We are in the midst of reading and walking through a brief overview of Paul's epistles written to believers of this “Mystery” period known as the dispensation of the grace of God. One of our class sayings is, “All the Bible was not written to me, but all the Bible was written for me.” Since Paul's epistles from Romans to Philemon (13 books) were written to us, we can make a direct, doctrinal application.
Remember, all scripture has three basic applications:
The Simple Treasure Historic Application (STHA)
The Personal Treasure Devotional / Inspirational Application (PTDA)
The Deep Treasure Doctrinal Application (DTDA)
We flew over these three chapters this morning, but you can go to our class website – www.cornerstonebibleclass.com, to watch / listen to our verse by verse study in 1 Corinthians, starting in week 60. Chapter 7 deals with marriage & divorce, as well as learning to be content in your life situation , serving the Lord where you are. Paul gives us commands from the Lord, as well as personal thoughts “by permission.”
Chapter 8 gets very personal concerning our liberty (the freedom to do what is right) in Christ as opposed to license (doing what pleases our flesh). The main thought is that we should not use our liberty to feed our flesh, but to serve one another, and not be a stumblingblock to a weaker brother or sister in Christ. V.8-9: But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. Galatians 5:1,13: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Chapter 9 focuses on Paul's personal testimony concerning not misusing his ministry. The five crown rewards are introduced in v.24-27 with the incorruptible crown of personal temperance / not being a stumblingblock to the lost world or to weaker believers.
The Five Crown Rewards:The Crown Incorruptible – 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 – given to those who do not abuse their liberty in Christ, but live lives of personal piety and holiness.
The Crown of Rejoicing – Philippians 4:1 & 1 Thessalonians 2:19 – the soul winners crown, given to those who share the gospel with the lost people in their lives – family, friends, and co-workers.
The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:6-8 – available to all believers who look for and long for the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at the rapture of the Church Age saints.
Colossians 3:1-4: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.The Crown of Life – James 1:12 & Revelation 2:10 – This is the martyr's crown for all those who sacrifice their lives for their Lord and Savior or die to self that the testimony of Christ will shine through you.
The Crown of Glory – 1 Peter 5:1-4 – This crown is reserved for all who seek to share the truth of the word of God with fellow believers that they might grow in grace, and mature into fruit bearing believers. Ephesians 4:11-13: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
This week, please join me in reading 1 Corinthians 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, one chapter per day, identifying a key verse that speaks to you in that chapter. Be ready to share your key verse next Sunday!
