From Gary... Beyond the pineapple

This is a picture of the flower of a pineapple plant.  Its symmetry and delicate beauty are a wonder to behold. Some may look at this and say:"big deal" or "so what", but others will look and marvel!!!  That's the way people are- some get it and some never will!!!  But the words of that great teacher Solomon echo the following...

Genesis, Chapter 1
31  God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. 

and Solomon said...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3

 9  What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?  10 I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.  11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.  12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.  13 Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.  14 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.  15 That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away. 

Spirituality is innate,  but it can be nurtured!!!  Before that can occur, you have to WANT to think and feel in Spiritual way.  I was blessed with circumstances so severe in my childhood, that I was almost forced to reflect on my situation or fall apart completely.  I wonder, what will it take for you to consider things other than just survival or the mundane operations of daily existence?  Look at flowers as they bud- you may never see one again.  Consider a sunset- it is fleeting. Think about the future AFTER this life and consider God before it is too late.  Beauty has a deeper significance than just its mere beauty- it is a reflection of something else and that something is DIVINE. Consider that little pineapple flower one more time- are you wondering yet?????

From Jim McGuiggan... WHO ARE WE? WHO AM I?

WHO ARE WE? WHO AM I?

Exodus 24:1-11 tells us of the confirmation of the covenant God made with Israel. 

Moses returns from God with the concrete applications of the Decalogue and the people give their covenanted word: "Everything the Lord has said we will do" (24:3). They weren't promising to be sinless, they were offering heartfelt covenant loyalty, which, while it would fall short of sinlessness, would always be a genuine effort to please and honour Yahweh. That's what they promised but they didn't give it. Moses committed the laws to writing, either personally or by the hand of someone else (24:4).

Next morning he built an altar, which signified the presence of and access to Yahweh through sacrifice, and he set up twelve stone pillars that spoke of the tribes of Israel who covenanted themselves to Yahweh (24:4). Since the special priesthood had not yet been set up, young men were appointed to offer the sacrifices as peace offerings (24:5). Half of the blood Moses dashed against the altar which related the covenant toward God, who graciously received it as atoning blood; but it was also a token that he was bringing himself under the vow of covenantal loyalty (see Genesis 15:9-18 with Jeremiah 34:18). Moses reads all the words of the Law and formally declares the words of covenant enactment as he scatters the rest of the blood on the people (see Heb 9:19-20). To this covenant the people formally commit themselves.

In fulfillment of the instructions in vv. 1-2 Moses, Aaron, his two sons and seventy elders of Israel climb the mountain.

It's hardly surprising that 24:11 tells us, "But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites" since he had invited them there to meet him. Still, this was the Lord who buried Egypt; this was the Lord who dwelled up a mountain in the midst of quaking, fire, smoke and deafening trumpet sounds; this was the God whose voice melted their spines and who threatened with death any man or animal that so much as touched the mountain (19:16-24). Would it surprise us if they had gone up with smiles on their faces? The only God they knew had (so to speak) hidden grace behind judgment.

This time they were seeing a different face of God. They went up the mountain and into his presence and, wonder of wonders, he didn't kill them. In fact, they ate in his presence (24:11).

The meal may have been part of the covenant enactment or it may have been a meal that celebrated the fact that the nation was already in covenant relationship with Yahweh (cf. Genesis 31:54; Exodus 18:12). One thing's sure, they were up the mountain at God's invitation so they knew they were doing right and they saw another side of God. He isn't forever judging or condemning. God wishes us well! If judgment falls, it must be a severe mercy and although he may not satisfy us with a long list of reasons for the severity of his judgment, we are assured by his record on our behalf that he doesn't afflict without cause.

Once when Ezekiel was aghast at what God was doing to the people he protested against the severity of the judgment. God tells him to hold his peace while he showed him what they were doing (Ezekiel 8—11, esp. 11:13). Later, he repeats that he will judge them severely but assures the tormented prophet (14:22-23), "They will come to you, and when you see their conduct and their actions, you will be consoled regarding the disaster I have brought upon Jerusalem every disaster I have brought upon it. You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign Lord."

