The power of God is held in the cross--not in people
"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:17-18
It's true that the same power that rose Christ from the dead also works in us (Colossians 1:29). However, when it comes to the Gospel, and leading others to a growing relationship with Christ, the cross is the only power we need.
Context: There was danger of division in the Corinthian's church because people were drawn to different styles of preaching and teaching. And although the preacher's were united in their message, there were quarrels (arguments) breaking out between believers as to which preacher was better.
They were comparing the teacher and forgetting about the message.
From the Commentators
"Don't let your appreciation for any teacher, preacher or author (worship leader, artist, or mentor) lead you into pride." ... "The persuasive power is the the story, not the storyteller"
We need to be talking about Jesus--not our great pastors.
Fire is the ultimate test of our ministry--not popularity
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work."
1 Corinthians 3:11-13
Whether you work in full-time ministry or not, if you are following Jesus Christ, you are ministering through your life to those around you. The message we bring and even the encouragement we give, should be based on the Word of God, not a re-teaching of someone else from a self-help book. We can glean a lot of wisdom from others, but we must be sure that that wisdom lines up with the foundation, with Jesus Christ, or it will not with stand the fire.
Context: Paul has been driving home the power of God above the words of men. The Corinthians were getting too caught up in being the best followers of specific teachers, that their life message was starting to confuse people and push them away from the message that Jesus had brought.
They were trying to keep up with the latest, rather than pursuing Christ whole-heartedly.
From the Commentators
"Paul's words challenge our methods of discipleship...Do we use Bible-based teaching or merely adaptations of worldly wisdom?"
We need to build our ministry off of Christ--not worldly wisdom.
We must honor the weak--not the honorable
"On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it.
But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,
so that there may be no division in the body,
but that the members may have the same care for one another."
1 Corinthians 12:22-25
As the body of Christ, it is our job to care for each other. If all we ever do is honor those who are already on a pedestal, we are only hurting the body. We must seek to honor those that are building up the body behind the scenes.
Context: This passage is sandwiched within Paul's discussion on spiritual gifts. He's telling the Corinthians that each member of the body possesses a different gift for a reason, to take care of each other. Paul makes it clear that those members with gifts that are not extraordinary are necessary to the body and will be shown favor, but those with extraordinary gifts do not need to be honored.
They needed to be better at looking out for the weaker members of the body.
From the Commentators
"Believers are in the world together--there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity. we need to get involved in the lives of others and not just enjoy our own relationship with God."
We need to give honor where honor is not due.
"So, my dear brothers and sister, be strong and immovable.
Always work enthusiastically for the Lord,
for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."
1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT
There is only so much that I can put in a blog before I lose the attention of my readers, but that's okay. I encourage you that if you feel stuck, and are longing to get into the Bible, start reading in 1 Corinthians, just a chapter a day. There is lots to learn from the Corinthians! What treasures can you find in God's Word as you read?
And keep watch for Lessons from the Corinthians--Part 2
Jenna's Journal.
