches, and he addressed so many issues. Everything he wrote is for us today. All of the circumstances he addressed, we see today in the church.

In this verse, we see one of the great problems in the church — people did not get along. There was no unity. This is something we all need to understand. As the body of Christ, we cannot be a part of disunity.

According to God’s Word, we are supposed to be united, but we are divided. So, how can God really work? Seriously, how can you run a church, or how can you run a successful business, if everyone is not on the same page? It is an impossibility. You cannot do it.

I learned this before I got saved, in the Marines. In the military, you have to be on the same page, or people get hurt and people die, so you learn it real fast.

In the church, division causes people to stumble, and we see spiritual death when they fall away. We cause so much damage, and the Christian has no excuse for this, because we have the epistles to read.

It is easy to make excuses when we ought to be
making opportunities.
-Warren Wiersbe-

Exhort and Rebuke

After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.

Acts 18:1-2

Paul came to Corinth, most likely in the fall of 50 AD, and founded the church there. I do not know if you have ever been to Corinth, but I can tell you, it is a pretty amazing place. At the center of the excavated city of Corinth, there is a huge altar called the Bema Seat. This is where they would sit and pass judgment.

Right above Corinth, on a big hill, was a temple where 1000 prostitutes lived. They would come down to the city at night to seduce the men of Corinth. You get a picture of the Corinthians. This place was really loose. It was like Sodom and Gomorrah. There was drinking, partying and sex. They had every sin you could ever imagine.

This is the culture Paul came into when he arrived in Corinth. That is why he wrote two letters, because the problems were so heavy in Corinth. Paul spent time in Corinth developing the church. He reasoned with the people who called themselves Christians, and yet they were carnal. He really exhorted and rebuked the church.

We see the same carnality in the church today, so I exhort you today.

No man can understand spiritual
mysteries by carnal reason.
-Thomas Brooks-

God’s Credentials

And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.”

Acts 22:2-3

Paul the Apostle had many credentials he could give to the people. He was a Jew born in Tarsus, so he was also a Roman citizen. He was over in Tarsus, which is Turkey today. Then he was brought over to Jerusalem, and there he sat at the feet of Gamaliel, who was one of the great teachers. He spoke both Hebrew and Greek. In the eyes of man, he was a great man with a great education. He was like a PhD.

I do not think all those things were so important to God. I do not think Jesus was impressed with Paul’s education and background. I think he called Paul because he was so zealous. If he worked so hard to persecute the church, think how hard he would work for the Lord. His background gave him a balance to speak to the Jew and to speak to the Gentile.

This is so important. When we are reading our Bibles and learning God’s Word, we are sometimes so zealous for the Lord, we push people away from God, instead of drawing them near. Paul knew every community was different; every person was different. He knew God’s Word and taught the people, but he allowed God to do the work.

Allow the Lord to work in and through your lives. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when you are sharing the Gospel.

A person who lives right, and is right,
has more power in his words.
-Phillips Brooks-

Sit Under Godly Teachers

“Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.’ “

Acts 22:14-15

When I read the epistles of the Apostle Paul, I know I am really reading the actual words of God. Out of the whole world, God put His finger out, pointed to Saul of Tarsus and anointed him Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ. He had already elected the 12 Apostles, but He knew one was a betrayer. He replaced Judas, the betrayer, with Paul, and he gave us 14 letters.

Of the Apostles of Christ, there were fishermen, tax collectors and laborers, but Paul was the theologian. He was a Pharisee, born as a Roman citizen, a Jew taught by Gamaliel. Think about it. It was all part of God’s plan.

Each one of us is part of the body of Christ, the church. The word church, ecclesialia, means “called out ones.” That is who we are. We are called out to serve the Lord, and God wants to use all our gifts and talents. He wants you to be all you can be, in order to serve Him.

The teachers you put yourself under, they are the ones who will influence your life. First, we have to put ourselves under Christ and the teachings of the Bible. Second, we have to be sure those we sit under are godly men — men who can rightly divide the Word of God. As we grow in the Lord, we become the teachers, just as the wisdom of Gamaliel was passed to Paul and on to us.

A disciple is a person who learns to live
the life his teacher lives.
-Juan Carlos Ortiz-

Teach God’s Truth

“Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ “

Acts 22:17-18

Paul was not going to be accepted in Jerusalem. The people were not ready to receive from Paul. This was not the last time Paul and his message would not be received, but Paul continued to teach and preach as he was led by the Lord.

