The reason for the day off posting is I felt a need to give some time to allow others to comment. I can't stress how encouraged I am with all the insight and emails I have been recieving, keep it up. Remember the key is to get in the word, so if you find your self away from the word, or even a little cup of Joe, don't hesitate to pour yourself another cup and jump write in.
Since this is coming from my journal you're getting my heart from Chapter 5. To be honest I have had many restless nights when believers fall into sexual immorality. It's especially difficult when kids are involved and dad had an affair. Paul gives us clear instruction how the church should deal with someone that falls in to sexual immorality.
v. 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
Paul makes it clear that the churchs goal and always in my dealings with people who have fallen into sexual immorality is the person be restored.
The sexual offender was guilty of sin, but the whole congregation was also guilty for leaving the sin unchecked. I know of many examples of brothers in the Lord that allowed a simple wandering eye go unchecked that later led to him losing his family. I believe our sexuality is the enemies prime target to bring destruction in our lives. I pray constantly for the Lord to give me eyes only for my wife. What a good word for us to meditate on and to know, that God has given us the counsel on how we can walk in victory when it comes to our roles as husbands and wives. Hours before reading Chapter 5 I was just meditating how blessed I am to be married to Carolyn and the two beutiful girls that God has given us. If you or someone close to you has allowed some leaven(v.6) in their house either through pornography, an inappropiate relationship, or just a wondering eye lets purge it out. (v.7)
I honestly beleive that this cup of joe if received will be the most rewarding and I am going to posted a picture prove it.
I'm Out
Joe
11 comments:
“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.”
1 Corinthians 4:1-3
What a fantastic example. Paul had just finished saying we are of Christ and that Christ is of God, and then he swings around and tells us how to serve, and as I’m reading, I can see how Christ did all of those things for the Father first. He acted as a servant entrusted with God’s secrets, because he was trusted he had to be faithful, and he didn’t care what the world had to say about it, for he knew the importance of His work. He served the Lord right to His death, as did Paul.
In the end of this chapter, Paul refers to himself as our father in a mentorship sort of way. He took the people of Corinth under his wing and tried to teach them what his father taught him and in turn what His father taught Him. We are God’s legacy called to be so much more than mere men. For me, not really growing up with a dad, it is so encouraging to be able to say, I want to be just like my Father. I want to do what He did. I want to serve selflessly and unafraid of what lies ahead, knowing that we do this for the most important reason, love for the people of this world. I’m not sure if I’m coming through very clear but to me the most important thing about this to me is it gives me a legacy to be proud of and to want to be apart of. To know that when I become a father, I get to teach my children the way Paul taught Corinth who Christ was by living a life as close to Jesus as I can. For that matter, anyone I come into contact with, I have that that opportunity. I want to learn to be a father, just like my father.
What’s interesting about this chapter is that I’m doing a study in proverbs right now also and am actually in Proverbs 5, talking about the adulteress, and was thinking how interesting it is that there is an entire chapter dedicated to sexual immorality. It makes sense. Thou shall not kill. Check. Thou shall not steal. Got it. Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s wife…”what? The hot chick next door!? Dang it!” I guess when you think about it, adultery of any kind is the silent killer. It’s not illegal, and in fact sexual experimentation is actually encouraged as a way to find yourself, “the real you”, in our culture.
“But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” 1 Cor 5:11
Before that (1 Cor 5:9-10) he talks about how all these sins are in the world and that we can’t get away from them in this fallen world, but what’s interesting is that he warns us to keep sexual sin as far from us as possible. It’s because we consider it so small a sin when in actuality there is no sin worse than another. Sexual sin is actually more dangerous because not only do we underestimate it, but also because our world tells us it’s natural and instinctive to want to “mate” with as many as we can to further the growth of our species. I have been a human being for 24 years and so far the only instincts I know to guide us are our sinful nature. It’s like reprogramming every time we pick up the bible. Even trying to bring Christ to referenced sinners is a deceptive and dangerous road that “leads straight to the grave”. It is seemingly depressing because we have to let go of those people in a tangible sense for the time being, but what I love about this is although Paul says to avoid them, he also says to gather together, seek Gods presence , and fight spiritually for their soul(1 Cor 5:4-5). Not spending time with people caught up in this sin does not mean do not love them, it means love them by a different means. And of course the hard part for us, give it up to God and faith that our prayers will be heard and answered.
This chapter just made me realize how easy it is for sin to sneak into our lives, but that regardless of where we are, we are not forsaken but loved and sought after by God, even when we strike against his nature while calling ourselves part of the family. I will be more watchful of my steps as well as use this as a reminder of how affective and important prayer is for spiritual warfare. And after all, we are talking about the saving of a soul. What’s more precious than that?
