Lesson 456

(Lesson 456)(11-14-12) 1 Corinthians 4:5-7, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?"

This is another powerful lesson that takes very few words to teach. Paul, again, tells us not to judge the actions of anyone outside the faithful. He says that when the Lord comes, He will judge all for the intent and purpose of the things others have chosen to teach, and observe.

Paul makes it very clear that God has chosen no one person to take power, or precedence over the other. We stand alone as individuals, one on one with Jesus Christ. Every good thing comes as a gift from God and therefore, no individual may boast the he/she alone created it.~

Lesson 455

(Lesson 455)(11-13-12) 1 Corinthians 4:1-4, "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord."

This lesson is short and very much to the point as it speaks to those of us who would venture to teach the Gospel of Christ. Paul makes it pretty clear that the foremost requirement for a steward of the gospel is that he be "found faithful". I believe that means the person doing the teaching should adhere strictly to the lessons as they are presented in the text of God's holy word, no matter what the prevailing traditions and trends might be.

Paul explicitly says that those who would pass judgment on us are to be ignored. He even goes so far as to say he doesn't even judge himself, knowing that God will ultimately judge his, and our, actions and intentions.

The message herein, is that we need not be perfect in the eyes of society as we continue to teach. We are only required to make sure the message we bear is the message that God the Father intended.~

Lesson 454

(Lesson 454)(11-12-12) 1 Corinthians 3:12-23, "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's."

Today's lesson stands out as very important to those who strive to properly do the will of God. I suggest that the serious bible student slowly read this text at least ten times to fully allow the message in these few verses to sink in.

In the first verses of this lesson, Paul is warning us that the purpose for which we use the power of the gospel, will ultimately be judged by God Himself. If we have applied true Christian principles for the work we do, we will receive a reward. If however, we use the power of the gospel, as many today do, to achieve personal fame, or gain, we will suffer the wrath of God.

Paul tells, those of us who are saved, that our bodies are the temples of God and that the Spirit of God dwells within us. He goes on to say, " If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."

This, very clearly tells us that we are to conduct ourselves in a manner reflective of the purpose of Christ.

There are many who read this quote to mean that if we sin in our bodies (temples), we will be again lost, destroyed. This is true, but only to a point. If we defile the body (temple), God will destroy it, but He will NOT destroy the soul of the man, "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." This means that God will burn away the earthly, materialistic man/woman, while preserving the inner (redeemed) spirit, eternally.
In the latter portion of the lesson, Paul again warns us of those who would appear wise in the world. The great preachers and orators. Those who through the power of their great personalities, lead thousands upon thousands of the lost away from the amazing grace of God through Christ crucified, and into an eternal hell.

Therefore we should all adhere closely to what Paul says in the last verses of this lesson, "Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's."
What an awesome power God has given us. Amen!~

Lesson 453

(Lesson 453)(11-11-12) 1 Corinthians 3:1-11, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

This lesson tells us that no one person, or preacher, should be exalted one over another as it concerns the preaching of God's word. We should all take an equal part in the blessed labor charged to us, giving credit and praise for the fruits of our efforts to God alone. Those who hear the word are to praise God for the message and discount the importance of the messenger.

It is because of God's grace we received the blessed gift of Christ crucified, therefore we should give all praise to Him.

Sadly, there are many "Christians" who will follow one certain preacher, not because of the substance of the message the preacher brings, but because of a personality, some even to the extent of leaving the congregation. That is a sad commentary for Christianity.

As Paul demonstrates in this lesson, those who chase after personalities don't understand the ultimate, spiritual meaning of the gospel, they have not been established on a firm spiritual foundation. They are, in a sense, just riding a popularity wave. Paul refers to these as "babes in Christ", those yet unable to consume the "meat" of the gospel.

It is the responsibility of all of us who have tasted "the heavenly gift" to make sure that these "babes" make the transition from "milk" to "meat", and are firmly planted on the gospel foundation laid by Jesus Christ Himself, always careful to give the praise, not to each other, but to almighty God. ~

Lesson 452

(Lesson 452)(11-10-12) 1 Corinthians 2:9-16, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This is another blessed and special message to those of us who have accepted the special gift of salvation, by grace, through faith in the supreme sacrifice made by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Without the power of the Holy Ghost, it is impossible to know the reasoning for the "operations of God", any attempt to learn it without that power will prove to be an idiotically futile effort.
Through our acceptance of God's grace, however, we are given an inner knowledge of things that appear foolishness to those who have not tasted salvation. "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But WE have the mind of Christ."

We, the saved, have the power of God, through the Holy Ghost, to accomplish whatever our minds desire, so long as it is within the ultimate will of The Father Himself.

Our ONLY command and challenge is to present the wonderful message and means of redemption to a lost world.

One of the greatest failings of today's "Christianity" is the continuous attempts to force the lost to understand that mystery, before they have that capacity. We are NOT commanded to force this knowledge on anyone. We are to simply live it out the message in our own lives, and upon every opportunity, preach it to those who are willing to listen.~

Lesson 451

(Lesson 451)(11-09-12) 1 Corinthians 2:1-8, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

This lesson is a furtherance of yesterday's. Herein, Paul acknowledges that he knew nothing about most of the people to whom he preached. Knowledge of their heritage and traditions were of no use to his ultimate purpose. That purpose being to preach the mystery of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified. He preached in constant fear for his life, relying totally on faith in God to keep his message truthful, and his body safe.
Paul also makes it clear that he, nor any other human being, could ever know the mind of God, or His reason for the process of redemption which He began before the creation of man. Paul only knew that he was to preach the words of eternal salvation that were fed to his mind by, and through, the Holy Ghost, "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.".
What a wonderful world this would be today if only all of those who profess to be preachers would follow closely in the footsteps of Paul, taking their own massive egos out of the equation and preaching only those words whispered in their ears by the Holy Spirit of God. What a beautifully simple message, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Thank God there are still a few who do.~

Lesson 450

(Lesson 450)(11-08-12) 1 Corinthians 1:19-31, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

This lesson tells us how God, seeing through their hypocrisy and insincerity, passed over the pious religious leadership and granted His redemption through some of the lowliest of the day's people. "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are

mighty;" Through this effort, he exposed the pious for the fools and liars they truly are while uplifting the humble.

John the Baptist came, with no religious leadership recommendation at all, not from the inner most circles of the religious hierarchy, but out of the desert, with nothing but loincloth on his back and the divine message of the coming of the Messiah, our Lord, Jesus Christ, on his mind.
Jesus was born, not of a woman chosen from among the elite descendants of Levi, but of a lowly virgin girl. Jesus was raised as the adopted son of a carpenter.

What should we take from this lesson? I say don't go chasing after those who occupy the softest seats or those who proclaim sole ownership of redemption because they draw the largest crowds and inhabit the most beautiful and expensive buildings. These have proven themselves before God to be fools. NEVER accept an opinion of God's holy word that you have not personally verified by the written text of the gospel of Christ.

"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified," Humbly search instead for the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God in all things, 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

If we simply obey this last verse of scripture, we will never be deceived by false prophets.~