Paul was fluent in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, the languages the Bible was originally written in. Knowing all three languages was a great advantage for Paul. He really knew the Word of God, and he was able to teach it to both the Jew and the Gentile.

Today, our Bibles have been translated from the original languages into almost every language, but sometimes things are lost in the translation. We still have to speak God’s Word the way it was written. That is why we study and pray. That is why we have our Strong’s and Young’s Concordances. We use these resources to look up words and passages, so we can teach the truth. If we deviate from the truth, then we are teaching false doctrine, changing God’s Word. We cannot change it.

Paul never changed the Word of God. He was bold for Jesus. He was not afraid to rebuke people. He was not afraid to call people heretics and false teachers. We should never be afraid to stand on truth and to stand on righteousness.

Speak boldly and speak truly. Shame the devil!
-John Fletcher-

Right People in the Right Places

“Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!’ “

Acts 22:21-22

When I read about the life of Paul, I am blown away. He had an open ear and open heart to really hear from the Lord. Once the Lord spoke, he did it. He was faithful to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Paul had a desire to minister to his fellow Jews, but God told him, “No, I have a greater work for you. You are going to minister to the Gentiles.” That does not mean he was never used with the Jewish nation, but God had a bigger plan for Paul. He was going to use all Paul’s credentials to open doors among the Gentile nations, with the intellectuals of the day. He had the education.

It is the same today. God wants to use each one of us where we are. He wants to use our gifts and talents to reach out to a lost and dying world, and He wants to put the right people in the right places to get the job done.

That is the main reason I went to seminary for my doctorate. I was already an ordained pastor. God ordained me. He called me, but in order to minister in South America to the business people, they needed to see the credentials.

We really need to be open to where God is leading us, so we can be used to our full potential in the areas God has chosen for us.

Education is useless without the Bible.
-Noah Webster-

Gifts Without Love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1

We have two letters from Paul to the church in Corinth. It is believed there were three letters, but one was lost. The reason Paul wrote to the Corinthians was because they had many problems. The culture of Corinth was carnal, so dying to the old man took some time for the people.

One of the great problems in Corinth was the abuse of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was a major problem. They were not only abusing speaking in tongues, but also the interpretation of tongues.

Paul tried to encourage them while pointing out their errors. He was telling them it was great to speak in tongues, but it did not make them spiritual. As a matter of fact, they had the gift of tongues, but they did not love one another.

If they did not have love, what good was the gift of tongues to them? It was worthless before the Lord. Without love, their speaking was an awful sound before the throne of God. Without love, they were not a spiritual people — they were still carnal.

No one is really spiritual unless you truly believe in the work of God’s love moving through your life. When you have God’s love moving through your life, all your gifts and talents are beautiful in the eyes of the Lord.

Duty makes us do things well,
but love makes us do them beautifully.
-Phillips Brooks-

Critical or Truthful

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.

1 Corinthians 1:1

Paul began his first letter to the Corinthians with his greeting. Have you ever wondered why Paul’s letters always started with his name? That was the Greek way of writing letters. Today, we sign our names at the end, but they would put their names at the beginning, to establish a relationship with the readers.

He began his letter, not in boasting, but setting his authority. This letter was an exhortation from Paul to the people of Corinth, and he did not want them to take it lightly. He had to set the tone of the letter right from the start.

How many times do we pick up letters and just skim through them? We do not really read them. Someone writes you a letter about something you said or did, and immediately you think the person is too critical.

Are they critical? Have you spent time in prayer after reading the letter? Have you checked yourself out to see if maybe they are not critical, but truthful? We are not perfect. We do make great mistakes. We do things or say things we do not realize may be hurtful or just wrong.

When people come to me, I do not take it lightly. I take it to the Lord. You really have to listen and ask yourself, “Why are they saying this to me?” You really have to examine yourself before the Lord.

No man ever became a Christian
without stopping to look at himself.
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones-

Called of God

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.

1 Corinthians 1:1

Paul not only established his relationship with the people of Corinth in his greeting, he was also reminding them of the person he represented. This was a letter written from him as an Apostle and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. What I found interesting here is he said, “Paul, called. . . .”

He was called by God to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He did not join the team. He did not fill out a job application and get paid for it. He said, “I was called by God.”

In all our lives, there has to be the calling of God. There has to be the anointing of God. Otherwise, we are not serving God, we are serving ourselves, and we are striving with God. Seriously, it would be better to do something else.

