{"id":16860,"date":"2021-07-26T22:00:59","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T05:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/genesis_50_14-26-copy\/"},"modified":"2021-07-25T14:46:02","modified_gmt":"2021-07-25T21:46:02","slug":"1corinthians-1_1-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/1corinthians-1_1-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Jesus, the Lover of Your Soul"},"content":{"rendered":"

1 Corinthians 1:1-9\u00a0\u00a0Click here for Bible Verses<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:1a (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n1\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 1:\u00a0\u00a0Paul begins his letter by introducing himself as someone who is \u201ccalled to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0What is an apostle?\u00a0\u00a0An apostle is someone who is gifted and chosen by God to plant and start churches.\u00a0\u00a0Paul was confident that God had chosen him as part of His will to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0The fact that Paul believed in his calling was a huge reason for his success.\u00a0\u00a0When you know what God has put you on this earth to do, it gives you purpose, power and perseverance like nothing else can.<\/p>\n

Similarly,\u00a0you too are called by God<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0At THRIVE we describe your God-given calling this way: you are called to be alive, which means you\u2019re here to worship Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0You are called to be expectant, which means to grow into a Christ-like disciple.\u00a0\u00a0You are called to be involved, which means you\u2019re here to serve with your talents.\u00a0\u00a0You are called to be out loud, which means you\u2019re here to lead others to Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re called to be united, which means you\u2019re here to love the family that Jesus started called His church.\u00a0\u00a0Alive. Expectant. Involved. Outloud.\u00a0\u00a0United.\u00a0\u00a0AEIOU.\u00a0\u00a0No matter what your personality or your unique set of giftings, no matter where you go or what else you do in life, you are called by God to be an AEIOU leader in God\u2019s kingdom.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:1b (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n1<\/sup>\u2026and our brother Sosthenes,\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 1b:\u00a0\u00a0No matter where Paul ministered, he always did so not alone but in partnership with others.\u00a0\u00a0Here Paul mentions his teammate Sosthenes, who is likely helping him transcribe this letter to the church in Corinth.\u00a0\u00a0From Paul we learn the importance of teamwork in God\u2019s kingdom.\u00a0\u00a0You weren\u2019t made to follow and serve Christ by yourself.\u00a0\u00a0You were made to do so as part of a larger team.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ–their Lord and ours:<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 2:\u00a0\u00a0Here Paul describes the addressees of his letter, namely, \u201cthe church of God in Corinth\u201d which he started.\u00a0\u00a0He describes them as \u201csanctified\u201d (that is, made holy and righteous in God\u2019s sight) in Christ Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0He also describes them as \u201ccalled to be holy\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0Is Paul being redundant here?\u00a0\u00a0No.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSanctified in Christ Jesus\u201d means that through faith in Jesus Christ\u2019s shed blood on the cross, these Corinthian Christians, even though they were life long sinners, were declared holy, righteous and acceptable in God\u2019s sight.\u00a0\u00a0So \u201csanctified in Christ Jesus\u201d is a reference to their legal standing in God. \u201cCalled to be holy\u201d refers to their practical God-given mission in life, which is they were chosen by God to live set apart for God.<\/p>\n

Likewise, if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you too are \u201csanctified in Christ Jesus\u201d\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0\u201ccalled to be holy\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0Because of Jesus, legally speaking you are already righteous and acceptable (\u201csanctified\u201d) in God\u2019s sight.\u00a0\u00a0At the same time, because of Jesus, practically speaking you are also called to live a life that is set apart for God, one that honours Jesus more and more (\u201ccalled to be holy\u201d).\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0The first part, being sanctified, is what God does for us.\u00a0\u00a0The second part, \u201ccalled to be holy\u201d is something we do in response to God\u2019s calling and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit working in us.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 3:\u00a0\u00a0Praise God that in Jesus Christ and God the Father, we have received and continue to receive amazing grace and a peace that passes understanding.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n4\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 4:\u00a0\u00a0Despite being aware of numerous problems in the church in Corinth, notice how Paul begins his letter.\u00a0 Rather than beginning with complaining or criticism, Paul begins with thanksgiving.\u00a0 No matter how frustrated Paul was at some of the problems and people in his church,\u00a0he starts by saying, “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (v4). Paul began by focusing on the good.<\/p>\n

That’s a great lesson for us too.\u00a0\u00a0No matter how many problems surround you, like Paul choose an attitude of gratitude.<\/strong>\u00a0 For as long as we live on earth, there will always be good things AND bad things going on at the same time – things to be thankful for alongside things that frustrate us; things to celebrate alongside things that aggravate us.\u00a0 The question is: what will you focus on?<\/p>\n

