1 Corinthians 16

Let All That You Do be Done in Love {1 Corinthians 16}

8:33 AM



 Today’s Passage: 1 Corinthians 16



Here, in the last paragraphs of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, is where the Christian life gets… well…tricky. Paul, in some of his final words exhorts his readers to, "Be on guard... stand firm... be men of courage... be strong!"


He sounds like a military commander, or football coach giving a pep talk to his team before the big game. But then he says something that seems to contradict all he’s just encouraged his readers to, "Do everything in love."

How can we be on guard, stand firm, be courageous and strong, and at the same time be loving? The truth is I don’t think we can do all that on our own! This type of love can only happen as Jesus lives out His life through us each day.

Too many Christians are attempting to demonstrate this love in their own strength and emotion. It seems easier to stand firm and be on guard in our own strength, but demonstrating God’s love to others requires God to work through us, otherwise we may come across as a “clanging cymbal”(1 Cor.13:1).

John told us as much in 1 John 4:7, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."

God’s love goes beyond just words or intense feelings of affection that we may have toward a particular person.

Jesus commanded us to love each other in the same manner that He has loved us according to (John 15:12).Love is defined as a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person, and should be the very thing that binds us together as believers.

Paul also knew that God wants everything that we do for Him in this life is to be done in love, and that we all need to learn how to walk with His love at work in our lives. Notice, 1 Timothy 1:5: "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

Therefore our greatest needs, before going off to do anything for anyone else should be to search our hearts to make sure our love is sincere and from a pure and surrendered heart towards God, so that He is free to minister to others through us.


Blessings,

sue

1 Corinthians 16

Onion Bread

8:00 AM


Onion Bread

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups sliced onions
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
5 tablespoons shortening
2/3 cup 2% milk
1 large egg, room temperature
3/4 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 8-10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until deep golden brown, 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk just until moistened. Press into a greased 9-in. square baking pan; top with onions. Combine egg and sour cream; spread over onion layer. Bake until golden brown, 35-40 minutes. Cut into squares. Serve warm.



1 Corinthians 16

Do All In Love [ 1 Corinthians 16 ]

12:30 AM



This is the final chapter in 1 Corinthians and Paul closes this book with a letter of encouragement and endearment to the church of Corinth.  Included are some timeless principles that we can apply. 

Sharing Our Prosperity:  Paul encourages the members of this church to consistently give some of the resources God has blessed them with to be sent to the saints in Jerusalem. “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (v2)  God wants us to realize that all we have comes from Him.  When He prospers us, we have opportunity to pass that blessing on as a cheerfully offered gift toward the Lord's work.  "As every man purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or out of compulsion; for God loveth the cheerful giver. (2 Cor.  9:7)"

Spending Time With Others: There are resources of money and provisions that can be collected and given to God's ministry, but another important investment we can make is spending valuable time with others. Paul was a busy man but he made it a priority to spend time forming relationships with others which is a true discipleship ministry. “For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits." (v7) He also expected to gain from these relationships and I think we can always gain from spending time with each other in the Lord.  “and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.” (v6) It is a beautiful relationship when people can  mutually benefit one another. 

Welcoming and Supporting Others:  Throughout this letter Paul mentions others visiting this group of believers.  He wants this church to reflect the love of Christ in how they welcome those who visit. He encourages them to be supportive, non-judgmental, and to put others "at ease". It can be awkward and uncomfortable for others to visit a church.  It can mean so much when we offer more than a casual, brief handshake or smile of greeting.  " To put someone at ease" means we make genuine connection. 

Remain In Christ:  “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (v13-14). Paul exhorts this church to be vigilant, strong and faithful.  What's wonderful, I think, is that the warrior image he paints for us includes a very important character quality...sacrificial love.  What a difference it would make if we could do all (including the mundane, difficult, unpleasant, and seemingly unrewarding tasks) with Christ's love. 

I hope that reading this letter to the church of Corinth has  inspired you to give of your resources and talents,  to invest time and genuine interest in others through discipleship, to extend comfort and hospitality that welcomes others into God's family, and to focus on being a channel and example of Christ's love in all that you do.