If you do not see progress, if you do not see God’s hand upon your service to the Lord, then maybe it is time to close shop Why keep beating the old dog. Let it die. It is time to seek Him and see where the Holy Spirit is truly leading.

God has so many things He wants to do in our lives, but we really have to check ourselves at every point. Am I really called by God to do this? Is this thing my will or God’s will? Pastor Chuck has always told us to look where the Holy Spirit is moving and jump in.

The greatest folly in the universe is
to oppose the will of God.
-David Thomas-

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3-4

Anyone who has read the Bible, especially the letters Paul the Apostle wrote to the churches, knows Paul was well acquainted with the deep meaning behind these verses. He was not just speaking words of encouragement; he had experienced great tribulations and persevered through them.

Through Paul’s life, we see how great trials and tribulations can produce a life of perseverance, character and hope. At the same time, through life experience, we know great trials can produce defeat, disappointment and bitterness.

So, what makes the difference between a life of hope and a life of bitterness, while struggling through great tribulations?

Look at the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was not born into privilege. He came from humble beginnings. He lived during troubling times of great persecution. He experienced opposition in his life, but he had great hope.

He made a choice. He could have gotten bitter by his experiences, but he chose hope. He did not allow the circumstances in his life to shape the man. He allowed the strength of God to shape him. Like Paul, he persevered, which produced great character and hope.

It is so easy to become bitter with life. Keep your eyes on the Lord, and you can become a man or woman of great character, holding onto great hope.

We must accept finite disappointment,
but never lose infinite hope.
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-

Ambassador for Christ

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.

1 Corinthians 1:1

Many times, Paul used the title of servant in his greeting, but he did not start out with servant in this letter. He began with apostle, which means “ambassador, one who is going to be sent.” Paul had been called by God, and then God sent him out to preach the message of salvation to the Gentiles.

Before you are sent, you have to know your calling, and you have to have the anointing in your life. This is very important. You have to have the anointing and the call of God.

The reason I say this is because Paul said, “I am an apostle of Jesus Christ.” He was not of Calvary Chapel, not of the Baptist church or the Methodist church. He was a representative of Jesus Christ, not a religion.

It does not matter who laid hands on you, it is the anointing on your forehead. That is the key. Did God really anoint you? If He did not, then what are you doing? Do not do something that is not fruitful, growing or developing.

We have to remember we are ambassadors of Christ. We are called, anointed and sent out by Him. Whatever we do is a reflection of the Lord, so be sure you do not misrepresent Him. Wherever I go and whatever I do, I always want my testimony to be right before the Lord. I am His ambassador to the world.

The conduct of our lives is the
true mirror of our doctrine.
-Michel de Montaigne-

Study, Pray and Wait on the Lord

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.

1 Corinthians 1:1

From Paul’s introduction and greeting, he made it clear who was in control. He was called, anointed and wrote the letter through the will of God. Paul’s life was dedicated to doing the will of God. He had his plans, but when God revealed His plan to Paul, he did not hesitate to do God’s will, not his plan.

That is one of the things I love about Paul. His life was given over to the Lord, fully and completely. He did not strive with God, because he knew God’s plan was the better way. His apostleship was according to God’s divine will.

Do you know God’s will in your life? I know I am in God’s will. I have never doubted it. The day I got saved, I knew what I had to do. I had to put myself under the leadership of Calvary Chapel and Chuck Smith. I had to listen and learn. I was not to promote myself. I waited for the Lord. I went to Costa Mesa and learned.

Out of all those people, Chuck Smith chose me. He called me to his office and I gave my testimony. That is how I came to be the pastor of Calvary Chapel. I never promoted myself. I prepared and waited on the Lord.

If you want to be used by God, study, pray and wait upon the Lord. Do not seek the approval of man.

Only in obedience can we discover the
great joy of the will of God.
-Sinclair Ferguson-

What Is Your Call?

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.

1 Corinthians 1:1

I like the way Paul was addressing the church in his letter. He was talking about himself and said, “I am called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.” Notice the importance of the will of God in our lives. You really have to take a step back and ask the question, “Am I in God’s perfect will for my life?”

Now let me explain a little bit about this. Many people come to me and ask, “Raul, what do you think is the purpose of my life?” or, “What do you think is God’s will for my life?” I cannot answer that for anyone. No one can answer. You have to know by seeking God. Then He will speak to your heart.

