Faith in our GOD

Men of Courage

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 “13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.”

Looking at a man in todays society is very concerning, In todays times men are judged by the expensive suit they have on, or the perfect hairstyle, how his body looks/his physic, what kind of car does he have, what kind of Job does he have, how much money does he make. This sounds just like society today! Well when you think about this there is something vital missing.

How strong is his faith in God.

Lets look at these 2 verses closely but before we do lets catch up on whats going on and who is saying what.

First I want to look at the very beginning of this book of 1 Corinthians Paul introduces himself in the letter to the church at Corinth like this. Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.

Paul is addressing the people of the church in Corinth, but he ensures that they understand that he is not doing this work foolishly but rather he is Called.

If your called by God and your in this house give him a hand clap of praise. He chose you, think about it like this.

You have just been notified that your in the draft for the NFL. We see this every year these young men are sitting either in the room behind the stage waiting with family for their name to be announced as being take in the draft. Others are at home surrounded by family and friends waiting to hear their name called. When they are selected they get excited and clap shout and do all sort of things.

Why is it that every time we are in this house we are not excited to see what God is going to do today? We should come in full waiting on the word so the spirit can just overflow from us.

Okay verse 13

The Apostle Paul is telling the church at Corinth, of the duties that need to be done by every believer. Based on this exhortation we see several distinct tasks being given by Paul from the Lord. Paul says some key things in this passage.

Watch

Stand fast in faith

be brave

be strong

work in Love

The Apostle Paul has given 5 exhortations to the Corinthians, and the first one is Watch.

Watch Paul is simply reentariating to them what he has brought to their attention earlier in the Letter. Sins like division over who is the best preacher I follow paul, or I fallow Apollos, of I am of cephas, or i am of Christ. Is Christ divided or is he one.

Sexual immorality (Gentiles) that a man has his fathers wife

Arrogance puffed up and have no remourse.

Greviences not handled properly

company with sexually immoral, covetous or and idolater, or reviler or a drunkard, or and extortioner

men do not withhold yourselves from you wife, you have no authority over your own body your wife does.

Wifes do not withhold yourselves from your husband, you have no authority over your own body your husband does.

When both agree to absstane for a season to the work of god in fasting and Prayer then back together as one..

Stand in Faith -They are also carnal in that they are not growing spiritually, Paul said I fed you milk not solid food, and you are still on the milk of the word not the meet. Grow up put envy and strife and division from among you. Paul also tells them to stand in the Gospel in which they have been preached.

be Brave- in one section of the book he tells them “evill company corrupts good habits.” We must be willing to testify and talk about our Risen Savior/ the Hope of the Gospel. We can not be afraid to witness, or tell other about Jesus you don’t have to lead them to salvation the first time you talk to them it could take days, months or even years. But be concestant

Be Strong- we remain strong through unity and diversity in the body of Christ. its like a single piece of cord it can be broken, maybe even a double wrapped cord can be broken but it gets stronger and stronger every cord yoy wrap. The more people you worship and praise with in the body of Christ the stronger and stronger we become. we learn from one another we call each other out. Harmony among us and working toward one central goal.