BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday October 29, 2017

BUILDING TOGETHER

1 Corinthians 3

   In 1 Corinthians 1, we saw how the Corinthians had become distracted from CHRIST by way of their arguments over the merits of “human leadership” in CHRIST’ Church. Paul says that they were acting like “unsaved people” would act. Instead of behaving “pneumatikos” (spiritual), they were behaving “sarkikos” (worldly, or carnal). Their actions had begun to cause divisions (schismata) in the newly formed Christian Church at Corinth.

    Here in chapter 3 of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Paul seems to re-focus a bit on that issue that was dividing, or, splitting the church into worldly factions. The worldly jealousy and bickering in the Church, served as proof that they were still infants to the Christian concept and ideology of faith in an unselfish CHRIST, WHO, vicariously gave HIS whole life for a dying mankind. They were a people still being controlled by their own selfish desires.

    To say that we are a follower of any human being is proof that we are still greatly influenced by worldly thinking and behavior. The great overpowering message of the cross is the message of, both, “justification” and “sanctification”. They call for, and demand, a renewed, transformed attitude and behavior from those who enter into the Christian Faith, and express a desire to build on the foundation of CHRIST JESUS. When we are born again, and enter into the Body of CHRIST, we are expected to grow out of our newly acquired infancy, into becoming mature followers of only CHRIST JESUS, WHO then, will usher us into GOD’ OWN glorious presence.

    Mere men like Paul and Apollos, can only plant and water the seeds of faith, however, it requires the power of the Almighty GOD, through the teaching of the HOLY SPIRIT, to make those seeds grow. Men can lead a person to CHRIST JESUS, but only CHRIST JESUS can bring a person to GOD.

    The foundation of the Church, which is CHRIST JESUS, has long been laid, and now, it is up to Christians (CHRIST’ followers) to build on that foundation of “The Most Faith”, that GOD, has already put into place. And so, it is silly to argue over human leadership within the Church when GOD has already appointed an eternal leader, HIS holy and divine SON, JESUS CHRIST, WHOSE position, can never be usurped.

    In conclusion, we humans only need to obey, getting about the business of following and serving GOD. There is no room in the Christian Church for human ingenuity, and there is no room in the Christian Church for a leader, apart from CHRIST. Whatever gifts and talents GOD has blessed us with, should be used in HIS service to build upon the foundation of CHRIST.

    Through GOD’s special favor to Paul, he was both privileged, and responsible to help build on the foundation of Christianity that CHRIST laid, here on earth. And every Christian, who is willing to follow the lead of CHRIST, and of Paul and the early Church workers who helped establish the Christian Church in its infancy, should also recognize this privilege and responsibility to continue the work of CHRIST, building upon HIS body in this day, day by day.

    At the appointed time, the substance that each of us uses to build on the foundation of CHRIST, be it gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw, will be tested in the flames of judgment to see if it can withstand the heat (the Tribulation). If a person’s work of life in the Church is built on the “gold standard” of GOD, which is obedience, it will withstand the heat, and that worker will be rewarded in the end.

    However, if a person chooses to use the wrong material (human ingenuity), something less than the “gold standard” of GOD to build on the foundation of CHRIST, that material, that is not of the mind of GOD, and can’t possibly stand the testing of judgment (i.e., the various Christian denominations that come from the minds of men), that person’s work, even if he or she believes that they are serving GOD in the process, will be burned up, and the builder will suffer a great loss of rewards.

    The builders themselves will be “saved”, because their motive to serve GOD was correct. However, we can’t serve GOD any way we want to, we must instead, serve GOD in the way HE wants us to. And so, even though that person will be saved, the analogy used here in this passage (Vs.10-15) is that, it will be likened to one who escapes damnation by running through a wall of fire, they will get there (to Heaven), but they will reek of the smell of smoke, and receive no other rewards for their efforts when they arrive.

    All Christians, together, make up the Body of CHRIST, and the Temple of GOD. The SPIRIT of GOD dwells in all “saved people”, or, those who are “being saved”. However, GOD will bring to ruin, anyone who seeks to ruin HIS Temple. To be wise, by world standards, has no place, or meaning in the Temple of GOD, or, the Body or Family of CHRIST. The wisdom of this world is utter foolishness to GOD, and so we need to work with, and for GOD, in order to successfully build on the everlasting foundation of CHRIST. Everything we need to be successful belongs to the Christian. The Christian belongs to JESUS CHRIST. And JESUS CHRIST belongs to GOD (Vs.22-23).

