1. The Meaning of the Cross (Ch. 1:18 - 2:16)
We are to be considerate of one another because of what Christ has done for us. There is no place for pride or a ‘know-it-all’ attitude. We are to have the mind of Christ. Our transition will not be instantaneous, but rather progressive. As regularly as we feed ourselves spiritual food so shall our growth be.
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (Ch. 1:18)
2. The Story of the Last Supper (Ch. 11:23-30)
The Last Supper is a time of reflection on Christ’s final words to his disciples before he died on the cross; we must celebrate in an orderly, scriptural manner.
“So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.” (Ch. 11:27-30)
3. The Poem of Love (Ch. 13:1-13)
Love is to guide all that we do. While we all have different gifts, abilities, likes and dislikes, we are ALL called, without exception, to love one another.
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (Ch. 13:1)
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” (Ch. 13:13)
4. The Christian’s Destiny (Ch. 15:42-58)
We’re promised by Jesus that as he came back to life after death, so our perishable bodies will also come back to life. Our bodies will be exchanged for heavenly (glorified) bodies. Then we will live and reign with Christ.
The Bible teaches that Man was created with the ability to make moral choices and that he is responsible for those choices. The Fall of Man was not a predetermined event in which Adam and Eve were hapless victims of a Puppet-Master God. On the contrary, Adam and his wife had the ability to choose obedience (with its attendant blessing) or disobedience (with its consequential curse). They knew what the result of their decision would be, and they were held accountable (Genesis 3).
“Each person was judged according to what he had done” (Revelation 20:13).
“... anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
Up next is a deep dive into the chapter of Paul’s letter that defines ‘love’. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; https://www.gotquestions.org/fate-destiny.html; https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/45068/in-matthew-251-13-who-do-the-5-foolish-virgins-represent.
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