One way to know whether you are in God’s will or not is whether you have the peace of God in your life. It is nothing big or mysterious, just the peace of God. If you do not have the peace of God in your life, then something is wrong. You have to be content with what God has called you to do. People do not have peace when they are not content. These people want to be here and there. They want to do this and do that.

I always tell people, “The first thing you must do to establish God’s perfect will in your life is to know God intimately, through His Word and through prayer.” If you do not know Him, how can He give you guidance and assistance? How can you really know what God has called you to be, if you do not know Him?

The revealed will of God is either manifested to us
in His Word or in His works.
-John Flavel-

The Holy Spirit Adds Believers

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.

1 Corinthians 1:2

After introducing the writer, Paul revealed the recipients — the church of God. It was not just a few believers. It was a massive church. By the Day of Pentecost, there were 120 Christians, and from that point on it grew. On the first day, 3,000 got saved and were baptized. Then there were 5,000.

Imagine, the church grew like crazy without any programs, without any promotion. It was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit added to the church daily, as many as should be added.

What is cool about it is he talked about the church of God which was at Corinth. God was adding to the church around the world. The Apostles went out to preach salvation, people were getting saved, and the Holy Spirit was moving, even in the carnal city of Corinth.

Do you see, God is not limited? He can move in the most carnal hearts. The Holy Spirit will do a great work wherever we are sent. All God asks of us is to go and be messengers. He is not asking us to convert anyone. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. He is asking us to go out and preach the message of salvation to a lost and dying world. He will do the real work. He will draw the sinner to Himself.

We are not responsible for conversion,
but we are responsible for contact.
-A. T. Pierson-

Grace and Peace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:3

Notice how the greeting comes about here. Paul starts out with the most important thing, grace. It is important because we are saved by grace. Grace is the salutation given by the Greeks, and then peace, Shalom, a common greeting by the Hebrews; but not just peace, God’s peace. Wow!

Who is providing the grace and peace? God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. These titles speak of relationship — our relationship to God. We see God, our loving, Heavenly Father, and Jesus, our Savior, the Anointed One of God. Paul paints a picture of who Jesus Christ is and, at the same time, invites us immediately into this grace God gives to us.

We can never truly understand the peace of God until we receive the grace of God. We cannot ever experience the peace of God until we experience first the grace of God.

To understand grace, we have to recognize, we are saved by grace, not by works. It is a free gift from God. There is nothing you or I can do to earn God’s grace. He gives it to us freely when we give our lives to Jesus.

When we experience the true grace of God, then we experience the true peace of God in our lives. When we have the peace of God in our lives, we do not have to be all stressed out. We can rest assured, God is there in our lives.

Nothing can be done aright without grace.
-John Bunyan-

The Praying Shepherd

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:4

Notice how personal Paul was. He was very personal toward the Christians in Corinth. He was aware of their needs, and he was praying for them. He was concerned for their well-being.

A shepherd who is not concerned for people would not mention them in prayer, but Paul was concerned for the body of Christ. He was concerned for the church in every city where he planted a church. He was a shepherd of many flocks.

In his prayers, Paul was thanking God for the grace He had given to the Christians in Corinth. God had poured out His grace upon a carnal people. Some were walking in God’s grace, but many of these believers became carnal Christians.

Being carnal is not just sexual sin. You are carnal if you are a gossiper, a division maker or causing strife. Those who truly walk by the Holy Spirit are always making peace, walking by grace. It is a sign of maturity.

Grace is free. It is a gift. It only comes when you are born again of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit will give to you, through Christ, the grace of God. Do you deserve it? No, it is a free gift of God, given to you.

Grace is what all need, what none can merit
and what God alone can give.
-George Barlow-

Study God’s Word

. . . that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:5

This is a huge verse here. Paul is talking about how God blessed our lives, and we have become so rich in Jesus Christ, in everything we say. We are rich in the truth we have learned from studying God’s Word. If I am studying God’s Word and learning, then I am going to be able to speak the truth. I am going to be able to give truth to others.

We are not only rich in all we say, through God’s Word we obtain all knowledge, as we continue to learn from the Word of God, as we study from Genesis to Revelation. In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul said we need to continue to study, not just once and for all, but every day we need to go through the Bible and study God’s Word.

How many times do you go come to a passage you really do not understand or it does not really speak to you; then the next time you read it, the Lord really speaks to your heart? That is why we continuously study God’s Word. Every time we open the Bible, God wants to speak to us.

