Living with Expectations

1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Are we living in the last days of the Gentiles, is Christ coming back in our time?  Now do not go report this writer is saying the world is coming to an end, people who say things like that are very ignorant of the teaching of Scripture, for it is stated in Revelation 20:4-5, Jesus is coming back to earth, this time as a mighty warrior, as the King of kings and LORD of lords.  It is only recorded in the Revelation, but as one looks at the whole council of the Scriptures His return and rule as a Warrior and King are everywhere, New and Old Testament.

I’m expecting Christ’s return in my lifetime, and I sure hope you are too, but that does not make us prophets, for it is clear that the apostle Paul believed that Jesus was surely coming in his day.  Paul is talking about his opinion of serving the LORD, and he is very clear this is not a command of the LORD but his thoughts on being married or staying single.  His argument is a single person has fewer troubles in this life and can focus on Christ, and not on pleasing a wife or a husband.   Paul is very clear that one who is married or bound by a promise to a betrothed virgin was to meet his obligation to consummate the marriage but if one had been released from such obligation not to seek to be betrothed to another woman. 

It is clear that marriage and being a godly husband and dad has many bumps in the highway of life, and Paul’s argument is these steal a man or woman’s focus on Christ.  But he is very clear that if this is where you find yourself stay there, and this writer would add; marriage is an amazing way to show Christ love as the husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church and was willing to die for it.

Now Paul’s bottom line is no matter where you find yourself live as unto the LORD.  For our time is very limited and this world is passing away, the day of the Gentiles is coming to a close and the LORD Jesus is soon to return.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Two-way communication

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Do titles hold the key to verse 17, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.”  We have a fascination with titles; Pope, King, President, CEO, Rockstar, Movie star, Pro Player, but not so much with other titles like; maid, servant, sanitation worker, salesman, teacher, preacher, housewife and the list goes on and on.  When I came into a relationship with Christ, I had titles, husband, dad, salesman, and weekend warrior for the Army. 

As we got involved at our local church I wanted more titles, being a member of a local body of believers was not the title for a man who wanted to be of help to God.  I never gave thought to asking the LORD about His desires for me, and if I had it would have been instructed to sit at the feet of a man who had walked with God and learn from him the ways of God.  But in my zeal to do great things for God, I learned little but charged ahead and took on jobs in the church that were driven by a zeal for God but not with the leadership of His Spirit.  That path leads one to little or no spiritual growth and sets you up for becoming full of self, and that leads to pride, and God hates pride!

My calling was to be a godly husband, and dad, to minister in the workplace and to study to show myself a workman that needs not to be ashamed.  But God, I so enjoy saying those words, for He loved me too much to allow me to keep on the path of zeal without knowledge, and He allowed some wrecks that got my attention.  I believe it is a path often put forth by well-intended church leaders who look at the title or desire of the person and send them into areas of the spiritual life they are not equipped for. 

With that said, the apostle Paul is addressing a big issue in the early church, circumcision; to be or not to be was a big question and the Jewish believers wanted the non-Jew to do the act of removal of the male foreskin, for it was what had set them apart from the other nations.  But under grace, they need not undo circumcision, or to be circumcised, for what matters is obeying God and looking to Jesus

Many a person who was owned by another came to be a follower of Christ, and Paul is telling them if you can earn your freedom do so, but if not, what matters is you are free in Christ.  So the owner of a slave who was in Christ and the slave who was in Christ were both slaves to Christ.  Verses 23-24 give this insight; “You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”  For many years we have believed foolishly that ministry is found in a building called the local church.  The church has many members but not all have the same gifts, you are the church, and your pastor’s main mission is to equip the church to do the work of the ministry.  As a parent first and foremost with your children, it does not get the acclaim of the world press, but there is a cloud of witnesses watching both good and evil spiritual forces, and the end product is a bold witness to your neighbors and others in the faith.  In your daily calling as a workplace minister no matter the title you have been given by the world, Christ in you can be a world changer. 

