11.23 1 Corinthians 1-6

Jeff Wenta

11.23.2020

1 Corinthians 1 – 6

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:

Our brother and Apostle of Jesus, Paul of Tarsus writes a very sharp letter to the fellowship in Corinth, a Greek city in a Roman empire with many thousand disciples bringing lots of baggage with them into the Kingdom.  Paul says in a subsequent letter that he wrote this letter “out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears” and we see why when he lays out on the table one issue after another – the behavior – the choices – of the disciples in their fellowship and the failure of the leadership to act in step with the Spirit.

What is one key verse?

1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

How does what you read change your vision of God?

These chapters really help root me in deeper to the cross.  It’s my savior on that cross!  That is my God and Lord there.  Why am I anywhere else?   

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

I see now how we humans tend to – and how I tend to – slip my eyes off of the cross and on to the leaders serving us. I get myopic and begin feeling neglected if a leader does not notice the work we did for the fellowship. Or I feel proud to be led by this leader but feel unled by that leader. My eyes are no longer fixed on Jesus on my cross so I am much more easily distracted by temptations to give in to a little impurity here, a little pride there, a little jab here, a little neglect there. So these chapters are helping me to see more clearly myself in the Corinthians.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I will resolve to know nothing while serving in this church except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  In practicality – I will go to the scriptures everyday to “remain in Christ” and make sure to serve side by side with anyone brave enough to be a full-time ministry leader..

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

Twice in these chapters Paul reminded them their bodies are God’s temple which reminded me when Jesus told his hecklers, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” “Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Jesus did.