Spiritual Gifts, Part 1
Chapter twelve continues the theme of orderly worship by instructing the church regarding spiritual gifts. The topic of spiritual gifts is one of contention in the modern church. Some denominations relegate their use to the time of the early church and deny their modern practice. Others exercise them without discipline causing confusion and disorder. And still others create new gifts to build themselves up or possibly to seek a mystical experience through the use of “prayer languages” and “holy laughter.” There need not be such divisions as Paul clearly defines the role of spiritual gifts over the next three chapters.
Sin and Punishment
In chapter 10 Paul reveals a solid understanding of his audience. He knew, for instance, that despite his warnings the Christians of Corinth would never believe that calamity could befall them even if they continued to live in selfish exploitation of their freedoms. After all, they were greatly gifted (1 Corinthians 12) and greatly blessed (chapter 4). How could they possibly fall under God’s wrath? Paul illustrates exactly how in these first 10 verses by using an example from history; an example of another people who also knew God’s gifts and blessings, and still suffered his judgment. Israel.
Relationship
“Jesus said ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11.28). I am so thankful that Jesus did not call us to a list of rules or a religious agenda or even to church. He called us into a relationship with Himself.” So states Rich Blum, pastor of Bethel Community Church in Washougal, WA. Each Sunday Think-Biblically.com is bringing you sermons from Pastor Rich to assist you in your worship of God and to grow in your relationship with Jesus. Sermons also aired on KPDQ-FM AM 1130 in Portland, OR.
Divorce and the Christian
One rarely hears mention of divorce from the pulpit today, which is alarming considering 50 percent of Christian marriages end that way. The silence on this matter is stranger still when one considers all that the Bible has to say about the matter. This is a sure testimony to our continued selfishness, and one more thing the modern church has in common with Corinth. As we will see, Paul addresses the issue in a mostly straightforward manner, though the first mention of the topic in chapter seven verse 10 has caused some to question and even debate the teachings herein.
The Love Feast
The second instruction (.17-.34) given for worship concerns the Lord ’s Table. In Paul’s day the Lord ’s Supper was experienced weekly, following church, at a function called the love feast. Evidently the men were continuing the Aphrodite tradition of gluttony and drunkenness. When they came to the Lord ’s Table rather than approaching with humility and respect they instead acted no differently than they were required to by Corinth’s cultural religion. Examine closely verses 28, 33 and 34, which indicate that the men were the primary abusers in this case, or so reported those who came to see Paul.
Most Unique Book of History
We’ve discussed before some of the ways the Bible is characterized as the most unique book in history. Aside from its construction (the Bible was written on three continents in three languages over 1,600 years by over 40 authors) it has been treated uniquely as well. It was the first book ever translated (about 250 BC) and is the most translated book ever (over 1,200 languages), it was the first printed book and the most expensive book (for one of those first printings by Guttenberg). It was the first book read in space and now we can add it is among the first books to be stored in five dimensions.
The Rights of Apostles
Now let’s do a Tarantino and backtrack, let’s go back to chapter 9.1-10.13. Paul begins chapter nine by addressing the important social issue of foods sacrificed to idols, then launches into a rant regarding his treatment by the implausible church at Corinth and their deplorable lifestyle. It’s the later of these two that we turn our attention to. What spurs Paul’s rant? What is behind this outburst? The issue of personal rights. Though the Corinthians thought it their “right” to eat at occult ceremonies and he encouraged them to deny their rights for the sake of others. Paul is about to relate that he has put up with mistreatment from them for their benefit.
Marriage and the Christian
If singleness is to be preferred, what about marriage? For hundreds of years marriage and family life have been crowned the norm for Christian life and this teaching turns that on its head. Though Paul clearly teaches that singleness has benefits to the kingdom above marriage, he carefully points out that marriage is not a sin (.2, .36, .38) and that in point of fact, in a sexually immoral culture marriage may be the best way a man or woman can please God (.2, .9, .36). As such, he gives many guidelines to married couples to make their marriage better:
Living Authority
In chapter eleven Paul relates instructions for worship. There are two parts to this instruction, which directly relate to two problems in the Corinthian form of worship. The first part is in regard to women (verses 2 through 16), and the second in regard to the "love feast" (verses 17 through 34). On the surface, it appears that Paul is a male chauvinist. This is one of the passages liberal women theologians either allegorize to distort it’s meaning, or they avoid it all together. Let's cautiously approach the paragraph, because there is an awful lot of questions it raises.
Forever Faithful
“Jesus said ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11.28). I am so thankful that Jesus did not call us to a list of rules or a religious agenda or even to church. He called us into a relationship with Himself.” So states Rich Blum, pastor of Bethel Community Church in Washougal, WA. Each Sunday Think-Biblically.com is bringing you sermons from Pastor Rich to assist you in your worship of God and to grow in your relationship with Jesus. Sermons also aired on KPDQ-FM AM 1130 in Portland, OR.
The Weaker Brother
It happens all the time. You’re relaxing in the back yard when your neighbor fires up his grill and soon you smell the sweet odor of mouthwatering steaks and hear their siren call in the form of sizzle. You call across the fence and compliment the aroma and his obvious skill with the grill. Next thing you know you’re invited over and a juicy ribeye is placed before you. Your about to dig in when he tells you, “enjoy! This is the best steak and the meat was originally sacrificed to Asclepius.” Don’t you hate it when that happens?
Singleness and the Christian
The division marker in chapter seven verse one is impossible to miss: “Now for the matters you wrote about…” Whereas the last six chapters were in response to the oral report the messengers brought, Paul now turns his attention to matters that were pressing on the minds of Corinthian believers. There were at least two such issues: marriage (addressed in chapter seven) and food sacrificed to idols (chapter eight). It is unfortunate that both Paul’s first letter, and the message brought to Paul from Corinth, have been lost. No doubt they could shed light on a few tricky passages.