God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ

2 Corinthians 1:12-24
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.  
Why?
In his first letter Paul promise to come to Corinth via Macedonia. Later he decide to make two visits, on the way to and from Macedonia. In the event he has done neither, and the Corinthians have criticized hi for shilly-shallying. But this is not the reason for the changes of plan. He took his decision because of the state of affairs in the church. Having had one head-on clash, he wanted to delay visiting them again until relations were happier. So he tried to sort things out by letter - a letter he feared would hurt them, and which was painful to write.
Joy is the symbol of Christian, faith brings joy, joy makes life to the glory of God.
Amen is spoken by us to the glory of the Lord! We agree what have done by the Lord!
How?
Give glory to the Lord, who makes us stand firm in Christ.
 
 

教會的蛻變

約翰福音10：1-11
80—90歷史的啟示
摩西都走過紅海。 若有人仍然在埃及做生意！
摩西每天經歷神
思想：
1.質變—負向
   不變？數十年如一日。只是執事改變，吵一陣子
  更新變化？
   病變？內部出問題。最後全死
   負向：病變，退化，生鏽腐蝕。盜賊來，無非要偷竊，殺害，毀壞
正向：
突破，蛻變，更豐盛
量變 多結果子（優質而量產）
永恆保固（品質保證而信賴）
大綱：
奇怪的人？奇怪的途徑？教會不要有奇怪的人
凡從我來的，必然得救
我羊跟著我
得分：
1.一百隻羊失去一隻
牧人去找那失去的羊，直到找著。導致牧人許多傷痕
神不需要我們的錢，神要看誰適合託付使命的人
成熟的人…合乎主用的器皿
得以長大成人，滿有基督長成的身量
身體漸漸增長，在愛中建立自己
2.

God has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again

2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 
Paul's associate in this letter is Timothy. His readers are the Christians at Corinth and the surrounding province of Achaia which would include the groups at Athens and Cenchreae.
His prayer strikes a more personal note than usual. Instead of praise for the church. Paul thanks God for his special goodness during recent trials. His suffering has had two wholly good side-effects:
1)The experience of God's comfort in it all.
2)A new ability to help and comfort those in similar circumstances.
How?
Keep hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the God of all comfort.

 

Devote myself to the service of the saints

1 Corinthians 16:15-24
The household of Stephanas have devoted themselves to the service of the saints - be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
Why?
Respect those who devoted themselves to the service of the saints.
Anyone who has no love for the Lord will be worse when the Lord come!
Blessing "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you"
How?
Devote myself to the service of the saints.

Do everything in love

1 Corinthians 16:1-14
Timothy he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. Not one should refuse to accept him.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
Those who have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Such men deserve recognition.
Paul  answers the last of their questions, giving directions for collecting money for the poor at Jerusalem.
He looks forward to an extended visit to Corinth. And he gives news and instructions about various individuals.
Appolos: He is probably reluctant to return because of the split.
Why?
Devotion should be prepared before come to church.
Timothy is a good brother and good company to Paul.
Be my guard: stand firm in the faith; be courage man; be strong and do everything in love. For this is a fighting to the evil and working with the Lord.
Do everything in love is the basic foundation to a Christian living in the world.
How?
Devote myself to the service of the saints. Do everything in love!

Your labor in the Lord is not in vain

1 Cor 15:35-58
How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?
The splendor of the heavenly body is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.
The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable. it is shown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown in natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
The first man Adam became a living being; the last Ada, a life-giving spirit.
Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, at the last trumpet.
Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
The body which is raised will be better than the body which is buried. The old was physical, the new will be 'spiritual' and immortal. It will as far outshine the old body as a full-grown plant outshines the shriveled seed from which it grows.
What may labor in the Lord is not in vain. A men!
We have the hope to be immortal body and spirit in heaven at the last trumpet.
So nothing move me, I am belong to the Lord Jesus Christ!
How?
Get rid of the mind of earth but the spiritual in heaven. Be a good witness on earth to honor the name of the Lord.  Yes, Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The resurrection of the dead comes also through a man

