Good Grief! 1st Corinthians 16 reads like the modern day minutes of a church business meeting! To country quote it, Paul is on the road ministering and has sent Timothy into their (the church of Corinth) to line them out. So Paul warns them “you better be good to my preacher boy.”
(Vs 10) Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
The church was in factions: there were those rich with wealth and those rich with spiritual gifts, those in control and those out of control, all of which was causing much strife among the brethren and it was up to young Timothy straighten out the mess. Just what a new preacher wants to hear!
Well I sincerely hope this is not your church, Hallelujah it is not mine! We’re in good shape. But I can tell you this much, any church is one covert operation away from it happening. Let pride and dissension come in in any form and it can be anyone’s church regardless of how good it is today.
Paul’s advice to the church of Corinth is “Step Up!” and it’s a good word for us too.
Step up the Collections
(Vs 2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
If you love someone you’ll invest in them, you’ll make sure they’re taken care of. My husband, nor I buy each other gifts to prove our love, we buy them as an exhibition of our love. We do not have to buy God’s love, as a matter of fact there’s not enough money in the world to even begin; but our money can and should be used as a display of our love for the Lord and His work. What we invest in shows where our heart is, amen?
In these troubled times the work of the ministry must go on. The time is drawing near that Christ will return and fewer and fewer people are finding it needful to be a part of the church. They have been lulled to sleep by the lies of Satan that there is “another” way, or they are “good enough.” We need to spread the Word, and that takes money.
We need to Step up our Conduct
(Vs. 11) Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
Paul had sent Timothy into their congregation to reprove them for their behaviors, which was anything but godly. How on earth can we expect to see new folks coming into the fold when the sheep are acting more like ornery wolves outside the door? They’re behavior is not concealed, it’s open and blatant acts against the scripture and in the same breath they’ll invite someone to revival. And when the preacher dare preaches against it, or heaven forbid calls them out on it and they’re upset with the church. I know… I’m bordering preaching, but it’s the truth, and I’m not in a pulpit, I’m on the internet, so it’s all good!
We need to step up our Constancy
Right here in the thick of summer when all the fun weekend projects are goin’ on and I’m yacking about church attendance.
(Vs. 13) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Well, the truth of the matter is, folks don’t just die in the winter. We need to stand strong in our faith and show our family and friends that it’s an important part of our lives. It’s not just so they’ll see, it’s so you’ll be encouraged. Laying out of church will do your spiritual side no favors! You’ll be lower than a snails belly when you drag back in this fall; or God forbid, something happens in your life where you need God in a major way, and you’re in no condition to fight a battle because you laid your sword down in June and have no idea where you left it.
Come on Saints of God. Let’s Step Up!!!! These are exciting times. The Lord could return today and He wants to find you faithful and serving. Jesus loves you, and so do I.