Mercy

1 Corinthians 7:21,24-31 - Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)… So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.


2 Corinthians 4:1 - Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

Romans 13:11-12 - Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Application:

· Has God called and commanded me? Has He supplied me the strength necessary to persevere in the face of hardships and persecutions?
· Do I live contentedly in my social and economic situation, realizing that I am free in Christ?
· Do I understand the present time? Do I recognize the time for loving others is now?
· Am I putting aside the deeds of darkness? Am I putting on the armor of light?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Bought At A Price, Not Slaves Of Men

1 Corinthians 7:23 - You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.


1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Peter 1:17-19 - And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Application:

· Do I realize that my ultimate allegiance is not to men but to Christ?
· Do I honor God with my body?
· Have I been redeemed from the curse of the law and from wickedness?
· Christ is the Passover lamb, who has taken away my sin.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Freedman

1 Corinthians 7:22 - For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.


John 8:31-32 - So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Romans 6:22 - But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Application:

· Do I realize that in a spiritual sense, I belong to Christ? Have I pledged my allegiance to Him?
· The truth sets me free from sin.
· Am I a slave to God? There is no eternal life without holiness. Do I give evidence of being justified by the presence of holiness in my life?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Were You A Slave?

1 Corinthians 7:20-22 - Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.


John 8:31-32 - So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Application:

· Do I live contentedly in my social and economic situation? As I try to improve my condition, am I content at every stage?
· Do I realize, that in a spiritual sense, I belong to Christ? Have I pledged my allegiance to Him?
· The truth sets me free from sin.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Nothing

1 Corinthians 7:18-19 - Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.


Galatians 5:6 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Galatians 6:15 – For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Colossians 3:11 - Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Application:

· Do I have a living trust in God’s grace? Does my faith express itself in acts of love?
· Have I undergone a transformation? Have I become an entirely new being?
· Christ alone matters.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Honor God With Your Body

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.


Romans 14:7 – For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.

Revelation 5:9-10 - And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Application:

· Do I value my body as a sacred place where God dwells? Do I realize that I am helped against sin by the Spirit’s presence and power?
· Do I live to please myself or the Lord? Do I realize that even when I die, the important thing is my relationship with the Lord?
· Do I honor God with my body?
· Do I realize that my ultimate allegiance is not to men but to Christ?
· Christ purchased me for God with His blood.
· Do I glorify God in everything I do?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

A Dispute With Another

1 Corinthians 5:12-6:2,7 - For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?... To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?


Romans 13:3-4 - For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

2 Timothy 2:12-14 - if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

Application:

· Have I been defeated by greed, retaliation and hatred? Or do I practice unselfishness, forgiveness and love?
· When civil rulers overstep their function, do I or will I obey God rather than man?
· Am I fully competent to judge claims between other believers?
· When I judge, am I only judging those inside the church?
· Am I enduring, or am I disowning Him?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

You Really Are Unleavened

1 Corinthians 5:7 - Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.


Exodus 12:5-6,21 - Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight…Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb.

1 Peter 1:17-19 - And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Corinthians 1:2-3 - To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:11 – And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

John 1:29 - The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Application:

· I am already sanctified in God’s sight. But I am called to be holy also in conduct
· Jesus was like a lamb without blemish or defect
· Jesus is my Passover lamb, sacrificed once for me
· Christ is the Passover lamb who takes away the sin of the world
· I have been declared holy and I am being made holy
· God does save and sanctify people like me
· Jesus, my Passover lamb, remained silent before the chief priests, Pilate and Herod
· Jesus was the sacrifice that atoned for the sin of the world

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

We Bless

1 Corinthians 4:7-15 - For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.


Matthew 5:44-45 - But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

1 Corinthians 9:12,23 - If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ…I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Application:

· Do I express love to my enemies and to those who persecute me by praying for them?
· Am I ready to surrender my rights because of love for others?
· Am I faithful to Christ and His gospel? Am I recognizing the blessings associated with that?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Appointed Time

1 Corinthians 4:4-6 - For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.


1 Corinthians 3:12-13 - Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

Romans 2:29 - But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

1 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Application:

· Will my work stand the test or will it disappear?
· Do I have true signs of belonging to God? Is the power of the Holy Spirit regenerating me from within?
· Is my view of man Biblical? Do I recognize man’s weakness and ever-present limitations?
· Do I trust God to do what He has promised? Will He keep me strong to the end?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Secret Things

1 Corinthians 4:1-3 - This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.


Titus 1:7-8 - For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Romans 11:25 - Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Application:

· Am I blameless? Am I overbearing, quick-tempered or given to drunkenness? Am I violent? Do I pursue dishonest gain?
· Does God’s merciful plan to include me in His great salvation plan humble me or fill me with arrogance?
· My judgment is human and my conscience may be mistaken. Only God is fully qualified to judge.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Christ Is Of God

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 – So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.


1 Corinthians 15:23 - But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

John 10:30 - I and the Father are one.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Application:

· I am united with and belong to Christ. I am in union with the church’s leaders and with Christ
· I will be raised at His second coming
· Jesus and the Father are one in essence or nature, but they are not identical persons
· I know firsthand the grace, the love, and the fellowship that freely flow to me from the three persons of the one Lord God.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

God's Temple

1 Corinthians 3:14-16 - If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?


1 Corinthians 6:19 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

2 Corinthians 6:16 - What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Hebrews 3:5-6 - Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

Application:

· I am part of God’s church; God’s Spirit lives in me
· Do I value my body as a sacred place where God dwells? Do I realize that I can be helped against immorality by God’s Spirit?
· Have I formed unholy alliances with unbelievers?
· Am I part of God’s house? Am I persevering?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

That Day

1 Corinthians 3:10-13 - According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.


2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 - This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

2 Timothy 4:8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Jeremiah 23:28-29 - Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Application:

· Will my work stand the test of divine judgment or will it be worthless?
· Will my work stand the test or will it disappear?
· Do I recognize God? Have I accepted His gospel or have I rejected His royal invitation?
· God’s glory is seen in what I am.
· Will I be awarded a crown of righteousness on that Day?
· Speaking the Word faithfully feeds and nourishes.
· The Word tests the quality of my work. The Word judges the thoughts and attitudes of my heart.
· I am responsible for what I have done with my life as a Christian.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV