July 10, Reading 3 – 1 Corinthians 3

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

In verse 16, the you is plural! “You (plural) are the Temple of the Holy Spirit!” We need to remember that we are both individual and corporate! The church is vital to your individual spiritual health! Verses 5-15 have much to think about.

SJA Notes

* Lord God of Light and Love, thank You for Your love shown to us clearly in Jesus, You the Son, crucified to save us.

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

Here is a “must-have” foundation understanding of our service to God.

There is nothing we do that bears significance toward ourselves.

We cannot start to build a house of bricks on our own work, claiming anything of ourselves in the building that God sets us to.

Because if we do we are pursuing the wisdom of men, of the world, rather than of God.

It is ONLY God who gives growth.

We must remember this. We must wrestle with this. We must live this out, soaking it deep within, that even our very thoughts (with our words and actions) bear it true – That God is to be INCREASED as we are decreased.

* Father God in Heaven,

Please sink us in our selves and raise You in us.

Please may it be none of us, but all of You – Your light, Your wisdom, Your love and faithfulness that blossoms forth from us.

That we would reflect Jesus.

That those around us would see Jesus!

Amen.

July 9, Reading 3 – 1 Corinthians 2

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

In this chapter, look for understanding on what godly wisdom is all about. Verses 4&5 are good ones to meditate on.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, thank You for today and for Your word to us. Please teach us today.

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

This verse is so important when we consider those around us who do not follow Jesus.

There are some things that cannot be understood without God’s Holy Spirit at work revealing to us the depths of God Himself.

This is the way God made this world, the seen and the unseen.

And what a strong assurance it is for us God’s people that even though we were once enemies now we have the mind of Christ! Now we can know the things freely given to us by God because of His Spirit.

We can grow in a wisdom that the world can never know.

The world can never know or comprehend the wisdom that comes from God.

* Father God,

Please help us to love and serve You all of our days.

Thank You that Your Spirit gives us understanding, of You and what You have given us.

Thank You that our faith, a gift from You, rests in Your power and not the wisdom of man.

Amen.

July 8, Reading 3 – 1 Corinthians 1

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Corinth was a cosmopolitan and hedonistic town – just like any modern city. The church suffered from materialism, party spirit, confusion over moral issues, and a legalism over incidentals. First, Paul approaches the twin problems of pride and arrogance. What does he highlight?

SJA Notes

* God Above, please write Your word on our hearts today, that we might not sin against You.

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

We should not be surprised when people think we are foolish in holding to God’s word.

It can be hard when, even for those close friends and family, those who would know us best – When they consider us fools.

But God is our wisdom.

We will be fools in the eyes of the world.

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise;”

But we are not those who boast in ourselves as the primary source of wisdom.

We do not believe we are the master of our fates, or the captains of our souls.

Our wisdom, our world-view, our ideology, our belief – It rests in God’s word, the word of the cross.

The King of Creation sent Himself to be hung on a cross for the salvation of a people who were His enemies.

This is foolishness to the world, but to us the people of God it is His power writ large and clear!

Hallelujah for that!

* God Almighty,

Thank You for Christ crucified, Your wisdom, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Thank You for Your word to us, for THE WORD become flesh – Our King Jesus.

Thank You for saving us from the just penalty for our sin.

Amen.