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1 Corinthians chapter 15 has always been a favorite of mine, I call it the resurrection chapter. This week we will read a little closer the words of Paul and hopefully they will give you encouragement and hope. Be sure to read the highlighted verses.

1 Corinthians 15: 1-11

In the first eleven verses of this chapter the apostle seeks to prove the resurrection of Christ to unbelievers and oddly enough some believers who had some doubts. The very foundation of our faith and of Christianity, rests on the death and resurrection of Christ. We must have faith in the cross and in the empty tomb. Take this from us and we sink into an abyss of sin and no hope. It is by a firm faith in the cross and the resurrection that we of the faith will stand firm in the days of trial that lie ahead. Unless we keep the faith and believe in the gospel, all is in vain. Believing what you cannot see or have not seen is difficult in the world today, one of instant gratification. The truth of Paul’s testimony is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies and recorded testimony of those who saw the risen Christ. There is also the difference of the gift of divine grace. Paul was well thought of but he always had a low opinion of himself. It seems that when sinners turn from their old ways and by divine grace they are made new, there is always the times of remembrance of past sins that keeps them humble and faithful. It is safe to say and often remembered that Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead is the substance and power of Christianity.

1 Corinthians 15: 12-19

Paul is still answering the questions and attacks of others than the faithful, as to the resurrection…There would be no justification or salvation if Christ had not risen and would not our faith in Christ be in vain and of little use to us if Christ were still among the dead? If Christ had not risen from the dead we all would die in our sin…forever. Christ is our redeemer and in him alone lies our hope for salvation. Here is a thought that should resonate in this life this very day. The conditions of mankind at the time of the Apostles writings were not that good but Christians were hated and persecuted by all men. But they had the comfort and promise of the risen Christ and could find peace amidst all the persecution they suffered.

1 Corinthians 15: 20-34

In one of my sources for this blog there is the statement “There will be an order in the resurrection.” All who have faith in Jesus Christ can be assured by his resurrection they to will experience their own. The resurrection shall see Christ as the first fruits of the promise made followed by the redeemed and last will be wicked, who will stand for their judgement. Our salvation and resurrection will be because of our acceptance and following his will, then we shall live again in glory to him our savior. Much value can be added to fact that to live a Godly life is indeed better than conforming to those who find comfort in their ignorance and those who choose to live in sin, they should be avoided as to their behavior, but prayed for and helped to find Christ and salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:35-50

Questions are raised and answered. 

1. How are the dead raised up? that is, by what means? How can they be raised? . 
2. As to the bodies which shall rise. Will it be with the like shape, and form, and stature, and members, and qualities. 

Much has been written to explain this resurrection thing. There were many who sought to discredit it, those who embraced it and of course those who preached it. But there is no better way to explain this issue which was often challenged in the early church than the words written in the 15th Chapter of 1Corinthians verses 35-58. This will take but a moment of you time, please take this moment to do so, for the very foundation of the faith rests on the cross, the resurrection and Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

In time we too (the saved) will experience the pain of death. In one of my research materials there is an interesting point…we can calmly face the tomb knowing that we have the assurance that while our bodies may well sleep there, in the in-between time our souls will be present with the Redeemer. The other important point to be made is that we are to remain stedfast and firm in the faith. We must never lose our hope or expectation of the privilege of the resurrection, raised incorruptible and immortal.

We have the power by the presence of the Holy Spirit to to live a life of joy and triumphant now and in the life to come.

Life is Good

jk  

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This is one of my most read blogs. I wrote it in May of 2018…I hope you find a blessing in it.

There is a fine old hymn many of us have sung and many of us may have tripped over that stone in verse two, not knowing where it came from or what it meant.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
  Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
  Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
  Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
  Safely to arrive at home.

The hymn was written in 1757 by Robert Robinson. Most of us associate Ebenezer with the character in “A Christmas Carol”. Ebenezer had a few problems but he did become a different man at the end of the story.

Today we look at a story from the Bible found in 1 Samuel 7 beginning in verse 7.

7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines.

The people told Samuel to not stop asking the Lord to rescue them from the Philistines (v 8) and Samuel sacrificed a suckling lamb to the Lord (v 9). Verses 10 and 11 tell of Israel’s victory. In recognition of the victory because of the help of the Lord we are told of Samuel’s action in verse 12.

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

One thing we do not want to pass by here is the very first few verses of this chapter. The importance of repentance, verses 2-4. The people come together and confessed their sins and Samuel offers a sacrifice on their behalf. (verses 5-9) Ebenezer means Stone of Help, and Samuel put it there as a reminder to all Israelites that saw it of the Lord’s power and protection. The Lord had kept his promise to bless his repentant people.  V 3–4: Samuel insists that a returning to the Lord must include the putting away of foreign gods and idolatry, and involve a wholehearted commitment to serve Him. The Israelites do this and ‘served the Lord only’.

