Craig

Marriage entails a lot of responsibilities and focus. Paul as an unmarried man would not be distracted by the married life in carrying out the gospel ministry. In other words Paul as an unmarried man was free to go wherever the Lord send him and do whatever was required which did include life threatening situations. Sexual intercourse within marriage is proper and should remain within marriage. Each married partner is obligated to each other sexually. Husband and wife have authority over each others bodies equally. Therefore, sex is not to used as a bargaining chip within a marriage.

The implication that my body doesn't belong to me but to God should cause me to be discriminating in what I engage in and practice in my life style. If we resist this truth it puts us in the category of rebelling against God. Exercising our will over and against His will for our life.

We are physical extensions of Jesus Christ on this earth to do his will and to serve God. By committing sexual sin we are uniting our spirit with the spirit of this world. We are poisoning the temple (our body), which the Holy Spirit dwell in. Additionally, sexual sin is sin and is outside the will of God for our lives. We cannot perform our ministry and service to Jesus properly and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit if we are engaged in sexual sin.

The gospel is good news to all lost sinners of any kind because the gospel frees us from sin and the guilt that comes from it. All of humanity is terribly lost and needs something or someone other than ourselves to save us, redeem us, and renew us. We are a creation that lost its way in its rebellion against God and its belief in the core values of Lucifer -- look at the world. As John write 1 John 1:9 God is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us of our sins if we acknowledge and confess those sins. The basis is well put in Hebrews 10:10: "For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time." (NLT).

Participating in homosexual acts is sinful. Any type of heterosexual sexuality outside the Biblical teaching is sinful. Repentance is important in order to maintain a relationship with God and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Both being the same.

When one Christian takes another to civil court it is a poor witness and testimony to the love, unity, and fellowship that a Christians are supposed to share. It is a witness to the world that there is no difference between the Christian community and the world. Disputes can be settled between believers by communicating with each other in faith/community and/or before some form of church leadership and/or selected persons of the church to act as judges or mediators. With denominational differences, I do not see how this could possibility work in today's world. Denominationally, civil courts could be set up along denominational structural lines.

According to Paul, Christians should not have a problem associating with non-believers. The world is the world and the world does want it does. As Christians we deal with the world daily. We cannot disassociate with the world because this is where we are at. However, being Kingdom citizens we are not of this world. So we share the gospel in word and deed as we deal and associate with the world. We treat all others rightly, justly, and fairly. However, Paul directs the church to disassociate with believers who arrogantly sin with no repentance. To associate with them would suggest that we condone their behavior. Christians need to be one in ethics and morality. Christians who display the fruits of the flesh are horrible witnesses for Jesus and totally discredit Christianity. We need to separate from those who claim Christ but openly sin without shame. Sin particularly defined by sexual immortality, displaying greed, gossiping, slandering, cheating, etc. In other words producing the fruits of flesh vice the fruits of the spirit. Associating with non-believers doesn't mean hanging out with them. We need be discerning with whom we intimately associate with. People have a tendency to like those they associate with. This includes both non-believers as well as carnal Christians.

Openly sinning people within the church cause division within the church. They are particularly harmful to young Christians who are developing Christian life styles, morals, ethics, etc. Openly sinning members can cause confusion among this fragile group of believers. The reference to yeast in this passage of scripture is taken out of Exodus 12 during the Israelite exodus from Egypt. A little bit of yeast goes a long way. A little bit of sin in the church, like yeast in dough, does a long way in affecting the church.

Levels of correction and discipline short of excommunication could include counseling and limiting that person to church attendance only. The pastor along with church leadership (i. e. elders and deacons), should exercise that authority and correction. When a sinning member repents that person should be restored to full participation within the church as the leadership deems appropriate. Excommunication is needed when a person is unrepentant and that person's behavior is harming the church. In many churches unrepentant people are permitted to remain without counseling or asked to leave because it is concerned unloving and many just don't want to lose church members. Numbers are often more important than the quality of the congregation.

I think this attitude of tolerance and the associated pride that goes with it is reflected in many of our churches today. The attitude is that Jesus is loving and the church is open to all and look at us we are so loving and tolerant. We accept you. I think this is misguided theology and reflects as with the church in Corinth spiritual immaturity and a misunderstanding of what the church stands for and how Christians are to behave. Additionally, some churches will tolerant anything to keep members in the pews and the treasury full. It appears that the value system in the church of Corinth was primarily carnal and worldly.