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander   

Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Legendary Locals of Grand Prairie - Google Books Result

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday October 22, 2017

PAUL PREACHES WISDOM

1 Corinthians 2

   During the first century, Corinth was known as the finest city in Greece. It was a bustling cosmopolitan city that some 250,000 residents called home. It was situated on a narrow five-mile strip of land that boasted seaports on both, the Aegean Sea, and the Gulf of Corinth. This allowed seafarers the opportunity to avoid long, dangerous treks around the Peloponnesian Peninsula, by simply crossing over this narrow strip of land with their cargo safely intact.

    The Apostle Paul had spent about a year and a half in this lively city establishing the first Christian Church there. This was some five years before he wrote this letter to the Church of Corinth, circa A.D. 56. Here in 1 Corinthians 2, Paul abandons the approach that had been taken by most preachers and philosophers who had come to Corinth to speak to the citizenry of this Christian Church. He chose instead, to rely on the power of the HOLY SPIRIT in his presentation of the Gospel of CHRIST (Vs.1-5).

    The city of Corinth was filled with itinerant ministers at that time, who, attracted many followers by way of their impressive oratory skills. Realizing this, Paul had purposely set out to use a simpler, less sophisticated approach to sharing the good news about JESUS CHRIST. In other words, he sought to “make it plain” so that his listeners would experience the power of the Almighty GOD over human wisdom. It is through this method that Paul sought to expose them to the secret wisdom of GOD.

    In stark contrast to non-believers, believers are led by the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD within them. They are able to size up and evaluate things from a GODly perspective, before making a decision concerning life’s challenges. Non-believers, on the other hand, have no real insight into the things of the SPIRIT, or, things of GOD.

    Believers have the luxury of having the Truth revealed to them through the HOLY SPIRIT that GOD has infused in them, and, do in effect, share the mind of CHRIST through their accepting of the Word (v.16b). We have come to know, understand, and share, the secret discernment of GOD. In other words, through the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, we are able to tune in to the thoughts that have been expressed by CHRIST JESUS, and to use GOD’s wisdom and discernment to help us live longer, more productive lives, here on earth.

    It is true by Paul’s own admission that, his manner of preaching was unimpressive from a human standpoint (2 Corinthians 10:12). He readily accepted this fact, and often used it, as a strongpoint in his arguments. His preaching was not marked by the persuasive eloquence that characterized such men as Apollos, or, even the late Stephen, whose story is chronicled in Acts chapters 6 and 7. However, Paul was able to turn this disadvantage into an advantage, by showing that faith is induced by a demonstration of the HOLY SPIRIT, not by rhetoric, or human ingenuity. He wanted to make sure that people knew that the faith of Christians rested on GOD’s power, and not on the worldly wisdom of men.

    Only the SPIRIT of GOD can enable us to understand spiritual truths, and provide us with the discernment that is so paramount to living GODly, Christian lives on a day-to-day basis. Remember, GOD alone makes it possible for us to be in CHRIST JESUS, and for our benefit, HE made CHRIST to be the personification of wisdom. And so JESUS is the only ONE WHO makes us acceptable to GOD the FATHER.

    Through JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice, HE presents us before GOD, pure and holy, and, only HE is qualified to boast. We, on the other hand, no matter how eloquent, or versed in Scripture we may be, can only boast of what JESUS, by way of GOD the FATHER, through the HOLY SPIRIT, has done. And when we are wise enough to understand that, then, and only then, we are wise enough to please GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Legendary Locals of Grand Prairie - Google Books Result

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday October 15, 2017

THE BOOK OF FIRST CORINTHIANS

A CALL TO UNITY

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

INTRODUCTION TO PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

   In the biblical Greek, the word translated as “Church” in the English language is “Ekklesia”. Ekklesia is a word that comes from the Greek word “kaleo”, which means “I call”, or “I summon”. In secular Greek it refers to “any assembly or gathering of people for any purpose”, and can be a political gathering, a riot, or even an orgy. That is why Bible translators use the term “Church” instead of the terms “assembly” or “gathering”.