1 Cor 15:20-34
 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.”
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning.
Christ's resurrection is the guarantee that his followers, too, will be raised from death. At the end, when Jesus comes to rule, death itself will be defeated.
Why?
Death came from a man, Adam, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. Jesus Christ.
Adam sinned so he was overcome by the death, Jesus overcome the death, he has put everything under his feet, includes death.
Bad company corrupts good character, so be careful to choose friends.
Jesus Christ is the first fruit so that we will comes with Jesus at the end.
Because we believe so do the right things there is conscious from the Lord , stop sinning
How?
I trust and believe that Jesus is resurrection from the death, so I devote myself to Him until that day.

Jesus is resurrection of the dead

1 Cor 15:1-19
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

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

if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.   

Most of the Jews believed in the resurrection of the body. To the Greeks it was the soul that was immortal(不朽). The very idea of resurrection seemed ridiculous to them.

Paul begins with his gospel message and the evidence for Christ is resurrection. This is of the first importance. On it the Christian faith stands or falls. What is more, it is a well-attested fact. Most of those who saw the risen Lord are still alive (about 25 years after the event)

Why?

Symbols of the Christian are manger, cross and empty grave.

Jesus is resurrection from the dead. it is the foundation of our sin be erased and we believed.

Holy Spirit has proved to us either.

How?

What I am preaching and hold firmly that Jesus is resurrection of the dead.

醫治的愛

路8：43～48
高翊倫傳道，李三春牧師。臺南聖教會
思想：生命的交會…
什麼原因讓我們來到教會？
ㄧ，生命大困境
  有一個女人，患了12年血漏，常時間無法勝過
  用盡一切努力
  無法找到能幫助的人
來 4：6 坦然無懼來到施恩寶座前
二，信心的觸摸
渴望-相信-行動-得著
三，神醫治的愛

Eagerly desire spiritual gifts- the gift of prophecy.

1 Cor 14:1-17
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
Anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.
Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
Why?
Paul does not underestimate these gifts. He would have them all speak in tongues, he says; and he himself excels in this gift. But it does not top the list on his scale of values. Those seeking experiences for themselves need to be reminded that the life of the church is more important. There are other gifts Christians should seek even more strenuously.
How?
Eagerly desire spiritual gifts- the gift of prophecy.

Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

1 Cor 13:1-13
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. Prophesies, tongues, knowledge,  it will pass away.

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

Three qualities of life - faith, hope, love - will outlive all the gifts. And these are for everyone. Without them no one is anything. And Christian love outshines all. This is the best way  of all: this is what Christians should really set their hearts on.

Why?

Paul bursts into a great hymn on the theme, one of the most glorious passages in the whole Bible. And he consciously or unconsciously draws us a portrait of a person - Jesus himself, He is the living embodiment of this outgoing, long-suffering, self-giving, self-effecting love. Without it - without him - there would be no church.

Love is the symbol to a Christian. without love even there are many gifts, it become nothing.

Yes, everything will pass away but love can endure forever.

How?

To be a real Christian have to discard something and keep something. We can't get both benefits. Love never fails.

 

But eagerly desire the greater gifts

1 Cor 12:14-31
There are many parts, but one body.
But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Christian unity does not imply uniformity The gifts come from a single Source, and are given for the good of the whole church. every individual has an indispensable part to play in the life of the one body. This should prevent a universal scramble(爭奪) for the same gifts. The important thing is not which gifts are most impressive but which best serve to build up the church.
This means that prophecy - a message from God which everyone can understand - is of more value than tongues.
Yet there are things more important still.
Why?
When we have some gifts it may be proud with it. Paul says source of all of the gifts come from one, the Lord. All gifts are used to build the church. Let Christian to unity to honor God.
There are things more important still. It is love.
How?
Read more bible let us be more humble and be gentle to show the love of the Lord has given me.

