1 Corinthians 15: Are You Abounding In The Lord?
Verse of the Day: (V58) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1. Apostle (V1-10)
V9 “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
Paul humbly confessed and declared that he was unworthy and unfit to be called and chosen to be an apostle because he had persecuted and killed many Christians. However thanks to God’s grace, he repented of his sins, and received Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord. This was why Paul laboured the hardest above the rest of the apostles.
V10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
2. Asleep (V11-50)
V18 “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
The essence of the gospel of Christ is the resurrection of Christ. Without the resurrection, we are men most miserable because when we die we shall be condemned into fiery hell as a result of our sins. However thanks be to God that Christ resurrected from the dead and lives forever. Therefore those who believe and accept Christ as their personal Saviour shall also resurrect from the dead and their souls shall be with Him forever in heaven.
V20 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
3. Abound (V51-58)
V52 “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
The Christians are living during the time when either we die and our souls shall be in heaven or we shall suddenly be caught up to heaven to be with God. Indeed, we shall be absent from our bodies and our souls shall have perfect bodies in heaven. Hence, let us abound in the work of the Lord because we know that our labour is never in vain in Him.
V58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to abound in Your work as I know it is never in vain.
1 Corinthians 14: Will You Prophesy?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
1. Prophesy (V1-18)
V1 “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
Though God blessed Apostle Paul with many spiritual gifts, including the gift of speaking in many tongues or different languages, yet Paul affirmed that his best gift from God, beside charity or love, was prophesy or preaching of God’s word. The greatest joy for Paul was preaching God’s word and witnessing the miraculous salvation of precious souls repenting their sins, and receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.
V18 “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:”
2. Peace (V19-33)
V19 “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”
Though God bestowed Paul with the gift of many languages, yet he would rather speak only 5 words of a language that people would understand, than to speak 5,000 words of a language that confused them and no one understood it. In other words, Paul desired that his words must edify and encourage the people to know the God of peace, and make Him known to others. He would never desire to impress others with his gift of languages if they could never understand him. Indeed, God is the God of peace and not of confusion.
V33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
3. Prophet (V34-40)
V37 “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”
Paul declared that the real test of the true prophet or spiritual man was when he believed that Paul’s writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were God’s commandments. Indeed, Paul’s writings were profitable for doctrine, for reproof of the sins of man and for instruction in righteousness. Paul did not just write God’s word but he lived by God’s word and he did everything decently and in order, and for God’s glory, honour and praise.
V40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to prophesy that Jesus loves, forgives and saves!
1 Corinthians 13: Do You Have Charity?
Verse of the Day: (V13) “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
1. Cymbal (V1-7)
V1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
Though God bestowed Paul with the gifts of prophecy and faith, and chose him, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to write 14 of the 27 books of the New Testament of the Bible or God’s Word, namely, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews, yet he confessed that he was a noisy cymbal and good-for-nothing if he had no charity or love. Indeed, love is God’s greatest gift, because it was love that God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the whole world.
V2 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
2. Child (V8-11)
V8 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
Paul explained to the Corinthian Christians that though they were once like children when they first became Christians and only knew certain part of God’s Word, but as they matured in the Lord, they realised that love was truly the greatest gift among God’s gifts.
V11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
3. Charity (V12-13)
V12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
Paul concluded that though there were 3 great gifts: faith, hope and love, yet he affirmed that love was the greatest among them. One day in heaven we shall have no need of faith and hope as we shall see our God, however, we still need love, because God is love!
V13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love everyone including my enemies as You are love.
1 Corinthians 12: Are You Gifted?
Verse of the Day: (V31) “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
1. Gifts (V1-12)
V1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”
God through Paul taught the Corinthian Christians that every Christian was blessed with spiritual gifts because they were ignorant thinking that only the apostles were blessed with gifts. Though we may have different gifts yet we have the same Spirit to lead us to use our gifts to bless others. Let us therefore be humble when we have many gifts, and be contented when we have few gifts, because every gift is from God, and for His glory.
