The Greatest is Love

May 31, 2015 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 13 Between Paul’s description of the diversity of spiritual gifts and his dissertation on the gift of speaking in tongues he inserted this sidebar on the abiding virtues. It has been said that Corinth had what could be described as the most spiritually gifted congregation presented in the scriptures. Ironically, Corinth also had the worst laundry list of moral failures attributed to a Christian church in the bible as well. How can members of a congregation be so spiritually gifted and yet live such ragged lives morally? Sometimes people mistake their spiritual gift for proof of their spiritual maturity. Newly saved Christians can have spiritual gifts and yet be spiritually immature. Spiritual maturity is demonstrated by living a life of benevolent love towards others. The exercise of spiritual gifts reaches its crescendo experience only when the gifted person walks in love. What’s love got to do with it? The love described in our lesson is not emotionally charged but instead it is fueled by the necessity to meet the physical needs of others. It is not enough just to pray for people if we can help them physically as well. Speaking in tongues to a hungry person will leave them hungry and confused. Sadly, Christians can feel good about themselves and their spiritual gifts and never extend a hand to help a fellow human being. The biblical accounts of the gospel are not just records of Jesus’ parables, sermons, and bible lessons. The gospel accounts actually describe many deeds that Jesus performed in addition to his statements. In fact, Jesus’ statements were often explanations of his deeds. The religious leaders did not criticize Jesus primarily because of what he said. Much of their criticism was directed towards Jesus’ actions. Paul reminds us in this letter that our works will be judged to determine our reward. We sing “Only what we do for Christ will last” but do we know what it means to do something for Christ? Jesus said that he takes it personally what people do towards those he considers the least in this world. Jesus talked about judging nations not because of whether they heal the sick, speak in tongues, or even preach a great sermon. Jesus said he will judge them based on whether they feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned or take in strangers. If the nations will be judged based on their treatment of those who are often treated as society’s outcasts, how much more will Christians be put to shame for failing to demonstrate love to the same? Paul wrote about the fruitlessness of great exploits in the area of spiritual gifts or self-sacrifice when done in the absence of love. The bible teaches that it is impossible to please God without faith. But faith exercised in the absence of love will not profit us or bring us a reward. Faith and hope are so closely related that it is difficult to define one without referring to the other. Christians should have both because they are considered abiding virtues. When it seems that all else is gone, Christians should hold on to faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love. Robert C. Hudson April 17, 2015

Gift of Languages

May 24, 2015 Background Scripture: Acts 2:1 – 21; 1 Corinthians 14:1 – 25 Lesson Passage: Acts 2:1 – 7, 12; 1 Corinthians 14:13 – 19 I believe that the gift of languages, or speaking in tongues, has been the most misunderstood of all of the spiritual gifts. The fact that Paul dedicated so much of this letter to the church at Corinth to address this topic is evidence that misunderstandings concerning the gift have been around a very long time. Today, the argument seems to revolve around whether a person can be saved and not have this particular gift. The bible describes two different types of speaking in tongues. Early in the book of Acts, the followers of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem for prayer. Into this setting, the Holy Ghost came and endowed them with the gift of speaking in languages they had not previously learned. There was a group present in Jerusalem who heard them and recognized the languages to be their native tongues and not those of the speakers. What they spoke was clear to the hearers. The hearers heard them glorying God in their native tongue and wondered what it all meant. This is the only instance in the bible where unbelievers are described as understanding the languages of Christians speaking in unlearned languages. The other instances in the bible that reference Christians speaking in tongues accompanied salvation or the laying on of hands. In these instances, there is no reference to foreigners being present who understood the languages being spoken. In the fourteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gives extensive treatment to the proper use and understanding of the gift of speaking in tongues. It should be noted that earlier in this letter Paul referenced speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues as both gifts that are given to some believers by the Holy Ghost. I emphasize “some believers” because Paul stated that the Holy Ghost gives the gifts according to his will. The scriptures do not teach that all believers receive the gift of speaking in tongues. In fact, Paul argued that the diversity of the gifts is what is to be appreciated and that Christians should know that all do not receive the same gifts. The purpose of some gifts seems obvious—such as the gift of healing. However, the purpose of the gift of languages or speaking in tongues is not obvious, therefore Paul expounded on this gift. Tongues are a sign to unbelievers because it is evidence that the invisible God is present and at work. In Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, the unsaved hearers heard the gift of languages as an acknowledgement of God’s divine presence. In Cornelius’ house, Peter heard the gift of languages as a sign that God extended salvation to Gentiles as well as to Jews. In Jerusalem, the gift of languages was a sign to the unsaved hearers. In Cornelius’ house the gift of languages was a sign to the unbelieving Apostle Peter who did not think that God would accept Gentiles. In both cases, the gift of languages served as a sign to dispel unbelief. I believe that Paul’s letter was encouragement to the Christians who had the gift of languages but also instructions so that they would not abuse the gift. It seems evident in the Pauline letter that after the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost made his arrival, the gift of tongues was to benefit a congregation only when someone with the gift of interpretation of tongues was present. Otherwise, the gift only serves the one who has it and it should not be used in an open assembly. Robert C. Hudson April 17, 2015