Paul sent Timothy to Corinth because he was faithful. Timothy was taught and seasoned as a disciple of Paul. I pretty much accept what God leads me do.

Some members of the church in Corinth had spiritual illusions of grandeur and were not in touch with what it meant to be a Christian. They felt that as Christians they had arrived. Paul was giving them a taste of reality in what it meant to live out the gospel and be a follower of Christ in a hostile world. Paul clued them in that he had not arrived and was still spiritually developing. Throughout my years of pastoring and serving as a mens' minster I have found that people so easily think themselves more spiritually mature and Christ like than they really are. In fact, in most cases people are not in reality in the same ball park as they think they are regarding their spiritual development. Most are minimalist who think they have been to the mountain top and their is nothing left to do in their lives for spiritual growth and enlightenment. Invariably ministering to others eventually involves abuse by those ministered to. It comes with the mission and calling and is part of human behavior and sin. You cannot avoid it and serve God. I just pray through things and thank God for the opportunity to serve.

God's judgment is fair and just. He sees and knows the motivations of the hearts of each person. Therefore Paul didn't care whether the Church in Corinth or any human court for that matter judged him. They weren't qualified. Paul wasn't qualified even to judge himself. Paul served the Lord as best as he understood and let God be the final judge of what he did. That should be our approach also. If we are growing spiritually the way we should be, I am not the same person I was yesterday, a year ago, ten years ago, etc. I can't judge myself by the insight and wisdom I have gained years later. I base my actions on what I know and understand at any given time. Therefore, it is not fair and just of me to judge myself or anyone else. Because as Paul stated earlier in 1 Corinthians we don't know the mind of anyone or God's expect their own spirit. I need to live my life in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and minister to whose around me for Jesus Christ and let God do the judging at that appointed time. Premature judgment is harmful and dishonest. It is not helpful in presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God's judgment is fair and just. He sees and knows the motivations of the hearts of each person. Therefore Paul didn't care whether the Church in Corinth or any human court for that matter judged him. They weren't qualified. Paul wasn't qualified even to judge himself. Paul served the Lord as best as he understood and let God be the final judge of what he did. That should be our approach also. If we are growing spiritually the way we should be, I am not the same person I was yesterday, a year ago, ten years ago, etc. I can't judge myself by the insight and wisdom I have gained years later. I base my actions on what I know and understand at any given time. Therefore, it is not fair and just of me to judge myself or anyone else. Because as Paul stated earlier in 1 Corinthians we don't know the mind of anyone or God's expect their own spirit. I need to live my life in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and minister to whose around me for Jesus Christ and let God do the judging at that appointed time. Premature judgment is harmful and dishonest. It is not helpful in presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Christian worker is a steward in that the worker carefully and rightly handles and presents the gospel of Jesus Christ and Biblical truth to the world around them. The Word of God is truth and it is Gods. We are given the privilege share and present God's gospel to humanity. However, it must be properly presented and our witness as Christians must be honest and true. A truthful gospel must be presented and shared by truthful people. People of integrity. If the gospel of Jesus Christ isn't presented properly then it ceased to be the gospel of the Apostles as presented by Jesus himself. A Christian, as a good steward, must live out their commitment in word and deed. I have worked with unfaithful Christian/church workers. Their unfaithfulness stems from a lack of commitment, laziness, and antipathy. They discourage the pastor, church leaders, and other lay people by their antipathy. Their witness is a sorry and shameful witness as to their faith, character, and testimony. By and large they are fake and they damage the unity of the believers in their local church. The individual can only correct this situation through developing a true and committed relationship with Jesus Christ and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The unfaithful don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ or are spiritually immature.

One of the fruits of the flesh is division. Division causes the local church to cease its effectiveness for the cause of Jesus Christ. In addition, its worldliness can disillusion any believer. However, because there is so much of the world in the local church splits are often inevitable and sometimes for the better. Particularly when a local church ceases to be a Biblical and becomes a social club, Bible club, becomes inward focused, or a place where Masons advance themselves. The best way, when possible, is prayerfully in fellowship with the Holy spirit sit and work out problems.

A quality life as well as a quality ministry develops from the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. These are quality materials that nothing else can replace.

