March 18, 2014
LESSONS FROM A BRITTANY SPANIEL
1 Corinthians 16
Jeff Harmon
Central Truth
As believers, we are to live our lives with a clear mission. In a slippery, confusing, chaotic world, it's more important than ever that God's children hold strong to Christ and proclaim His truth to the world in love.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 16:13–14
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NASB)
1 Corinthians 16
The Collection for the Saints
1 Now concerning 1 16:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1; also verse 12 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.
Plans for Travel
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.
Final Instructions
12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will 2 16:12 Or God's will for him to 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 3 16:15 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 20 —you know that the household 4 16:15 Greek house 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.
Greetings
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 5 16:22 Greek Maranatha (a transliteration of Aramaic) 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 16
My dog, Wally, is a Brittany Spaniel. Just in case you don't know much about Brittanys, they are generally thought to be the best bird-hunting dogs around. And it doesn't take a hunting trip to recognize that Wally was born to hunt (just ask the crows/squirrels/rabbits in the park by our house).
One of my favorite things about Wally is how his demeanor completely changes when he sees a bird. In an instant, our fun-loving puppy transforms into a frozen dog-ninja ready to pounce on anything with wings. He will stay frozen for minutes on end -- all the while keeping his gaze completely fixed on his target. His tail is straight, his front paw is up, and nothing (I mean nothing) will distract him from his end goal of catching a bird.
In a weird way, I think God wants us to live our lives like Wally -- completely alert and focused on serving Him. Paul saw first-hand the consequences of a Corinthian church that failed to live in this way. It was a complete mess.
No matter what we put before God -- work, money, sex, popularity, even family -- it will all lead us in a direction that our Father never designed us to go. Instead of investing in fruitless endeavors, Paul is urging the Corinthians and all believers to spend each second of each day alert to opportunities to glorify God.
In Ephesians 2:10, Paul reminds us that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." I love this truth because it's so personal. God created me and you specifically to do things for His kingdom! The tragedy is that so often I trade in this opportunity for fleeting pleasures that never satisfy.
So, back to Wally. He was created to do one thing extremely well -- hunt birds. When he is doing what he was born to do, it's a beautiful thing. And when we respond to the opportunities God gives us, He is glorified, and we are blessed.
Discussion Questions
1. How am I doing at staying alert? What opportunities are there for me to make a difference for Christ today?
2. Am I standing firm in my faith, or do I feel myself slipping? What practical steps do I need to take in the areas where I'm weak?
3. Paul urges believers to "Let all you do be done in love." Is there a way that I can be more loving to those around me? To a co-worker? To my spouse? To my kids?