The last verse of 2 Cor. 2 says, "For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God."

Can you believe some people peddle the word of God for money?  Immediately our minds jump to the Oral Roberts and Joel Olsteens of the world, the men and women who wow the crowds and are compensated highly for their "ministries."  Every one of the apostles missed the celebrity bandwagon - intentionally, it seems.  The word of God is not something to sell.  It's not something by which we make fortunes. 

The gospel must not be presented in such a way as to appeal to the masses.  Jesus never appealed to men's desires of ... Read More »

Sometimes preachers are berated for being "too negative."  Sometimes the criticism is warranted.  Some preachers do seem to hammer on the negative side of things, leaving out many of the positive messages contained in the gospel.  But sometimes the criticism comes from disgruntled listeners.  All preachers who preach the complete word of God step on toes and offend consciences.  Those offended may call this "negative" preaching because it makes them feel bad, and they don't like feeling bad.

Paul was forced to defend himself in 1 Cor. 1 from some who charged him with being wishy-washy.  Paul made it plain he fully intended to come visit them on his way to Macedonia.  He was somehow hindered.  So his critics said, basically, "You can't trust Paul.  You never know if he's telling you the truth or lying."  Paul defended himself in < ... Read More »

If you asked the average male for the definition of a real man, what might you expect?  I'd expect words and phrases like macho, strong, steady, won't back down, knows what he wants, self-made, etc.  If you asked a woman the same question, you might expect responses such as provider, protector, not afraid to cry, makes a decent living, good with kids, etc. 

Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 16:13, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 

"Act like men?"  What does that mean?  Surely it is helpful to see other contextual phrases such as "stand firm" and "be strong."  Is that the macho definition of be a man?  Are we talking Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Steven Segal?  Well, Paul said it, so I guess we need to go ou ... Read More »

The word "if" is pretty skinny.  It has no fat letters.  It's one letter away from being the shortest word possible.  But "if" is a pretty big word.

"If" means there are conditions to a statement.  I will give you $5 IF you wash my car.  I do not intend to gift you $5.  You must fulfill the condition before you receive the benefit.

1 Cor. 15:1-2 is a wonderful passage:  "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain."
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There are those who teach churches to grow by making their services "visitor-friendly."  Techniques are offered such as 1) make sure visitors are greeted warmly, 2) make sure they receive a visitor's card, 3) make sure someone follows up with the visitor the VERY NEXT DAY with a phone call or letter thanking them for coming, 4) have specially reserved seating for visitors, 5) make the building look nice and inviting, and the list goes on.

Here in 1 Corinthians 14, we do see instructions on how to treat visitors to our assemblies.  The Corinthian brethren thought speaking in tongues was the best spiritual gift to have, probably because they thought it was just cool.  Speaking in tongues was the great spiritual gift given them apostles on the day of Pentecost.  Perhaps they thought they were stronger Christians if they had the gift of tongues.  Paul set them straight in this chapter by ... Read More »

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

And If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

There are some "holiness" groups which require their members to speak in tongues, because that is the sign of a true believer.  Surely someone who can speak in tongues is going to heaven - he has the power of the Holy Spirit, right?  Surely if a woman is able to prophesy, she has her ticke ... Read More »

There are NINE spiritual gifts listed in 1 Cor. 12:8-10:

1. The Word of Wisdom
2. The Word of Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Healing
5. Effecting of Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing of Spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues

"There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit," says 1 Cor. 12:4.  This is dealing specifically with spiritual gifts, but it can be easily applied to gifts in general.

The point is not how many gifts there are, but that there are MANY GIFTS through ONE power - the Holy Spirit. 

This is not a competition.  Those who have a word of wi ... Read More »

There are few other chapters in Scripture under as much controversy as 1 Corinthians 11.  You would think there are only two positions: 1) women must wear the head covering and men must not or 2) women and men are under no such law today.  The funny thing is, there is a multitude of viewpoints as to why brethren DON'T have to wear the head covering today.  Most women today don't wear one, but they have all kinds of different reasons for not wearing it.  Of the women who DO wear one, they have different reasons for wearing it and different ideas of just when they should wear it.

Because of all the controversy and different opinions, I fear many simply skirt the issue thinking it's just too complicated.  Some studied it years ago and believe they came to the correct understanding and so they will continue in their chosen path.

I challenge us all to continue to study this passa ... Read More »

We have this famous verse in 1 Cor. 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

What can we learn from this verse?

1.  I will never be tempted in a truly unique sense.  Whatever I face, men have faced before me.  Does this help me?  It helps me know I'm not alone in my temptations.  It helps me know there are brethren who have already faced these things and can help me through them.  It helps me know there are men and women in the Scriptures who have faced these same temptations and stand as my examples.

2.  God is faithful to make sure ... Read More »

Paul had rights.

1 Cor. 9:4 - a right to eat and drink (enjoy the good things of life)

1 Cor. 9:5 - a right to marry a good woman and take her with him on his preaching trips

1 Cor. 9:6 - a right to refrain from working (and be monetarily supported by the brethren)

We like people to know we have rights.  We have a right to say what we want to say.  We have a right to make a good living.  We have a right to the best health care.  We have a right to own lots of property.  We have a right to have fun.  We have a right to be happy.  We have a right to have rights!

Whatever.  We only have rights where God has given us allowance.  We ought not to use the fact "we have rights" as an excuse to ... Read More »