The Bible never gets old, because God is constantly revealing new things in His Word. It becomes new every day. If you are really looking to learn from the Word, God will reveal Himself, but this can only happen through the work of the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to teach you, lead you and guide you, so you can speak God’s Word in truth. Otherwise, you cannot do it.

We must read our Bibles like men
digging for hidden treasure.
-J. C. Ryle-

Spiritual Ignorance

. . . even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, . . .

1 Corinthians 1:6

The word testimony is Marturus, which means “witness.” The witness of Christ was confirmed in them. How was it confirmed? By the Holy Spirit.

Notice how much the Holy Spirit was involved in the Book of Corinthians. In every chapter, you find the work of the Holy Spirit. What was the problem in the Corinthian church? The Holy Spirit.

How could the Holy Spirit be a problem? Think about it. The Corinthian believers were abusing the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so there was no fault with the Holy Spirit. The fault was at the feet of the believers in Corinth. Because they were spiritually immature, they were carnal Christians, and they were abusing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Paul wants to make sure we really and truly understand this problem, because it can happen to each and every person who comes to Christ, but does not take the time to be rooted and grounded in the Word of God. Without spiritual maturity, we can all fall victim to abusing the spiritual gifts.

When we read and study God’s Word, we grow in our knowledge of God and the gifts He imparts to us. Then, we can be responsible in the use of all things spiritual. Without the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, we will all be ignorant of the Word of God, and without the Word, we are ignorant of God.

Ignorance is the mother of all mischief.
-Thomas Hall-

Jesus Is Coming

. . . so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . .

1 Corinthians 1:7

Every Christian should be waiting with an eagerness for the Lord Jesus Christ to come. When the body of Christ begins to lose sight of the Coming of the Lord, then the church will die. If you do not teach about the Coming of the Lord, the church will begin to die. Without the Coming of Jesus Christ, people will have no hope.

What has kept me walking with the Lord for the last 40 years is what Pastor Chuck taught the first time I heard him, saying, “Jesus is coming.” I knew he was speaking the truth, and I set myself to be faithful to the Lord until He comes.

Watching the signs of the times and reading the epistles, which teach the Coming of the Lord, I know we are closer than we have ever been. Reading the Book of Revelation, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel and all the minor prophets, we can see things coming together according to prophecy.

There are 500 prophecies about Jesus Christ, with 300 speaking of His First Coming and 200 about the Second Coming.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds us we are lacking nothing, as Christians. We are rich, not in the world, but we are rich in Jesus Christ, because we are eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is coming soon.

Since He may come any day,
it is well to be ready every day.
-J. Hudson Taylor-

Be Found Blameless

. . . who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:8

Do you know the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ is different from the Day of the Lord? The Day of Christ is speaking of the Rapture, and the Day of the Lord is speaking of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, after the Tribulation period. It makes a difference here.

I think this is a real important point because of the Rapture. He said when the Lord Jesus Christ comes, He wants to find you blameless. Notice he says blameless. We are not talking about spirituality. We are talking about people really living holy lives, being blameless in everything they do.

If we are eagerly waiting for Jesus to come, He is going to confirm us to the end. Isn’t that cool? If God started a work in your life, then He will finish it. See, if you are walking with the Lord, abiding in Him, He is going to accomplish all the plans He has for your life.

If you decide not to abide in Christ, you will miss out on the blessings of the Lord here on earth, and you will be sure to remain here for the Tribulation period, following the Rapture. You will not be found blameless in the Day of Jesus, because He will not confirm those who choose not to walk with Him.

It is so important to remember, it is all our choice. We choose heaven or hell.

Sin is but hell in embryo;
hell is but sin in fulfillment.
-Thomas V. Moore-

Fellowship with God

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:9

Underline this verse. It is a key verse. Notice, it is not you who are faithful, it is God. He is the one who gives you the privilege of being in the fellowship with Christ and other believers. God is the one, not you. It is a privilege because God is faithful.

Imagine the importance of this one verse, the fellowship given to us. I think many times, as believers, we take the fellowship for granted. We do not value it for the incredible gift from God it really is, and we break fellowship.

How do we break fellowship? Sin breaks fellowship with God. How many times have you said, “I am not hurting anyone else with my actions,” when you are sinning? You are hurting someone else — a really important someone else. You are hurting God in your sin. You have broken fellowship with Him.

We can see clearly, God is always faithful to us. He calls us into fellowship and desires a personal relationship with each of us, individually. We are not so faithful. We are self-centered and we break fellowship, because we allow other things to be more important in our lives than God.