Os Hillman had this insight that I wanted to share: The prophet Isaiah describes his relationship with God as a relationship that has two-way communication. Have you ever felt that your communication with God was only one way - you to Him only? Isaiah tells us, "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.... The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back" (Is. 50:4-5).

The key to Isaiah's relationship with God lies in four important principles:

1. He had an instructed tongue. Isaiah had given over the rule of his life completely to God's purposes.

2. He knew the word of the Lord, which allowed him to sustain and encourage others.

3. He took the time to listen.

4. He did not flee from the tough assignments. He didn't shrink back.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

In search of Victory

1 Corinthians 7:6-16

My hope is that you study to have victory in this life, and come to grips with the truth, only Christ has lived the victorious life, but He has promised to do it all for us if we look to Him and not to ourselves.  Paul begins this part of the letter to the churches in Corinth with; “Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am.”  Paul a tentmaker, an apostle, but he is not referring to those factors, but to his singleness, Paul is not married. 

Now if there is any doubt about this Paul makes it clear in verse 8, “To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.”   One should not stop reading at this point, for the next verse is key.  “But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”

Before leaving this, we must look at the churches teaching about a Priest not being married, and this we know Peter had a mother-in-law, look at Matthew’s account and you will also find the account in Mark’s gospel, and Luke’s. These Scriptures, coupled with 1 Cor. 9:5, clearly depicts Peter as a married man.  And now we have a historical account of Priest whose singleness may be a large factor in the abuse of young girls and boys.  But being single is not the only factor, for if it were we would not have married pastors who do the same things.  Most of them are not directed at children, but at the opposite sex, so what is the cause?  It’s sin, it is a degenerate mind, a person who does these things is a user, and self, not God is on the throne of their life.

Paul makes clear that the above are his thoughts and when he is writing to the married woman and man these are not from him but the LORD. Verse 10-11, “To the married, I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.”  As we look at the church demographics on divorce, it does not seem to be what is reported or stated often, it is not the same as unchurched, but it is still very high.  “Professor Bradley Wright, a sociologist at the University of Connecticut, explains from his analysis of people who identify as Christians but rarely attend church, that 60 percent of these have been divorced. Of those who attend church regularly, 38 percent have been divorced.” 

It could be that the reason 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, is often not preached is the 38 percent sitting in the pews, but we all need the full counsel of the Word of God.  It is clear that a divorce is a tool of the enemy; for once again his end game is to destroy.  Marriage and the rearing of children are not for the weak, it’s hard work, and yet when one experiences oneness in marriage and sees the results of children growing to become godly adults, joy fills our heart.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Marriage Plan that Works

1 Corinthians 7:1-5

“Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

I would bet the farm that most people who go by the name Christian have an opinion on the first five verses of chapter seven.  I would also bet the farm that a large number would not be in agreement with the Scriptures, and my reason for making that statement is the culture we live in.  In our culture, a woman has full say over her body, but is that contrary to Scripture?  Do you recall 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”  So how does one go about doing that, and have we been given a road map on glorifying God in our Marriage?

First, one must come to an agreement that our Creator is wiser than the wisest of humans, and that He loved us so much that He gave us a handbook on living life on planet earth, and it is all about relationships, with God and with others.  The culture is a product of the deceiver and his goal is consistency; “he came to kill, steal, and destroy.”  The problem is many are fooled by the deceiver’s plans, it always comes down to, “did God really say” and because many have little or no understanding of what God has said they receive what they want to hear.

This may come as a shock to many of you, but the U. S. Supreme Court does not have the authority to overrule God, not on killing babies in the womb or defining marriage.  It is written in Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:24; God has stated marriage is between a man and a woman, anything else is not marriage.

God’s plan is that the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church, you husbands will find this in Ephesians 5:25-33.  You are not smarter, and for sure not as loving and tender as your wife, and you are not her boss, but you are her protector, friend, and should be the head of your family.  Wives are not required to love but to receive love; I did not say sex, but love is shown in many ways, sex being one that is very important.  But God is very clear, you are to respect your husband and often it is going to require you running to the Father to allow Him to do it all through you.  But if you will ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to follow the plan He has laid out in Ephesians 5:22-24, your marriage will take on new dimensions.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

What is dominating You?

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Many of us will put to memory verse 12, but not take the responsibility or the meaning of what is being said.  “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.”   Paul quotes a slogan that more than likely is from an immature person in the church at Corinth.  That thought came from HCSB Study Bible, and on the surface, it sounds wise, but are all things lawful for me?  We need to keep reading verses 19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”   If one would turn the page to chapter 7:22-23 we read, “For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise, he who is called as a free man is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”

You and I know only what we have read about slavery, but many of us understand the meaning of the word bondage, and it is a condition of being enslaved to our desires, for sex, wealth, sports, adult beverages, and the list goes on and on.  For many men, it is pornography and those caught in this trap become a slave to its evil desires, and while in bondage to it they find having a sexual relationship with their wife does not bring satisfaction.  They are in bondage to an airbrushed image that has no imperfections, and is not attainable in a relationship; now that’s slavery.  All of these listed and you can add your addiction to the list and not just outside of the church, but very much inside and at all levels. 

Many a follower of Christ is in bondage to food, as soon as they finish one meal they are thinking about the next one, and they're walking around with weight they were not designed to carry as if each day they picked up eighty-pound weights to carry the rest of the day.  And that is bondage, it does you harm, it steals from you, and it harms your relationships and body.

All sin is forgivable and we know that sin leaves scars, but listen, and give much thought to the following; “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Who can live he Christ life?

1 Corinthians 6:8-11

It’s not rules and it’s not a tradition that allows one to live the Christ life, it’s a changed heart, a new desire to love the Father and to live with integrity before God and mankind.  It is an attitude of giving and not taking, of seeing value in people even those who choose to bring pain into your life.  You have heard the statement; “when things get tough the tough get going,” and that is all about you, not about being weak, so the Helper can show the world what He can do with a dependent person.

Paul is addressing the church at Corinth with some very strong words; “But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!”  That is what is referred to in Scripture as the flesh, flesh is a self-focused life, flesh comes first, flesh likes to put up a good front, and yet flesh is always at war with the Spirit, and for one to live the Christ life, the flesh cannot improve, it must have a funeral. 

But Paul’s message gets stronger, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not

inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the
greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV)  If you feel real good about yourself, maybe a little more
time pondering on the meaning of the words above and on Jesus’ teachings will make
you less haughty.

I found myself in that list more than once, and what a joy to read verse 11, 
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were 
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”   We are 
free from the control of sin, and when we choose to sin it should break our heart.  If you 
can habitually choose to sin, it’s time to have a complete spiritual check-up, for Christ 
does not sin and if He lives in you, it should not be your practice either.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Before we look at the Scripture listed above we must first apply 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, to our thoughts.  It is very clear that one who has entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ has no right to choose what they will do with their life on planet earth.  It clearly states the following: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

With that as our focus, why not choose to be wronged, for in this life you are going to be misunderstood.  If money is involved the enemy is going to work with all diligence to put wrong desires in the hearts of the people involved, and at the very best the enemy will tell you the partner is a poor manager and cannot be trusted.

So let’s be clear, you are going to have a grievance against another brother or sister in the faith, it may be over something very petty but often pride and greed play into it and everyone tells you to go to court in order to protect your rights.  The following Scripture is what God’s Spirit instructs you and I to do. 

“When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!”

The reason you will not do this comes down to you are not willing to trust and do what the elders of your body of believers instruct you to do, and you do not see bringing a dispute before non-believers, this brings shame on the name of Christ.  The bottom line is you have been wronged it’s your stuff, and you are not willing to bring it before the one who bought you in full and paid a price you could never have paid.

But a wise person will seek to first go to the brother/sister and make right the grievance, and if there is not agreement go to your elders and lay your case before them with the intent of following their decision.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

All Sinners are Redeemable

1 Corinthians 5: 6-13

“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

A tolerance of corporate sin, calling sin anything other than what God calls it, will give way to arrogant hypocrisy.  Paul uses the word leaven we would say yeast for it is an agent to make bread rise.  But the leaven Paul is talking about is malice and evil.  A non-believer does not understand the Passover lamb, but to us who believe it has rendered us clean in the sight of the Father.  When the Father looks at us He only sees the blood of the Passover lamb, His Son, our Redeemer.