But here in Exodus 24 they see another side of God. They see a God who seeks peace with the offenders, a God who seeks friendship and fellowship with sinners. The glory of what they did see was all they could take (and all God was willing to give) but it was enough to underscore the fact that not only did they not die, they feasted in the presence of the awesome Lord. Seeing God this way enabled them to see his judgments in a new light—they were a means to an end.

They had a chance to see each other in a new and fresh way. A few days ago they were just seventy more men, all with ordinary names, having grown up together, learned their alphabet and sums together, played together, got married and lived in one another's daily sight. All that would tend to make them "good ole Jacob" to one another. But today, as they looked around at each other, they saw someone who had been invited by the sovereign Lord to eat with him. The White House? Ten Downing Street? The Kremlin? No, this was an invitation into the presence of Yahweh. Had they the eyes to see, their fellow-feasters would never be the same. A long look at each other in this setting of privilege and blessing and glory could make a profound and lifelong difference to how they would view each other. They didn't cease to be humans with all the failings that attach to humans but God who knew each of them better than he knew himself invested them with dignity and worth. In our stupidity and moral weakness we might do it, but when people have been called into God's presence we can no longer look at them as if they hadn't been.

And they had a chance to see themselves in fresh light. There's the need for balance in how we view ourselves as well as others. It's possible, of course, to think too highly of ourselves but on reflection, the sensitive people I know find it hard to think well of themselves. It wouldn't surprise me if the seventy men who climbed that mountain to meet Yahweh were thinking about their shortcomings. What they needed to think of also was the fact that he who knew them better than they knew themselves and who saw their shortcomings more clearly than they—that one was the one who had invited them in friendship into his awesome presence. Later, as the days became weeks and the weeks months and the months years they had the chance to think of that wonderful day when God's invitation came for them to eat in his presence. (And Christians can relate all that to the Christ of the cross and resurrection.)

For sensitive Christians who tend to dwell too much on their guilt there is a difficult but needed lesson to learn. If the one who needs the cup of cold water for thirst, the warm clothes for a naked body, the word of forgiveness for sins committed if that one happens to be yourself, you must not withhold these things. You are no more your own Lord than you are mine. Whoever needs the kindness and the arm around the shoulder should be given it even if it's yourself. Do take heed to GK Chesterton's poem that asks for new eyes to see himself as he should: 

SUNDER ME FROM MY BONES, O SWORD OF GOD 

TILL THEY STAND STARK AND STRANGE AS DO THE TREES 

THAT I WHOSE HEART GOES UP WITH THE SOARING WOODS 

MAY MARVEL AS MUCH AT THESE. 

SUNDER ME FROM MY BLOOD THAT IN THE DARK

I HEAR THAT ANCESTRAL RIVER RUN 

LIKE BRANCHING BURIED FLOODS THAT FIND THE SEA 

BUT NEVER SEE THE SUN. 

GIVE ME MIRACULOUS EYES TO SEE MY EYES

THOSE ROLLING MIRRORS MADE ALIVE IN ME 

TERRIBLE CRYSTALS MORE INCREDIBLE 

THAN ALL THE THINGS THEY SEE.   

   SUNDER ME FROM MY SOUL, THAT I MAY SEE 

THE SINS LIKE STREAMIING WOUNDS, THE LIFE’S BRAVE BEAT 

TILL I SHALL SAVE MYSELF AS I WOULD SAVE 

   A STRANGER IN THE STREET.

But there were seventy of them up that mountain at dinner with God (24:9) and that means they represented the entire people (see Ezekiel 8:11, Matthew 18:21-22 and note that 7 and 10 and their multiples speaks of completeness and wholeness.) What God was extending to this representative group, he was extending to the entire nation. What God extended to Israel he was extending to all the nations. What he has offered to disciples of Jesus the Messiah, he offers to all people everywhere. And that's good news. 

Can such people live just any way they want? Should they?

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Mystery Of The Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:50-53)

  "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"


  The Mystery Of The Resurrection (15:50-53)


INTRODUCTION

1. In his epistle to the Corinthians, Paul argued strongly for the
   resurrection of the dead...
   a. He wondered how some could say there is no resurrection of the
      dead - 1Co 15:12
   b. Indeed, if there is no resurrection, then even Christ is not
      risen! - 1Co 15:13

2. Paul proceeded to reveal much about the resurrection of the dead...
   a. When and how it would happen
   b. What kind of resurrected body there would be

3. Toward the end of his discourse on the resurrection (1Co 15:50-53),
   he called it a "mystery"...
   a. Not that it was hidden or unintelligible
   b. But that what was revealed was previously unknown

   c. Which is how the term "mystery" is often used in the NT - cf. 

      Ro 16:25-26; Ep 3:3-4

[What is "The Mystery Of The Resurrection"?  What has been revealed by
Christ and His apostles about the resurrection, though it may have been
hidden in times past?  They certainly asserted...]

I. THE FACT OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. JESUS TAUGHT THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION...
      1. In which both those good and evil will come forth from the
         grave - Jn 5:28-29
      2. Jesus promised that those who believe in Him will be raised
         - Jn 6:39-40,44,54

   B. HIS APOSTLES PROCLAIMED A RESURRECTION...
      1. Peter and John "preached in Jesus the resurrection from the
         dead" - Ac 4:1-2
      2. Paul confessed his hope in the resurrection - Ac 23:6; 24:15
      3. Paul asserted the necessity of the resurrection - 1Co 15:12-23
      4. He taught the doctrine of the resurrection as a source of
         comfort - 1Th 4:16-18

[While there was a hope for the resurrection among the Jews (cf. Ac 23:8), 

that hope was made stronger by the teaching of Christ and His
apostles.  They also made clear...]

II. THE AGENT OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. JESUS ATTRIBUTED IT TO "THE POWER OF GOD"...
      1. As He reminded the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection - Mt 22:29
      2. For of course, "with God nothing will be impossible" - cf. Lk 1:37

   B. PAUL ALSO EMPHASIZED "THE POWER OF GOD"...
      1. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead - 1Co 6:14
      2. He who raised Jesus from the dead can certainly raise us up
         - 2Co 4:14

[It may be difficult for us to comprehend how the dead can be raised,
but it is not difficult for God to do it (unless your God is too
small!).  Also taught by Christ and his apostles is...]

III. THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
      1. "All who are in the graves will...come forth" - Jn 5:28-29
      2. Both "those who have done good" and "those who have done evil"
         - ibid.
         a. One to experience "a resurrection of life"
         b. The other "a resurrection of condemnation"

   B. PAUL TAUGHT ALL WOULD BE RAISED...
      1. "both of the just and the unjust" - Ac 24:15
      2. "for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made
         alive" - 1Co 15:21-22

[The fact, agent, and universality of the resurrection had been taught
in some measure by prophets of God prior to Christ and His apostles (cf.
Job 19:25-26; Dan 12:1-3).  But what had been a mystery and now more
clearly revealed included...]

IV. THE TIME OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. AT THE LAST DAY, WHEN THE LORD COMES AGAIN...
      1. Jesus spoke again and again of raising the dead at "the last
         day" - Jn 6:39-40,44,54
      2. Paul wrote of it occurring when Jesus comes again, to deliver
         the kingdom to the Father, having destroyed the last enemy,
         death itself - 1Co 15:22-26
      3. He later says that it will occur at "the last trumpet" - 1Co 15:52

   B. WHAT ABOUT THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATE RESURRECTIONS...?
      1. Premillennialists (and perhaps others) teach there will be more
         than just one resurrection
         a. All premillennialists teach at least two resurrections:
            1) The resurrection of believers at the beginning of the
               millennium
            2) The resurrection of unbelievers at the end of the
               millennium
         b. Dispensational premillennialists add two more:
            1) The resurrection of tribulation saints at the end of the
               seven-year tribulation
            2) The resurrection of millennial saints at the end of the
               millennium
      2. Yet the doctrine of several resurrections is found wanting for
         several reasons
         a. The Bible presents the resurrection of believers and
            unbelievers as occurring together - Dan 12:2; Jn 5:28-29;
            Ac 24:14-15; Re 20:11-15
         b. The Bible teaches that believers will be raised at "the last
            day", not several times (and therefore several days, years,
            or a millennium) before the last day! - Jn 6:39-40,44,54
         c. Passages offered in support of several resurrections do not
            necessarily teach what premillennialists say they do
            1) E.g., 1Th 4:13-16 concerns itself with the resurrection
               of the righteous, but that does not demand that the
               wicked are not being raised at the same time
            2) E.g., Re 20:4-6 describes a resurrection of souls, not
               bodies, and the reigning with Christ is likely occurring
               in heaven, not on earth - cf. Re 2:26-27; 3:21

[Finally, what was truly a mystery concerning the resurrection but made
clearer by Paul in our text is...]

V. THE BODY OF THE RESURRECTION

   A. OUR BODY, GLORIOUSLY CHANGED AND DIFFERENT...!
      1. Our physical body will serve as the "kernel" from which comes
         an incorruptible and immortal body in which to house the soul
         - 1Co 15:35-37
      2. Our physical body...
         a. Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption! - 1Co 15:42
         b. Sown in dishonor, raised in glory! - 1Co 15:43a
         c. Sown in weakness, raised in power! - 1Co 15:43b
         d. Sown as a natural body, raised as a spiritual body! - 1Co 15:44-49
      3. Those alive at Christ's coming will undergo this change
         instantly
         a. For flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God - 1Co 15:50
         b. So a change will take place in one instantaneous moment
            - 1Co 15:51-52
         c. In which that which is corruptible and mortal will put on
            incorruption and immortality - 1Co 15:53-54

   B. OUR BODY, GLORIOUSLY TRANSFORMED AND CONFORMED...!
      1. That which is lowly (the body) will be transformed - Php 3:20-21
      2. It (the body) will be conformed to His glorious body (His
         resurrected body) - ibid.
      3. How is possible?
         a. "according to the working by which He is able even to subdue
            all things to Himself"
         b. In other words, by the power of God! - cf. Mt 22:29

CONCLUSION

1. There is probably much more about the resurrection that we would like
   to know...

2. But enough of "The Mystery Of The Resurrection" has been revealed...
   a. To take away the sting of death, and the victory of Hades
   b. To give us a victorious hope for the future
   c. To motivate us to serve the Lord until He comes at the last day

   "'O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?'
   The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
   But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord
   Jesus Christ." - 1Co 15:55-57

   "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
   abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not
   in vain in the Lord." - 1Co 15:58

Are you making it your aim to be ready for the glorious resurrection to
come...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Mark Copeland... Let Your Women Keep Silent (1 Corinthians 14:34-37)

                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                 Let Your Women Keep Silent (14:34-37)

INTRODUCTION

1. In recent years the role of women has changed in many churches...
   a. Many denominations now have women preachers, pastors, bishops,
      etc.
   b. The trend is beginning to catch on in some churches of Christ

2. The scriptures certainly reveal that women were involved in the
   spread of the gospel...
   a. It was foretold that women would prophesy - Ac 2:15-18
   b. Philip had four daughters who prophesied - Ac 21:8-9
   c. Instructions were given for when women prophesied - 1Co 11:3-16
   d. Priscilla accompanied her husband Aquila in teaching Apollos - Ac 18:26
   e. Older women were to teach the younger women - Tit 2:3-5

3. Yet there are scriptures that clearly place limitations on women...
   a. In Paul's first epistle to Timothy - 1Ti 2:11-12
   2. In Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians - 1Co 14:34-37

[In this study, we shall examine Paul's remarks to the Corinthians (1Co 
14:34-37) by raising several questions that are commonly asked.  The
first question is...]

