Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Life: For the Glory of God
Bible portion: 1st Cor. 3:16-19.1 Cor. 3:16-19
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”
Reflection:
The apostle Paul was used mightily to exhort the Corinthian church. In this passage, the Greek word for “you” is plural. When Paul says “you” he is referring to the body of Christ, the church! God’s presence can be found in the church, that is why Paul refers to us, the believers, as God’s temple! We are so precious to our Father. Paul exhorts the church in Corinth of this. He warns them of how God feels about His church not only in Corinth but globally.
This passage is specifically addressed to the leaders of the church in Corinth. As is our human nature, we are so quick to run back to our bondage. Leaders must remember how important it is to not sow division into the church. As believers, we are under one headship which is God. We are merely servants of The Most High King! We are glad for it! As one body, let us not be carried away by our works and jobs within the body. Paul was one of the first church planters, yet he beautifully points his work back to God! He explains how although he planted a church and Apollos watered it, it was God who is the source of our church growth!
When we are leaders within a church we must always remember the heart of God. As Christ came to serve, we too must be servant leaders. To walk by Spirit, is to serve. In God’s sight, what is more important than human wisdom? I would argue it is a heart to serve your fellow man. Our leaders must look to the Most High Priest, Jesus Christ. That is how we can walk by Spirit, when leading a church!
PRAYER
God we come before You and ask You to continue a good work in us. As any child, we are quick to fall short but with Your Holy Spirit may we be a church who leads in unity. Whether we are a servant leader or just another church goer, may we remember we are part of the body of Christ! God loves His bride so much. Lord, show us how to love each other like Christ. Lord show us how to serve each other like Christ. May Your Holy Spirit pour out on this generation. We lay our petitions at Your feet. May Your will be done! God give us grace when we fall short. May we be a body of believers who love each other, as Christ loves the church.
Thought for the Day
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mathew 20:27-28
Jonathan Alex, The Carmel Mar Thoma Church Boston
The apostle Paul was used mightily to exhort the Corinthian church. In this passage, the Greek word for “you” is plural. When Paul says “you” he is referring to the body of Christ, the church! God’s presence can be found in the church, that is why Paul refers to us, the believers, as God’s temple! We are so precious to our Father. Paul exhorts the church in Corinth of this. He warns them of how God feels about His church not only in Corinth but globally.
This passage is specifically addressed to the leaders of the church in Corinth. As is our human nature, we are so quick to run back to our bondage. Leaders must remember how important it is to not sow division into the church. As believers, we are under one headship which is God. We are merely servants of The Most High King! We are glad for it! As one body, let us not be carried away by our works and jobs within the body. Paul was one of the first church planters, yet he beautifully points his work back to God! He explains how although he planted a church and Apollos watered it, it was God who is the source of our church growth!
When we are leaders within a church we must always remember the heart of God. As Christ came to serve, we too must be servant leaders. To walk by Spirit, is to serve. In God’s sight, what is more important than human wisdom? I would argue it is a heart to serve your fellow man. Our leaders must look to the Most High Priest, Jesus Christ. That is how we can walk by Spirit, when leading a church!
PRAYER
God we come before You and ask You to continue a good work in us. As any child, we are quick to fall short but with Your Holy Spirit may we be a church who leads in unity. Whether we are a servant leader or just another church goer, may we remember we are part of the body of Christ! God loves His bride so much. Lord, show us how to love each other like Christ. Lord show us how to serve each other like Christ. May Your Holy Spirit pour out on this generation. We lay our petitions at Your feet. May Your will be done! God give us grace when we fall short. May we be a body of believers who love each other, as Christ loves the church.
Thought for the Day
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mathew 20:27-28
Jonathan Alex, The Carmel Mar Thoma Church Boston