One Body; Many Members

May 17, 2015 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 31 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 31 Hezekiah Walker was biblically correct when he wrote the lyrics “I need you. You need me. We’re all a part of God’s body.” As Christians, we acknowledge that we are members of the body of Christ but do we know what that really means? Paul explained our oneness as a means to show Christians in Corinth that schisms or cliques have no part within a local church. If we can’t understand oneness within the context of a local congregation, then we will have a difficult time comprehending that all Christians everywhere work together for the same purpose in Christ. All Christians are a part of a human temple for the Spirit of God to live in. When each of us allows the Spirit within us to control our life, then we will act and work in unison. Then what Christians do in Japan will have an effect on what Christians do in Brazil or Canada. That is where the difficulty lies when it comes to understanding the oneness of Christianity. There is a nagging question that asks “How are all Christians connected together?” Sadly, we don’t always know when we are in the presence of other Christians. Therefore, how can we know that what each of us is doing is somehow accomplishing a single purpose? First we need to understand that each Christian is undergoing a process of sanctification. Through the process of sanctification, the Holy Ghost is delivering us from the power of sin in our daily living. However, the rate at which sanctification takes place is determined by the individual’s willingness to submit to the lordship of Christ. We may readily submit to the need for fellowship by deciding to make Sunday a sacred day and demonstrate this by dutifully attending a local church on a regular basis. On the other hand, we may not be ready to submit to the lordship of Christ in the area of financial stewardship. Each portion of a person’s life can be evolving at a different pace in terms of our spiritual maturity. A Christian can be spiritually mature in some areas but not in others. As an example, salvation does not necessarily bring the desire to turn our financial decisions over to the guidance of the word of God. Often, many Christians need to grow in that area. Likewise, we may not be ready to submit seven days a week to God’s schedule for us. If we manage to give up every Sunday, that is often such a large commitment that we want to get accustomed to it before we consider any more of our “personal” time. It is for this reason that we don’t always get the “many members but one body” understanding of our Christianity. Nevertheless, Christians are all a part of the body of Christ. Each of us has been endowed with spiritual gifts that are to be used to build up the body. The different gifts enable us to function differently just as a physical body is composed of different parts that perform different functions. So it is with the body of Christ. Christians are all a part of the spiritual body of Christ. The fact that Christ is not divided is reason enough for Christians to learn to work together for Christ’s sake. We are many members but we are gifted differently to allow us to operate as one spiritual body. Robert C. Hudson April 16, 2015

One Body; Many Members

May 17, 2015 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 31 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 31 Hezekiah Walker was biblically correct when he wrote the lyrics “I need you. You need me. We’re all a part of God’s body.” As Christians, we acknowledge that we are members of the body of Christ but do we know what that really means? Paul explained our oneness as a means to show Christians in Corinth that schisms or cliques have no part within a local church. If we can’t understand oneness within the context of a local congregation, then we will have a difficult time comprehending that all Christians everywhere work together for the same purpose in Christ. All Christians are a part of a human temple for the Spirit of God to live in. When each of us allows the Spirit within us to control our life, then we will act and work in unison. Then what Christians do in Japan will have an effect on what Christians do in Brazil or Canada. That is where the difficulty lies when it comes to understanding the oneness of Christianity. There is a nagging question that asks “How are all Christians connected together?” Sadly, we don’t always know when we are in the presence of other Christians. Therefore, how can we know that what each of us is doing is somehow accomplishing a single purpose? First we need to understand that each Christian is undergoing a process of sanctification. Through the process of sanctification, the Holy Ghost is delivering us from the power of sin in our daily living. However, the rate at which sanctification takes place is determined by the individual’s willingness to submit to the lordship of Christ. We may readily submit to the need for fellowship by deciding to make Sunday a sacred day and demonstrate this by dutifully attending a local church on a regular basis. On the other hand, we may not be ready to submit to the lordship of Christ in the area of financial stewardship. Each portion of a person’s life can be evolving at a different pace in terms of our spiritual maturity. A Christian can be spiritually mature in some areas but not in others. As an example, salvation does not necessarily bring the desire to turn our financial decisions over to the guidance of the word of God. Often, many Christians need to grow in that area. Likewise, we may not be ready to submit seven days a week to God’s schedule for us. If we manage to give up every Sunday, that is often such a large commitment that we want to get accustomed to it before we consider any more of our “personal” time. It is for this reason that we don’t always get the “many members but one body” understanding of our Christianity. Nevertheless, Christians are all a part of the body of Christ. Each of us has been endowed with spiritual gifts that are to be used to build up the body. The different gifts enable us to function differently just as a physical body is composed of different parts that perform different functions. So it is with the body of Christ. Christians are all a part of the spiritual body of Christ. The fact that Christ is not divided is reason enough for Christians to learn to work together for Christ’s sake. We are many members but we are gifted differently to allow us to operate as one spiritual body. Robert C. Hudson April 16, 2015

Gifts of the Spirit

May 10, 2015 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1 – 11 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1 – 11 As we embark on a brief study of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, I believe it is prudent that we say something about the nature of Spiritual gifts. There is a marked difference between a spiritual gift and a natural talent. I believe that God has in many cases taken natural talents and used them for ministry. I believe the origin is what separates spiritual gifts from natural talents. Some people are born with natural abilities and/or talents that are truly amazing. It seems to require very little effort for them to display those talents even though they may in fact not even nurture them. I can recall a classmate in grade school who had a knack for freehand drawing. He would draw all of the super heroes—complete with toned muscles. He was left-handed so I thought all left-handed people were good artists. It was later in life that I learned that some people are born with the ability to do some amazing things. Their natural talents had nothing to do with their religious faith. Some did not express an interest or involvement in religion at all. They were just born with a knack for what they were able to do. On the other hand, people are not born with spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are given to regenerated individuals by the Holy Ghost. These spiritual gifts are not enhancements to natural talents. Rather, they are God-given abilities that the person did not possess prior to their Christian salvation. Spiritual gifts should be nurtured with lots of prayer so that the individual can be led by the Holy Spirit in the use of the gift. The bible teaches that we can desire and even make requests for specific spiritual abilities but whether we receive them or not is left totally up to the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost administers the gifts as He chooses. Spiritual gifts are numerous and vary widely in manifestation and impact. Although there is a diversity of spiritual gifts, all spiritual gifts serve one purpose and that is to build up the body of Christ. Some gifts only affect one person while some impact hundreds or even thousands at the same time. But all gifts should be used as the person is being led by the Holy Ghost to render service. The true riches of local churches are found in the diversity of spiritual gifts possessed by the members of the congregations. It is important for members of a local church to learn about their spiritual gifts and use them to help spiritually build up the congregation. People cannot change the nature of spiritual gifts to use them for selfish reasons that are counter to God’s will. I believe that there are spiritual gifts to address every need a local church has. In our lesson today, Paul’s express purpose in writing this information to the Corinthian congregation was to make them knowledgeable about spiritual gifts. Although this is not an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts, it is sufficient to make the point concerning how different the various gifts are. Paul emphasized the ministry of the Holy Ghost in deciding which gifts certain Christians would receive. Paul also emphasized that each Christian received the gift(s) to serve others through the exercise of the gift(s). Gifts of the Spirit are allocated by the Holy Spirit and administered by the same Spirit. Let us remember: We have received gifts of the Spirit for the benefit of the body of Christ—which is the church. Robert C. Hudson April 10, 2015