August 15

1 CORINTHIANS 16

¹² Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his willto come now. He will come when he has opportunity.¹³ Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done in love.¹⁵ Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— ¹⁶ be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. ¹⁷ I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, ¹⁸ for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people. – 1 Corinthians 16:12-18

1 CORINTHIANS 16 ACT LIKE MEN & BE STRONG

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we serve our Lord Jesus Christ

We are urged to be on guard and firm

We need to act like men and be strong

We can do this by walking in love

Do not fear for God is with you always

Have courage and live abounding in His grace.

In this letter, Paul reiterates the promise and command of God to Joshua in chapter 1. He was directed by God to deliver his people to the promised land after Moses died. He is now leading God’s people as they enter the Promised Land. These are the following words of the Lord himself: ^“5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.⁶ “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous.⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This is exactly what “act like men” means. To obey and be faithful.

REFLECTION

• Why are Christians commanded to be strong and act like men in this letter?
• How can we manifest this in our lives as Christians?

August 14

1 CORINTHIANS 16

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. ² 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. ³ And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.⁵ I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, ⁶ and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. ⁸ But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.¹⁰ When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. ¹¹ So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. – 1 Corinthians 16:1-11

1 CORINTHIANS 16 ON CHURCH COLLECTION

Why do we have a collection in the church? When I was a newly born-again Christian, I didn’t understand all these tithes and offerings. That was because I wasn’t encouraged to live the principles taught in the bible.  The church I grew up in did not explain these things to its members. We also weren’t encouraged to read the bible and make it our guidelines for living the Christian life. The bible tells us everything we need to understand regarding generosity and caring for one another. In James 1:27, it shows us that pure religion according to God is helping the orphans, the widows and the vulnerable. In other words, those who are unable to live with dignity under their circumstances. God gave his people the responsibility to exercise love by addressing the needs of our sisters and brothers in Christ. In James 2:14-17 he says that faith with no deeds is useless. His example here presents another believer who comes to you with their need for clothes and daily food. He challenges the believer who can exercise their faith by addressing the physical needs of their brother or sister. Otherwise, if they don’t do anything about it and they have the capacity to do so, their faith is futile. It was important that Paul make the Corinthian believers aware of the needs of the church. Generosity towards the poor and needy is the work of the Spirit in us to manifest love towards others especially the vulnerable & weak.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think some people struggle with giving, especially to the poor?

August 13

1 CORINTHIANS 15

⁵⁰ I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”⁵⁵ “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

1 CORINTHIANS 15 ABOUND IN THE WORK OF THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Jesus died and resurrected, death was defeated

Victory belongs to the Lord through his resurrected body

All believers must abound in the work of the Lord

Their labor won’t be in vain because it defeats the world.

In this letter, Paul encourages the believers by focusing on the finished work of Christ on the cross. When Jesus died for humanity, death was defeated. Sin is the sting of death. So, when Christ died on the cross, sin had no more power over those who believed in him. Paul talks about the mystery of the natural and the spiritual. In verse 51, he says that we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed. He probably was referring to us no longer dead because of sin. His resurrection changed the state of death to new life. Since we were resurrected from our sins, we ought to work with all our hearts, minds and souls for the work that Christ has begun on the cross. According to a commentary by Clarke “You must not only work, but you must labour – put forth all your strength; and you must work and labour in the Lord – under his direction, and by his influence; for without him you can do nothing.”

REFLECTION

·       What does it mean to abound in the work of the Lord?

August 12

1 CORINTHIANS 15

⁴² So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shallalso bear the image of the man of heaven. – 1 Corinthians 15:42-49

1 CORINTHIANS 15 IMAGE BEARERS OF THE TWO ADAMS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God created mankind, he gave us our natural bodies

Because of sin, we are inclined to give in to our cravings

The first Adam destroyed the image that God made him to be

The second Adam restored our original make and brought that back

In Christ, we overcome the sinful nature in us

Because it is the Spirit that brings us new life.

In this letter, Paul reminds all believers to remember that we are image bearers of God. But when the first Adam sinned, that image was tarnished and it didn’t do what it was designed for. It was supposed to bring God the glory but instead, it gave glory to itself. When Christ died for us on the cross, he made it possible for us to revert back to the original purpose of our make: to give God all the praise and live our lives to be in communion with him and fulfilling his plan for mankind.

The first Adam sowed dishonor and sin while the second Adam brought us restoration and life again. The first Adam destroyed that beautiful image that God gave us and distorted our loyalty to God. The second Adam renewed our perspective and corrected that misrepresentation by fulfilling God’s remedy to mankind and saving them from that sin nature. We ought to believe in Jesus for us to receive that promised eternal life.

REFLECTION

• How has the world twisted the original image that God gave in each of us?

