The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: 1 Corinthians

  • Lesson 4: Stand Fast: 1 Corinthians 7-16

    Key Verse

    Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

    —1 Corinthians 16:13

    Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse for this lesson. Understand the Key Verse with the following definitions:

    • Watch means the caution needed against the anxiety resulting from the fear of the loss of one’s salvation.
    • Stand fast means to stand firm in faith and duty; to be constant; to persevere; to remain steadfast in the faith and profession of Christ.
    • Quit you like men means to behave oneself with the courage and wisdom of a man, as opposed to a babe in Christ; to behave courageously.
    • Be strong means to be strong; to grow strong.

    As we learned in our last lesson, Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to correct wrong teaching. In this lesson, we will find he continued with the importance of not quitting but living a faithful Christian life: fearless, steadfast faith, behaving, courageous, and growing.

    Emphasis: We are to understand that Christians are the body of Christ, and to understand our responsibilities as a Christian – namely to become a strong, faithful Christian who lives a life pleasing to God. As Christians, we are to have godly, Christian friends who can encourage us to serve Jesus and His church faithfully.

    Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned that Paul wrote to the church at Corinth because of the divisions and problems about which he had heard. After explaining Jesus was the only way to be saved, he continued by reminding them that they were not to live in the wisdom of man, but in God’s wisdom – for they were bought with a price.

    In this lesson, we continue with that letter to the church at Corinth. As Paul further instructed the people on their Christian responsibilities. He taught that it is important for the church to take care of the pastor – for his life is the ministry of the Gospel. However, each Christian is responsible for living a life that anyone who sees may understand that they belong to Jesus. Paul reminded them of the children of Israel in the wilderness, specifically what happened when they refused to obey God, and instead fulfilled their own lusts. The people died in the wilderness, never reaching the Promised Land.

    Paul also taught the importance of the Lord’s Supper, and that Christians are, collectively, the body of Christ. Christians were taught the importance of remembering why Jesus died and sharing that message with others. Paul taught many areas in which Christians are to remain faithful, living a life pleasing to God. He called upon the Corinthians to, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

    Y3Q3 – Lesson 4 Questions

    Y3Q3 – Lesson 4 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, we drew and decorated a church building, helping them understand that the people attending are really the “church”.

    The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Three is now available through Amazon.

  • Lesson 3: Following Christ: 1 Corinthians 1 – 6

    Key Verse

    For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

    —1 Corinthians 6:20

    Key Verse Thought: Read today’s Key Verse. Each Christian was bought with a price. Do you remember what that price was? (Jesus’ death on the cross because of man’s sin.) Bought means “believers are bought for a price; once bought, the buyer has the right of possession. In the redemptive work of Jesus, the idea is that Christ, by offering Himself for us as due satisfaction, freed us from liability in paying the debt ourselves.” Glorify means“to render glory to God; recognize Him for who and what He is.” Once a Christian realizes what Jesus did – died for us – we are to recognize God for who He is and what He did for us. We show that by living a life pleasing to God – according to His Word, for we belong to Him.

    Emphasis: We are to understand that Christians are to remember the Gospel message; that Jesus saves. Christians are the Temple of God – bought with a price, which means we belong to Him and are to live a life pleasing to Him. We are to put away from us the people living in sin, but always be faithful to tell others about Jesus.

    Lesson Summary: First Corinthians was written to the church at Corinth that was founded on Paul’s second missionary journey. It was necessary because Paul received word that error had been taught and factions had appeared in the church, dividing the church body. The people seemed to have forgotten the importance of the message – Jesus died on the cross for man’s sin. The Christians were arguing, declaring they had been saved under the preaching of different men: some Paul, others Peter (Cephas), and some even said Apollos. They were focused on the messengers, not the message. Paul explained the simplicity of the message – he preached Jesus.

    The church at Corinth had not grown in maturity as they should have – for many still lived like the lost world. Paul taught them that they were the Temple of the Lord. They were not to defile that temple by continuing in sin. Paul explained the difference between God’s wisdom and the wisdom of man – for “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). God’s people were to put away those who lived contrary to God’s Word.

    In this lesson, we will learn the following: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

    Y3Q3 – Lesson 3 Questions

    Y3Q3 – Lesson 3 Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember this lesson:

    We decorated a foam cross with stickers and verses to help us remember that our lives were bought with a price – Jesus’ death on the cross.

    To find the full lesson, The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Three is available for purchase through Amazon.

  • Know Ye Not?

    “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain”

    1 Corinthians 9:24

    Paul had visited Corinth on two different missionary journeys, spending at least eighteen months on one visit. He also wrote two letters to the church established in Corinth that we have to read even today. In these letters, we find much that should apply to all Christians. Paul wrote one letter when he heard of problems in the church. There were divisions beginning to form that needed to be stopped. There was also sin being allowed into the church that left unchecked, would destroy the church from within. Paul understood the importance of dealing with these issues, quickly, to help the young Christians to grow in Christ as they should. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

    When Paul wrote, we find that he recognized their condition. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1). Notice Paul said he could not speak unto them as spiritual, but carnal. They were still babes in Christ. Because they had not yet learned how to live a Christian life, they were still “carnal” (carnal means “weakness; frailty; of persons being worldly”). This revealed that they were living according to the world and its’ standards, not according to God’s. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3). After addressing their divisions, he reminded them that God’s Spirit lived in them. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Did you notice how that verse began? “Know ye not”. This was a big part of their problem. They had not taken the time to “know” what they needed to know in order to live as they were supposed to live. Paul mentions this several times in this letter. Take note of the following:

    • “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Corinthians 5:6).
    • “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? …” (1 Corinthians 6:2:).
    • “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? …” (1 Corinthians 6:3).
    • “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? …” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
    • “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? …” (1 Corinthians 6:15).
    • “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? …” (1 Corinthians 6:16).
    • “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

    Paul addressed many thing that they did not know. One more thing they did not know was that the Christian life is much like a race. And Paul was a great example for them to follow. “24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). Paul compared this Christian life to a race that all are running. Think of a race: there is a course, a goal in sight, and a reward. The Christian life can be thought of in much the same way:

    • there is a course (a godly lifestyle one lives according to God’s Word),
    • a goal in sight (keeping eyes on Jesus, living that life so others can see and come to know Jesus),
    • and a reward (eternal life in heaven with Jesus someday where Christians will receive rewards for things done on this earth for Jesus).

    Just as runners have to train, exercise, and eat right, Christians who want to live a life pleasing to God must also train, exercise and eat right. How? Christians are given God’s Word to teach them how to live a life pleasing to God. It takes much work and exercise to strengthen spiritual muscles to put away the sins of the world and instead choose the things of God (see 1 Timothy 4:6-9). Eating right would consist of putting God’s Word into the Christian heart and mind (see Psalm 119:11) as opposed to the things of this world. This was an area that the Corinthian church needed to work on: knowing how to live the Christian life.

    There is one important difference in a physical race, and the race of the Christian life, that Paul explained to them. In a physical race, there is only one winner, but in the race of the Christian life, all will receive eternal life with Jesus – only the personal rewards will be different, according to how the race is run (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

    Do you know how to run the race that is the Christian life, understanding how to please God?

  • Jesus, the Only Salvation

    “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
    Acts 4:12

    Paul heard of some troubles in the church at Corinth. He then wrote a letter to the Corinthians (the book of 1 Corinthians in the New Testament Bible). He addressed them as the fellow Christians, saved by grace, which they were. He also wanted to remind them of something. “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). No matter what problems Christians may have, God is faithful to those who are called by Him.

    Paul had heard of the factions and discord that was troubling the church at Corinth. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). It was not good to have factions or discord in the church. These had caused contentions in the church. The first problem Paul addressed concerned the Believers who had been saved under different leaders ministries. They were making an issue out of something that should not have been a cause for division. “12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). Can you readily recognize the problem Paul pointed out? The people were choosing to follow a man instead of God. They were divided because some had been saved under the teaching of Paul, some under the teaching of Apollos, and even some of them under the teaching of Peter (Cephas). Only one group was correct – the group that declared, “and I of Christ.” All, who are Believers, are saved by Jesus Christ. “10. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead …12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10, 12).

     The Believers in Corinth had neglected the foundational truth Paul (and even Apollos and Peter) had taught – “the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:4). It was not by the preacher or teacher that one was saved, it was by the Gospel message of Jesus. The people had forgotten that salvation (deliverance from the penalty of sin) was only through Jesus, and instead they were fighting amongst themselves over their favorite teacher, emphasizing the one who had baptized them. This caused divisions. There was to be unity. For when the people were divided, they did not do what they were supposed to do. Because they were so busy fighting, they were not growing in their Christian life. The people were not reaching out, teaching people about Jesus. Not only that, but they were to teach the new Believers how to live that new life in Christ. These things were to be the primary functions of the church.

    The people in the church at Corinth had turned the focus from the Gospel message of Jesus to the baptism by one of God’s servants. Paul dealt with this issue. “17. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:17-18).

    Paul wanted to remind the people of something important: it was not the messenger who presented the Gospel message that was to be remembered (“not with wisdom of words”), but it was the message that was to be remembered. Paul taught Jesus in simple language that anyone could understand. By the world’s standards (“to them that perish”), this is foolish, for the better the orator, the more likely people will be enticed to do as the speaker teaches. Nevertheless, Paul wanted them to understand this is not the way to bring someone to Christ. For when people are saved, it is not the great speaker, but “it is the power of God.” Only God has the ability to save souls. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). God does not operate by the world’s wisdom. God chose to use people to declare the Gospel message to other people, introducing them to the only way to be saved. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). The Gospel message of Jesus is the only way in which one can be saved.    

    Have you chosen to follow man instead of God?

    Or

    Are you growing in your Christian life and telling others about Jesus?

  • Stand Fast

    Have you noticed that the world has changed? Did you also notice that things are not like they once were?

    What is different?

    Because Christians have not faithfully stood up for the truths of what the Bible teaches and the convictions that it brings, our word has changed.  It doesn’t appear that we have a voice in this world anymore.

    What does the Bible tell us we must do?

    “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

    We must watch – stay awake and be vigilant.  The dangers, and sin, in our world are greater than many of us can bear. We have not been awake, watching, to prevent the godlessness of this world from becoming prevalent.

    Paul ended his letter to the Corinthian church with this warning.  He warned them to watch.  He told them to stand fast in the faith.  That meant he wanted them to be stationary, to persevere, in their convictions of the truth of God’s Word and the Gospel truth (their faith). They were not to compromise what God’s Word said.

    Is that an easy thing to do? Paul understood that many would not know how to do that. He encouraged them by telling them to be strong – much like a man has strength, and to use that strength to stand. Christians are to muster all of the strength we have deep down, take a stand, and not be moved from our convictions of what we know God’s Word tells us to do.

    Will you be one who will watch, not compromising, and stand fast in your faith?