Bible Reading Challenge #56
1 Corinthians 16:5–11
5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,
6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.
7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.
11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
Effective Work and Many Adversaries
Let’s focus today on verses 8–9 in particular:
“But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
for a wide door for effective work has opened to me,
and there are many adversaries.”
Do you see the contrast?
Effective work — and many adversaries.
When I think of a wide-open door for effective work, the last thing that comes to mind is opposition. I imagine smooth sailing, easy choices, and simple solutions — everything moving up and to the right.
But Paul reminds us that open doors and opposition often go hand in hand.
Not a Disqualification
Paul is excited about the ministry opportunity before him, yet he’s not naïve — he knows there are many adversaries.
Adversaries are not a disqualification for effective work.
Difficulties do not mean you’re headed in the wrong direction.
Paul is confident that he is to remain in Ephesus, even though many oppose him. His confidence doesn’t come from circumstances but from his calling.
A Challenge for Us
What are you wanting to give up on because it’s not as easy as you hoped?
What passion, project, or purpose are you tempted to abandon because the road has been bumpier than you expected?
What if the place where God wants to use you most effectively is exactly where the adversaries exist?
What if the situation you hoped to avoid is right in the middle of God’s plan for you?
Pray for Perseverance
Pray today for perseverance when you want to bail on what’s uncomfortable.
Remember:
Effective work does not mean easy work.
Effective work is fulfilling work.
Bible Reading Challenge #55
1 Corinthians 16:1–4
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.
2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Returning to the Plate
After nearly four years of directing people to give online or to use the boxes at each sanctuary exit, we are beginning to pass the plate again in our services.
You may think this is a reactionary move to increase giving due to potential budget shortfalls — but that is not true.
Why We Give
We’ve begun passing the offering plate again because giving to the Lord is an act of worship.
God calls and commands us to give from what we have received. He is the true giver of all things, and in giving to the church and its ministries, we are obediently returning a portion of what He has so generously blessed us with.
Giving is an act of worship that every Christian should take part in.
Giving is an act of discipleship expected of all who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Giving is not optional for those who have much — it is an expectation for all who follow Christ.
Giving Options
Give Online or By Mail
Many of you give online, and you may feel awkward when the plate comes by. You might even wish you had a sign that says, “I give online!”
During this time, simply pray that God uses what you’ve already given for His Kingdom purposes.
Give In Person
Some of you appreciate the weekly reminder and accountability that comes with the plate being passed.
Take out your checkbook if you have one, look in your wallet, or even log on to our website to make a donation in the moment.
Closing Thought
The work of God is supported by the people of God
as they take steps of obedience to God
with their God-given blessings.
Bible Reading Challenge #54
1 Corinthians 15:50–58
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
This chapter, 1 Corinthians 15, can be quite challenging to understand, but as we conclude it today, I want to bring one thing to mind: Resurrection.
The fact of the resurrection is exactly what Paul has been teaching throughout this discussion. Jesus was raised from the dead. Many saw Him die on the cross, and many saw Him alive again. The resurrection of Jesus is a truth that must be embraced by all who believe, for without it, we would be utterly hopeless.
The fact that Jesus has been raised gives us the hope that we, too, will be raised. Most simply, this means that death is not the end of our existence. We live now in a perishable state—our bodies fail, and we all will die. However, the hope (and promise) of the resurrection is that we will be raised with imperishable bodies that will never fail.
The quotation from Paul in verses 54–55 celebrates this truth: while death may have once stung, the stinger has been removed—its power is gone, and it is no longer to be feared.
Today, I encourage you to rest in the reality of the resurrection. Though we worry and carry burdens in this life, we can hold fast to the promise of eternal life with God—life free from the pain, sorrow, and struggles of this world.
Bible Reading Challenge #51
Christ Has Been Raised!
Warning: There’s a lot included in these verses below, so I encourage you to read them slowly—and then read them again—to help you process what Paul is teaching and correcting.
1 Corinthians 15:20–34
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that He is excepted who put all things in subjection under Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
Takeaways:
While many struggle to believe that a dead person could come back to life, this is what Paul is driving home to the Corinthians: In fact, Christ has been raised!
Not only has Jesus been raised from the dead, but He will also rule over all things. He will put every enemy under His feet.
The discussion of baptism relates back to the resurrection—it would make no sense to be baptized in the name of a dead man. But Jesus is not dead!
If there were no resurrection, we might as well live like the world does: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. Satan thought he had won as the Son of God hung on the cross, yet God was doing through Jesus what we could never do for ourselves. God used the death of His Son to bring life to the sons and daughters of faith.
Bible Reading Challenging #50
If Christ Had Not Been Raised
Take a moment and consider what life would be like if you were not a Christian.
How would life be different?
How would you live differently?
How would your view of aging, sickness, and death change?
For many of us, we grew up in a world that assumed some concept of Christianity. When we watch or read the news, we often hear phrases like, “He’s looking down and smiling.” Whether or not the person professed faith in Jesus, there’s an assumption that everyone goes to heaven. In fact, I have never heard someone suggest that a recently deceased person is in hell.
But if we did not believe in a God who came to us and made a way for us to come to Him, then what would be the purpose or goal of life?
This is what Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 15:12–19:
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Why does the resurrection matter?
If Jesus was not raised, then your faith is futile.
We would have no hope.
Tomorrow, Paul will assure us that Christ has indeed been raised. But before we get there, I want you to sit with the devastating reality of what it would mean if Jesus Christ had not risen from the dead.