The people had not been living a Holy life and verses 3-4 indicate the seriousness of their actions. They embrace the fact that they must turn from their sins and do so in mind, body and soul. Not only do they turn from their sin but they dedicate themselves to changing the way they live. Repentance always demands a certain amount of contrition but without change it is a meaningless gesture. Back to verse 12… 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” We know from a previous episode that the Israelites carried the ark into battle only to suffer a resounding defeat. The Israelites presumed they could not be defeated in battle with the ark among them. An interesting thought I acquired while doing research for this blog, from the Reformation Study Bible.

“Now God has given them a great victory over the same enemies. Samuel sets up a memorial stone with the name Ebenezer, “Stone of Help,” not only to commemorate the victory but also as reminder of the different results brought about by presumption on the one hand and by repentance on the other.”

When we seek to live a Christian life, the challenges of this life do not cease. We won’t always be successful but from these scriptures we see that God is receptive to prayers for forgiveness and herein lies another lesson. Showing contrition and seeking forgiveness without changing our ways is worthless. Maybe I am being to harsh here. This I do believe to be true. Contrition, forgiveness and change of how one lives is a process that in the Christian world succeeds only when we give ourselves over to God completely, remembering this from verse 12… “Thus far the Lord has helped us”. We might ask ourselves if “thus far, have we have served our Lord faithfully?”

Life is Good

jk

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 In my readings and research for subjects I came across one article that put forth the Book of Romans, chapter 8 as being one of the great chapters of the Bible. I re-read chapter 8 and after spending a more in-depth read decided to share some thoughts with you. 

There are six reasonable motivations for the apostle’s writings here. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary gives us a clearer understanding of his motives…and I quote…

“to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian and to convert the idolatrous Gentile; and to show the Gentile convert as equal with the Jewish, in respect of his religious condition, and his rank in the Divine favor.” 

Paul plainly states that salvation and acceptance in God’s eyes is by grace and through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no implying that any distinction of nation has a place in the grace and mercy of  God or Christ in bestowing of such on anyone. We can see that there is an area of concern by a certain group within the Christian movement known as Judaizing Christians who had set terms of acceptance with God to be a mixture of the Law and the Gospel. Sometimes the mass of words are better understood when personal circumstances are at stake. For example it should be a source of comfort to know that the Lord might well rebuke the believer, but they will not be condemned with the world. This is because through Christ with faith they are secure. In these first 9 verses we read of the freedom of believers from condemnation. The Christian faith is one of restoration not condemnation. 

 The verses that follow state that there are privileges granted to those believers, for they shall be known as children of God. The gift of the spirit that dwells in us, then also shall Christ be in us. Our very soul is new in its nature, renewed by grace is engulfed by a holy happiness that will endure forever. We are blessed to know

it is our duty to walk in righteous. Those who live a life that is corrupted by sin and lusts of the flesh and mind will surely die. The spirit will allow us to be more and more ashamed of those things that corrupt our lives and put them aside. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul. There was the  bondage of the law in the Old Testament Church but this spirit of adoption, poured out in grace now gives his children peace and hope. 

There is a turn to reality in these verses 18-25 that gives us pause to think about our lives and our place in this creation. God’s creation has suffered much since the fall of man,  impurity, deformity, and infirmity, and the hostility of one creature to another. Indeed, the creation is in a deplorable state but there is hope. The writer states that God will deliver it from man’s depravity. We are to understand that the miseries of the human race are of our  own doing. But because we have been awaken by the first fruits of the Spirit, our hopes, desires and expectations have risen. We should awaken ourselves to the fact that our sins have brought these woes upon the creation. It is only reasonable that we should find comfort in our place in this creation as believers. For us it is the hope of what is to come…our comfort does not lie in the things of this world. We wait in the certainty of a Spirit filled renewed soul resting in the goodness of God’s grace. He will come. Christians are not exempt from the infirmities of this world, which are many and could be easily overpowered by them if it were not for the Holy Spirit’s support. Verses 26-27 reveals the Spirit as an enlightening force in our lives. It teaches us to pray for our needs, fills us with grace and hope, lifts us above our discouragements.The Holy Spirit is like a well, from which all our desires toward God flow freely. Remember, ‘drink of this water and you will thirst no more.’ The enemy cannot prevail when the Spirit makes intercession. 

