The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
1 Corinthians 1-4
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 4: Christ’s Church: God’s People Advance the Kingdom
Background Information: 1 Corinthians 1-4
The city of Corinth in southern Greece was an important trade and military route in the ancient world. Like many trade cities, it had a reputation for sexual immorality, religious diversity, and the corruption that most often accompanies prosperity. Paul spent eighteen months in Corinth and successfully planted a church there. The environment proved to be a challenge for the young church as they were often more influenced “by” than influencers “of” their culture. Paul would re-visit them several times as well as write them letters of rebuke and encouragement… they clearly needed both. The church had divided into factions of hero worship. Some claimed to follow Paul, some Apollos, some Peter, and some were the “Christ only” faction. All these groups violated the basic Christian principles of love, unity, and humility. Paul would have none of this nonsense, and neither should we. The church, like the rest of society, has always looked for heroes–which isn’t bad per se, except when it becomes less about having role models and more about setting up competing “clubs” built around cults of personality. Paul was brilliant, Apollos was eloquent, Peter was bold and charismatic, but they were all just men. They pointed people away from themselves towards Christ. Paul did not revel in his intelligence, but instead made much of his weakness and of the simplicity of his message, empowered by the Spirit, not by mere human ability. In a culture enamored with human power, prestige, and wisdom, Paul challenged the church to embrace their weakness and not to chase what was “cool,” but rather to chase after Christ. Chasing “cool” is an ongoing temptation for the Church. We can spiritualize it and say we want to be accepted, known, and popular in order to better represent Christ to the world. We can believe that chasing cool is going to give the gospel a wider platform and empower us to change the culture. You can’t change what you are addicted to. If you are addicted to being “cool,” you cannot change a culture that has the very same addiction. No one is impressed or impacted by a church that is chasing the same empty things that they are. We should not seek to be “uncool” or “cool.” We should only seek to be faithful to Christ. We would do well to make our single focus like that of Paul: “Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Lily Wu. Ask God to direct her and guide her and she directs the affairs of our city.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.