There are different kings of gifts, but the same Spirit

1 Cor 12: 1-13
There are different kings of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kings of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation(表現) of the Spirit is given for the common good. The Spirit gives them to each, just as he determines.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.
We were all given the one Spirit to drink.
In contemporary religions, trances or strange, ecstatic speech showed a person's spiritual status, It was therefore not surprising that the Christian church at Corinth, to whom God gave a variety of gifts by his Holy Spirit, should have been especially taken up with the more spectacular ones, among which was the ability to speak in unknown 'tongues'.
Why?
Holy Spirit let us know the Lord and Jesus Christ is our God. Holy Spirit lead us to read word of the Lord.
There are many gifts among Christians, but there are given for common good. So do not proud to have any gifts, but uses gifts to build the church and the life of Christian.
The Spirit give them to each, just as he determines, so we are the acceptors.
How?
Dear Lord, please let me using the gifts you gave to build the church and doing good to others.

The Lord's Supper

1 Cor 11:17-34
When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry another gets drunk.
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.
So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.
In the early days the Lord's Supper took place in the course of a communal meal. It was 'bring-and-share', with everyone bringing what food they could. But in Corinth the loving, sharing principle has broken down. Some begin to eat before others have arrived. And some get drunk while others go hungry. It is a disgrace - a serious offence. Paul has to remind the of the circumstances in church the first Lord's Supper took place.
How?
Serve the Lord and respect Lord's Supper, to remember the love of Jesus Christ who shed for us.

Man is head of woman in spiritual life

1 Cor 11:1-16
Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors his head.
A man ought not to cover his head since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on  her head.
For woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
If a man has long hair,  it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory. If anyone wants to be contentious about this we have no other practice - nor do the churches of God.
The men, he says, should pray bareheaded, but women should cover their heads. A covered head is the symbol of authority given to women by God.
This is a difficult passage and the meaning is not wholly clear. In the end Paul falls back on what is customary in the churches.
Why?
In Jewish teaching the angels represent order. A woman who does not cover her long hair when she prays aloud in church or speaks God's message contravenes the proper order in worship. She is displaying her own glory, when the focus should be on God's glory.
Man needs woman and woman needs man, both have to respect each other. Both are come from the Lord.
Long hair is glory to woman, but disgrace to man.
There is not contentious about this issue for God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of church, man is head of woman.
How?
Man should be live out the honor of his home and his woman, not authority but the spiritual life.

Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others

1 Cor 10:14-33
The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too!
Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial. Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others.
Eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
Why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? So whether you eat or drink of whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Christian must choose between the Lord and idols. There can be no compromise. It is playing with fire to have any part in pagan sacrifices. As far as meat is concerned, the rule is unselfish concern for the good of others.
Why?
We cannot be follower of Jesus and follower of demons, for God is Holy.
We are free to do anything according to our conscience, but it is doesn't mean we can do what I want to do, but for good of others I don't do it.
Don't be an stumble of others in believing the Lord.
How?
Living holy and there is not compromise between God and demons. Let my life be honor the Lord and good to others!

God is faithful, he will provide a way out when we are tempted

1 Cor 10:1-13
Do not be idolaters, should not commit sexual immorality, should not test the Lord, do not grumble, like forefathers did in desert.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on who the fulfillment of the ages has come.
God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
It is easy to be over-confident, especially when life is smooth. The fate of any of the people of Israel during the wilderness wanderings stands as a solemn(莊嚴) warning.
Why?
There are some things easy to committed 1) idolaters 2)sexual immorality 3) test the Lord 4) grumble.
Bad thing happened in history and written in the Bible in order to warn us.
God is faithful, trust in the Lord, even there is temptation, God will provide a way for me.
How?
Believe the Lord will provide me a way to go, when I am tempted.

Don't failing to measure up to my calling

1 Cor 9:15-27
I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.
What them is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
 In a race...: The Isthmian Games were held every three years at Corinth. Each competitor underwent 10 months' stiff training, hoping to be crowned with the victor's pine wreath.
Why?
Paul was afraid, not of losing his salvation, but of failing to measure up to his calling. Hence the need to keep striving for the goal, and not throw salvation away.
Paul was obey his calling from the Lord, he is free but like to be a slave of the Lord to preach gospel. Paul pursue the reward in heaven so he make himself a slave to everyone to win their heart for the Lord.
Appreciated Paul let us may be a Christian with correct concept and right way to living  in the world.
How?
Devotion to the Lord like Paul, and do my best on the way of my calling.