As we move to verses 28-31, you can read the that the apostle speaks and writes as one who is in awe and admiration of the height and depth, the inclusiveness of the love of Christ which passeth all understanding. With Gos’s love we can with assurance defy the powers of darkness. All we read in the pervious verses is good for His Children. It is necessary to bring us closer, part us from the evil of the world, lift us up and preparing for salvation and the haven to come. There is a golden chain of salvation here in these verses….take time to read vv.28-31… This empowers our hope and faith…God’s way, God’s work is perfect.

The last verses of this chapter, vv. 37-39 are assurances that that God’s grace and power can never be taken from us. We can give it away through sin and perversions of the faith but God in us…Christ in us…the power of the Holy Spirit is best summed up in these closing verses of this chapter.

Romans 8

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Life is Good

jk

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Last week we were looking at Revelations 3: 14-21 and the harsh words Christ had for the church in Laodicea. In Revelations chapters 2 and 3 we have the account of all seven churches in John’s vision. I encourage you to read these messages to each church after reading this weeks blog. Here is a quick look at those churches.

Ephesus 

There is much to share about the city of Ephesus which is located in modern day Turkey. Rome made it a provincial capital and at one time it boasted over 200,000 residents. It was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. Three things about Ephesus, it had size, wealth and power. Among this mix the city was known for trade and idol worship. Located there was what some referred to as the seventh wonder of the ancient world…the temple of Artemis. Ephesus had much to offer and was a major cultural center in the ancient world. Paul visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey. (Acts 18:19) On his third missionary journey he again came to Ephesus, this time staying three years. The time spent there was longer than any other of his church plants. It came to a sudden end when the silversmiths of that city came against him. Seems his presence, preaching and teaching were hurting their sales of trinkets made to sell in honor of the goddess Diana. (Acts 19: 26-41) There is much more but this is a brief summary of the church in Ephesus.

Smyrna:

As one of the principal cities of Roman Asia, Smyrna vied with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title “First City of Asia.” A Christian church and a bishopric existed here from a very early time, probably originating in the considerable Jewish colony there. Was one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation.

https://bible.org/seriespage/3-smyrna-suffering-church

Note: When I quote an article or Blog directly I will always place that quote in Italics and include the web address. I encourage the readers of my blog to go to that address at some time and read that authors comments.

According to others research this church in Smyrna was founded by Paul during his time in Ephesus. (Acts 19:10) There are some other interesting facts in that article you might want to read about. The church at Smyrna was under some heavy persecution and tribulations and could be found everywhere. But they remained strong in their faith and the message Jesus gave them was to encourage them to continue to stand strong and pray to God that they may continue to endure, whatever the cost. 

Pergamon:

The Church here had an interesting profile. Pergamum served as the capital of the Roman Province of Asia Minor for over 25 years. The City had the distinction of being the center for a number of pagan cults.There was during that period of time the rise of Caesar worship, the City built a temple there and it became the capital of the Caesar worship cult. The commitment of the City to cults and idol worship was greater than all other Asian cities and places.We know very little about the founding of this church other than some believe it was Paul who planted it during his ministry at Ephesus. (Acts 19: 10) It was at this time that the gospel was being preached throughout Asia. 

The church at Pergamum was awash in sinned the godliness which sadly should remind us of the world we are living in this day.

Thyatira

Thyatira was 45 miles southeast of Pergamum and was famous for its textiles, production of purple dye and its trade guilds. Though it was the smallest of the seven cities it received the longest of the letters.The story here is about as simple as you can get. This church was doing well and was an asset to the city and its people. But there was one among them who made false claims about her personage and sought to influence the church to join the powerful trade unions. Joining such unions required participation in the guild feasts that included immoral acts and the worship of idols. God sends a message to those who would disregard and distort His word. Stand Firm in Your Faith.

Sardis

The greatness of Sardis lay in its past. Much had been written about its past wealth and splendor. It was also known for it geographical position. It sat on a mountain which boasted steep cliffs which would be impossible to scale and there was only one narrow way of approach.This thought to be impregnable city would be attacked and defeated twice! They were an arrogant people given to carelessness. (Revelations 3: 2-3) The City was known for its woolen, textile and jewelry industry. Their sinfulness was great and there is no need for me at this time to give space to it. There were many good external works and activities, however the church was know as the sleeping church. (2Timothy 3: 5)

Philadelphia

Not much to coverer but it is noted that was a small church with little influence. It had the saving graces of a church that was pure, holy and faithful to God’s Word. The members of this church had experienced personal victories over sin.

Last week we took a look at the church in Laodicea. So now we have completed the Road Trip…The Seven Churches of Asia. 

Personal note to you who visit us in The Pew. I have been having a problem with vertigo and it has been a struggle to complete this work this week. Every week I end my blog the same way Life is Good… This week I add to it…

Life is Good…Because God Is Good.

Jk