Genuine Faith

Want to recognize genuine faith? Watch a church go through a division. Those with genuine faith will rise to the top. Those whose hearts are indeed Christ’s will be made evident. Sound strange? Faith is tested by fire. Nothing increases the flames more than factions in a church. Genuine faith will see through all the hyperbole and apply scripture biblically.

1 Corinthians 11:17-22

But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

The communion ceremony of the first-century church looks different than it does today. They were often called love feasts, and people would come together for what we know as a potluck and celebrate communion by eating together. In Corinth, it had become a gluttonous affair. The wealthy brought more than they needed and did not share, while others went home hungry. They were getting drunk on the wine and gorging on food. This was the opposite of what the love feast was supposed to be.

Time For Battle

A soldier knows when it’s time for battle. He can feel it in his bones, and his mind starts the mental preparation. He goes through a checklist in his mind of everything that he will need to take on the enemy. He wants to be prepared while at the same time unhindered by anything that will slow him down. As Christians, we are soldiers in God’s army. We cannot go blindly through life thinking that nothing stands against us. Satan is fully equipped to take us out. It’s time for battle. Are you prepared?

Ephesians 6:12

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Time for Battle

The battle is real. It’s not like what you see in the movies with armies facing one another. It is covert operations that seek to catch you off guard. The enemy is constantly plotting ways that will trip you up. He knows that you are most vulnerable if you stumble and are down. If he can keep you down eventually, you will give up. Much of the Spiritual battle is in mind—the attacks of doubt, the bouts of anger, the lingering bitterness.

Tempted in Every Way

Jesus was tempted in every way like every other human on earth. He experienced the pain and struggles that all of us face. That is why he can relate to our lives and be the bridge between God and us. When you are tempted, remember that Christ has gone through it and provided a way out of it. Look to him for your help.

Hebrews 4:15

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.”

Tempted in Every Way

The author of Hebrews writes theology unlike anywhere else in the Bible. The first four chapters are ripe in what scholars call Christology or the study of Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 is a prime example. We are told that Christ experienced the same temptations that we face. He endured Satan in the desert, and the attacks of the Pharisees yet did not sin. Our Savior was tempted in every way.

A Joyful Spirit

What gives the Christian a joyful spirit? What brings us to that place where peace and joy permeate everything we do? Isaiah provides us with a clue. He tells us that a joyful spirit comes from being right with God. Some things steal our joy, and then we do things that make us lose our joy. We need to prevent the latter and be on guard for the former.

Isaiah 58:9, 11

“Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Going thru the Motions

The Jews were attending church, learning scripture, and even fasting, but nothing was happening. It was because their actions were contrary to God’s Word. They were going through the spiritual motions of following Jesus, expecting big things, and couldn’t figure out why nothing was happening. God looked at all of it and told them their heart was not in it.

Prayer That Changes People

Prayer changes things, but most of all, it changes people. As Paul is writing his letter to Timothy, he urges him to lead the people in prayer. Paul knows this is where the church’s power is and that if they want to see the Spirit do a work in their community, they need to be interceding for its leaders and people in power. Prayer changes people. It can even move those opposed to the Gospel’s work through the church.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Prayer should Include Four Things

Prayer should include four things; requests, praise, intercession, and thanksgiving. Supplications, or requests, are the needs we bring to God. Praise is the adoration and worship we give to God. Intercession means to stand in the gap for someone else. When you lift up the needs of others, you are interceding. Finally, every prayer time should include a time of thanking God for who He is.

Power Through Our Weakness

“Don’t let anybody see you sweat.” That was a famous line from a marketing campaign for anti-persperant. What they were really saying is don’t let anyone see your weakness. Society says you have to be strong even though you don’t have the strength to show it. It is said if you show weakness, people will…

Jesus’ Victory Parade

One of the highlights of being a world champion in any sport is the victory parade. In the United States, the most prominent parades always happen for the Super Bowl Champion. Whole cities shut down to come out and cheer for their champion. Palm Sunday is Jesus’ victory parade. All of Jerusalem came out to shout “Hosanna” as he traveled into the city.

Mark 11:7-10

And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

Victory Parade

When Roman generals returned from a battle, they always led a procession of their army into town. He would enter on a white horse followed by his troops, the spoils of victory, and the slaves he had captured. It was quite an event as the whole town would come out and cheer the parade. Jesus had his victory parade as well. It happened during the Passover feast. Thousands and thousands came out and shouted and waved palm branches.

Get Alone With God

If you listen to surveys, one of the things people desire the most is a little quiet time by themselves. There is so much competition for your time and distractions that steal your focus. Carving out time to get alone with God and pray is a challenge, but it is one of the most important activities you can do. 

Matthew 14:23

“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” 

Getting Alone with God

Jesus often stole away to pray. During the day, people pressed in all around Him to meet their needs. He walked with His disciples, who never looked like they would get it. Jesus had to get away at night just to be alone with His Father. When everyone else was asleep, he would go and spend the night in prayer to recharge for what awaited him the next day. 

Different but Still the Same

Have you ever watched sailboat racing? Seeing the crew jumping all over the boat as the wind changes is a sight to see. Each person has a specific responsibility that works in unison with the rest of the team. They all have different roles but the same goal, to win the race. The church is set up the same way. The Holy Spirit gives each person unique gifts to be used in conjunction with other believers to accomplish the same purpose, proclaim the Gospel. We are different but still the same team.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

Different but Still the Same

Everyone is equipped with a variety of gifts when they choose to follow Jesus. What you have been given will be different from others in the church. What doesn’t differ is the Holy Spirit who gives you the gifts. We have all been filled with the Holy Spirit upon salvation. This gives us unity in the church. God can take a diverse group of people and unify them as one church through His Holy Spirit.

When You’ve Been Wronged

Everyone one of us has been wronged by another person. What do you do when you’ve been wronged? Do you seek revenge? Do you file a lawsuit and take them to court, or do you isolate yourself and sulk? How you process your hurt will dictate your future. The Apostle Paul suggests an alternative to when you’ve been wronged.

1 Corinthians 6:1-2

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

Stop the Scandals

So many people who are easily offended these days. The Greek word for offense is scandalon, from which we get our word scandal. Originally the word was used to refer to the bait used to snare a wild animal. Paul uses it to refer to anything that hinders our walk with God. Paul puts his foot down and tells the Corinthians that it is not the way it is supposed to be in the church. This had become a problem in the Corinthian church, and Paul wanted the leadership to handle things differently. When we go to court, it is already a defeat for the church and us because it destroys our witness.