![]() Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16: 13 – 14) “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. The church is the family of God in Christ, and we ought to greet one another with a holy kiss and show our devotion to one another because of the work of the LORD that each has been sent and is committed to carrying out. He speaks of this with Timothy as well in verses 10 and 11, for those who are ministers of the Gospel have been sent by the Spirit to do this. Not only were these men among the first converts that Paul baptized, they were devoted to serving the saints, and Paul commands us to give recognition to those who rightfully devote themselves to ministering the Gospel. He expresses his personal joy of being refreshed by Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus in verses 17 and 18, mentioning that such ministering to saints was absent in the Corinthian church. In this section, Paul makes several acknowledgments of certain people. Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (1 Corinthians 16: 20) Let us be rich in good works for God gave Himself to us.ĪCKNOWLEDGE ONE ANOTHER WITH DEVOTION (v. Just as He redeemed our dignity through Jesus Christ while we were helpless and needy, Paul’s exhortation is that we ought to reflect this Gospel in our hearts to our more obviously needy members. His character is one of justice, and God’s justice is clearly displayed in the Gospel. Our God cares deeply about our heart as we give. was to be generous ( “as he may prosper”).was for everyone to do ( “each of you”) as the whole body of Christ.was to be prepared ahead of time, not randomly ( “put something aside”).We can see from verse two that this giving: Now, Paul instructs not only to give but to have a right understanding of giving. 6) to exercise their Spirit-led decisions to care for them. Paul exhorted various churches to love their needy members of the faith, as echoed in Galatians 6: 10, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” For example, there was the widow population among the believers with great need and probably all the more during the famine, and we see God raising up deacons in the book of Acts (ch. We need to understand that this collection was in response to the great needs present during a huge famine in Jerusalem (Acts 11: 28). When Paul addresses the “collection for the saints” in the opening verse, he says that he instructed the Galatians to do the same. “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16: 2) Here, Paul closes out by addressing the topic of giving to the marginalized, showing devotion to ministers of the Gospel, and instructs the Corinthians to be alert, firm, mature, and strong in their Christian faith that is anchored ultimately in love. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.This is the final chapter of 1 Corinthians and will wrap up the Steering Core devotional series we began back in January. Men are to be servant-leaders in their families, in their churches, and in their communities. To act like a man means a man sets the pace in serving those around him. It means having a spiritual backbone to one's soul where many have only a wishbone. It means standing up for what is right-even if it means risking your life. ![]() You might call it moral strength or moral courage. Paul's command to be strong refers to inner strength. ![]() You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when ou walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. These words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. It means "don't waiver in the facts and implications of the gospel".Īll Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be equipped for every good work. It means to be consistent in attitude and behavior. John 10:10īe on the alert, your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. To "be on the alert" means to be watchful, to be attentive, to be vigilant, to be careful to consider all possible circumstances and consequences.įor our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The Big Idea: To "act like a man" means to assume moral leadership over yourself, your family, and in society. I Corinthians 16: 13,14: "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ![]()
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