Put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ

1 Cor 9:1-14
Paul said I am an apostle to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord!
This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on e. Don't we have the right to food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles? If we have shown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
But we did not use this right. We put up with(忍住了) anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
Paul takes examples from his own life, to drive home the lesson that Christians should curtail their own freedom if there is any risk it will damage others or lead them astray.
If anyone has rights, surely it is the apostle. Yet he has gladly given up his right to take a wife with him on his trips and his right to expect the church to provide his keep.
Why?
There are ore important things than rights. For the gospel's sake this 'freeman' willingly subjects himself to restrictions laid on him by others in order to win people for Christ.
Real freeman is willing to subjects himself to serve others in order to win people for Christ.
Paul is subject himself to gospel, people in Corithians are his seal of apostleship in the Lord, they are the witness in the Lord.
How?
For the sake of the Lord, can I give up some right for the Lord? Do not complain and angry! Please give me the strength and the spiritual power, O Lord!

Love is ore important than knowledge

1 Cor 8:1-13
We all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
The man who loves god is known by God.
But food does to bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Be careful that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak
Why?
It was hard in Corinth to make a clean break with paganism. Trade groups and clubs held their social functions at the temples. Most of the meat sold in the shops had first been offered in sacrifice.
Some Christians maintain that since other gods do not really exist they are free to eat meat and attend club dinners. But others are worried. Freedom is right, says Paul. But no one should exercise personal freedom at the expense of another person's conscience. Love is more important than knowledge.
The issue is not so much the food as where it is eaten. It is never right - not even on social occasions - to eat at the table of demons in a pagan temple. This was only an issue for the social elite: the poor were not normally invited to temple feasts.
How?
Exercise of Freedom is an knowledge but love others, do not stumble others by our knowledge.

Retain the place in life the Lord assigned to me

1 Cor 7:17-40
Each one should retain the place in life the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.
Keeping God's commands is what counts.
For this world in its present form is passing away. those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who sue the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them.
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs - how he can please the Lord.
But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided.
Single people will find it easier to work out their Christian priorities.
May widows remarry? Yes, but Paul qualifies this.
Paul doesn't mean the men to desert their wives, or be irresponsible. He is talking about priorities, and how everyday concerns can dominate life.
Why?
To be a Christian is to be free from concern, so we have or we haven't but it does not affect me to obey the commands of the Lord and live for the Lord.
For this world in its present form is passing away, so all I have is temporary, if we have be happy, but as if not engrossed in them. I don't have pursue the things in the world.
Keep God's commands is what account. And retain the place in life the Lord assigned to me. To be a scientist, to be a rock of the Lord in church and among the world.
How?
Retain the place in life the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.

Respect the arriage

1 Cor 7:1-16
It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
To the married  give this command(not I but the Lord): A wife must not separate fro her husband. And husband must not divorce his wife.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, hunband, whether you will save your wife?
Are married couples to continue normal sexual relations after conversion? Yes.
Should single people marry? Paul prefers the single life - but only for those with the gift of self-control.
Is divorce between Christians permissible? No
What about the unconverted husband of wife? Christians are to stick to their pagan partners, unless the partner wants separation.
Why?
Why God asked us to keep the truth of marriage? For we has holy body, God arranged one man and one women to make a family. This is a good arrangement to all of us. And keep away fro sexual immorality.
Paul has answered many questions about marriage and single.
How?
Respect the marriage for it is the law of the Lord, fear the Lord and love my wife in command of the Lord! This is a covenant among couple in the world!