I. DOES THE PASSAGE APPLY TODAY?

   A. SOME SAY IT DOES NOT...
      1. They point out that the context describes a situation where
         women had husbands with the gift of prophecy - 1Co 14:29-33
      2. Such women could (and should) ask questions of their inspired
         husbands at home
      3. Since we do not have inspired men today, some reason the
         passage does not apply
      -- This view holds that Paul's comments were intended only for the
         circumstances at Corinth

   B. REASONS TO SAY THAT IT DOES...
      1. Note the reason Paul gives for the women to ask their husbands
         at home
         a. "for it is shameful for women to speak in church" - 1Co 14:35b
         b. Why should wives of inspired men be silent?
         c. Because it was shameful for women (i.e., women in general)
            to speak in church
            1) Not a cultural shame, for Corinth was known for its many
               priestesses
            2) But a spiritual shame, as even taught in the Law of Moses
               - cf. 1Co 14:34b
      2. Paul makes a specific application, by appealing to a general
         principle
         a. Evidently the prophets' wives were speaking out in the
            assembly
         b. But it was shameful for women to speak in church (general
            principle)
         c. So they are told to be silent and ask their husbands at home
            (specific application)
      3. The general principle remains true, even if the specific
         circumstances are not present
         a. Women are still to be submissive - 1Co 14:34
         b. They are still not to teach or have authority over a man
            - cf. 1Ti 2:11-12; 3:15
         c. The principle applies whether it is in Europe (Corinth),
            Asia (Ephesus), or the USA
      4. We are dealing with a command of the Lord, not Paul's personal
         bias
         a. As Paul makes clear in succeeding verses - 1Co 14:36-38
         b. We either acknowledge the Lord's command, or display our
            spiritual ignorance!
      -- The context (immediate and remote) indicates this is a
         commandment of the Lord intended for all churches and for all
         times!

[Having determined that we are dealing with something that applies
today, we do well to ask...]

II. WHERE DOES THIS PASSAGE APPLY?

   A. WHERE WOMEN ARE TO BE SILENT...
      1. Note what Paul says:
         a. "Let your women keep silent in the churches..." - 1Co 14:34a
         b. "...for it is shameful for women to speak in church" - 1Co 14:35b
      2. The place is "in the church" (literally, in the assembly)
         a. When the congregation is assembled; e.g., "the whole church
            comes together in one place" - 1Co 14:23a
         b. Not necessarily elsewhere, e.g., at the home - 1Co 14:35a
      -- The principle applies whenever the whole church comes together
         in one place

   B. WHAT BEARING THIS MIGHT HAVE ON...
      1. Bible classes - when the whole church is not together in one
         place?
      2. Congregational business meetings - when the whole church is
         together in one place?
      3. During announcements - when the whole church is together in one
         place?
      -- Whenever the whole church is together, the principle should be
         followed

[In seeking to apply this principle whenever the whole church is
together, we do well to ask...]

III. WHAT DOES THIS PASSAGE REQUIRE?

   A. LET YOUR WOMEN KEEP SILENT...
      1. Paul says "they are not permitted to speak" - 1Co 14:34
      2. Not even to ask questions - 1Co 14:35
      3. But to be as the tongue speaker without an interpreter:  "let
         him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to
         God" - cf. 1Co 14:28
      -- Clearly women are not to preach or teach when the church is
         assembled

   B. WHAT ABOUT WOMEN SINGING...?
      1. We are commanded to sing praises and teach one another in song
         - Ep 5:19; Col 3:16
      2. In 1Co 14, to "speak" means to "address the assembly" - cf.
         1Co 14:28-31
         a. Where the one who speaks is teaching or exercising authority
            "over" others
         b. Which if a woman did so, would violate 1Ti 2:11-12
      3. In congregational singing, women are not teaching or exercising
         authority "over" men
      -- In congregational singing, women may join in the singing of
         praises

CONCLUSION

1. I am fully aware that to place any limitation on the role of women
   sounds...
   a. "sexist"
   b. "old fashioned"
   c. "narrow-minded"
   -- Many would say the same about the Biblical teaching on marriage
      and sex

2. Yet we should be more concerned about...
   a. What the commandments of the Lord
   b. What is truly "spiritual"
   -- And so Paul's admonition still holds true - cf. 1Co 14:37-38

Those who desire not to be spiritually ignorant and disobey the Lord
Jesus, will do well to give heed to the teachings of His apostles, whose
words are just as relevant today as they were in the first century...