My mother and many others seem to have not read past verse 9 and have come up with a doctrine of staying clear of people who did not go to church, and especially people of low morals.  Now let’s be clear if your inner circle of friends is immoral people you have a spiritual problem, but look at Jesus, for He spent a lot of time with the social unclean when He walked on earth.

And Paul goes on in verse 10 to make sure we understand we are not to lock ourselves up in an area and not have anything to do with people of the world.  But to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to see people as Jesus sees them, for God loves people so much that He ask His Son, His only Son to take our punishment, so you and I could be redeemed.

But verse 11, is clear that we are not to have anything to do with a person who claims to be a believer and yet is openly sexually immoral, or greedy, an idolater, drunkard, or a swindler.  Now so were we, and you may not own up to it but I bet you also have wrestled with at least one of these.  So be very careful in your judgments, go to the brother/sister and pray with them, show them you care, but if they do not have a repentant heart stay clear of them for they are contagious, but continue to pray for them.

From The Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A tolerant Church

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.  For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

As you begin this day, who is your audience?  I hope you understand I’m writing to the Church, as was Paul in the above Scripture, for it is clear we should not judge people who do not believe in Christ.  The Holy Spirit makes that very clear in 1 Corinthians 5:12, “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”  We need to be very careful in setting ourselves up as judges in or out of the church, but we do, don’t we?  But when it is clear a brother or sister is living in sin, is it not the shame of their act, we must take action. 

In Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth, he left no stone unturned on how we are to live; beginning in verse 9-11, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”

When Paul makes this statement; “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.”  He was referring to the Roman law, that such a person was to be put to death or banishment.  Do you recall me asking who are your spectators?  As a person who is a follower of Christ, you said, God, the angels, and you would have been right if you had gone on with the list to include the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  But you would have left out your family, your neighbors, the ones you work with, and the ones who come into contact with you.

So what kind of report were the outsiders looking into this church in Corinth giving?  It was not good, it was bringing shame on the name of our LORD, and it is also true today when we turn a blind eye on known public sin happening in our local church.  Today the standards of the world are so low, and it seems the church as a whole has ignored sexual sin, and the effect is no moral compass.  So the next time you say the world is going to hell at a fast pace, ask this question, is it because the Church has ignored the Holy Spirit’s commands, and come up with a more tolerant plan, a more politically correct plan?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Are you looking for Middle Ground?

1 Corinthians 4:14-21

“I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?”

In the verses that preceded these Paul is giving a very clear picture of the world’s view of an apostle, and in the Roman culture they were seen as the dregs of society.  And many of the new followers of Christ may have wanted the middle ground, respect of the world and yet to be a follower of Christ; sounds much like some who go by the title of Christian today.  Paul is not boasting in the following verses about being the Corinthian’s father in the faith, it was Paul who brought the message of Christ to them, and it was Paul who founded the churches of Corinth.  Paul is saying you may have new leaders, but only one founder or father through the gospel, and he is asking them to imitate him as he imitates Jesus.  Now the downside on the social and cultural side of being an imitator of Paul is being seen as a fool by your worldly neighbors; not much has changed since the time of Paul.

So Paul is sending a young man named Timothy to lead them, and his job is to remind them to follow their father in the faith ways.  When your pastor stands before you asking you to share the gospel with the people in your circle of  influence, know that it was Timothy’s message and it was clear that they would be viewed by some as fools for Christ.

The message of the cross has never changed, “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.  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”  Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:18-20) 

And this was the word they needed to hear then and we so need it today; that every word that comes from a preacher, priest, or teacher needs to be examined by the Scriptures.  There is no power in words centered in the wisdom of this world, but in the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified.  As stated above, it is seen as foolishness by the world’s wisdom, but it is the power of God to redeem a person.  So Paul is telling them on his return he will put to the test the empty words of foolish leaders with the power to change a life that is found in the foolishness of the cross.

