Letters to Corinth: 3-Wisdom from God (Part 2)

Passage- 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

We talk about seeking true wisdom from God, and we know that it comes from him, but it is also important to see how he reveals his wisdom to us. See, in the time of the life of Christ, he was there to speak words of wisdom to his disciples. After the ascension of Christ, He was no longer present to share that wisdom. Prior to his ascension though, as told in Acts chapter 1, Christ tells the disciples that he will send them his Holy Spirit so that they will be his witnesses to the people. Then in the beginning of Acts chapter 2, we see where Christ's promise of the Holy Spirit comes on the day of Pentecost where all of the disciples were gathered in one place.

Now, getting to 1 Corinthians, Paul has been discussing in this letter about the wisdom of God and how wisdom from God is true wisdom. We should seek out wisdom from God, learn from him the things that do not come in our own understanding. Though in this, we must comprehend that this wisdom is revealed to us only through the Holy Spirit. We see in verses 6 through 8 that apart from the wisdom of God, we cannot understand the purpose of Christ and his death on the cross, as the rulers who executed Jesus did not understand. In the same way, without the Holy Spirit Paul, the Corinthians, and even us today could not understand the meaning of "Christ crucified", as discussed in the last post.

"these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." - (1 Corinthians 2:10-11 ESV)

The role of the Holy Spirit is key. The Spirit not only searchers our hearts, but also the depths of God. The Spirit is the bridge in the gap between our hearts and God. The truth of Christ can only be understood by the wisdom of God. It is when the Spirit is at work in us that we are able to truly see sacrifice Christ paid on the cross for us. When teaching the word, it is not human wisdom that is given, as Paul discusses in verse 13, but it is the Spirit that teaches of the wisdom of God through us. True wisdom is from God alone, and it is by the Holy Spirit that we are given this wisdom.

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." - (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV)

Christmas Time is Here!

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is over, it's officially time for Christmas. Let the decorating begin, the cookies start their baking, and most of all... the music be played! I am always a big fan of Christmas music, provided it's done tastefully and the singing of it is not depressing and contrary to the words themselves.

Someone who does a fantastic job of this is Phil Wickham, one of my favorite worship artist! He has just released a new album entitled, "Songs for Christmas". I can't get enough, and Phil does not shy away from what Christmas music really should be, worship of the Father. I encourage everyone to get a copy of it, and in the mean time, here is a snippet of the song "Christmas Time" of the album. Enjoy!

Christmas Time by Syntax Creative

Going Out or Staying In?

I've been seriously pondering how we do church in the United States lately. For some reason we feel this need to bring people to "church" so they can hear the gospel. But is that what we are called to do?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”- Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

At the end of Matthew 28 we see what we call "The Great Commission". In this, Jesus' call and command is to GO and make disciples, not invite them to a building. We spend so much time working on ways to get our church numbers up, as if that really matters, and trying to get non believers in a building that many have a lot of animosity towards. Our culture is full of misconceptions of what the church really is, and it's because we treat it like some exclusive club.

We see in Acts that the church is a body of believers that go out into the community. What if our focus stopped being on filling seats, but rather on taking the love Christ to the people?

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”-

Romans 10:14-15 ESV

Check out this video of an event held by Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. While most churches hold fall festivals at their building and invite people to it, this body of believers took the festival to the people, playing music, games, and giving out groceries to needy families, even with only a one hour window. With this small time slot they probably touched the lives of more people than hours of effort in inviting people to an event at a church. Is this really that revolutionary of an idea, or just one that we overlook?

Flash Fall Festival from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Check This Out

Great thoughts from Dr. Russell Moore on testimonies!

Check it out here- http://theresurgence.com/2010/11/07/do-our-church-testimonies-empower-satan

Letters to Corinth: 2-Wisdom from God (Part 1)

Passage- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

In continuing the next section into 1 Corinthians, I want to split up this next section into to two parts. Paul is further addressing the wisdom of God that was a main piece of chapter 1. Of the whole of chapter 2, let us section off the first five verses.

"[1] And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." - (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV)

Paul begins, talking about how he did not come to the people of Corinth with "lofty speech or wisdom", but rather to speak in the simplicity of the message at hand. Paul simply rests in the truth and simplicity of the message of Christ crucified. That's it! The fundamental truth of our faith that rests above all else is Christ crucified on the cross for our sins, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). Anything aside from that truth is fallacy. We must not rest in our own ability, but the truth of the message of Christ. As Paul states in verse 3, he as the messenger was in just the same place as everyone else, humble before the power of God!

That is how we should be in proclaiming the Gospel, being weak in and of ourselves, but strong in the message of Christ!

This is an important piece of truth, and though this passage doesn't make for a very long blog post, it is further testament to simplicity of the message of Christ crucified. I will end with this... In verse 4 and 5 Paul states that the Gospel is not "plausible" by the wisdom of man. The knowledge and ability of man will not save people, so don't rest on your own ability, but rest only in the power, truth, and wisdom of God.

God's Calling Transcends Musical Genre

In a post earlier in the summer I said I would post an article describing my musical influences and other things relating to that. This post is kind of something like that.

Music has always been a major part of my life. Ever since I was a child it fascinated me and I participated in it any way that I could, mostly in singing. I listened from country to classic rock, and Christian Contemporary as well. In and around the 5th grade I listened to a lot of alternative and pop-punk, eventually finding my way to real punk music. Around the 6th grade I found an interest in playing bass and trying to start a band, even as young as I was, and began to learn from my older brother. My musical tastes started progressing and I became really into hardcore, along with all of the metal and alternative variations of it. A particular type was post-hardcore, a very progressive style mixing ideas of punk and metal, and a few other things.

I realize that this type of music does not appeal to the masses, but this all is just some background to begin my main point in this post, which is essentially the video above.

I began listening to the band Underoath when their third album, The Changing of Times, came out in 2002. They quickly became, and have remained, one of my all time favorite bands, despite member and sound changes. It still amazes me how this band has thrived in a genre once scarcely populated by Christians. One of my favorite parts about their music was the melodic hooks of drummer/singer Aaron Gillespie. Then in 2007, Aaron came out with the debut album from his side project, The Almost, consisting of melodic/alternative type of music, of course I was on board! After leaving Underoath last year he has been focusing on The Almost, as well as ministry opportunities, and this video explains much of how he goes about songwriting and ministering within music in Underoath and The Almost.

P.S. I like all types of music, not just those mentioned. If anyone would like to know more about my musical influence and/or my testimony, all you ever have to do is ask.

A Hectic, Yet Blessed Life

It's been nearly a month since my last post and so much has happened since then. I have been meaning to update my blog, but every time I try something else comes up. For those who may not know, I am an intern with the student ministry at First Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. I volunteer my time, seeing as I don't get paid, but I am very serious about it and see it as my job and as first priority. Again I do not get paid, therefore as a college student I needed a way to make some cash.

I have been doing this for a year, the entire time desperately searching for a paying job to be able to support myself financially. As my first year of school went by nothing seemed to poke it's proverbial head. In this time God taught me a lot, and I believe used that time to further mold me into being self sufficient as I received a bare minimum from my parents to get me along until I had a paying job.

Just before I was getting ready to start classes at Austin Peay this semester, God seemed to just throw an opportunity in my lap. I got a job at a Lasater's Coffee and Tea franchise here in Clarksville. Since, times have just been hectic with training there, now working closing shifts, and school work, as well as my job as an intern at FBC. The past month of my life has been a constant juggling act, burning a candle at three ends, just trying to figure out where everything fits. God has blessed me in so many ways, and in the midst of my current chaos I feel a sense of peace in it all.

Do not worry, in case anyone was, I have not forgot about my blog series on Corinthians. I plan to continue on soon, along with other posts. God is just doing many a work in my life right now, and I praise him for the blessing it is to be calm in the midst of this all, and the way he has blessed me in new relationships and a blessing financially with this new job.

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

-1 Corinthians 9:23