I want to continue a discussion that we had in our Wednesday Bible study recently from 1 Corinthians chapter 9.  Paul uses himself as a personal example of self-denial  by stating he could have been paid by the church for service in ministry.  However, he chose to give up his personal liberty by not accepting compensation and decided to work so that he wouldn’t be a stumbling block to others (He mentions this same concept in 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9). As he discusses with the Corinthian Christians whether it is ok to eat meat that had previously been offered to idols (8:9-13) he employs a radical idea and that is to give up a personal liberty for the LOVE OF UNITY.

This liberty that Paul could have enjoyed (being paid for ministry) could potentially cause a brother to sin.  He didn’t want to be a stumbling block to others by eating meat offered to idols (a liberty the Corinthians could have enjoyed) but would be placing a stumbling block in a brothers path.  A freedom that Paul ultimately says is not worth participating in because the stakes are too high. He never wanted to lose a brother or sister or cause them to stumble!  The stronger response spiritually is to forfeit a personal liberty for the LOVE of UNITY.

There is a much bigger picture here to consider than eating meat offered to idols. Paul was very concerned over the church dividing (1:10-11). The concern in chapter 8:9-13 was one of many issues confronting the church at Corinth and a reason for causing division.  Quick question...Do we really desire to “win” souls or arguments? Is it about getting what “I” want with no “HIGHER way” option only my way?  Do we only desire the ultimatums we establish and the lines we draw in the sand?  Remember Paul’s ultimatum?  GIVE UP your liberty, freedoms, and personal agenda for a greater cause….UNITY!

Think about the direction the church at Corinthian was heading in by being selfish over opinions and issues and it wasn’t a good one. They were going to split the fellowship, sever friendships, and divide the church which would have created more skeptics. The church would have an ugly cloud covering their influence in the community which wouldn’t have been beneficial to the Lord!  The beautiful blessing for the Corinthians is they took Paul’s advice and the church was blessed as a result (read 2 Corinthians). It takes a stronger person spiritually to submit, be humble, and penitent in the presence of brethren and before God.

Paul had one thing on his mind and that was to NEVER be a hindrance to the Gospel of Christ by letting his personal preferences keep the weaker brethren from running the race of faith and winning the ultimate prize which is eternal life with God. Let’s be determined to do the same for the LOVE of UNITY. 

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58

Would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in or would you rush about?

And I wonder... if the Savior spent a day or two with you
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you go?
Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your closest friends?
Or would you hope they stay away until His visit ends?

Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
Or would you sign with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

~ Author Unknown

(John 3:16, James 1:17)

We are saved by the amazing Grace of God.  We will not be saved without it.  Eph. 2:8, Eph. 2:4-5

We are saved by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We will not be saved without it.  Heb. 2:9, 2 Cor. 5:15

We are saved by FAITH (belief and trust) in Jesus Christ.  We will not be saved without it.  Heb. 10:39, Rom. 3:22

We are saved by CONFESSING the name of Christ before men.  We will not be saved without it.  1 Tim. 6:12, Rom. 10:9

We are saved by REPENTING of our sins.  We will not be saved without it.  Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19

We are saved by BEING BAPTIZED for Forgiveness of our sins.  We will not be saved without it.  Acts 2:47, Acts 22:16

We are saved by Being IN the church  (The body of Christ).  We will not be saved without it.  Acts 2:47, Eph.1:22,23

We are saved by Being CREATED in Christ Jesus for good works.  We will not be saved without it.  Eph. 2:10, James 1;22

We are saved by Being OBEDIENT to God.  We will not be saved without it.  Romans 6:17, 18, 1 Peter 1:13,14

We are saved by Being FAITHFUL unto death.  We will not be saved without it.  Rev. 2:10b, Acts 11;23

We can never do anything to deserve or earn our salvation.  Which of God’s commands can we ignore and still be saved?  Rev. 14:12.

There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time, his throat became very dry.  About that time, he saw a little shack in the distance.

He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.  The note read: "Pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it. If you do this, you will get all the water you need".

Now the man had a choice to make. If he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked, he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work, he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or, he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die.

After thinking about it, the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle.  At first, nothing happened, and he got a little scared. But, he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out that he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find.

Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed.

Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler. The man refilled the jug and added to the note:  Please prime the pump, believe me it works!

We have the same choice to make.  Do we hold on to what we have because we don't believe there are better things in store for us, and settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We need to pour in all the water, and trust God with everything. Then, once we have experienced what God has to offer - "the living water", we need to tell other

people, Go ahead prime the pump.  Believe me, It works!!!"

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will directs your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

There are many identifiable characteristics found in the first century church that made them such a special group of people which are also seen here as well.

One of these characteristics is GENEROSITY.   Luke shares in Acts 2:44-45, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”   We read also about this in Acts 4:32-37. This trait made the early church a strong and close-knit family by responding beautifully to meeting one another’s needs. This wasn’t command at this time and was simply an appropriate response from the heart to those in need.

This trait was taught and shared by Jesus, witnessed and displayed by the apostles, and ultimately embraced and practiced by the early church.  Generosity is a CHARACTERISTIC that permeates throughout the church and is a beautiful quality learned by watching the faithful response of generous people who meet the needs of their spiritual family.

** Jesus went about doing good and helping those in need (Acts 10:38), taught by our Lord (Acts 20:35), remembering those in need was a common practice in the early church (Galatians 2:10), taught by the apostles (Galatians 6:10), Paul taught this expression of faith to a young preacher (1 Timothy 6:18-19), expressed by the writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 14:16), taught by Paul as an enduring quality (2 Thessalonians 3:13)**

I write about this because I have witnessed GENEROSITY first hand as a recipient by so many of you over the course of this last year. You have been so generous with me and my family in so many ways and we are grateful for each generous act given out of love.

Recently, we have received financial gifts in response to our adoption process. One was given by some children and another was given by a family. I mention these because they are generous acts of kindness like we find in the scriptures about the early church and, equally important, they were responses from the heart to help meet an important need.

These gifts of love were taught by the faithful example of parents who then passed this wonderful trait down to their children. It is ultimately lived out and witnessed by grandchildren who are now following in their grandparents’ and parents’ footsteps. What a beautiful sacrifice of love!

This is one of the many great qualities that makes this church such a wonderful spiritual family!  We are indeed grateful for help meeting a major need and loving us like family!!  “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:1-2