V. 8 says "let us keep the feast... with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth". Paul is bringing to light the reality that if you claim to be a member of the body of Christ you must live a sincere and truthful life, no hipocrisy allowed. By identifying with HIS body you place yourself in the position of being disciplined if you openly persist in sin and don't respond to counsel. His admonition to the church in this case is not to stop interacting with unbelievers, but rather not having "fellowship" with those who are brothers/sisters and persist in living in sin. The kicker is: if you're "named a brother" (v.11) We do have a great responsibility to be honest with ourselves and accountable to the family for those things that will seperate us from God and tear us down. The discipline, though it may seem severe, is to allow one to repent and be restored. When you truly analyze God's eviction of Adam and Eve you see it was in their best interest. The same principle applies here. Living in open sin while living among the "family" is not in anyones best interest. What a sobering reality, but what a joy to know that we take care of our own, for the Glory of God!
So i guess i will comment on chapter 4 first. It seems to me that Paul is continuing to emphasize how it is God who is wise and is the one who gives us counsel. So as stewards we are to take responsibility for what He has entrusted us and like the steward of a household we are to take care and feed the house that has been entrusted to us. We are not to become arrogant in what we have done or are doing because if it is God who has counseled us and entrusted us then what of "us" is really there? This really speaks to us in life that no matter how successful or "important" we become, it is only because of God, so get off your high horse and acknowledge God!
Chapter 5 is interesting. Now speaking from a guys point of view. How big of a struggle is sexual immorality for us? I mean this on a general scale. Obviously there is pornography and such, but what about the more "moderate" things. How many of us who call ourselves Christians still go to rated R movies that have an overt amount of sexual images, innuendos and graphic scenes? Seriously! Do we expect that these images won't stay long? Can we be so arrogant to say that it will not affect us? Maybe it's just me. But I think that a way that we can keep from "falling" into this temptation is by getting rid of the things that we can control. Whenever i am feeling "tempted" I always ask myself what did i watch today. A lot of the time its a certain movie, tv show or whatever. Maybe a way to avoid sexual immorality is to be like Joseph in the OT and flee. Run from it. But then again, maybe that is just me
1 Corinthians 4…
After reading this chapter, I felt my heart seeking an affirmation to grasp at something I can personally relate to. I’ve been a member of the Cornerstone for going on 5 years, and with the exception of helping with Axiom, I’ve never consistently served! I’ve related more with church “attenders” than actual “members”. This past year has been one huge heart to heart with my Jesus, and finally I’m excited to say that I’m ready to jump in head first without testing the temp of the water! We are to be servants and not arrogant! Verse 5 is as follows:
…”Do not pass judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts”.
God will reveal everything in due time, which I took as shifting the focus from finger-pointing and moving on to extending love and grace. Paul even went so far as to say that he has instilled those very guidelines upon both himself and Apollos because they were no different than the crowds they were preaching too. We, as Christians, are to be regarded as last of all. Put people’s needs ahead of our own. We need to understand that the apostles were tired, hungry, thirsty, poorly clothed and ill-treated…homeless. [v.11]
v.12-13 ”….when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to reconciliate.”
In seeking Christ in everything, lately He’s shed light on a pattern in my life. In putting my thoughts and desires above God’s I tend to withdraw from people when I’m going through particular trials and tribs. Looking closer, I’ve realized that’s why I haven’t committed to volunteering, as consistency is scary! Furthermore, it’s the attitude with which we serve that also concerned Paul. After taking that first step in jumping in a position of service, it’s important that you adopt the mindset of now BEING a servant. God calls us to be PROACTIVE and humble, and that everything we do must be done with the love in our hearts dictating the words and actions we put forth as the representatives that we are in Christ. Fight loneliness and isolation! Community is desired by Christ as an example of the Church!
1 Corinthians 5
As Christians, do we really think we have it easier than people that are outwardly held to the lower, “worldly” standard? How naïve of us if we do. Culture has degraded to the point of accepting and even celebrating any form of immorality. The media is a huge proponent of that, something that throughout history has never been as networked as it is now. The point that Paul makes is founded in his tenant of being above reproach in all things. We understand that we’re set apart and held to a higher standard; everything we do will be under constant scrutiny and if negative, will be considered “hypocritical” and contrary to our purpose.
“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.” [v.6-7]
We don’t have the right to judge non-believers, as Paul in chapter 4 clearly states. Chapter 5 is dealing with the immorality among believers, with which we do have the right to judge. It’s hard enough being part of a society that embraces said practices, but the church is our sanctuary AND refuge, to be set apart and uplifted.
“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person….” [v.9-11]
There’s a reason Paul chose to talk about this issue specifically…its subversive, easy to hide, accepted culturally, and has destroyed the lives of many believers. Luis nailed it with the analysis of the media and what we allow to be viewed as Christians. I feel like we’ve become desensitized to simple things as sexual innuendos, crude humor, etc. I’m starting a full media fast in February to become sensitive once again to the things which aren’t of God. I encourage anyone who wants to, to stand by me and try it. If not, I’m going to need much prayer as I’ve never done anything like this ever! To become a radical follower of Christ, sometimes something small must be started to affect desired change.