   "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let
   him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the
   commandments of the Lord." - 1Co 14:37

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Finding the way "home"

Many thanks to brother Walter Vogt, for allowing me to use his picture!!!

When we consider the word "Home", what comes to our mind?  Perhaps, to some, it is just a place to eat and sleep or to watch television.  To others the emphasis may be on the people who reside there besides you.  It may be a retreat from the bustle of everyday life or a place to relax.  I think we know the answer for this little dog- contentment!!!  How about you?  In thinking about this as applied to myself, I turned to the pages of Scripture, specifically, to the Gospel of John...

John, Chapter 14

1  “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.   2  In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.   3  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.   4  Where I go, you know, and you know the way.” 

  5  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 

  6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. 

It took me decades to understand "home".  Growing up, it was a place I hated; somewhere to be abused, ridiculed and experience the darker side of life.  Then, I married and was determined that our house would be a genuine HOME!!!  Again, it took a long time to overcome most of the baggage from my youth, but with God's help, my family always knew I loved them.  It is just Linda and myself now (and the poodles) but HOME is someplace special.  It is a place where love is (even when we have an argument); somewhere that God is acknowledged and loved.  For you see, HIS impact changes things. He gives life and light to a very dark dismal world.  He has given me love and standards to go by AND the hope of something better - HOME, IN HEAVEN!!!  All made possible through Jesus, who, on a daily basis, speaks to my heart through the Bible and shows me the way to heavenly realms. Through JESUS, my darkness has turned to the light of hope and that is something to curl up by the fire and contemplate.  Humm, I wonder if there are woodstoves in heaven???

From Jim McGuiggan.... MARSHMALLOWS AND CAMP-FIRES

MARSHMALLOWS AND CAMP-FIRES

The English journalist and writer, G.K. Chesterton died in 1936 but not before he left the world a great store of literature and joy-filled advice. He admired Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and Stoic. He thought Aurelius was virtuous, sincere, generous and open-minded. He even admired his writings but he said there was something about the scholar-emperor that was lacking. And what was that? “He does not command me to perform the impossible,” said Chesterton.

He was nothing like Jesus in this regard. Even his writings had that same, “Now, let’s makes sure we don’t go to an extreme” tone. No one was stretched. No one was told. “Oh, stop that! That’s beneath you. Follow me and I’ll give you something to match what you were made for.” Chesterton compared the Stoic emperor’s words with Christ and said,

      The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

      Yes: he was soliloquizing, not making something.

      Do not the words of Jesus ring

      Like nails knocked into a board

      In his Father’s workshop?

My suspicion is that most vibrant young people would say that the Christ they hear about from churches in general and preachers in particular doesn’t command them to do the impossible or believe the incredible. And that’s a real shame because the real Christ, the Christ we haven’t domesticated, does just that! Young people don’t need to put up with this and they shouldn’t do it. They shouldn’t let the bland churches and bored preachers leave them bloodless! They ought to go straight to the words of Christ himself and feel their blood stir. There’s nothing anemic about Jesus Christ and if in coming to Christ we find our thinking is tamer, our dreams are more reasonable, our convictions are more moderate then we’ve come to the wrong Christ!

The real Jesus Christ is a tearer-down of worlds and a builder of a new creation. He neither wimps nor whines and goes striding down the centuries looking for people who will risk putting their minds and hearts and bodies and energies in his hands.

God help us, by the time some churches and preachers and books are done with us we can’t even dream outrageous dreams in the name of Christ. There’s no sense in us that we’re at war with a world-spirit that is anti-God, anti-Christ and anti-life! If we aren’t dead when they’re done with us we’re at least sound asleep and all the happy songs and new worship formats in creation won’t keep vibrant young people from a ho-hum existence unless by chance the youthful Christ gatecrashes our worship-party.

If that happens some girl or boy just might stand up and ask, "Is that it? We're all to avoid drugs, booze and sex before marriage, attend church and be nice kids? Is that to be the sum total of our lives? Is this the only preaching we're to hear around here? Hmmm. You wonder why so many of us are leaving the church and heading for other places?"

