I Corinthians 16:17,18

I Corinthians 16:17,18 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. Paul wrote the book of I Corinthians while he was in Ephesus for three years. And while he was in Ephesus, the church in Corinth sent money by the hands of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. Evidently everyone in Corinth would have liked to have been the ones to bring the gift to their dear friend, Paul, but only these three were able to make the trip to Ephesus. We already know that the house of Stephanas was known for their hospitality, and I am sure Fortunatus and Achaicus were just as giving as Stephanas. Although everyone in Corinth couldn’t be there in Ephesus encouraging Paul, they were all a blessing to him through the gift that Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus brought. So Paul returned the favor. He wrote the letter of I Corinthians and gave it to Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus to take home with them when they left. So the book of I Corinthians was partly Paul’s thank you note to the church in Corinth for their generous gift to help him in his missionary work in Ephesus. Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus had refreshed Paul’s spirit, and with the letter in hand, they refreshed the spirits of the good folk at the church in Corinth. And what a blessing the letter was to them! And what a blessing the letter is to us some 2,000 years later!

I Corinthians 16:14

I Corinthians 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity. There are many things that we should be doing as a Christian. And there are many things that we should not be doing as a Christian. But everything that we do or don’t do, should be done in Christian love. Love is extremely important. Love is vital. Love is like the icing on the Christian cake. Love is over it all and between it all and through it all. Love is simply everything in the Christian life. We must be full of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ and full of love for the sinners that we are trying to influence for Christ. Love is everything!

I Corinthians 16:13

I Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Paul uses military expressions in our verse for today. He says four things for us as soldiers of Christ to do: First, watch out. Just like a sentry guarding the fort, we must be on the lookout for enemies. And there are many enemies of God. Second, we are to stand fast in the faith. When we are marching into battle, we can’t be fearful even though we might be scared to death. We must act strong even when we aren’t. Don’t turn and run; stand firm in the faith of Jesus Christ! And third, we must act like men. And you girls, like a tee shirt that I saw says, “Fight like a Girl”. Kick and pinch and bite if you have to, but never give up! Let someone else quit, but not you! And fourth and last, be strong! Practice and be prepared. Exercise and get fit. Drill and keep your sword sharp and your gun well-oiled. Just be strong! Because the Almighty God is fighting for you! Stand up, and be proud!

I Corinthians 16:5,9

I Corinthians 16:5,9 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. The Apostle Paul was going up through the Isthmus of Corinth on through Greece and up into Macedonia, which is present day Albania and Bulgaria. He was excited to be going on a new mission trip! He would be sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with new people! God had given Paul an open door into Macedonia, and he was going to go through that door! But he realized that, along with an open door, there would be problems. Along with sharing the gospel with new people, there would be people who would get mad and oppose him. But that didn’t bother Paul! No, sir, not one bit! He wasn’t worried because he wasn’t responsible for the results; that was the job of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s job was just to preach the Gospel! If folk listened or if they didn’t listen, no matter to him. He would just share the Gospel with everyone and let God do the work in their hearts. And that should be our attitude. Share the good news of salvation with everyone and pray that they will obey the Holy Spirit and repent of their sins. Don’t fear nay-sayers. Preach the truth to everyone!

I Corinthians 16:1,2

I Corinthians 16:1,2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Paul told the church in Corinth to keep up the offerings each Sunday so that when he would come, they would have a good amount already gathered up to send to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul would take up one big offering and take it to the Christians who were being persecuted by the Jewish leaders. God had blessed the church in Corinth and they were to pass their wealth on to their suffering brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. And that is exactly what we should do. Work hard. Save all you can. Give all you can. Be a blessing to all that you can. And God will bless you!

I Corinthians 15:58

I Corinthians 15:58 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. Yesterday we learned that the little sting of death will quickly be forgotten when we pass into God’s beautiful heaven! But while we are here on earth, God has given us a wonderful job to do: we are partners with Him! And everything that we do for God is useful. We may not realize the importance of what we are doing, but even just little things done for God will have lasting results. Every little witness for God; every small kindness done in Jesus’ name; anything that helps a fellow human being will be blessed by God. Don’t let Satan discourage you; don’t let other people’s gossip bother you; don’t become weary as you do kind deeds for God.  Stand fast in the Lord! Be strong! Do what’s right and give God the glory for everything that you do! Someday you will be glad that you did!