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit

1 Cor 6:12-20
"Everything is permissible to me,” —but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.
The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.  
All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
The Corinthian claim they are free to do anything, 'No doubt.' says Paul 'but I for one will not let anything make free with me.' 
Sexual needs, they argue, are like hunger: they must be satisfied. The body is not important anyway. But this is wrong thinking, a carry-over of old ideas. 
Why?
For the Christian the body cannot be separated off from the whole personality. You cannot sin with the body and keep the 'real' person untarnished: every individual is a unity, Christians have been joined to Christ's body: they must honor God in the way they use their own bodies.
Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, so we have not right to use it, but for the Lord, honor God with my body. 
How?
Keep away anything about sexual immorality, respecting the marriage that God made for us.
We are free can do anything, but not everything is beneficial!

 

Lawsuits Among Believers

1 Cor 6:1-11
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world?
Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 
Do not be deceived:Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Why?
We are washed, we were sanctified, we were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. So do the right thing and love brothers and sisters among us. 
Do not shame the name of the Lord.
How?
With more love among believers, keep our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. God will justify what I have done.

Sincerity and truth

1 Cor 5:1-13
Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice (惡意) and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Not to associate with sexually immoral people - not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? Expel the wicked person from among you.
Festival: Passover, Jesus Chris is crucified on the cross
Why?
Christian should love others and love sinner, but any brother or sister is sexually immoral or greedy, we should not associate with them, and expel the wicked person from church. Don't let the old bread leaven with wickedness affect us.
It is the righteousness of Christian. When we have learn the word of the Lord, we should know what is right and wrong, all the evil mind and  behavior need to be removed.
Sincerity and truth is the characters of Christian life. Unleavened bread.
Old bread leavened: malice, wickedness, sexually immoral, greedy.
How?
Be sincerity and truth without sexually immoral and greedy, malice.

The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power

1 Cor 4 :14-21
Paul is not writing this to shame them, but to warn them as his dear children.
You have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefor I urge you to imitate me.
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Guardians/tutors: slaves who looked after their master's children and took them to school.
Why?
Paul writing letter with love and warning message, hope Christians in Corinthians could follow the way of Jesus Christ. Paul did all his life obey word of the Lord, so he could urge them to imitate me.
Arrogant is not good behavior among Christian, but be humble and love each others.
People like to talk in the church, but more important is to show the life of Christ in their daily life. There is more important to live out the life of Christ in stead of sermon in the church.
How?
Can I ask others to imitate me? May my life could be good witness and let others see Christ is within me.

No place for pride among Christians and no looking down on others

1Cor 4:1-13
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
Do not go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over against one else?
We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but your are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
There should be no place for pride among Christians and no looking down on others. The greatest Christians regard themselves as no more than God's slaves. That is the example to follow.
Why?
Paul described his situation is so worse but the Christians in Corinthians were quarreling and proud in what they are.
We care little if we are judged by others. Only the Lord who judges us. It is not make me innocent.
We live out the honor of the Lord, from the eyes of men we are like fools. For we are the servant of the Lord.
There are comparison among Paul, his co-workers and Christians in Corinthians, does Paul are fools, surely no. Paul worked hard for honor name of the Lord! Paul hope they be a king, but they did not.
How?
Be humble and no place for pride among Christians and do not looking down on others.

We are of Christ, and Christ is of God

1 Cor 3:10-23
We are God's temple.
We are builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood , hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
Do not deceive yourselves. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.
So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
It is not proud and lever people who appreciate the wisdom of God's pla of salvation through Christ's death on the cross, but those who are spiritually wise. This kind of wisdom, and with it true values and real judgment, is God's gift through his Holy Spirit. A person must become a fool in the world's eyes in order to be really wise.
So Paul and Apollos are not rivals but partners, sharing the work of building God's church. Once the basic foundation of faith in Chris is laid, every Christian is responsible for what they do with the new life they have been given.
Why?
Faith is our foundation to be a Christian. foundation is Jesus Christ. Trust in Him, All will be tested and revealed one day by fire.
Do not deceive yourselves, God knows everyone's heart.
All thing are yours: belong to the church, no more boast about men! We are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
How?
I am not belong to this world, but I a of Christ. All my life and what I have is the gift of the Lord!

