Pause for thought

Surprise! You may be just where God wants you 7:20.

Do you believe you can do Gods work and live faithfully for God wherever you are? We don’t have to move geographically to hear God’s voice or know more of His presence. Make no move unless you have definite direction from God, remember God speaks through the Bible and will confirm His message to you through the witness of the Holy Spirit to your spirit, and often by the witness of the Holy Spirit through fellow Christian’s 7:17.

Some new Christian’s who are already married find themselves married to an unbeliever, but that does not mean you can’t live for Christ, God knew who you were married to before you believed in Jesus, it could just be Gods plan to save your spouse through your witness 7:16.

Christians find themselves in dead end street because of wrong assumptions about the place they live or church they attend or the unbelieving spouse they feel stuck with. Instead believe that God has placed you where you are, and make the most of every opportunity to serve Him there.

memory verse

You must accept whatever situation the Lord has put you in, and continue on as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches 1 Corinthians 7:17 N.L.T.

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Some of you may notice from time to time the odd typing mistake but I can’t blame spell check for wrongly introducing todays audio message! Thanks to everyone for overlooking my mistakes.

Pause for thought

Because of the prevailing immoral culture in Corinth that included the belief that human bodies were primarily for sexual gratification, the church took what they mistakenly thought was a godly view and were promoting sexual abstinence in marriage, and even discouraging marriage altogether 7:1.

The Corinthian church was over reacting to the culture of their day. But someone had wisdom enough to write to Paul for his advise 7:1.

We must never let todays culture dictate the way we are to live. Paul wrote “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its own mould” Romans 12:2 J.B. Phillips. Christians who listen to God know how to act rather than reacting to the cultural pressures of the day.

Memory verse

You wives must remember that your husbands might be converted because of you. And you husbands must remember that your wives might be converted because of you. 1 Corinthians 7:16 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

It seems that the Corinthians had misunderstood Paul’s teaching on Grace and freedom to mean that they were free to indulge the flesh. Christian’s faith does not mean we are free to sin, it means it makes us free not to sin. 6:12

“food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food” likewise some thought that freedom meant that they were free to abuse their own bodies, they did not understand what it meant to belong to Christ 6:13

Our present bodies will be transformed when Jesus returns but our mortal bodies will in some way be reflected in our new spiritual bodies 6:14

These bodies of ours have been made made holy “set apart” as a dwelling place for God, Jesus died to give us a redeemed soul and a pure body, these bodies are not our own to do with as we like, they each belong to Jesus Christ to be used for His glory.

A verse for remember

But the person who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him 1 Corinthians 6:17 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

One day we Christians shall judge the World, in the meantime we should be able to deal with any disputes that arise in the church, for we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the mind of Christ 6:2, 2 Peter 2:4. Matt 8:11.

For a Christian to go to law against a fellow Christian is to fall very short of genuine Christian behaviour. If there is genuine Christian love in the heart he should prefer to suffer loss and injury rather than inflict it 6:6-7.

A verse to remember

Why not accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourself be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:7a N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

“God will not bend the rules” quote DR R.T. Kendal

The Corinthian church was not only guilty of overlooking sin in their ranks they seemed proud with themselves for tolerating sin. But it showed they had a false notion about God’s Grace 5:1-2

Freedom from sin and guilt, and freedom to enjoy all of God’s good gifts doesn’t mean that that we are allowed to do whatever we please. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that because Christ has forgiven us from all our sin that this means we may continue to live in it 5:2

This sinning brother was still a Christian but living worse than a pagan, he was to be delivered to satan so that his flesh would be destroyed bringing about a change of heart and action. This judgement was to be a mutual act by the whole fellowship and done in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the knowledge that the Man would be saved at the return of the Lord 5:5.

This was an act of love not an act of punishment, it was to remind the whole church how easily sin can take control of an individual Christian and spread throughout the church like yeast spreads in dough or like the proverbial rotten apple in a basket of sound fruit 5:6.

While we must not gossip and criticise our fellow Christian’s sometimes as a body of believers it becomes our business to come together to judge situations in the local church. But note it is none of our business to judge unbelievers 5:12.

A verse to remember

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways 1 Corinthians 5:12 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

The Corinthians had split into cliques each following their favourite preacher who they thought was the only one who taught the truth! In their pride they forgot that their preferred minister like all the other ministers were simply servants of Jesus Christ 4:6

Spiritual pride is possibly among the most horrid sins for a Christian to get entangled by, it is a major cause of disunity in the local church. Spiritual pride begins its grip on Christians who fail to crucify their flesh ( old self) this person remains a carnal (baby) Christian. Spiritual pride makes a person unteachable they think they are so full of light that there is nothing more to learn, and display a judgemental attitude towards others by evaluating whether they are as good followers of Christ as they mistakenly think they themselves are. Paul addresses this very sin when he writes. Well it matters very little what you or anyone else thinks . I don’t even trust my own judgement on this point. My conscience is clear, but that isn’t what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide 4:3-4

No individual local church has a monopoly on the truth we need each other and we can learn from each other, just like the saying (no man is an island) nor is any church.