Paul’s hope was to come back to see his children in the faith following Christ and then they would not need correction.  That is the desire of any dad, to come home in a spirit of love and gentleness, and not to come with a rod of correction.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

What one Values

1 Corinthians 4: 8-13

“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”

Some might read into this sarcasm by the apostle, but I’m not sure that is what Paul is doing, no I believe he was giving them a picture of one who walks by the Spirit and one who is walking in the flesh.  I always try to place myself in the story, it you were to be part of this story which role would you be in?

Already rich not looking to God, but your retirement fund, your job or mother, and dad.  In this materialistic world, I’m not sure you already have all you want works, for even the super rich keep trying to get more, but what if Paul had said all you need?
I’m not sure about kings, but how many of us have an attitude of pride in what we have attained, or where we live, the stuff we have acquired?  Paul is saying that once God has called, and that includes all who are in Christ, and we have all been called into ministry, or to have a heart attitude of service. 

Paul tells us they “have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”

In the verses that follow it is clear Paul is not attempting to shame us but to awaken the church to the folly of taking our eyes off the finish line, not looking to Christ but to some object, person, or thing.  I’ve often been a fool but to my shame not for Christ’s sake, but to win the approval of mere men.  Jan and I have been part of a weekend with people we have known from high school, for about 60 years.  It is the same each year the first night it seems impossible to not get trapped in the past, and the stories begin, and it is all true, but it is not who you are today, nor is it who you have been for many years.   Once again this year I had promised myself, I’m not going to be part of the past, and I want to engage in who my high school friends have become, what they believe, and whom they believe in.  I want to know about their families and how I can remember them in my prayers.  I fail that goal on Friday night, but the great thing about this life with Christ is He values people and reminds me to do the same.  So if you have blown Friday, remember that Saturday is a new day, and relationships matter and you have a friend in Jesus.

From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice

At the Cross all is level

1 Corinthians 4:6-7

From the time I arrived on planet earth my second home was a small Baptist church, in that we, meaning my parent's brother and sister were there three times a week, and often for revivals and other events all week long.  Most of that time we did not own a car, we walked about 2 ½ miles most of the time and often someone would have mercy on us in the evening and give us a ride home.  Now that is just the background for what Paul is addressing in these verses, although we did not have a car, we always had food, sometimes hand-me-down clothes and one pair of shoes, for church and school.  We did not see ourselves as under-resourced, the new word for poor.

Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, and see how my upbringing ties into this Scripture.  “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”  Now chapter and verses were added for us, so remember this was a letter, a very long letter written to the church at Corinth, and we need to go back in the letter to chapter 3, for it needs to be clear what the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul’s pen.

In chapter three, around verse 21, Paul is saying that there is a remedy for divisions in the church, and it is simple, you do not elevate one person over another, not even a Paul or Apollos.  He goes on to state they are not their own, but belong to Christ, so we should never look to them or mistake them for our Master.  In this human flesh, we have a hunger to do one of two things, we want to be the master of others or to set someone up as the Master.

Now as we move into the fourth chapter we are told that leadership comes with many requirements and responsibilities for those who are called to lead.  These leaders should be seen as servants of God, to give us the message of Christ.   Paul makes clear that we as well as the leaders will be tested on how faithful they have been with the foolish message of Christ and the Cross.

That brings us to chapter 4, verses six and seven, and he uses himself and Apollos as examples.  Paul is telling us we did not go beyond what is written in the Scripture, in fact, Paul was determined to know nothing among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  His message was clear the church was not to inflate one person over another this only leads to pride.  We as the church have only one who is worthy of honor and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator, the I Am.

Paul gave these responses to those in the church that wanted acclaim, what do you have that has not been given to you?  And if it was a gift and you did not earn it, why are you so full of pride and arrogance?

I began with my second home was a small Baptist church, and it was amazing what I learned in that church.  I observed some of the most precious, giving people that anyone could want to be around; in fact, most of them were a little better off in the financial area than us, but just good people being giving and supportive.