    The biblical use of the word “Ekklesia” (Church) refers only to “a gathering of Christians to praise and worship CHRIST”.  That is why, in the Bible, GOD specifies that, “When two or more are gathered together in MY name”, a phrase that would distinguish between HIS people, who assemble for praise and worship of HIM, and, any other secular assembly or gathering for worldly purposes, which might include “worship of other gods”.

    Before JESUS ascended back into Heaven HE charged HIS disciples to return to Jerusalem and assemble together and wait for HIM to send the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1-2). This “gathering in JESUS’ name” quite literally became the birth of the Christian Church in the world. However, it would be a little while longer before CHRIST JESUS would call the Apostle Paul (Acts 9) to pull it all together as he became the face of the Christian movement in the first century.

    Corinth was a Greek city located on the isthmus (a narrow strip of land which connected two larger land masses) between Peloponnesus and mainland Greece, about 40 miles west of Athens. It derived its name from the Greek term “korinthiazomai” (kor-in-thia-zom-ahee) which means “fornication”. That should give you some idea of what kind of city it was when Paul first visited there on his second missionary journey.

   Paul’s first letter to the Church at Corinth was written to address the many problems that had cropped up, immediately following his founding of the church there, during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-8). The believers in Corinth had begun to question Paul’s authority as an apostle appointed by CHRIST. They were also misusing worship, suing each other in court, engaging in all sorts of immorality, and even denying that the resurrection of CHRIST ever took place.

    The Apostle Paul wrote this letter circa A.D. 57 on behalf of himself and Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue at Corinth. Sosthenes was the man, who was beaten by an angry mob in the courtroom, while standing before the Roman governor Gallio of Achaia (Acts 18:17). Sosthenes must have converted to Christianity some time following that mob scene in his city.

    The obvious purpose of this letter was to correct any damage that had already been done to the Christian belief system in Corinth by anti-CHRIST teachers, and to stave off any further damage that could yet occur in this young Church. You see, it is not enough that we say we are Christian, but rather, we must also demonstrate our beliefs in our lifestyle, lest we dishonor CHRIST JESUS, the ONE WHO sends us to spread the Gospel with dignity and respect for those whom we seek to convert. It is CHRIST’ power in us that makes it possible for us to actually live as GOD wants us to live.

PAUL’S GREETINGS AND OPENING SALUTATIONS

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

   In the opening lines of Paul’s first letter to the Church at Corinth (Vs.1-10), we find no less than 10 references to CHRIST JESUS, our LORD. Here Paul begins by presenting himself as an authoritative representative of JESUS CHRIST, the head of the Christian Church. Paul says here that he has been authorized to teach the Gospel to all who have been called to be GOD’s holy people. He reminds them that GOD has decided to make them holy through CHRIST JESUS, just as HE has all the other Christians who have voluntarily chosen to join the Christian movement and network of believers.

    In verses 4-9 Paul gives thanks to GOD for all of the wonderful gifts that HE had blessed the Church at Corinth with, in such a short time. GOD had enriched the Church with eloquence and every kind of knowledge, which stood to verify everything that Paul had told them about CHRIST. And even though the Church still had many flaws, they also had gained much strength that would bolster their hope, and keep them strong, until the great day when JESUS CHRIST returns. The GOD of promise, WHO invited us into a right relationship with HIS SON, will surely keep HIS Word and deliver us safely into HIS glorious presence in the end.

DIVISION IN THE CHURCH

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

    In the biblical Greek, the word used for “divisions” in verse 10 is “schismata”, and it describes “a condition of tears and splits that divide the wholeness of a unit”. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, after giving thanks to GOD, Paul focuses in on the obvious divisions taking place in the Church at Corinth, and he sets out to present his appeal there for unity. The debate in the Church at Corinth over Christian leadership had all but destroyed the unity of that local congregation. They were constantly engaged in heated debate over who they should follow. Some wanted to follow Paul, while others were loyal to Apollos, and Peter, and fortunately, some, who were still in their right mind, were yet willing to follow CHRIST JESUS, the GOD appointed, true HEAD of the Church. 

