Lesson 4777

(Lesson 4777) (03-04-25) 1st Corinthians 4:1-5 

   “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. 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.” 

 

  In today’s lesson, Paul instructed believers to regard him and other apostles as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s word. He emphasized that a steward must be faithful and stated that he did not covet judgment from others or even himself, as only the Lord is the true judge. Paul cautioned against making judgments before the appointed time, as the Lord will reveal the hidden motives of the heart when He comes. He concluded by saying that when God judges, He will give praise to those who are found to have been faithful. ~  

Lesson 4776

 (Lesson 4776) (03-03-25) 1st Corinthians 3:16-23 

   “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 your's; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul reminded believers that their bodies are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in them. He warned that anyone who defiles God’s temple will face destruction, seeing that God’s temple is holy. He cautioned against self-deception, urging believers not to rely on worldly wisdom, which is foolishness before God. Paul quoted Scripture, stating that God catches the wise in their own craftiness and that He knows their thoughts. He urged them not to brag about those who taught them—whether Paul, Apollos, Cephas or the world. He told them that all things belong to them through Christ, and that Christ belongs to God, and therefore, all things belong to God. ~ 

Lesson 4775

 (Lesson 4775) (03-02-25) 1st Corinthians 3:10-15 

   “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. 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.” 

 

  In today’s lesson, Paul described himself as a wise master builder who laid the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ, upon which others build. He warned that each person must be careful how they build on this foundation, as no other foundation can be laid except Christ. He explained that believers' works will be tested by fire on the Day of Judgment. If their work endures, they will receive a reward, but if it is burned up, they will suffer loss—though they themselves will be saved, but as through fire. This passage emphasizes that salvation is secure in Christ, but believers will be held accountable for how they live and serve God. ~ 

Lesson 4774

 (Lesson 4774) (03-01-25) 1st Corinthians 3:1-9 

   “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.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul rebuked the Corinthian believers for their spiritual immaturity, calling them "babes in Christ" because they were still driven by envy, strife, and divisions. He explained that their quarrels over leaders such as Paul and Apollos showed they were acting worldly. Paul clarified that he and Apollos were merely servants through whom they had believed, each of them playing a role in God’s work—Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. He emphasized that neither the one who plants nor the one who waters amount to anything, but rather, it is God who brings the increase. ~