V4 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
2. Gentiles (V13-27)
V13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
God through Paul reminded the Christians that regardless of whether they were Jews or Gentiles, and blessed with many or few gifts, they must worship together in one Spirit because they were baptized into one body of Christ. Indeed, let us love and care for one another in the church as we are members of the same body with Jesus Christ as our Head.
V25 “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
3. God (V28-31)
V28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”
Though God has blessed the Christians in the church with many different wonderful gifts such as preaching, teaching, interceding for others, helping others, leadership and administration, and knowing various languages, yet they must use them in the most excellent way which is to lead others to the saving grace of God. Indeed, God’s best gift to us is salvation so that we have a glorious heaven to gain and a fiery hell to shun when we repent our sins and believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour.
V31 “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your wonderful gifts so that I may lead others to You!
1 Corinthians 11: Will You Follow Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
1. Christ (V1-15)
V1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Paul encouraged the Christians to follow him as he followed Christ. Paul was able to do that because his life was a life completely dedicated and committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, Paul was willing even to die for Christ. He also taught the people with regard to leadership at home and in church. The man is the head of the family, Christ is the head of the church, and God is the head of Christ. Though the husband and wife are to love and respect each other, yet the husband is the head of the family. Similarly, even though God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are the Trinity, yet God is the head of Christ.
V3 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
2. Church (V16-19)
V16 “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”
Paul commanded the Corinthian church to discipline members who were contentious and had no respect for the church leadership as well as the program, and especially, the conduct of the Lord’s supper which was an important ordinance to remember the death, burial, resurrection and return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of participating the Lord’s supper in a serious and sober manner, they were taking it lightly and even disrespectfully.
V18 “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.”
3. Chastened (V20-34)
V28 “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”
Paul warned the Christians to examine themselves when they would partake the Lord’s supper, otherwise God would discipline and chasten them. In fact, God punished those who misbehaved at the Lord’s supper with sicknesses and even death. Indeed, let us follow Christ and truly examine ourselves that we be worthy in our words and deeds to participate the Lord’s supper, and receive God’s great blessings and not chastisement.
V32 “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to follow You now and forever.
1 Corinthians 10: Will You Escape Temptation?
Verse of the Day: (V13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1. Escape (V1-22)
V13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit commanded the Corinthian Christians that though God was faithful who shall provide a way for them to escape from their temptation, yet they must themselves flee from it. The people of Israel time and again sinned against God, not because God was not faithful to them, but because they failed to flee from idolatry and temptation, and hence succumbed to them, and reaped the consequences of their sins.
V14 “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”
2. Edify (V23-30)
V23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Paul explained to them that though they had the liberty to do what was right before God, such as eating food offered to idols, yet they must be careful not to stumble the young believers who might be struggling with their weaker conscience. Indeed, we must be godly examples to these young Christians, that we edify them, instead of stumbling them.
V28 “But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:”
3. Eat (V31-33)
V31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Indeed, whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, let us do all for the glory of God. The essence of God’s teaching is that we put Jesus first, and Others second, and Yourselves last, so that we can have the JOY of God. Those who experience our joy of God shall then come to know our Lord Jesus, and receive Him as their personal Saviour and Lord.
V33 “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to escape temptation by fleeing from it.
1 Corinthians 9: Will You Receive The Crown?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “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. Christ (V1-8)
V1 “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”
Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Christians that they should love and support God’s preachers. Though there were Christians who supposedly loved God and men, yet in reality, they hated and opposed God’s preachers. The reason was that they might not be Christians, and even if they were, they had backslidden to the point where they hated and opposed God’s preachers. Let us truly love God’s preachers as they preach God’s word!
V2 “If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.”
2. Corn (V9-23)
V9 “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?”
Paul explained to the Corinthian church that they must love and financially support their full-time preachers, just like the farmers would not muzzle their oxen but let them freely eat the corn which they were ploughing on the field. However, Paul knew that the church must do it willingly, and hence, Paul became a tentmaker to support himself while preaching the gospel. Let us as a church truly loves and financially supports our full-time preachers and staff, because God shall richly bless and reward the church in due time.