If all you focus on are the problems, you will be depressed and others will get depressed being around you.\u00a0 But if you choose an attitude of gratitude and focus on the good, it will keep you afloat and help you to enjoy life even when certain problems make you want to sink.\u00a0 Thankfulness will keep you centered around what’s most important and will help you be clear-minded in tackling the challenges you face.<\/p>\n

Like Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Be joyful always; pray continually;\u00a0give thanks in all circumstances<\/em><\/strong>, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”<\/p>\n

Are you surrounded by problems today?\u00a0 Choose an attitude of gratitude.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0What can you thank God for today?<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:5-6 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n5\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0For in him you have been enriched in every way–in all your speaking and in all your knowledge–
\n6\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 5-6:\u00a0\u00a0One of the big areas of controversy in the church in Corinth was concerning spiritual gifts, that is, special abilities that God gives to His people when they come to faith in Jesus Christ.\u00a0\u00a0The church in Corinth was especially focused on the gifts of speaking in tongues and prophesy.\u00a0\u00a0That is likely what Paul is referring to here in verse 5 \u2013 \u201cin Him you have been enriched in every way \u2013 in all your speaking [referring at least in part to the gift of tongues] and in all your knowledge [referring at least in part to the gift of prophesy]\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0Though these spiritual gifts had become an issue of controversy and division in the church in Corinth, here Paul reminds his church that they \u201chave been enriched\u201d by these gifts.\u00a0\u00a0In other words, as controversial as these gifts can sometimes be,\u00a0never forget that spiritual gifts are a great blessing from God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 7:\u00a0\u00a0Spiritual gifts had become such a focal point for the church in Corinth that many in that church were focusing so much on the gifts that they stopped focusing on the Giver of those gifts.\u00a0\u00a0Here Paul reminds the church in Corinth that they \u201cdo not lack any spiritual gift\u201d, that is, they do not need to live as if they are in constant need and search for gifts that they do not have.\u00a0\u00a0While spiritual gifts are a great blessing from God, they are not the be all and end all of the Christian life.\u00a0\u00a0We must be careful not to focus so much on the gifts God gives that we ignore the Giver of those gifts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n8\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 8:\u00a0\u00a0In a time when the Corinthian church was shaken by controversies, arguments and division, Paul reminds them that Jesus is keeping them strong and blameless till the end.\u00a0\u00a0What can we learn from this? Not only is Jesus the giver of every spiritual gift, but verse 8 tells us that Jesus is also the one who keeps us strong, firm and blameless before God.\u00a0\u00a0Since it is Jesus who keeps us blameless in God\u2019s sight, it\u2019s a reminder that\u00a0even when I fail to hang onto God, God is hanging onto me<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 9:\u00a0\u00a0You and I weren\u2019t just made to be gifted, empowered and sanctified by Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0Verse 9 tells us that\u00a0you and I were made for a loving relationship with Jesus<\/strong>\u00a0(\u201cfellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord\u201d).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In addition to being the giver of every spiritual gift and the one who keeps us strong and blameless in God\u2019s sight, Jesus is also the lover of our soul.<\/p>\n

Jesus, thank You for being the One who calls me to a life of purpose, the One who sanctifies and makes me holy, the One who gives me gifts by which to know You and serve You, the One who keeps me strong and blameless before God till the end, and the One I was made to know and love intimately.\u00a0\u00a0In Jesus\u2019 name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 1:1a (NIV)
\n1\u00a0\u00a0Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,\u2026<\/p>\n

On verse 1:\u00a0\u00a0Paul begins his letter by introducing himself as someone who is \u201ccalled to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0What is an apostle?\u00a0\u00a0An apostle is someone who is gifted and chosen by God to plant and start churches.\u00a0\u00a0Paul was confident that God had chosen him as part of His will to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0The fact that Paul believed in his calling was a huge reason for his success.\u00a0\u00a0When you know what God has put you on this earth to do, it gives you purpose, power and perseverance like nothing else can.<\/p>\n

Similarly,\u00a0you too are called by God.\u00a0\u00a0At THRIVE we describe your God-given calling this way: you are called to be alive, which means you\u2019re here to worship Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0You are called to be expectant, which means to grow into a Christ-like disciple.\u00a0\u00a0You are called to be involved, which means you\u2019re here to serve with your talents.\u00a0\u00a0You are called to be out loud, which means you\u2019re here to lead others to Jesus.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re called to be united, which means you\u2019re here to love the family that Jesus started called His church.\u00a0\u00a0Alive. Expectant. Involved. Outloud.\u00a0\u00a0United.\u00a0\u00a0AEIOU.\u00a0\u00a0No matter what your personality or your unique set of giftings, no matter where you go or what else you do in life, you are called by God to be an AEIOU leader in God\u2019s kingdom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16862,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16860"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16861,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16860\/revisions\/16861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}