Memory verse

So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, He will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due. 1 Corinthians 4:5 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

There is a time when new Christian go through the baby stage, but it’s not normal for a Christian to remain a baby, it’s really our own choice!

How we receive the “ things of the Spirit” reveals the state of our hearts. The Natural Man, is unregenerate he has no appreciation of the gospel it simply appears foolish to him 2:14. The Spiritual Man, has been born again of water and Spirit John 3:5, spiritually mature, his new nature responds to God’s truth he no longer lives to please himself. The carnal Man, Although born again, is not maturing in his faith, he is almost indistinguishable from the natural man, he remains a baby Christian at heart being easily ensnared by jealousy and controversy. He cares more for the opinion of others than for Christ 2:14-3:4

Our foundation is Jesus Christ, Paul laid the foundation by preaching Christ. The church has many different builders and each must build with the same quality materials, Paul is encouraging everyone to use the right materials such as right doctrine and living. The fire of Gods judgement will test the materials used as well as our characters, the materials we use will show if we are maturing saints or still in the kindergarten 3:11-15

Every genuine minister of God who comes are way is Christ’s Grace to us so don’t limit his Grace by your preferences 3:21-23

Memory verse

Don’t you realise that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you Christian’s are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

When sharing the gospel let’s keep our message simple. Or do we forget that it’s the Holy Spirit not our clever words that will bring sinners to Jesus! 2:1-5 see also John 16:8

Ever since Jesus rose from the dead Gods secret plan has been revealed to all who by grace put their faith in Jesus Christ. But Gods plan remains hidden to those who refuse to believe the Gospel because it seems foolish this reaction is evidence of empty philosophy and worldly wisdom 2:5

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ made way for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals all that God in His great love had prepared for us. 2:9 teaches us about what is already revealed and is ours now! This verse is not about future glories although it is often quoted as such. However this verse can still wet our appetite for the glories at the return of Jesus Christ 2:10-12

Only Christians are able to grasp spiritual truths, no one can understand what God is thinking, but because the Holy Spirit who is God lives in us He will give us an insight into some of God’s plans. Because of the Holy Spirit and through reading the Bible we have the mind of Christ, it is the Holy Spirit Spirit who shows us how to pray according to Gods plans if we do we should expect answers to our prayers 2:15-16

memory verse

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 N.K.J.V.

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Pause for thought

A personal invitation to believe in Jesus Christ from the Holy Spirit should makes us feel special. God calls us His holy people “saints” because we have accepted Jesus and are trusting in His saving work on the cross alone. Whatever our background or experience of becoming a Christian. Jesus Christ is the one we trust and follow he will never let us down 1:2, 30-31.

The Corinthian Christian’s took themselves to seriously, they needed reminding that it was Jesus Christ who had called and made them holy. While they owed a lot to their teachers (there was no New Testament) therefore much of what they had learned was through those who taught them. Unfortunately they were falling into factions by exalting their favourite teachers causing rivalry and strife 1:11-13

Those who God uses in ministry should never forget that the skills they possess such gifts as they have are not through their own attainment or achievement. they are not to bring themselves prestige but always point to the glory of Jesus Christ 1:10

Worldly wisdom or clever speeches will never persuade anyone to believe in Christ. The gospel sounds so simple even foolish to many who refuse to believe. But for those who want to, we need only to accept what Jesus has already done for us 1:28-31

memory verse

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30 N.K.J.V.

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Pause for thought

How should we Christians live in the light of Christs return?

1 Pray please never underestimate the power of the One who hears and answers our prayers. Paul the Apostle a giant among men asks that the Thessalonian church prays for him. Paul recognised his own weakness and he requested prayer from local Christian’s who no doubt recognised theirs. We live in a wicked world where an unseen battle is being waged, like Paul our main defence is in prayer that we might not yield to temptation Mathew 11:4 Paul’s request for prayer was twofold First for the spread of the Gospel. Second for protection from wicked people who don’t believe in the Lord 3:2.

2 Giving Thanks by reminding each other of the Lords faithfulness in giving us endurance and deeper understanding of Gods love 3:3-5.

3 Make the most of your time Paul deals with those who were idle some had given up work on the pretence of waiting for Christ’s return, while others were expecting the church to meet their needs, but some were just plain lazy. Paul reminded everyone that as an apostle he had a right to financial support but he chose to work with his hands as a tent maker being a good example to the church. Paul was not criticising those who were unable to work but the unwilling to work, Nor is this meant to be a pattern or every full-time minister.

Those who refuse to follow Paul’s teaching and remain idle were to be ostracised so that they would come to their senses they were loved fellow Christians who needed to be warned 3:14

memory verse

And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 N.L.T.

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