Calvary PSL Women

I think you may find this background information on Corinth a little too much like our good ole USA and the entire world today.  Corinth is a Greek resort city located on a peninsula that was the gathering place for great thinkers, speakers, and pleasure seekers in the first century Roman Empire.  The city also was the location of the great temple to the goddess Aphrodite….the goddess of sex and love.  The priestesses of the temple were actually prostitutes numbering an estimated 10,000!  The focus of the citizens was sensualism and obscenity.

The church in Corinth had many problems so Paul’s 16 chapter letter to them was filled with discussion of their problems as well as direction on how to correct these problems.  The Corinthians also had questions concerning church conduct.  While reading the letter, see if you can spot some problems that plague our churches today.

Problem:   1. Division in the churches over who they follow as leaders.  Some followed Apollos, some Paul,  some other teachers.  2. Sexual immorality condoned within the church.  3.  Lawsuits among Christians. 

Questions:  1. Marriage 2. eating meat that was offered to idols 3. women’s head coverings 4. The Lord’s Supper.

Fix:  The ministry of the Holy Spirit.  

1 Corinthians covers just about everything from soup to nuts!  You will read one of the most used chapters in the Bible…..Chapter 13…the Love chapter.  Here we learn that love is not an emotion; it is a decision.  This decision is played out in our relationship foremost with God the Father and Our Lord, Jesus Christ, as well as with our spouses, children, friends and our beloved church family.

Challenge:  This book offers some great opportunities for discussion, questions, insight and observations.  Hope we hear from you!

Thessalonica is a thriving Grecian city today.  It has had a troubled history through the centuries because of occupation by foreign powers.  When Paul arrived there in the 1st century, Thessalonica was occupied by Rome.  The purpose of his letters to them was to encourage them through a time of upheaval, persecution, and peril.

Unlike Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he is not angry.  Instead, he is tender, patient, encouraging; however, he minces no words when pointing them to proper conduct.  (Have you gotten the impression Paul doesn’t side step any issue!)

From the pages of the two letter to the church in Thessalonica, we learn how to stand firm in persecution, how to continue living for Christ when all around us are not, we know to keep working and waiting on the Lord’s return.  The second letter gives some insight as to the time of the Lord’s return to gather His people and also the Day of the Lord. 

I won’t begin to give detailed information in the Introduction but encourage you to listen to Pastor Mike’s sermon series on these 2 letters which he taught over the summer.  Your questions, insights and comments are Always appreciated and enjoyed by the faithful readers.

Challenge: Stand firm….times may get tougher.  Be ready for the Lord’s coming for us.  It maybe soon!!!!

The Galatians churches were in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Derbe, and Lystra.  Paul experienced persecution in each of these cities. In fact, he was stoned and left for dead in Lystra. 

The theme of Pauls letter is Liberty in Christ.  Because Judaizers (those who still hang onto the Law but claim to be Christians) were preaching a different gospel, Paul wrote to them to clarify Grace and Salvation.  This is probably the angriest letter we will read from Paul.  So, as you begin reading keep in mind he is MAD!

In each case of an Epistle, Paul or the writerwill address error or problems within that church.  Don’t be quick to judge those churches because those same issues have reared its ugly head all the through the centuries down to today!

As we read the letter, let us use the Word of God to search our own hearts.  Have we been justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone?  Have we accepted His free gift of salvation?  Do we mix a little of righteousness in the equation?  Do we think our works or acts of kindness will tip the scales in our favor?  Do we look at others and compare or judge behavior?

Let us hold dear Paul’s letter and claim as he did, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (2:20)

Got Fruit???? (5:22)

Rather than post today, I will have an Intro to the Book of Galatians mid-week.  We will begin reading this short letter on Thursday.

Sorry for the delay in posting!!! OOPS!

Before I introduce the Book of Acts, I want to remind all of the readers of our archives on the Calvary Chapel PSL website.  Pastor Mike has taught verse by verse through the Book of John as well as Acts.  You can search the archives for any portion of the books you may want to research deeper or even listen to his entire series by just a click.  Enjoy!

The Book of Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke who was the companion of Paul on his missionary journeys as well as the author of the Gospel of Luke.  Interestingly, Acts only speaks of basically two apostles….Peter and Paul.  Acts is the account of the work of the Holy Spirit moving through the church continuing Jesus’ earthly ministry.

In our chronological flow of the One Year Bible, Epistles or letters that Paul wrote to specific churches that were established through his missionary journeys will be inserted.   

As we read Acts, keep in mind that the Holy Spirit that was at work establishing His church then is still at work today.  The same Holy Spirit is in us, equipping us to share the same message of Jesus Christ, empowering us to overcome our weaknesses, fears, and barriers. 

Challenge:  Take the message of the cross to our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and utter most parts of our life.  Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to rise above our fear and timidity, to give us the words to speak, and to be His light in this dark place.