And I end with CS Lewis:
All this flashy rhetoric about loving you,
I never had a selfless thought since I was born
I am mercenary and self seeking through and through
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn
Peace, reassurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin;
I talk of love-a scholar’s parrot may talk Greek-
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.
I love what people wrote about Chapter 4 - awesome. i just want to share something interesting I read in my bible. This comes from my notes section, not me. :)
Verses 15 - A guardian vs. a father
"In Paul's day, a guardian was a slave who was asigned as a special tutor and caretaker of a child. Paul was portraying his special affection for the Corinthians [who are like children] and his special [not just a caretaker but more, a father]. In an attempt to unify the church, Paul appealed to this reltionship with them. By father, he means heis the church's founder. Because he started the church, he could be trusted to have its best interests at heart."
I thought this was interesting because I wasnt quite sure what the cultural context of these verses were. :) Thisis my shortest post so far heehee
Now for chapter 5 - yikes! It's hard for me to even imagine a church that is so caught up in their own issues that they allow a man to have a sexual relationship with his step-mother. Who would even want to do that in the first place?! And there, my friends, we see sin in its purest form. That which normally would not be interesting becomes interesting in the context of sin. None of us are totally immune from any sin.
Yeast represents sin in the Bible. How I often think of yeast in terms of the Bible is this: yeast is like sin because, at the time, it can seem small and insignificant, but has the ability to increase at a rapid rates and cause all kinds of problems and/or changes.
The people of Corinth are told by Paul to tell this man he can no longer be a part of the church in his current state. Of course we do all things in love, and the reasoning behind this "kick in the pants" is to hopefully bring the person back in repentance and restoration. But it's still very serious that we should not communicate regularly (have relationships) with those who are saying one thing but doing another. It makes me think of the verses in Proverbs that say "Don't even go near the home of an adultress. Stick to your own path!" The adultress, aside from the obvious sexual sin application, is also represeting all kinds of sin. Pbecause we as people think it's all appealing. It all seems ok. It all seems harmless, but it's not. It effects you and others. That is why it's so important to keep it out of our lives. God is the ultimate judge for each of us and our actions, but it doesn't mean that we as a church don't use judgement in dealing with sin. Ok I'm done. :)
Chapter 4
First of all, the title "stewards of the mysteries of God" just sounds awesome!
vs. 7 says "for who makes you differ from another? and what do you have that you did not receive? now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"
Ouch...i think my ego is bleeding...
Being someone who enjoys to play music and who wants to get better and better, I often find myself "boasting as if I hadn't received" my gift. Not necessarily verbal boasting like "wow im awesome!" But thoughts in my mind that are subtle and quick but are totally puffing me up. Boasting to myself i guess...that sounds pretty pathetic...
Who am I? I am a receiver. I didn't create anything. I didn't give myself ANY ability.
Psalm 36:11
"Let not the foot of pride come upon me." (thanks evan)
God is so good for blessing each and everyone of us with all He has blessed us with! May we always use our gifts for the glory of God and Him alone.
Dios es bueno.
(i know you were waiting for it pastor juan)
nathan
Chapter 4:
Ok, sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been a little sick and reading like 4 other things but that is still no excuse. So right into it then.
Verse 1 and 2 talks about stewardship and being faithful. I have heard that a lot but it hasn't really sunk in until today. To be a steward we must be faithFULL. You must be trustworthy. Reliable, dependable. It makes me think what I have I been faithful in and I realize I haven't even been faithful to post every time on cup o Joe. I want to be a good steward and first I have to be faithful in a little to be faithful in much. That is definitely something that applies to all walks in life. If you are good with a little money more will be given. Paul also nails pride in this chapter. He states in verse 10 that we "the apostles" are made fools for Christ's sake. To the world they did look like fools but in Christ in was wisdom because they were trying to save the world and the world did not realize what they were trying to do. So lets not be puffed up and consider ourselves with a humble heart. Verse 20 says that the kingdom of God is in power. Whose power? the holy spirits. Paul says he will come with the power of God and not just the word of a man.
Chapter 5: So the Church in Corinth had sexual immorality. There some people did things that even the gentile world thought was pretty jacked up. Paul came to attack this and give the church there the correct view on what to do should this happen again. In verses 6-8 It talks about Christ sacrifice and sin in our life.
It's like if we got a speeding ticket and your best friend pays it for you. Should you then continue to drive like a maniac and get another ticket. NO!! As Christians we should have control because even one little fly can spoil the whole ointment. We should keep our temples clean and holy before God. Remember to put away from yourself the evil person.
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