Then there were the ones who did not attend often but always seemed to come for the business meeting, making sure that the money they did not give got spent in the correct way.  And then there were the deacons, most were good, loving men, but a few saw themselves as responsible for running the church, to control the money and to keep the pastor in his place.  These men never read or understood 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, and it was these men that did great harm to the work of Christ.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Do Not or You Will

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

Often one must read the chapter or verses that come before the new chapter and that is true with the first sentence of chapter four.  Paul is making clear that God’s thoughts and ways are loftier than ours and that no one should boast in men, that includes leaders and preachers.  When you were called into Christ you were called into the ministry, you may wear the title of doctor, lawyer, bricklayer, housewife, teacher, coach, trash collector, or salesperson, but you were called into full-time service for our LORD.  You are a full-time servant of Christ, and full time means 24/7.  And in that role as a steward, you and I should be found trustworthy.

I’m not sure we have a full understanding of that term in our culture; Trustworthy describes a person who is dependable, reliable, responsible, truthful, honest, constant, and faithful, does that sound like you?  If not, today is a good day to begin being that trustworthy person. 

I enjoy quotes and these are three that are on the spot for this culture, “Trust is like an Eraser it gets smaller and smaller, after every mistake.  (Author unknown)   “Trust is a fragile thing.  Easy to break and easy to lose and one of the hardest things to ever get back.”  (Author Unknown)   “You are free to make choices.  You are not free to escape the consequences.”  (Howard G. Hendricks)

Paul goes on to state, I’m not aware of any wrong doing in my life that someone could judge me for.  But that does not stop someone from judging, but he goes on to say I’m not going to give that much thought.  Yet he is very clear not knowing does make one innocent, for it is the LORD who judges all men, and has set a date before time, before the world was formed to do just that.

This is why verse five should make each of us give thought before we sit in judgment of anyone.  Verse five; “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

Let me close with this thought, we are very limited when we judge, we do not have the ability to see into the heart, if we were to judge Paul for his action before Christ entered into him, he is guilty of killing the follower of Christ, and our judgment would be to reject God’s apostle.  In that our Lord refers to us as sheep, we would be wise to look and wait for He who sees the heart to be the Judge.

From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice

We are easily Deceived

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.”

Let me make it very clear this paper is intended for a follower of Christ, for this reason; “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.” (1Corinthians 2:14)  Now with that said, I believe Christians are the most easily deceived people in this world and I’m not sure why?  Take a family that has a child that shows a little talent in sports, and this is the wisdom of this world; another year of watching parents put unrealistic expectations on their child.  Here are the facts.  Most kids won’t play sports in high school.  Almost every kid won’t play sports in college.  There’s almost no chance you will know anyone who plays professional sports.  Your child has a better chance of being a brain surgeon than playing baseball for the Cardinals, basketball for the Lakers, or football for the Cowboys.  (By Michal Smith)

Now I’m not anti-sports, I have two grandsons who I believe might be playing someday for a college team, but hear the message being given to their parents, if you do not play year round with travel club ball, there is no chance of playing college ball.  So drop church, and everything else and do what is best for your child.  Michal Smith is not the only one that is saying this is foolishness, look at this article by Ki Dell’ Antonia.  “Consider the impact of a sports season on the budget of a family with an annual income under $50,000: Club fees can run several thousand dollars even before you add the uniforms, equipment, travel expenses and additional coaching, camps, and year-round leagues considered necessary for real “success.” Consider, too, the time. A child focusing on a single sport will spend thousands of hours on it by the time he graduates high school — hours that necessarily aren’t spent on exploring other options or learning new skills.”

That is just a little of the foolishness of this world, and I will let you think about how you have been drawn into the world’s game of moving from dependence on your Creator to looking to the foolishness of the world.  If God has blessed your son or daughter with a passion and gifts, and that is His plan for them, who can stop them?  I wrote this paper on April 27, 2016, and I am glad it was not sent to you earlier, for one reason, our senior high pastor preached this morning and reminded parents that from birth they have 936 weeks before their child leaves home for college or other pursuits.  And from the time they begin to drive they only have 156 weeks left.

The Holy Spirit has stated in 1 Corinthians 1:18-19, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice