datethewordtest

Tag: 1 Corinthians

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 25 (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25

    “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members
    may have the same care for one another.” – 1 Corinthians 12:25
    Take care to CARE for one another.

    As believers, we are members of the church which can be described as a building, a bride, and/or a body.  The Apostle Paul will use all three images.  Here in 1 Corinthians, he focuses on the church being like a BODY.  A body has many parts and while some are more seen than others we are reminded that those not seen are incredibly valuable.  As a person takes care of all the parts of their body so is the body of Christ, the church, to take care of each other.  We are to CARE for one another.

    What does CARING for one another look like?  While a full sermon, even a series of sermons. may not sufficiently answer the question please consider just a couple of thoughts.  

    To care for others calls for SEEING their needs.  James 1:27 says, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress… ” The Greek word that is translated as “caring” includes the word SKOPOS which we translate to English as SCOPE.  A scope helps you to see things better, to bring it up closer.  A microscope brings what is invisible into view.  A telescope brings something a long way off closer for better examination.  One uses to scope on a gun to bring the target into better view.  Thus, to care for a person is to SEE UP CLOSE.  It is to look intently for things that may be missing with the intent of then providing for what is missing.   

    To care for another is to take appropriate ACTIONS.  It may be a word of encouragement.  Another verse for 12/25 is Proverbs 12:25.  It says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”  Worry weighs a heart down but a GOOD WORD – a word of encouragement refreshes and restores one to keep running the race of life!  

    To care for another may call for the sharing of ADVICE.  Just a reminder here.  People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Speak truth with LOVE.  

    As stated we can easily have a sermon series on how to care for one another.  My prayer is that you will consider the call to care for one another and be your brother and sister’s helper!  LOOK and SEE beyond the surface for the real needs of others.  Be proactive in taking appropriate actions, especially in speaking words of encouragement to others.   

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 25 (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25. It says, “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

    Continue Strong and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 31 (10/31) is 1 Corinthians 10:31

    “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
    do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
    Sole Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone!
     
    The Westminster Shorter Catechism begins with the question, “What is the chief end of man?”  The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”  The answer to the all-important question finds its basis in 1 Corinthians 10:31. 

    This is the verse of verses for the filter for all behavior.  Every thought along with every word and every action is to go through 1 Corinthians 10:31.  

    As we ponder this essential verse for life we see the word “WHATEVER.” 
    That covers any and everything!  It covers even the smallest of things like eating and drinking to the larger things like what one does with their life.     

    The next word is YOU.  Whatever YOU do.  Remember that the first person you lead is YOU so YOU are to use this filter verse so whatever YOU DO is for the glory of God.

    Another keyword is ALL.  ALL MEANS ALL AND THAT IS ALL ALL MEANS! Whatever you decide to do you are to do ALL to the GLORY OF GOD!! 

    The last key words of the verse are GLORY OF GOD.  Each and every action is to GLORIFY GOD.  To glorify God is to HONOR, PLEASE, and/or EXALT.  

    This one verse when applied will make a huge difference in how you think, act, and live.  It will keep you from sinning as we know that is not glorifying to God.  When we sin we fall short of the glory of God,  It will keep us humble as even the good we do is not for you but for God!!

    It should be your practice to ask the question as you consider any and all actions IS THIS GLORIFYING TO GOD?  

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 31 (10/31) is 1 Corinthians 10:31. It says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

    Sole Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone!

    Continue Strong glorifying the Lord in EVERYTHING 

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 24 (10/24) is Hebrews 10:24

    “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” – Hebrews 10:24
    “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” – 1 Corinthians 10:24
    I believe this is the first time I have tied two verses together for the verse for the date of a day.  As I looked at verses for October 24 (10/24) I could not decide between the two and as I looked at them they really fit well together. 

    OTHERS NEED YOU!

    As we consider the two verses, they both clearly convey that OTHERS NEED US. Along with these two verses are numerous other verses instructing us to do things for each other.  We are not to live SELF-CENTERED lives.  I trust you know that when you are all wrapped up in yourself you make for a very small package.  Life takes on a whole new meaning when we are OUTWARD-focused rather than INWARD-focused.  

