For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man

 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.

Why?

We trust that Jesus raised from the dead, Jesus conquered death, so we have hope, and we believe Jesus is our savior.

Paul witnessed the living God, Jesus, and the grace of God that was with him. So Paul preached the Gospel, even facing the danger to his life.

How?

I trust in the Lord and believe that Jesus rose from the dead; one day, I will rise from the dead with Jesus Christ.

Be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way

1 Corinthians 14:21-40

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

 For it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Why?

Prophecy and speaking in tongues are good and allowed. But it has to be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Most important is to build people's lives, and have order before the Lord.

Speaking in tongues is good, but prophecy is better to people.

Church needs quiet and worship Lord in order.

How?

Love each other and do services in church with order and love.

Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God

 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 

For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Why?

Paul had explained very clearly that a tongue does not speak to people but to God.

One who prophesies edifies the church, for everyone understands what he says.

If it is interpreted, what they say in tongues is good to everyone.

But most time, people in public speak in tongues to earn respect or personal honor.

How?

Follow the instructions of Paul and the word of the Lord is benefit to every Christian.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Why? 

Faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest is love; without love, any others are nothing.

Prophecies will cease, tongues will be stilled, knowledge will pass away, when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. All we know in this world is part of completeness.

How?

The Lord stands forever, God's words endure forever, and love makes efforts valuable.

Concerning Spiritual Gifts, Just as a body, though one, has many parts

 1 Corinthians 12:1-30

Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

Why?

From the words we can identify came from the Holy Spirit or from men or Satan.

There are apostles, prophets, teachers, then miracles, next gifts of healing, helping, guidance, and tongues.

Let us be the first ones, apostles.

How?

To be a good Christian, let me be an apostle of Christ. This is the most difficult position and job.

An unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord

 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.

Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

Why?

There were many bad behaviors during the Super in the Corinthian church. Paul wrote this letter to remind brothers and sisters.

During the Super needs to obey the word of the Lord; an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. We have to be careful with our manners during the time of Super.

How?

Remember the teachings in the Bible, and may the Holy Spirit remind me in my mind and my behavior, and my talk in my daily life

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper

 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

Why?

During the 1st century, God's supper might have more food to eat, so people would come to church to eat something, even if they were hungry. So Paul taught them they should eat at home when they were hungry. The Supper is a remembrance of Jesus' death for the forgiveness of our sins.

This is a ceremony to remember the payment of Jesus' death for us.

How?

Tomorrow is the last Sunday of this month, and the church has a supper to remember the death of Jesus on the cross for us. So we should follow the teaching of Paul to remember that Jesus died for us and saved us.