By and large I do not believe most denominations encourage Christian unity. They are stuck on their brand of Christianity and its founder. Just like what Paul was writing to the Church in Corinth about. Most non-denominational churches are the same in that they are stuck on their church. Their church is the focus not Christianity at large -- not the larger body of believers. Churches get stuck on their preachers and pastors and cannot see beyond them. Many churches and denominations think they are the only way, have the real answers, and are the only true Christians. With this environment no wonder there is no world-wide Christian unity. People seem to want to follow people and organizations. The only answer for Christian unity is stop being mere man as Paul said to the Corinthians. Christians need to truly know and live the word of God in order to set themselves free from tradition and bias. The Promise Keepers organization over the years has done a great job in getting Christian men to see that true Christians do exist in other churches and denominations other than their own. Christians need to know that all true Christians wherever they are at are those have follow Jesus Christ and have accepted him as their personal Lord and Savior.

In terms of hungering for the Word I would said I am an adult. I spend time every day in God's Word over prayer and seek to apply his Word to my life. As for quarrelling and being jealous over others possessions and achievements; I don't engage in it. I don't desire want is not mine.

The mind of Christ is the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that guided Jesus can and must guide and influence us for us to know God intimately and carry out the will of God in our lives. Only the Holy Spirit of God knows the mind of God. Therefor we must open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit that we might know the mind of God.

The mind of Christ is the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that guided Jesus can and must guide and influence us for us to know God intimately and carry out the will of God in our lives. Only the Holy Spirit of God knows the mind of God. Therefor we must open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit that we might know the mind of God.

Paul had an understanding of the Holy Spirit and allowed the Holy Spirit to operate in His life. In repackaging the basic gospel of Jesus Christ to sell to a particular audience there is the danger of changing the message and creating a false gospel for the satisfaction of the audience. Paul permitted the Holy Spirit to bring a message through Him to the people he was presenting the gospel. Because as Paul states in 1 Cor. 2:10-11: "But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. No one can knows a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit." (NLT). The Holy Spirit knows the audience and how to present the gospel to them. We really need to be atoned to the Holy Spirit and not to formula preaching to fit a fashion or style. The power of the Holy Spirit will capture the attention of the audience.

In 1 John 3:8 John wrote that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. In Jesus we are freed from the deception of satan and this world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has given us the wisdom of God and insight through his teachings i. e. Matthew 5-7 -- the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has made us righteous through his death/sacrifice on the cross for the universal atonement for sin. As David wrote in Psalms 23, God, our shepherd, leads down the paths of righteous. Jesus said that he is the Good Shepherd, John 10:1-18 and said "...I am the way, the truth, and the life No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NLT). Jesus said "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12 (NLT). Additionally, he said: "...Your are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NLT). Read all of John 8. The bottom line is that God the Father -- Yahwew -- provides Jesus as a means for human freedom from and for forgiveness of sin; true wisdom; eternal life; and a meaningful relationship with God. For those who accept Jesus as Messiah there is life, wisdom, and freedom from the works of satan in this satanic world system.

In 1 John 3:8 John wrote that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. In Jesus we are freed from the deception of satan and this world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has given us the wisdom of God and insight through his teachings i. e. Matthew 5-7 -- the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has made us righteous through his death/sacrifice on the cross for the universal atonement for sin. As David wrote in Psalms 23, God, our shepherd, leads down the paths of righteous. Jesus said that he is the Good Shepherd, John 10:1-18 and said "...I am the way, the truth, and the life No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NLT). Jesus said "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12 (NLT). Additionally, he said: "...Your are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NLT). Read all of John 8. The bottom line is that God the Father -- Yahwew -- provides Jesus as a means for human freedom from and for forgiveness of sin; true wisdom; eternal life; and a meaningful relationship with God. For those who accept Jesus as Messiah there is life, wisdom, and freedom from the works of satan in this satanic world system.

In 1 John 3:8 John wrote that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. In Jesus we are freed from the deception of satan and this world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has given us the wisdom of God and insight through his teachings i. e. Matthew 5-7 -- the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has made us righteous through his death/sacrifice on the cross for the universal atonement for sin. As David wrote in Psalms 23, God, our shepherd, leads down the paths of righteous. Jesus said that he is the Good Shepherd, John 10:1-18 and said "...I am the way, the truth, and the life No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NLT). Jesus said "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12 (NLT). Additionally, he said: "...Your are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NLT). Read all of John 8. The bottom line is that God the Father -- Yahwew -- provides Jesus as a means for human freedom from and for forgiveness of sin; true wisdom; eternal life; and a meaningful relationship with God. For those who accept Jesus as Messiah there is life, wisdom, and freedom from the works of satan in this satanic world system.