This week we finish our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because The Center’s leadership believes we are on the cuspid of a great awakening in America. An awakening that will challenge the status quo of the current Christian industrial complex. An institution more concerned with Attendance, Buildings and Cash than the Gospel, Grace and Growth of the kingdom.
This week we also continue in the book of the first Corinthians. It’s another book written by Paul around 25 years after Jesus' earthly ministry. Corinth is the original sin city. It was a transitional city and as such there was a lot of anonymity. As a Coastal town people were always coming and going. Some for vacation, most for business. The community was know for their worship of the goddess of sex. They had one of the largest temples devoted to her and the idea of fertility. You can see why when you called somebody a corinthian back then, you were saying they were living without morality. After his 1 ½ years planting the church, Paul left behind Apollos who was an amazing preacher/teacher and yet, we can see from this book the people still had questions. The immorality of the culture was so rampant that Paul had to address everything from why church potlucks should not turn into drunken frat parties and worship of the one true God should not look like a kids first birthday party at a chuck e cheese restaurant.
Last Sunday, we discussed our belief in life everlasting through the conversion of our earthly bodies to heavenly ones along with the hope that brings. Now Paul slips on his pastoral hat to speak to recap the solution to the issues affecting the unity of the body. Let’s take a listen.
Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
Isn’t it nice to know that the earliest of churches had questions about generosity? This is the second place Paul mentions sharing of resources in this letter. He talks about earlier in chapter nine to qualify why leaders who share the gospel in word and deed, could demand compensation but why he doesn’t. He said in 9:17, “If I do this voluntarily, I get rewarded for it.”, meaning it is an act of obedience to His commitment to Jesus. He shares this same sentiment in colossians 3:17 when he encourages the believers there to remember their commitment:
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
In our piece of scripture, Paul is letting this church plant know that when they gather it's a best practice to take a collection for those less fortunate. Our encouragement is seen as:
an act of love for others.
part of our commitment to one another.
a percentage so everyone has an equal part in the mission.
We collect each week online and at the back of the church because we know mature believers understand:
Giving is an act of worship - our offerings are “spiritual sacrifices” presented to the king
Giving is communal - the importance of giving “first” to the mission of God we are on together declares our commitment to one another.
Giving should be systematic - Paul didn’t want the act of giving to be a weekly plea. By his request for the offering to be already collected when the courier arrived, he was trying to eliminate the uncomfortableness of a plea. It’s the reason we only mention the giving box on occasion.
Giving is personal - your giving is between you and God. He knows if your heart is generous or stingy. He sees your financial picture. He understands.
Giving is proportionate - jewish converts would have been familiar with the tithe or 10% but didn’t mention any special percentage. In my mind, giving should be sacrificial. That is, the amount given should require a trust in his ability to care for my needs. Notice I said needs not wants.
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After this exhortation, Paul goes on to share his travel plans, Timothy’s possible visit, Apollo's future plans and then he summarizes the letter’s main points in verse 13
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Don’t allow yourselves to be easily persuaded by others or by society. Humanity will always discourage and people will disappoint. As Christians, we should be ready to encourage.
Our way of life is counter-cultural. In Paul’s time, persecution of Christians was commonplace. Romans accused Christians of being atheists. In addition, the fact that, for the Romans, Christians and Jews were two sects of the same religion (there was no distinction between the two religions) made the hatred against Jews to be propagated against Christians as well. In the summer of 64 AD, a fire broke out and consumed properties and lives for six days and five nights. Emperor Nero declared the Christians responsible for the colossal fire. It was the first massive persecution for all. He set up the believers because they were an easy target. Their unbelief was blamed for disasters and calamities. Nero himself gave the order, so they were free for all. The believers received hatred from Romans. Many religious sects were not only tortured, but made horrific fodder for the amusement by some people.
“Love your enemies” is a profound teaching by Jesus in the sermon on the mount. Many a non Chirstians have come to faith around these words. In fact, a couple of weeks ago at RENEW, Hesham Shehab told his story of hate towards Christians because of his brother's death. He then went on to say that it was those words in the sermon on the mount when he studied the bible to refute the teaching that changed his perception of Jesus. Unconditional Love is our greatest gift to the world and our greatest witness. It is also one of great teachers.
Paul goes on to point to a few contemporaries the people of Corinth should emulate if they want to grow and mature in THE WAY as an encouragement that if others can live this way so could they.
15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
It’s been said imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I also believe imitation is one of the greatest ways to learn. We call it apprentice leadership.
There are three basic ways to learn and there is no set timetable to becoming mature. We are all as different as snowflakes in november. However, the process is the same.
Watch or read about how someone achieves the goal your seeking
Replicate the actions seen, or read about. Debrief and continue to try until perfected
Teach someone else
These are the steps of discipleship of the early church. There was no bible to read. They heard the stories. They watched others live the Christian life and they asked questions until they mirrored the life.
Jesus’ Church is a collection of fellow believers working together in harmony to demonstrate love as a continually evolving network of encouraging relationships. The best example of the church and the one most referenced begins Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Talk about a pep talk. When we live as Paul had envisioned and Luke detailed, we can live:
filled with awe
an abundance of friends
with confidence our needs will be taken care of
Never being in want
optimistically
Enjoying a good reputation
And experiencing the power of God work through a committed group
Reference: Warren Wiersbe Commentary 622
https://thepersecuted.org/history-of-persecution-against-christians/
https://teamings.com/blog/11-videos-to-inspire-collaboration-and-teamwork/
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