1 Corinthians 16:1-24 June 30
“A wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”
Take this as an awkward promise. Why? If you see that wide door and the hopes of effective service rise in you, be certain there will be adversaries. Don’t be surprised when opposition arises. You might be surprised by where it comes from, but don’t be surprised it comes. You’ve been warned. Stay on guard.
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith. Act like men, be strong!”
We all have different needs. Someone needs to hear each word of this message.
People are in need. The message must be shared.
From those who live unaware of the schemes of the evil one to those who have forgotten what it means to act like a man. So, everyone, be strong.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” This is an echo that hopefully is not in an echo chamber. Regardless of how gifted you are, how smart you are, or how religious you may be, all you do must be done in love or it is worthless. Strong words, but as we’ve seen repeatedly throughout this amazing letter to a church so full of themselves, it is the right message both then and now.
Paul noted that some of the Corinthians (16:18) “…have refreshed my spirit…” Are you in need of our spirit to be refreshed? Have you ever had the pleasure of being refreshed in the spirit by someone? Acknowledge such people. Then do the same for someone else. Look for ways to refresh one another’s spirits! And as Paul closed his letter, “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. Amen” Could you really ask for anything more? Or need anything more?
And this will lead us right into a sermon series on Transforming Grace.
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