V18 “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”
3. Crown (V24-27)
V24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
Though it was not an easy road for Paul as he faced much hatred, opposition and persecution, yet he persevered to the end. He was determined to finish his Christian race well, so that he could gladly receive the incorruptible crown from his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and hear His comforting words, “Welcome, my good and faithful servant!”
V25 “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.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to finish my race so that I shall receive Your crown.
1 Corinthians 8: Do You Love God?
Verse of the Day: (V3) “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”
1. Love (V1-4)
V1 “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit reminded the Corinthian church that God placed charity or God’s love above everything else, including knowledge. When we have knowledge, we may become proud, while when we have true love of God, we will always remain humble, and continue to love and encourage others. Paul warned them that though they could eat the food offered to idols because these idols were nothing, yet they must be careful not to stumble the weaker Christians. Indeed, God’s love is above everything else!
V3 “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”
2. Lord (V5-6)
V5 “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)”
The people in Paul’s time, and even today, believed and worshipped many gods and lords, but truly there is only one God, the Father, and only one Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Only God is the Creator of this world, and only the Lord Jesus is the Saviour of this world.
V6 “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
3. Liberty (V7-13)
V9 “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.”
Though we are at liberty to eat food offer to idols, yet we should refrain from eating them, because we know that there are weaker Christians who have weak conscience, and may be stumbled by our liberty. If we stumble them, we actually sin against God, because it shows that we do not love them. Therefore, let us who are strong, love the weak, by not stumbling them, because the Lord Jesus Christ is the best and perfect example of love. Jesus loves us so much, that He left the throne of heaven to be a man, and to die on the cruel cross, and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world. Whosoever believes in Jesus should never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V12 “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love You and others, because You first love all.
1 Corinthians 7: What Is Your Gift?
Verse of the Day: (V7) “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.”
1. Gift Of God (V1-17)
V1 “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”
Though God through Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to follow the example of Paul who devoted all his time and energy on God’s work because he had God’s gift of being single, or was a widower, yet not all the Christians had the gift of being single or were widowers. However it is God’s desire that whether we have His gift of being single or married that we devote most if not all our time and energy on His work.
V7 “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.”
2. Commandments Of God (V18-24)
V18 “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.”
During Paul’s time, the Corinthian Christians were arguing whether it was necessary to circumcise the Gentile Christians because the Jewish Christians were circumcised according to tradition. Some even argued that the Jewish Christians should do away with circumcision. Hence, God through Paul explained to them that keeping God’s commandments, namely, loving God and men, was more important than keeping men’s tradition. Let us therefore focus on keeping God’s commandments than men’s tradition.
V19 “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.”
3. Spirit Of God (V25-40)
V39 “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”
Beside God’s salvation, marriage is another of God’s great gifts. Marriage is for life, and only death, with the exception of adultery, separates the married couple. Only when the husband is dead, can the woman choose either to marry another or remain single. Indeed, whether we are single or married, we are the happiest when we are led by God’s Spirit!
V40 “But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your gift of salvation whether I am single or married.
1 Corinthians 6: Who Shall Judge The World?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “Do ye know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”
1. Saints (V1-8)
V1 “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?”
God through Paul commanded the Corinthian Christians that they should not bring their disputes to the State Court before unbelievers, but to settle them among themselves. It was sad and tragic that they failed to love and trust one another, and hence they resorted to man’s ways instead of God’s ways in settling their disputes. Indeed, let us settle our disputes with the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us, and not take matters before men, because one day we shall judge and reign with Christ in this world!
V2 “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”
2. Spirit (V9-14)
V9 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”
Paul warned the Corinthian Christians to flee from sins which they had confessed to God, and God had washed them by the precious blood of His Son, and justified by His Spirit. However, it does not mean that Christians never sin, but it does mean that they should not continue in sins, and if they sin, they should confess and repent them. Those who continue in sins may never be truly saved. However, only God knows His saints, and let us continue to trust Him and look forward to the day when we shall inherit His kingdom.
V11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”’
3. Sin (V15-20)
V18 “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
God hates sins, and in particular, immorality, because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and we should keep them pure and holy, and not abuse and dishonour them.
V19 “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?”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I shall judge the world by Your Spirit and wisdom.