August 10

1 CORINTHIANS 15

²⁹ Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? ³⁰ Why are we in danger every hour? ³¹ I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! ³² What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” ³³ Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” ³⁴ Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. – 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

1 CORINTHIANS 15 LET THE RESURRECTION TRANSFORM YOU

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Jesus Christ died for you so you can be reconciled with God

It was sin that pulled you out of the presence of our Lord

When Jesus became the sacrifice to appease God’s wrath

He allowed us to be renewed and transformed in our hearts

Do not allow the world to overcome you but win over evil

Let the hope of the resurrection make you resist the devil.

In this letter, Paul continues to admonish the Corinthian church. He lays down the foundation for a new life in Christ. Because Christ died for us all sinners, it is only fitting that we embrace that transforming power of the cross.

As Christians, our lives need to be changed and we no longer need to live for ourselves, but for the edification of the church instead. The apostle Paul cautions believers not to be deceived and continue living like they used to before Christ died for them. He advised them to ensure that they are not associating with bad company. The psalmist in Psalm 1 tells us not to walk in their ways in the following words: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; ² but his delight is in the lawof the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.

We Christians ought to keep ourselves pure and holy because Christ paid a high price for us to stay free and in relationship with our Father. We need to live in that new creation.

REFLECTION

• What can you say about Christians whose lives have not been transformed yet?

August 9

1 CORINTHIANS 15

²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. ²³ But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. ²⁸ When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. – 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

1 CORINTHIANS 15 CHRIST IS THE FIRSTFRUITS

In Leviticus 23:9-14, the feast of the firstfruits was mention.  The Lord instructed the people through Moses that when they come into the promised land and reap its harvest, they shall bring the bunch of the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest and he shall wave this bunch before the Lord, in order that they will be accepted. It is on the Sabbath day that the priest will wave it. On that same day that they offered the bunch of firstfruits, they will offer a male lamb a year old without blemish as their burnt offering. The grain offering that goes with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a food offering to the Lord with a pleasing aroma and the drink offering with it shall be of win. They were instructed not to eat neither the bread nor grain until they had brought the offering to God. It will be a statute forever throughout generations in all their dwellings.

Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the importance of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross which made him the firstfruits of the resurrection. Paul wanted to stress that promise of new life again to all believers in this letter. According to a commentary from studylight.com The “first-fruits were a sign of the harvest to come; and the Resurrection of Jesus was a sign of the resurrection of all believers which was to come. Just as the new barley could not be used until the first-fruits had been duly offered, so the new harvest of life could not come until Jesus had been raised from the dead.”

REFLECTION

• Why is it important for us Christians to meditate on Christ as the firstfruits?

August 8

1 CORINTHIANS 15

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. – 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

1 CORINTHIANS 15 PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

After the third day when Jesus died, he resurrected from the dead

Though no one actually witnessed with their own eyes

Many saw Jesus with his resurrected body after he came back

But still, many doubted that he was truly restored to life.

Paul confronts those believers who started doubting the truth of the resurrection of Christ. In Luke 24, he narrated the events of the morning of the resurrection of Jesus when Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James came with all their spices prepared, the tomb was empty of Jesus’ dead body. Mary Magdalene wept as she was perplexed with fear not seeing her Lord. In this scene, she went and reported to the rest of the disciples what happened. In this same chapter, Luke enumerates the incidents when Jesus appeared to his disciples.

There were also several times when Jesus healed and raised Lazarus himself from the dead. Paul was rebuking their doubts because there have been so many proofs to see that the resurrection of the dead is true. He connects the importance of Christ resurrecting to the life of the believers. Without Jesus’ resurrection, their faith is futile and useless. It is in the resurrection that gives proof that he was the Son of God given to humanity to save us from our sins. It was the evidence that God loved us so much to give his Son.

REFLECTION

• Why do you think some people have difficulty believing in the resurrection?

August 7

1 CORINTHIANS 15

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, ² and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. ¹¹ Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

                                                                            – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1 CORINTHIANS 15 NOT I BUT GOD’S GRACE IN ME

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you become a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ

You will begin to see changes in your heart and mind

The Spirit of the Lord works in your heart to convict sin

It leads you to do what is right and be faithful to him

It is not you that can alter your thinking but it is his Spirit

So, no one can boast because we are not capable of it.

When the Lord called me to his loving kindness, I was such a mess. I didn’t truly see what a proud and boastful person I was because I always took credit for the work of the Spirit. Of course, I didn’t know that then. I was raised by ungodly people who have no clue who God is. They had religion, but that is totally a different thing from love. In this letter, Paul presents the epitome of love, who is personified in Jesus Christ. He died for all of us so we can be free from sin. He gave up his own life so that we can be reconciled with God who was full of wrath because of our sinfulness. His grace flowed from Jesus’ sacrifice.

REFLECTION

• Share some manifestations of grace in your Christian life.