Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 6

I think we would all agree that society no longer sees sex outside of marriage as a problem. What was once defined as sin is now seen as permissible and natural. Curriculum in schools has changed from encouraging abstinence to expecting promiscuity and sexual exploration, including same sex attraction and gender fluidity. 70% of Americans fully support gay marriage. I cannot say I am surprised by this cultural shift, but I am grieved to see how this way of thinking has made its way into the church.

So many young people in the church want to have a relationship with God that allows them to be sexually active. They want a doctrine that fully affirms homosexuality, even if it means disregarding scriptural direction. When the church preaches from passages like 1 Corinthians 6, they are seen as judgmental and unloving. But what if we could be 100% GRACE while still being 100% TRUTH? What if it is more unloving NOT to share the truth of verses like these:

DON’T YOU REALIZE THAT THOSE WHO DO WRONG WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive or cheat people – none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Society condemns teen pregnancies while Hollywood romanticizes sexual promiscuity. Stigmas are placed on individuals with sexually transmitted diseases but, through all forms of media, expectations push teenagers and adults toward sexual activity. No wonder abortion rates are so high and chlamydia is the largest breakout of any infection in the history of our nation. Society punishes those who commit a crime against another person but ratings show that Americans love to sit and watch programming that glorifies violent crimes. Our society is no different than ancient societies who were entertained by death and by the perversion of sex.

Paul addressed issues of sexual sin within the church that would keep them from experiencing ALL that God had planned for them. He boldly addressed homosexuality and prostitution, as well as promiscuity. He went to great lengths to beg the Corinthian Church to run from ALL forms of sexual sin.

OUR BODIES WERE NOT MADE FOR SEXUAL IMMORALITY.

You say, “I am allowed to do anything” – but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.

Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

RUN FROM SEXUAL SIN!

No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16

Paul says, “Run away from sexual sin!” May we, as the body of Christ, heed Paul’s warning and start eliminating what the enemy intends to use to harm us. May we, as the temple of God, protect our minds from all that glorifies sin, and instead fill our minds with what glorifies God. May we go back to what we learned at the beginning of 1 Corinthians and allow the Holy Spirit to make us who God created us to be. May holiness be a result of the seed God is growing.

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 5; Psalm 1

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you – something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so PROUD of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship…Your BOASTING about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2,6

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF A BELIEVER

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.” – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

This is difficult to read. I think it takes wisdom from God to handle a situation when a member of our church family continues to sin. It takes both love and strength to protect the congregation while also doing what we can to extend grace as we help a brother or sister turn from their sinful ways or addictions. We cannot use Paul’s words as permission to push someone away in disgust but instead to allow leadership to lovingly handle a situation. Remember, it was also Paul who said the following:

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should GENTLY and HUMBLY help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” – Galatians 6:1

Rather than embracing the sin of those who are lost in order to show them the love of Christ, God is calling us to humbly and gently help them find their way back to God. He is calling us to sincerity, and we pray that the one we are approaching will see that it is with authenticity and sincere love that we are entering into this difficult conversation. God is calling us to stand confident in the truth, rather than repeating the lies of affirmation that this world promotes with pride.

So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth. – 1 Corinthians 5:8

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF OUR NATION

There is a famous recording of another Paul – Paul Harvey. In this 1964 recording, Mr. Harvey is warning America that sin is crouching at the door. If Satan could have our ear, he could convince us to live a life of generational sin that would change America as we know it. Sadly, what Paul Harvey described in 1965 is what we are experiencing today.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21

Lord, forgive us for thinking too much of ourselves instead of depending on you – as individuals, as the church, and as a nation. Lord, heal our land and bring our eyes back to focus on you. Help us to recognize pride and arrogance in our own hearts. Give us wisdom to handle those inside the church who are continuing in sin – in love and with truth. We worship you in confidence, knowing that you are more powerful than the attempts of the enemy and you have equipped us with your Spirit for any battle that comes our way. We love you, Lord. Amen.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. – Psalm 1

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 4; Psalm 76

The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished…
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. – Proverbs 16:5,18

It is a privilege to be called by God into ministry. We are blessed to gain from the preaching and teaching of those who have accepted that call. But the leader must be careful to guard the responsibility of this calling, while also protecting themselves from the temptation of arrogance and pride. It is easy to get caught up in the glory of the position and forget that we are called to be humble servants of God.

So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. – 1 Corinthians 4:1-4

As a congregation, it is important for us to respect the calling of our leader and pray for them as they serve God by serving the church. God is not calling us to treat their position like royalty or worship the ground they walk on. They are human just like we are. We need to find a healthy balance of loving support and godly wisdom, demonstrating appreciation and honor without contributing to the enemy’s temptation of pride and haughtiness.

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. – 1 Corinthians 4:5

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF THE LEADER

One of the saddest things to watch is when someone in leadership messes up, whether it is a politician or a pastor, or simply a highly respected individual in the church or community. So often we watch someone who has been blessed in SO many ways start thinking SO highly of themselves that they have an affair or are caught in some kind of ungodly or illegal behavior. Pride is dangerous, and Satan loves to convince us that we are invincible and that we deserve what we want – that no one will ever know our secret. The lies of the enemy take hold and we fall into the trap of arrogance.

What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? – 1 Corinthians 4:7b

You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! – 1 Corinthians 4:8a

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SINFUL PRIDE OF THE CHURCH

Paul warned the church of how destructive their arrogance and pride was becoming. He cared about these believers and he wanted them to serve only God and not their own selfish ambitions. He knew they needed accountability in order to stay focused on the gospel and not on themselves. Paul’s words of instruction and warning to the church in Corinth are helpful for all of us to listen to as well.

Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. But I will come – and soon – if the Lord lets us, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit. – 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

Lord, help us to keep our eyes on you as we daily live out your purpose for our lives. May we never get so caught up in position or title that we forget our place in your Kingdom. Forgive us for those moments and seasons when we have been found trusting in our own abilities and talents instead of fully leaning into your power and wisdom. Amen.

Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them.
Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One.
For he breaks the pride of princes,
and the kings of the earth fear him. – Psalm 76:11-12

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6 – 3:23

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. – 1 Corinthians 2:10-13

If we long to know God and grow in our relationship with Him, we spend time with Him. He fills us with His Spirit and by His Spirit we begin to understand Him and the wonderful things He has for us. God opens our minds and increases our knowledge and wisdom. God also uses those whom He has called to teach us through their writings and preaching, just as the Corinthians were learning from Paul and from other teachers.

We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:5b-9

WHO PLANTED THE SEED AND WHO IS WATERING IT?

Paul uses two different examples of how we grow in our relationship with God. The first follows the style of Jesus, using the example of seeds being planted and growing (Matthew 13:3-9). Someone introduced us to Christ — they planted the seed in our hearts; perhaps someone else discipled us, watering the seed that had previously been planted when we accepted Christ. Still others come into our lives and continue to teach us God’s ways and we grow as a result of those interactions.

WHO LAID THE FOUNDATION AND WHO IS BUILDING ON IT?

Paul’s second example is of building a house, another comparison similar to one Jesus made (Matthew 7:24-27). Someone laid a foundation of faith for us when we first heard the message of the cross. Others have taught us along the way using a variety of materials or teaching methods. For most of us, our life has been influenced by many different teachers, preachers and writers over the years in addition to our own personal study of God’s word.

I first accepted Christ as a little girl while attending the First Church of the Nazarene in Bloomington, Indiana. I can still remember my teachers and how much I enjoyed singing the songs and hearing the bible stories. The Lord called my dad into full-time ministry and we moved to Alabama and then to Illinois. A long list of teachers influenced me as I continued to grow in my understanding of the bible. Over the years, I have grown through the preaching of Mark Barnes, David Felter, Don Tyler, Larry Fortado (my father), Stephen Manley, John Bowling, Jack McCormick, Rob McDonald, D.L. Huffman, Jim Kraemer, Scott Sherwood, Crawford Howe, Lloyd Brock, Todd Keller, Kevin Donoho and many more. I have read books, listened to podcasts, and learned songs with spiritual truths. So a foundation of faith was laid in my heart as a little girl and many have invested in my spiritual growth and built upon that foundation.

Human leaders, teachers and preachers have drawn close to God in an effort to spread the message of Christ. Chances are I have heard some wrong information mixed in with all the right. There have been times when I misunderstood scripture or read ideas that missed the mark. Well-meaning followers of Christ (including myself) have at some time or another taught something they believed to be right that was not right at all. Here is what Paul has to say about this kind of building or growth.

But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have – Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames…

So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you – whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life or death, or the present or the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 21-23

GOD MAKES THE SEED GROW AND JESUS CHRIST IS OUR FOUNDATION.

As we learn and grow in our understanding of God, it is vital to take all of that new information directly to God in our quiet times. By drawing near to Him and spending time in His presence, His Spirit can help us sort through all we have learned. He promises to give us wisdom and understanding as we seek His truth. All that we have heard, all that we have read, all that we struggle to understand – He wants us to come to Him with all of it and then live by His power.

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. – 1 Corinthians 4:20

Dear God, thank you for being the source of all wisdom and all power for us!

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1 – 2:5

In his next letter, which he wrote to the church in Corinth, Paul took the gospel that they had received beforehand and applied it, making it a very useful letter for us to study today. The letter is built on this foundational idea: Now that you have a relationship with Christ, this is what your life should look like — NOT a new set of rules or a new law to oppress the people but a call to holy living born out of a marriage with Christ and an outflow of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be HIS own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours…

I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you BELONG to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way – with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 1:2-7

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST CHANGES US.

Jesus Christ died on a cross so that we can be forgiven of our sins and freed from our sinful nature. This is THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS that Paul preached and the message we believe. Our faith in Christ and the forgiveness of our sins brings us into a relationship with Him that forever changes our lives. We now belong to Christ; we have been united with Him.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. – 1 Corinthians 1:30

So, since I belong to Christ and am united with Him, and you belong to Christ and are united with Him, it is not too much for God to ask us to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10). How do we do this? We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit (2:4).

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES US TO LIVE IN UNITY.

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18

United in Christ, we know with confidence that He was crucified and raised to life and that He now reigns in our hearts, but the world around us does not understand our faith. They call it a “crutch” and see it as a weakness or craziness. But we know the message of the cross is the definition of the power of God!

So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it is nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength… God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose the things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. – 1 Corinthians 1:23-25,27

THE POWER OF GOD LIVES INSIDE OF US.

So why do we feel inadequate? Why do we pull back and wait for someone else to do the work of God? We buy into the criticisms of the enemy and the world. We think of ourselves as incapable of doing anything great for God. Yet it is not about how simple we are but about how committed we are. It is not about how strong a vessel we are for God to fill, but about how strong He is and how capable He is to do something great even in and through us!

My message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. — 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Father God, thank you for THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS — the message that frees us from our bondage to sin and gives us new life in You, Lord. Please shut out all of the discouragement of the world around us and of the enemy so that we can hear only you today, cheering us on and calling us to do great things. Remind us that we only need to rely on the power of the Spirit and not on our own wisdom or abilities. Remind us that you have equipped us with every spiritual gift we need and graciously poured out your Spirit on us. As we are united in you, help us to be united with each other, living in harmony – being of one mind, united in thought and purpose. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Acts 20; Psalm 31

Paul made many more stops as he hurried to make his way back to Jerusalem for the Festival of Pentecost. Rather than go into Ephesus, Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus to meet him in Miletus, where he said these words of farewell:

“You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now, I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it to finish the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know…

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:18-27, 35

What a wonderful testimony – one I hope to have as my time on earth comes towards an end.