    Hebrews 10:24 tells us to “consider one another.”   The word “consider” means to LOOK CAREFULLY.  It is to see what is needed.  As we see what is needed, we “stir” one another up.  To “stir” is to bring to life as one might do with a fire that is burning down.  The writer wants us to see how the fire in others may be burning down and how they need ENCOURAGEMENT to KEEP on LOVING and KEEP ON DOING GOOD WORKS.  

    1 Corinthians 10:24 tells us to SEEK the WELL-BEING of OTHERS.  We look to see what is needed for them to be spiritually healthy.  Rather than focusing only on OUR NEEDS, we are looking out for the NEEDS of OTHERS.  

    Two verses to DATE – to ponder.  Both want us as believers to consider OTHERS. 

    So how is the transformation of self-seeking and selfishness to selflessness and service to others going?  

    Verses to DATE the Word on October 24 (10/24) are Hebrews 10:24 and 1 Corinthians 10:24. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,”  1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”

    ONE-WORD MISSION STATEMENT: OTHERS
    Do you want to experience real JOY? Real joy is Jesus  Others  Yourself.  
    Jesus first.  Others next.  You last.

    While you may at some point think you do not need others there will always be others that need you!

    Continue Strong considering the NEEDS of OTHERS!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 27 (9/27) is 1 Corinthians 9:27

    “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have
    preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:27
    THE FIRST PERSON YOU LEAD IS YOU!!  

    We learn a major principle for life from 1 Corinthians 9:27 as it teaches us the FIRST PERSON YOU LEAD IS YOU!  So often we focus so much of our time on what OTHERS need to be doing or not doing when in truth we need to be focused on what we need to be doing or not doing.  The first person you should be concerned about and leading is yourself.

    In this verse, the Apostle Paul said, “I DISCIPLINE MY…!!”  This statement means he was taking personal responsibility for himself!  While having the responsibility of leading others he knew he had to LEAD himself first.  From 1 Corinthians 9:27 one should be learning that taking PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for ONESELF is a TOP PRIORITY.

    As we think about this verse, please read carefully and thoughtfully the next statement.  It is a quote I heard in a sermon years ago that has been a little adapted.  It read, “One should never expect their gifts, talents, or even their calling to take them where their character can’t keep them.”   

    The Apostle Paul understood the privilege of serving the Lord. He understood that discipline was needed as disqualification was a reality. To be disqualified means to be cast away like a bad piece of metal.  To be disqualified is to lose the privilege of being used.  

    As Paul looked at the areas that needed to be disciplined, he said he disciplined his body. Making this practical means we must discipline our eyes – ears – mind – mouth/lips/tongue – neck – hands – feet and most of all our heart. To discipline is to have charge of them.  We are to be IN CHARGE of our body!

    Are you living a disciplined life?  Are you in charge of you?  Do you lead yourself well? I do want to say the statement above again as it needs to be embedded in your mind and heart.  Don’t expect your gifts, talents, calling, or even past and present successes to take you where your character can’t keep you! 

    From I Corinthians 9:27 you must know that your lack of integrity will cause you to lose your opportunity to influence.  Lead yourself with discipline so that you may not be disqualified!

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 27 (9/27) is 1 Corinthians 9:27.  It says, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

    Don’t allow your character to count you out but rather have a character that others can count on.

    Continue Strong leading yourself with Discipline!  
    And remember to DATE the WORD.

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 16 (9/16) is 1 Corinthians 9:16

    “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. 
    Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” – 1 Corinthians 9:16
    A PASSIONATE PASSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

    As the Apostle Paul defends his apostleship to the Corinthians he tells them that he does not look at preaching the gospel as something to brag or boast about to them.  Rather he felt an overwhelming compulsion to preach the precious message that would rescue a lost sinner from a burning hell.  Before he himself was saved the last thing he would have ever done was preach the gospel but now that he has been saved it is the first thing and the most important thing he believes he must do. One might say he had a PASSIONATE PASSION TO PREACH the GOSPEL.  Talk about a changed life!  

    What about you?  Since Jesus came into your wicked heart and changed you do you have a passion to preach the gospel?  I do not speak about being a “preacher” but being one who makes known through daily witnessing the gospel to those who are in your sphere of influence.  Is there a feeling, a burden, a passion, yes, a compulsion where you MUST TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS?  