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Greatest Of These Is Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                 The Greatest Of These Is Love (13:13)

INTRODUCTION

1. In his discourse on spiritual gifts, Paul praised the value of
   love...
   a. Introducing it as "a more excellent way" - 1Co 12:31
   b. Emphasizing its necessity along with any ability or service we
      might have - 1Co 13:1-3
   c. Explaining its abiding superiority over spiritual gifts - 1Co 13:8

2. He even praised its value over faith and hope...
   a. Abiding virtues in of themselves - 1Co 13:13a
   b. Yet love is "the greatest of these" virtues - 1Co 13:13b

[Why is love so highly valued by Paul?  And if it is such a great
virtue, how should we manifest in our lives?  These questions I wish to
address in this study, first by summarizing...]

I. THE GREATNESS OF LOVE

   A. LOVE MOTIVATED GOD TO SAVE US...
      1. Out of love for the world, God gave His Son - Jn 3:16-17; 1Jn 4:9-10
      2. The magnitude of God's love is seen when we consider that it
         was expressed while we were yet sinners - Ro 5:6-8

   B. LOVE MOTIVATED CHRIST TO DIE FOR US...
      1. The Father's love toward the Son motivated the Son to love us
         - Jn 15:9
      2. Such love then motivated Christ to die for us - Jn 15:13; Ep 5:2

   C. LOVE MOTIVATES US TO LIVE FOR CHRIST...
      1. The love of Christ compelled Paul to live for Him - 2Co 5:
         14-15
      2. Paul's life of faith was thus influenced by Christ's love for
         him - Ga 2:20

   D. LOVE MOTIVATES US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER...
      1. The love of Christ should inspire us to love one another - Jn 13:34
      2. The love of God should likewise move us to love one another
         - 1Jn 4:11

[Love can and should be a very powerful, motivating force in our lives.
We have seen how it prompted God and Christ to express their love for
us.  The greatness of love can also be seen in how we should express it
in our lives...]

II. THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE

   A. TOWARD GOD AND CHRIST...
      1. By keeping the commandments of God and Christ - Jn 14:15,21,
         23-24; 15:10,14
      2. By loving our brethren in Christ - Jn 15:12; 1Jn 4:20-21
      -- Great is God's love toward us; shall we not love God with great
         zeal in return?

   B. TOWARD OUR BRETHREN...
      1. By helping them when they are in physical need - 1Jn 3:16-18
         a. Providing as we have ability and opportunity
         b. Loving them in deed and in truth
      2. By helping them when they are in spiritual need - 1Pe 4:8; Ja
         5:19-20
         a. Bringing them back to the Lord
         b. Loving them with a truly fervent love
      3. By setting the example in loving God and keeping His
         commandments - 1Jn 5:2
         a. If we truly love one another, we will encourage them by
            providing a good example
         b. Only then can we really know that we love the children of
            God
      -- Does our example express a proper measure of love toward our
         brethren?

   C. TOWARD OUR ENEMIES...
      1. Remember that God loved us while we were still "enemies" - Ro 5:6-10
         a. While we were "ungodly"
         b. While we were "sinners"
      2. As children of God, we are to be like our Heavenly Father - Mt 5:44-48
         a. Loving our enemies
         b. Blessing those who curse us
         c. Doing good to those who hate us
         d. Praying for those who spitefully use us and persecute us
      3. Just as Jesus and Stephen did toward their persecutors - 

         Lk 23:34; Ac 7:60
      -- Loving the unlovable and ungrateful is the highest expression
         of love!

CONCLUSION

1. The apostle Paul had experienced the greatness of God's love...
   a. In his own conversion, for which he was thankful - 1Ti 1:12-16
   b. In enduring persecution, which gave him great hope - Ro 8:35-39

2. We too have experienced the greatness of God's love...
   a. In our own conversion...are we thankful?
   b. In our daily living...presuming that we are walking in love!

Love is indeed the greatest of virtues.  When properly understood and
manifested in our lives, it serves as the basis for our faith and hope!

   "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of
   these is love." - 1Co 13:13

Have your responded to the love of God by obeying the gospel of Christ?
Are you walking in love, as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us
(Ep 5:2)...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011