To be able to say I served humbly and opened my heart up to others.

To be able to say I survived hard times or opposition, not because I shrank back and avoided, but because I stayed true and committed regardless of the situation.

To have no feelings of regret – regret that I didn’t say enough or that I wasn’t bold enough in my faith, that I loved others enough to have tough conversations.

To have worked hard in order that those in need can be helped – to have lived a life that echoes Jesus’ words – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – (Acts 20:35)

Paul knew that jail and suffering were in his future, and he was right. Yet Paul said, “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it to finish the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Lord, give us that kind of passion and determination. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you and your calling, knowing in confidence that you will be with us – even when suffering is ahead. May we never shrink back but remain faithful to what you have called us to do and say.

And Lord, we pray this morning for all who live in Turkey, Iraq and the surrounding areas, as well as those who live in Ukraine and Russia. Lord, we pray for your protection of the innocent and we pray for those who are daily giving their lives to protect others from harm. We pray for all the refugees as they struggle to protect and provide for their families. Help them to reach their destinations safely and provide for their needs, we pray.

Lord, we include in this prayer all of the individuals and organizations who are on the “front lines” with a willingness to do what you have called them to do, regardless of the resistance against them or the danger to them. Help them to continue to be strong, to be courageous and to be faithful. Amen.

But I am trusting you, O Lord,
saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, rescue me…
How great is the goodness
you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
far from accusing tongues.
Praise the Lord,
for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
In panic I cried out,
“I am cut off from the Lord!”
But you heard my cry for mercy
and answered my call for help.
Love the Lord, all you godly ones!
For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes the arrogant.
So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord! – Psalm 31:14-24

Today’s Reading: Acts 19

Paul did not spend much time in Antioch before he set out on his third missionary trip, which had an itinerary to go back to many of the areas he had visited before. His purpose was to encourage and strengthen them. When he stopped in Ephesus, Paul found many believers who had repented of their sins and had been baptized with John’s kind of baptism of water, but they had not yet been baptized by or received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

THEY NEEDED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR JOURNEY OF GRACE.

The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?”
“We’ve never even heard of that — a Holy Spirit? God within us?” – Acts 19:2 (The Message)

Paul laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. They began praising God and telling others about the actions of a God who would love them enough to live in them. They spoke in other tongues and were given the gift of prophecy.

THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES.

Paul stayed in Ephesus to continue preaching about Jesus and the way to salvation. For three months, he went to the synagogue to debate with the Jews, trying to persuade them about the Kingdom of God. But they stubbornly rejected Paul’s message, speaking out in opposition against the way. So Paul left the synagogue and began teaching in a lecture hall instead, taking the believers with him. I guess you could say that he planted a new church. He stayed there for two years teaching both Jews and Greeks, and possibly writing his first letter to the church in Corinth.

God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. – Acts 19:11-12

PAUL WAS ABLE TO DO AMAZING THINGS BECAUSE GOD GAVE HIM THE POWER TO DO IT.

The City of Ephesus was known for its worship of Artemis, the goddess of fertility, otherwise known as Diana. With this pagan culture, they were in awe of all that Paul was able to do. Some began casting out evil spirits “in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches.” When the evil spirits acknowledged both Jesus and Paul, the tone of the city changed. The name of the Lord Jesus became greatly honored among the Ephesians because it was evident there was power in Jesus’ name.

Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. – Acts 19:18-20

REVIVAL BROKE OUT WHEN THEY WERE WILLING TO WALK AWAY FROM THEIR OLD LIVES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE LIFE THAT JESUS HAD DIED TO GIVE THEM.

Paul was wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and making plans to go to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem and then Rome. But before he could carry out those plans, trouble began to brew for Paul. Those who made their money from the worship of false gods were losing business and creating accusations against Paul. A silversmith named Demetrius gathered together the other craftsmen and convinced them of the need to protect the profit-making industry surrounding the goddess Artemis. They took a posture of anger, causing confusion that led to a riot of historic proportion in the Amphitheatre. God rescued Paul from this intense situation, allowing Paul to leave and go to Macedonia and then to Greece, where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthian Church.

Paul was doing a good thing in Ephesus. People were given the freedom to choose the message of Christ over what the culture of Ephesus was promoting. They were throwing out their confidence in incantations and sorcery because they had seen the power of Jesus’ name, and they wanted to embrace all that God had for them. But the anger and jealousy of a small group of people caused confusion in the community and chaos broke out.

Reading through Acts 18 and 19 over the last few days has shed new light on what is happening in the state of Illinois right now. For over 40 years, pregnancy help organizations have been making a difference in the lives of both men and women. Hundreds of thousands of families have received resources and emotional support during difficult times, and the hope they have received has made a generational impact.

But there is a small group of angry people who are upset about what this community impact is doing to their own profit-making abilities, and they are doing everything they can to discredit the professionalism and authenticity of pregnancy help organizations. But we must stand confident in who we are, what we do and how we do it. The words of the Lord to Paul in Acts 18 are a good reminder to us of the Lord’s presence and protection.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. – Acts 18:9-11

Perhaps there are some voices in your life that are seeking to discourage you or shut you down. I pray this morning that you, too, will hear the truth that God is with you. I pray you will see the large number of believers in your life who are there to encourage you and shut out the voices of the few who seek to emotionally destroy you. You are created by God for a beautiful purpose, and you should never be ashamed of how God is calling you to live out your faith. I pray the Holy Spirit will fill you this morning, giving you the power and authority to do all that the Lord is prompting you to do in the lives of others.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

Today’s Reading: Acts 18; Psalm 91

Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately. – Acts 18:24-26

Paul met a lot of interesting people on his evangelistic journey. Priscilla and Aquila were two Jews from Italy whom he found kinship with because they were tentmakers like Paul. They had been deported from Italy when Claudius Caesar made all the Jews leave Rome. They settled in Corinth, where they met Paul, and they invited Paul to live and work with them.

Paul went to the synagogue every Sabbath to try to convince the Jews and Greeks that Jesus was the Messiah. When Silas and Timothy arrived in Corinth, he began spending all of his time preaching the word. But instead of believing in Jesus, the Jews insulted Paul and opposed his message. Here he was giving his life to making a difference in theirs, but they rejected both Paul and the good news about Jesus.

Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. – Acts 18:7-8

I am sure it was discouraging for Paul when the Jews would not listen to the truth about Jesus; I am sure it was painful when they insulted him. But if Paul had not experienced this opposition, he never would have met Titius Justus, Crispus and all the other Gentiles who came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Rather than getting down about what went wrong, Paul could now celebrate the salvation and baptism of this group of new believers.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. – Acts 18:9-11

At times, we go through difficulties and persecution because of our faith. No matter how hard we try, it seems as if the world is determined to reject both Christians and Christianity. Day after day we live out our calling to go and make disciples, but it can be discouraging when there is no fruit to be seen. But sometimes when we respond in obedience to what God is calling us to do and say, we experience a season of many coming to know Jesus as their Lord. In both seasons, God is faithful to encourage us; God is with us through the good and the bad times — through both harvest and drought.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

After a season of growth and the word of the Lord being received by the Gentiles, some Jews rose up against Paul. They brought him before Galilio, the governor of Achaia, on charges of persuading people to worship God in a way contrary to the Jewish law. Just as Paul was prepared to defend himself, Galilio shut it down and kicked them all out of the courtroom. Paul had continued to courageously speak out and God was with Paul, just as He said He would be!

Eventually Paul moved on from Corinth, taking Aquila and Priscilla with him. When he left Ephesus, they remained behind, and this is how they came to know Apollos. Paul taught them about Jesus and then they taught Apollos, and then Apollos went on to make a tremendous impact on the lives of those in Achaia.

Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah. – Acts 18:27-28

DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.

What is God asking you to do that requires courage? To what purpose are you called, even if met with opposition and insults? When the world tries to silence us, we must obediently speak out the message about Jesus, regardless of the response. We must not be silent; we cannot be silent. The impact of our courage could make a difference in someone else’s life today.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him. – Psalm 91:1-2

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.” – Psalm 91:9-16

Today’s Reading: 2 Thessalonians

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE – Paul opens up his first letter to the church in Thessalonica praising God and commending the church on their faithful work, their loving deeds and their enduring hope. Over the last two days, we have focused on the faithful work and loving deeds God is calling us to. Today, let’s consider the enduring hope we have in Christ, even when we are hurting.

HOPE THAT BELIEVES WE WILL SEE OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

For centuries, we have been encouraging each other with these words, finding hope in the midst of our grief and goodbyes when we lose a loved one. We find hope we will see them again, and also hope we will be together with the Lord forever. Spending eternity with Christ Jesus — now that produces hope! Paul goes on to describe to them how this will happen.

HOPE THAT BELIEVES CHRIST WILL RETURN AGAIN

…the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains. And there will be no escape…

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

So the source of our hope goes back to love — the love of a God who chose to save us instead of pouring out his anger on us; and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. It gets better. His plan is for us to live with Him forever!

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE

Therefore, remain strong in your FAITH even in the midst of persecution, criticism and suffering. When suffering takes you to the edge of your faith, allow the circumstances to help you grow in grace rather than anger and bitterness.

Take the Master by the hand and allow Him to lead you along the path of His LOVE as He performs loving deeds through you and gives you evidence of His love for you.

Endure with a HOPE that knows what our tomorrow holds and who holds our tomorrow. Let’s choose hope. Being a believer does not mean we are immune to troubles and difficulties in life, to sorrow and grief, but we can choose to hang on tight to the hope we have in Christ — not just hang on, but tightly grip onto this hope that endures.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God! – Psalm 43:5

Today’s Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

Faith, hope and love – Paul opens up his letter to the church in Thessalonica praising God and commending the church on their faithful work, their loving deeds and their enduring hope. Yesterday we were challenged to choose grace rather than bitterness when suffering takes us right to the edge of our faith. Today, let’s focus on the loving deeds Paul referred to in his letter.

THE PATH OF LOVE GROWS AND OVERFLOWS

May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. – 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Paul is not referring here to a love of human efforts or loving deeds produced of our own strength. No, Paul is talking about a love that the Lord grows inside of us for others – not just GROWS but OVERFLOWS. If we will open up our hearts and allow Him to produce this kind of love, He will make our hearts strong, blameless and holy. It is not something we can do on our own. We need the righteousness of our Savior and the love of the Spirit dwelling within us.

THE PATH OF LOVE LEADS TO HOLINESS

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you…God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor — not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways…God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-10

THE PATH OF LOVE CHANGES OUR BEHAVIOR

Paul goes on in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 to describe how the love of God should be reflected in the actions of the church:
– Honor your leaders; work hard and show respect, wholeheartedly loving them.
– Live peacefully with each other.
– Warn those who are lazy.
– Encourage those who are timid.
– Take tender care of those who are weak.
– Be patient with everyone.
– Try to do good instead of seeking revenge.
– Always be joyful.
– Never stop praying.
– Be thankful in all circumstances.
– Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
– Test everything that is taught, holding on to what is good.
– Stay away from every kind of evil.

PRAYING FOR GOD’S UNENDING HELP ON THE PATH OF LOVE

As you go about your day, I pray God will shape you into the person He has called you to be. I pray that you will be filled with energy as His Spirit guides you in every conversation and through every action. Remember who you are with confidence that God is your unending help and that He is leading you by the hand along His path today.

Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time — pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (The Message)

So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (The Message)

May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance. – 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (The Message)