    Some people, and understandably so, have come to cite this passage as an argument against forming different denominations within the Christian body. When we separate the Christian church into different factions, we are, in effect, arguing that our group is “best” or “right”, and as a result, we separate ourselves from others who are really equal members in the body of CHRIST.

    We all can agree that, here in the twenty-first century, we have become more interested in teaching people about our various denominations (i.e. Baptist, Methodist, Catholic), than we are about teaching GOD’s perfect idea that is now called “Christianity”. However, it would serve us well to always remember that “Christianity” is the only “true” religion, because it is the only religion that is a product of GOD’s mind. Every other religion, sect, or denomination known to man, is quite simply, a product of man’s own mind, and therefore, in essence, is wrong.

    The good news is that GOD already knew that this kind of desire, for human superiority, would rise up out of the minds of men. It is GOD’s desire that man leave “human ingenuity” out of the Church that HE has already established for HIMSELF. The only thing GOD needs from man in the Church, and quite frankly, everywhere else, is “obedience”. Our “human ingenuity” can only get in the way of GOD’s plan for the Church, and how GOD has already established the Christian belief system, which does not need to be tweaked by mankind.

    JESUS CHRIST states the greatest of all Christian doctrine when HE commands that, we;

“Love GOD with all our heart, soul, and mind, and that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves”. HE goes on to further state, that, “All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (NLT).

    “Christian unity”, is intended by GOD to transcend all the differences that men may have with each other regarding worship and anything else, and when we follow HIS instructions, those divine directives can bring men together in fellowship and love.

    It is that kind of “Christian unity” that JESUS prayed about in John 17, and, that same kind of “Christian unity” that Paul wrote about to the Church, here in this letter to the Corinthians, and indeed, in all of his other doctrinal letters to the various Churches along the newly formed Christian network. It concerns a unity that is not born of bricks and mortar, or human ingenuity, but rather, it is a unity of “personal relationships”, not unlike the one we’ve already seen, between the FATHER and the SON, as an example to us, for all time.

THE WISDOM OF GOD

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

   The words and the message of the Christian Bible, sounds foolish to those who are on their way to destruction. However, to those who are being saved, it represents, quite literally, the very essence and power of GOD. The Bible promises that GOD will utterly destroy human wisdom, and discard their most brilliant ideas (v.19), for there is no room, especially in the Church, for human ingenuity, there is only room for obedience. 

     So where does that leave the world’s philosophers, scholars, and brilliant debaters? Here in verse 20, Paul says that they will be made to look “foolish” (“moros” in the Greek) by GOD, WHO will show their worldly wisdom to be total non-sense. A man will never find GOD through his own human wisdom. In fact, GOD uses the seemingly foolish preaching of HIS servants to save only those who choose to believe in HIM. The very definition of a “foolish” person, “moros”, here in this passage, describes one who looks at reality from a perspective that is distorted, because they fail to take GOD into account.

    GOD’s way always seemed foolish to the anti-CHRIST Jews, as they always wanted a “sign” from Heaven to prove it was true. And so GOD used many miracles through HIS prophets, that couldn’t be explained by “human reasoning”. And since they still couldn’t wrap their inferior minds around it, they continued on in their unbelieving lifestyles.

    Equally, GOD’s way has always seemed foolish to the Gentile, as they could only allow themselves to believe in what agrees with their own worldly wisdom. When we say things like “JESUS was crucified”, anti-CHRIST Jews are offended and unbelieving Gentiles say, “Go away”, and that, “it is all non-sense”.

    The plans and things of GOD that worldly people call foolishness, is far wiser than the plans and things of men that are devised through “human ingenuity”. In fact, GOD often chooses things that the world considers foolish, in order that HE may shame those who think they are wise. He also sometimes uses powerless people to shame or bring down those who are considered powerful. GOD will sometimes even choose things that are despised by the world, and counted as nothing at all, and then, use those things, to “bring to nothing”, those things that the world considers important.

    And now, it is GOD alone, WHO has made it possible for us to be saved from ourselves, through CHRIST JESUS, of WHOM HE made wisdom personified. JESUS voluntarily gave HIS OWN life for the lives of we who were still embedded deeply in sin. And so, the person, who is proud enough to boast, can only boast about what JESUS has done for us, and not, what we’ve have done for ourselves.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website