Getting more rich in Spirit

1 Cor 2:1-16
I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power.
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no ind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
Who has known the in of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
A clear statement of God's message, not style without substance, was his main concern. But the Corinthians were infected with something of the spirit of nearby Athens. They fancied(幻想) themselves as thinkers and took pride in their supposed intellectual superiority.
Why?
Paul  makes Christian foundation on the Christ, not the wisdom of world.
The wisdom is revealed by the Spirit who has freely given us. Let us know the mind of the Lord.
Only the Holy Spirit may introduce us to know the truth of the Lord and the gospel.
Preaching Jesus Christ only not me not the preacher. But preacher should has good witness before men.
How?
I am nothing without the Spirit, Spirit let me know the way of the Lord and his word. The wisdom is in the Lord, waiting for us to dig in, and getting more rich in Spirit.

We are God's fellow workers

1 Cor 3:1-9
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you.
 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are Gods field, God's building.
It seems from these chapters that the groups were making invidious comparisons between Paul and the more eloquent Apollos. Paul, although a trained scholar, had had his troubles at Corinth.  A clear statement of God's message not style without substance, was his main concern.
But the Corinthians were infected with something of the spirit of nearby. Athens. They fancied themselves s thinkers and took pride in their supposed intellectual superiority. In fact, as Paul point out, their argumentative, judgmental attitude show the are still bound by  the world's way of thinking.
Why?
Christian is not a scholar, not one thinking mind, but a God's fellow workers. No one can boast to what he had done, but for God who have done.
Jealousy and quarreling among people shows that people are worldly.
Preaching gospel needs everyone to do his job, like planted the seed, and watered it But God made it grow.
How?
Be Humble and working with the Lord.Let my spirit life grow up more like Jesus.

我們愛，因為神先愛我們；約一 4：18-19

我們愛，因為神先愛我們；約一 4：18-19
7／2／2017。  高敏智牧師。    臺南聖教會
Mary did you know?歌舞演出
把馬麗雅亞名字換成你名字，你願意嗎？
見證：回到主的懷抱
我知道我向你們懷的意念

思想：
1.經歷死亡。   更加認識尊重生命
2.經歷得失。   更加智慧選擇永恆

大綱：
1.愛裏沒有懼怕。  愛既完全，就把懼怕除去
一家人：1.做工？2.房租？3.規矩？4.殘疾？和在外面不一樣

2.愛裏未得完全。  因為，懼怕裏含著刑罰
   我信？但信不足
   半信半疑…信一半
  離了家？小兒子？猷大？羅得？
3.我們愛，因為神先愛我們
是一家認？…但是？家人的身分！！

Let him who boasts boast in the Lord

1 Cor 1:18-31
Where is the wisdom? Who are the wise men?
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many o you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.
So that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.
Why?
Jews likes miracle, Greek likes wisdom, but we are preaching the Cross, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is my righteousness, holiness and redemption. No one can compare with Christ.
Humble and worship the Lord is my blessing and joy.
I am weak but God is my strength and my savior.
How?
Be happy and preach Jesus Christ. I am nothing without the Jesus Christ.

Called to be holy and perfectly united in mind and thought; 1 Corinthins

1 Corinthins 1:1-17
Paul called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.
Called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of out Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
For in him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge - because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you ay be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Paul believes in encouragement in his letters. Only Galatians lacks this note of praise.
It is easy to see how divisions could arise. Paul mentions three factions centered on rival 'leaders': Paul, Apollos and Cephas. A fourth division, in their pride, claimed exclusive rights to the label 'Christian'.
Why?
Grace and peace are the gift from the Lord, give these to others, for we got it free from the Lord.
Paul was called to be an apostle of tChrist. So as I a called to be holy together with other Christians.
As we eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ we do not lack any spiritual gifts, it will reveal to us.perfectly united in mind and thought
All of Christian belong to the Lord, and be baptized by the Holy Spirit so we are all in one, not because baptized by who.
In Christ I do not lack anything and have been enriched in every way. In different ways God gives me knowledge and words.
How?
Under the Holy Spirit we should wait for the Lord and with perfectly united in mind and thought.