1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
This verse tells us that there is an unbelieving world out there that believes the preaching of the gospel is foolish. Everyone is in the process of either coming to the a life of salvation or going in the other direction to a life of destruction. It is hard for the unbeliever to accept what Christ did on the cross for us in shedding His blood for the forgiveness of sin. They actually believe this to be nonsense. For us that are believers we understand the power of the cross and just what it took for us to be saved with the shedding of the blood of Christ. Just as in the Old Testament there had to blood shed for the remission of sin, so was Jesus that sacrifice for us and His blood cleanses us of our sin which helps us understand the power of God. With His blood, He has saved us, and by His power He has raised us with Him to eternal life.
1 Corinthians 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
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.
Paul stated here saying he also might have baptized some others but that was not his primary purpose because baptizing does not save someone. Paul’s primary purpose, as should be ours, was to preach the gospel so people would be convicted in their hearts and repent of their sins and receive forgiveness. He also help establish other churches and hopefully equip them with people to carry on the the work of spreading the gospel. He let the people know that is not just the words that save you but the accepting of what Jesus did for us on the cross the that gives us our salvation. Salvation comes from believing Jesus in our heart and confessing this with our mouth and this is the only way to receive the salvation provided for us as a free gift from God.
1 Corinthians 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
Paul wanted the people to understand that him baptizing someone did not make him Christ, But that he baptized in the name of Christ. Paul wanted people to worship Christ and not him. Paul was very aware of the dangerous effect it would have if he allowed anyone to worship him. This could be a lesson to us not to worship the people that helped us get where we are in Christ but worship Christ. Also to be aware of people putting to much faith in us for helping them to gain the knowledge of the saving grace of our Lord, and try to put us on pedestal. We are just like Paul a servant of an almighty God and our job is to lead people to Christ so they will know who to worship and give their glory to.
1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
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?
We see in these verses that even in Paul’s day there were people in disagreement with one another. He goes to tell us that this second verse could refer to denominations today and the differences that separate them. When we should not worry about the denomination but whether we are a christian first. We must always remember that, we are first a follower of and a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and then join whatever denomination best takes care of our needs. We have a tendency, like these people here, to relate our Christianity to the one who led us to the Lord. Christ is not divided and neither is His body, the church. Paul depreciates his worth in comparison to the Lord Jesus so the answer to this is definitely no! The only salvation that is real and able to save you, is the salvation the Lord Jesus paid for with His precious spotless blood. Only His blood cleanses from all sin.
1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 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.
These two verses really say a lot of what our country needs today. If you are a part of the family of God you know he is faithful to do all He promises to to do. For all that believe this way it ask that we speak with the with the guidance of Christ so that we have unity one with another. That there be no divisions among us and that we agree together in the same mind and same judgement. This is something the leadership in our churches needs so desperately today. We need a real revival in the people of God to get back to our first love, which is Jesus Christ. How can we expect our country to function properly when Christians can not even agree on what is right and what is wrong, how to worship or when to worship.
Hope to see you in church today where we can all get blessings and strength from a God who loves us and watches over us everyday.
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
He gave everything to give us everything so we should not hesitate to give Him the praise and glory he deserves while we share this message with all we come in contact with.
