4. WORSHIP
EXPLANATION
The Apostle Paul spoke to the congregation regarding their worship habits. According to some reports, there was disorder during their time of worship. For one, people were partaking of the Lord’s Supper before they confessed their sins. Spiritual gifts were being misused and there was confusion over the role of women in church ministry.
IMPORTANCE
In Ch. 14:40, Paul clearly says regarding worship that we should “Act in a way that is decent, rational and composed so that you do not dishonor God during your worship.” [1] Some in the congregation exhibited pride regarding their spiritual gift(s), while others were behaving like children. The point of worship is to recognize his worthiness to be praised, lifting up his name solely because of who he is.
Worship needs to be done properly and orderly. Whatever we happen to do to worship God should be done in a way that is worthy of his high honor. Our worship should be harmonious and edifying to all believers present in the service. To edify is to build a person or people up ... the exact definition is “To instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.” [2]
5. RESURRECTION
EXPLANATION
Some of the members of the Corinthian church didn’t believe Christ rose from the grave. Others didn’t feel it was possible for anyone to be physically resurrected. Both these factions were proven to be wrong. What Jesus did thru the power of the Holy Spirit gives us an assurance that once we die we will have brand new glorified bodies*. This truth fosters confidence in our bodily state once we pass from this world.
IMPORTANCE
We must understand that no believers life is lived in vain because we will all be raised again to life after we die. We all need to stay faithful morally and in service rendered unto God. We are to live today knowing we will spend all of eternity with Christ. We are to stay ready and be prepared to go be with the Lord, for no man knows when we will leave this earth.
Jesus' parable of the Wise & Foolish Maidens (Matt. 25:1-13) is a call to be prepared for the "unknown" day and hour of one's death and judgment. Jesus ends the parable with the command to "keep watch!" "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13 It pays to be ready at all times!
Up next are four specific highlights from Paul’s letter. 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.
[2] edify. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/edify.
* First Corinthians 15:42 notes, "what is raised is imperishable." In other words, the glorified body of believers will be eternal and never decay. Verse 43 states the new body will be glorious: "It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory." Verse 43b adds, "It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power." The glorified body will be far more powerful than our comparably "weak" earthly body. Verse 44 includes that our new body will be spiritual: "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." We will not merely be skin and bones and blood and cells. The new body will have new abilities. (https://www.compellingtruth.org/glorified-bodies.html)
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