    In our verse to consider Paul added that for him it was painful not to share.  He said, “WOE IS ME” or tremendous grief comes to me, a pain comes to me, if I do not preach and proclaim to others the gospel.  I wonder if we feel any pain for not sharing the gospel when opportunities cross our paths.

    May we ponder and consider from 1 Corinthians 9:16 how important it is now that we have heard and believed the gospel to make sure others hear so that they might believe!  May you be passionate this day to proclaim, yes, preach the gospel.

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 16 (9/16) is 1 Corinthians 9:16. It says, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

    While sharing the gospel may have been the last thing you ever thought of doing may it now be the first thing you think of doing!

    Continue Strong preaching the gospel,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 20 (6/20) is 1 Corinthians 6:20

    “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body
    and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20
    The Top Priority is to Glorify God

    Throughout life, we will have a variety of decisions to make and there will be some that are easy as the Bible says YOU SHALL or YOU SHALL NOT.   Then there are some that will be challenging as there does not seem to be a clear-cut DO or “DO NOT DO.”  I was fortunate to have been discipled to have a filter for making decisions.  At the very top of the filter was the question DOES IT GLORIFY GOD?   

    1 Corinthians 6:20, and later 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God) makes it CLEAR that all of our actions – behavior – conduct – attitude – words – should GLORIFY GOD!  We have been called – listen – into His kingdom and GLORY (I Thessalonian 2:12) thus we are to “walk worthy of God.”  Our AMBITION should be to PLEASE HIM. We are to honor Him.  We are to obey Him.  We glorify God when we live like Him.

    I Corinthians 6:20 reminds us that we have been PURCHASED, bought at a price, a very high price. As one who has been PURCHASED by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we must COMMIT and DEDICATE our entire lives doing only what GLORIFIES Him! Thus, every decision is to be filtered with WILL THIS BRING GLORY TO GOD!!!

    Bonus – there are 5 MAJOR AREAS that we are to steward and be found faithful.  These are areas to GLORIFY GOD.  They are:

      1.  Our temple
      2.  Our time
      3.  Our treasure
      4.  Our talents
      5.  Our testimony

    Ponder – evaluate – examine yourself with the question of AM I TRULY GLORIFYING GOD with what I am doing with my TEMPLE?  My TIME? My TREASURE? My TALENTS? My TESTIMONY?

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 20 (6/20) is 1 Corinthians 6:20. It says, “For you were bought at a price; Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

    Continue Strong doing everything to His glory,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 25 (12/25)
    is 1 Corinthians 12:25

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 25  (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25
    1 Corinthians 12:25 says, “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
    Take care to CARE for one another.

    As believers, we are members of the church which can be described as a building, a bride and/or a body.  The Apostle Paul will use all three images.  Here in 1 Corinthians, he focuses on the church being like a body.  A body has many parts and while some are more seen than others we are reminded that those not seen are incredibly valuable.  As a person takes care of all the parts of their body so is the body of Christ, the church, to take care of each other.  We are to CARE for one another.

    What does CARING for one another look like?    While a full sermon, even a series of sermons. may not sufficiently answer the question please consider just a couple of thoughts.  

    To care for another calls for SEEING their needs.  James 1:27 says Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress…  The Greek word that is translated as “caring” includes the work SKOPOS which we translate to English as SCOPE.  A scope helps you to see things better, to bring it up closer.  A microscope brings what is invisible into view.  A telescope brings something a long way off up closer for better examination.  One uses to scope on a gun to bring the target into better view.  Thus to care for a person is to SEE UP CLOSE.  It is to look intently for things that may be missing with the intent of then providing for what is missing.   

    To care for another is to take appropriate ACTIONS.  It may be a word of encouragement.  Another verse for 12/25 is Proverbs 12:25.  It says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”  Worry weighs a heart down but a GOOD WORD – a word of encouragement refreshes and restores one to keep running the race of life!  

    To care for another may call for the sharing of advice.  Just a reminder here.  People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Speak the truth with LOVE.  

    As stated we can easily have a sermon series on how to care for one another.  My prayer is that you will consider the call to care for one another and be your brother and sister’s helper!  LOOK and SEE beyond the surface for the real needs of others.  Be proactive in speaking words of encouragement!   

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 25  (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25. It says, “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

    Continue Strong and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD