As we continue our overview of Paul's epistles, those books written to us, for this dispensation of grace, 1 Corinthians 4 & 5 have much to say to us. Thank you all for participating in the daily Bible reading and being ready to share the key verse that spoke to you in each chapter. Please read chapters 7 - 11 this week, one chapter per day, and hi-lite the verse that spoke to you in each chapter. We will continue our "walk through" of each chapter / book that is written to us, seeking to make application of the doctrine, pursuing God's will in each of us, of being conformed to Christ. Remember, "All the Bible was not written to us, but, all the Bible was written for us." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Chapter 4 -- Paul speaks to the problem of accountability. After dealing with the rampant carnality within the church in chapter 3, and explaining the judgment seat of Christ, he reminds us all that individual accountability to Christ is tied to our faithfulness to him. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Paul refers to us all as a family, with him as the patriarch in v.14-16: I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. We can have many teachers who impart knowledge, but Paul compels us to be fathers! A father is someone who is willing to pour in the life of Christ, from infancy to maturity, so that their spiritual children will bear fruit that will remain; someone who is willing to lead in all manners of life. We are reminded that the Kingdom of God is spiritual, not a physical kingdom in v.20: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. Please read Romans 14:17 & 1 Corinthians 15:50 as supporting verses. Chapter 5 -- The problem of compromise & moral disorder in the church is addressed. Sin is referred to as leaven in this chapter. The Bible gives us two types of leaven -- bad doctrine (Matthew 13:33, 16:6,11-12) and open unrepentant sin in the body that pollutes the body, and poisons any potential of holiness (Galatians 5:9). I mentioned the woman of Matthew 13:33, who spreads bad doctrine in all three measures of the Christian world, so that it is all is leavened. This is woman, in type and shadow, is compared to the Proverbs 7 harlot, who is a picture of the harlot of Revelation 17 & 18 -- the Babylon Mystery Religion, the harlot who consorts with all the kings of this world, and the Antichrist, the final kingdom before the 2nd Advent. That woman Jezebel, mentioned in Revelation 2:23: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols., is a reference to the Babylon Mystery Religion that is entrenched in church doctrine. Jezebel, King Ahab's wife (1 Kings 18 - 2 Kings 9), led the northern tribes into idolatry / Baal worship, the root of the Babylon Mystery Religion today. Finally, we are commanded to withdraw ourselves from fellowship from that unrepentant brother or sister, that the church is aware of their sinful lifestyle. 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14-15 instruct us that the purpose of shunning the unrepentant brother or sister, that they might be ashamed, which leads them to a repentant heart attitude, and be restored to fellowship. Next week, we will walk through chapter 7 and following. I look forward to hearing the key verses that speak to you! Be ready to share those verses with everyone.
