Previous Service
Welcome
“The birds fly high in the sky. We believers should be living in heavenly places where God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. We get blessed when we trust and have faith in the Lord Jesus. Let’s give Him all the glory.”
Stella
Worship
Word
Spiritual Health Check
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:18
Any ‘Spiritual Health Check’ undertaken must begin at the cross of Christ. Paul here, contrasts power, not with weakness, as we might expect but with foolishness. Jesus, in preaching the kingdom of heaven, turned the values of this world on their head, e.g.,
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
Matt. 20:26
see also Sermon on Mount). Paul is doing the same thing here, to a church that was still influenced by the culture of the city and other worldly values. The power of the cross is centred on a crucified Messiah, a real cause of stumbling to the Jews, a scandal (Gk. ‘skandalon’), and to the Gentiles / Greeks, utter folly, foolishness; absurd.
How amazing when the very same cross is pure wisdom to God. For sure the sheer wisdom of God is revealed in and through the cross, even the greatest revelation of God, His love, His purity, righteousness, holiness, patience, power etc. How different the world’s values are to God’s!!!
It’s one thing to say I believe in the Christ who died on the cross. It’s another thing to live it. Let’s go back to forgiveness. Here we have our Lord and Master brutally treated, beaten whipped, crowned with thorns, mocked, ridiculed and everything else that was done to Him, the half of which we don’t even know. Yet there He is on the Cross in the throes of death, ever so weak, in utter pain, totally abandoned, and He prays this, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” And yet we in the Church struggle to forgive others when they tread on our toes so to speak.
Paul, himself, in the past had really dished it out especially to Jesus’ Church. Now he himself was suffering so much for the cause of Christ. And what does he write now? “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”? Nothing of the sort, rather:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Eph. 4:29-5:2
There is always that pressure to water things down, to explain the truth away. For sure this is a high and holy standard, impossible humanly speaking, but by God’s grace and the enabling of His Holy Spirit within us, it is possible, So help us Lord in Jesus Christ, Amen.
Quote of the week
“The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales.”
John Wesley
Verse of the week
Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times.” seven.
Matt. 18:21
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and by Your Spirit within, lead me in the way everlasting, the way of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.