Think about it. In the entire universe, God desires fellowship with us! He calls us into fellowship with one another. Isn’t that more important than any sin?

Fellowship with Christians is for the sake
of fellowship with God.
-J. I. Packer-

Gossip Brings Division

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10

What do people in the body of Christ do? They gossip and tell stories, just like the world. It is wrong and Paul is telling us here, it causes division. The church needs to be united, not divided. We need to be careful how we are talking at home, at work, at church, wherever we go.

Why? If you are speaking things that are not edifying, not building up, but you are tearing people down, your children are listening and they will become just like you. They will tear people down. You are infecting them.

You have to really be careful with your mouth. When you talk, you cannot control how people are going to repeat your words, so do not leave them with gossip and stories. Once gossip and stories are repeated, they cause division, and it will affect you tremendously. Little birds are always escaping with words, and those words can hurt others.

You are either united or you are divided. If you do not agree, let’s agree to disagree, or let’s disagree, agreeably. Why cause division? Why cause people to be separated? When God is doing a work and wants to do a greater work, let’s come together in harmony with the Holy Spirit and allow God to use our lives in such a way that everyone gets blessed.

When tempted to gossip,
breathe through your nose.
-T. N. Tiemeyer-

Agree to Disagree

For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 1:11

Paul was letting them know he was aware of the problems. He was saying, “I have heard it, you guys. I am not there, but I have heard it..” Even then, without phones and internet, word had gotten back to Paul, and he knew there were problems in the church of Corinth.

What was a big problem in Corinth? There were contentions. Contentions are disagreements — not minor disagreements, but heated disagreements. Contentions bring disunity. They bring divisions. Remember that. All these things cause division in the Body of Christ.

Contentions are caused by people — people who will not agree to disagree. I am not talking about compromising on our beliefs; I am talking about disagreeing, agreeably. There are many things taught in different churches which we do not agree with, but they are not essential doctrines. They will not cause someone to go to hell, so we agree to disagree.

A contentious person is a carnal person, not a spiritual man. The carnal person will not back down. They have to be right and will not back down, even if it causes division. Is this the action of a spiritual man? Is this what Christ has taught us?

As Christians, I do not think any of us want to be known as contentious people, so let each one of us seek to be spiritual men and women.

The division of Christians is the sin of fratricide.
-J. A. Moyter-

Avoid Division Making

Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:12

Division happens when people start creating their own little cliques in the church, and people follow this leader or that leader, but not the shepherd. That is when you have major problems. That is when you have division in the body of Christ. We are not supposed to make disciples to ourselves. We are supposed to make disciples to Christ. That is what the Bible teaches.

God has appointed the senior pastor as the shepherd of His church. The responsibility of the shepherd is to lead people to Christ. The focus of the teaching is the Word of God and Christ, not stories or entertainment.

It is not about how big or popular you are. It is about how big Christ is in your life that makes you little before the people, as they focus on Christ. This is so important. The smaller you are before Christ, the more God will use your lives — not the bigger you are.

I think it is important because today there are so many people who want to be something they are not. They disagree with the pastor and begin collecting people who will agree with them. This is division making. It is not of the Lord. Remember, God appoints His shepherds. When you do this, you are coming against God’s anointed. That is a heavy sin against the Lord.

You can’t build a church with stumbling blocks.
-Fred Beck-

Nobodies for Christ

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:13

Paul said, “Let’s get to the bottom of things. Was Apollos, Cephas or I ever crucified for any of you?” Paul was an Apostle of the Lord, but he did not raise himself above anyone. Who were these people? They were servants of the Lord. They were nobodies. That is true ministry — being nobodies.

We should never ever think we are somebodies. We should be nobodies and allow God to be who He is in our lives, so He can work in us and through our lives.

Many people have a hard time with this. They say, “This is what I have done for Christ.” Let me ask you, “What have you done for Christ? Truly, what have you done?” Nothing. The question is, “What has Christ done for you?” That is the most important thing, what Christ has done for us. Everything — remember that!

You see, we have to get our priorities right as men and women of God, as Christians, in order to be successful in this world, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We should always be talking about Christ. He is the One who gives us the increase. He is the One who gives us the wisdom and knowledge. He is the One who calls and anoints. He is the One doing the work of God. We are just His vessels, His servants. Here I am, God. Do whatever you want to do.

Every preacher must come to his people
with the mind of Christ.
-Donald MacLeod-