Giving Yourself to God
We began our study of 1Corinthians in November of 2013, today we bring our
study of this letter to a close.
In these last 20 verses, Paul speaks of his traveling plans, mentioning certain
situations and people; and through these we gain insight into Paul’s deep love of
serving the Lord and his deep love for the people of God.
Read verses 5-9... Paul has a definite plan, but within that plan he leaves plenty
of room for the Lord to both direct his steps and provide for his journey.
Paul could have rushed off to Corinth because of the conflict that was going on
there, but he doesn’t. His work in Ephesus was going well and He did not want to
leave until his work was completed.
Paul wanted to come to Corinth when he could spend a significant amount of
time with the believers there, in order to be able to care for them sufficiently.
It is prudent for all of us to plan ahead, in reference to caring for ourselves and
those we love. And as important as that is, I want to direct your thinking to your
own service to God, to knowing and growing in His Word.
Are you intentional and systematic about maturing in Christ and serving the
Lord, or are you just winging it, taking things as they come, hoping spiritual growth
will happen on its own, without a proper diet, ex ercise, rest?
Do you have a plan for becoming more intimate with God through a daily time of
prayer and Bible reading; how about your brothers and sisters in Christ, are you
engaged in a small group for prayer and Bible study?
Do you have time with the Lord before you engage your day? Do you plan your
calendar around time with God and God’s people? Is that a priority for you?
Are you seeking opportunities to serve the Lord, or are you too busy with other
things?
Are you learning how to better explain and defend your faith? How to share
your faith with others?
If you have kids in the home, or opportunities with grand children, are you
instructing them, modeling the things of God? Or are you leaving it to them “to
decide for themselves” what they know and believe about God?
A haphazard approach to spiritual growth may result in a weak, malnourished,
even disabled Christian life.
In the passage today we see that even though Paul is making plans, he leaves
room for God to change them, for Paul understood that the best laid plans of men
are sometimes very self-centered and short-sighted.
Have you noticed that some of the best opportunities we have to serve the Lord
come to us as interruptions.
An unplanned conversation at the Post Office or store.
The unexpected confession of a friend in trouble.
A stranger who asks about the symbol on your shirt.
Or perhaps the person whom you ask, “How are you?” answers, “Not so good,
do you have a minute?”
We must always be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in our lives, after all, we work
for Him, and our desire, like Paul’s, should be to serve God in whatever way He
calls us, at the same time caring for others (James 4:13-15; Ephesians
4:32-5:2; Colossians 3:17, 23-24).
Life is filled with opportunities for us to serve the Lord, one another, and anyone
who is in need; we all have the same amount of time in a day, but we use it
differently.
Are you giving more time to your self-indulgences than you are to God, God’s
Word, and God’s people?
Read Verses 10-12... Paul speaks of Timothy who came to faith in Christ through
Paul (1Timothy 1:2-5) and was set apart as pastor in Ephesus. Timothy’s mother
was a Jew and his father a Greek, here Paul tells the Corinthians to be kind to him
and accept him as a servant of Christ.
Paul speaks of Apollos, a Jewish convert who was a bold and learned man
(1Corinthians 1:22; 3:4-6, 22;4:6 ) well respected by Paul, and although Paul
desired him to go along to Corinth with Timothy and the others, Apollos wanted to
stay in Ephesus for now, and go later.
Read verses 15-18... Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus, were the first converts
from the region of Achaia (1:16); they came to visit Paul, and encouraged him.
Paul says these men are to be appreciated and respected.
Read verses 19-24... Paul signs off by sending a greeting from Aquila and
Priscilla, who Paul had originally met in Corinth; they were tentmakers like Paul,
and in fact, had moved to Ephesus, where Paul most likely lived with them during
the three years he was there, holding church in their home. This couple also taught
Apollos when he was there in Ephesus (Acts 18:24-28).
Read verses 13-14... Paul’s challenge and exhortation is very clear, he says we
should be “on guard and stand firm in the faith,” like a soldier on duty to protect
and serve, who must stay alert and stand his ground.
As Christians, it is easy to get distracted by other things, to let down our guard
(Proverbs 4:23), “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
What must we guard against? False doctrine, fear, apathy. Lies are promoted in
the church, on television, in movies, on talk shows, in popular books and music, in
our schools, our government, and our culture.
False doctrine can be so subtle that the only way to recognize it is by spending
time in God’s Word and knowing what God says (Colossians 2:8-10).
We must be on guard against fear, intimidation, and exclusion, leading to
apathy; Paul says, be courageous, refuse to be marginalized and bullied by the
media and the culture, “be strong” against the constant exposure to immorality,
lies, and pressure to compromise our faith.
Everything we do should honor the Lord: the way we work, raise our kids, spend
our money, the hobbies and entertainment we enjoy.
When our Christianity starts being dictated to or altered by social, cultural or
political pressures, we better wake up, get up, and do something about it.
If you are giving most of your attention to earthly necessities, enjoyments, and
pursuits, you will be stunted spiritually, and you will not have much to give back to
God (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10; 2Peter 1:3-8).
Think about it? What are you doing to grow stronger in God’s Word and to
become more intimate with God? What are you doing for God's Church? God’s
Kingdom? Perhaps it is time for you to give more attention to the things that have
eternal value: prayer, study, service?
If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior and confessed Him as
Lord, that is the very first step (Romans 10:9-10, 13). No one is good enough to
go to heaven, that is why God sent His Son, to pay the penalty for our sins, that we
might be made acceptable to God through Christ’s sovereign death and
resurrection.
God loves us so much He made a way for us to know Him, to love Him, to honor
and obey Him, and to live with Him in heaven forever (1John 5:1-5, 11-13).