1 Corinthians 16:13-18 says...
Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 16:13-18, which read,
v.13, 14 - Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
We are in the concluding chapter and the finishing verses of this letter to the church in Corinth. Paul is giving some last words that will be carried to them by one of brothers in Christ he has discipled named Timothy. These two verses seem to direct these exhortations toward the men of the church. It is not that all are not to be alert or stand in the faith or do things in love but Paul singles out the men to be especially doing this.
There is a popular men's conference that is based off of these two verses. Men's ministry in the church is so important to the spiritual life of the church. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to take the lead in being alert about sin and especially the sin of pride. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to stand firm in the faith of the gospel. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to be biblical men displayed in the Scripture and by the perfect man, Jesus Christ. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to be strong in being alert and firm when it comes to doctrine. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to act in love. As Paul is pointing his finger at the men, he is also pointing it at himself who was alert and standing firm and strong and acting in love. When this comes from the men of the church, it helps establish the direction of the church and the families it represents.
v.15-18 - Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Archaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, acknowledge such men.
After Paul gives this specific instruction to the men of the church in Corinth, then, as Jesus, he gives some physical examples to follow. He names these 3 men, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Archaicus as men to follow in example. In the midst of the wandering of the church of Corinth, these men stood alert, standing firm in the faith, acting like men, being strong, and acting in love. Paul points to these men for the men of the church in Corinth to look at for spiritual examples of spiritual men.
Guys, do you have men like these in your lives? Do you have men that you look to when it comes to your spiritual walk? These are the type of men that you need to be looking to and seeking out that are also in your professional field or your work environment. These are the men who in the midst of a world that is ever changing are staying alert, standing firm, being strong, and acting in love and in doing so they are acting like men. Find these men. They probably won't be named Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Archaicus but mostly your Tom, Dick, and Harry of your life. Pray to God to reveal who these men are to be in your life, "acknowledge such men," and then seek them out to be discipled by them to be spiritual men for the Lord.
Ladies, I don't mean to leave you out of this conversation but the men of the church need this talk and also your prayers to go against the tide of the world that paints them to be something other than a Biblical man. They need support to step forward for Christ in the home and in the church so the next generation of men know who to follow and how to lead.
"Lord, thank You for godly men over the years that have guided me in my walk with You. Some are here and some are gone. Some I have known personally and some I have only known through the history of books. In the area of our spiritual lives may we be alert, standing firm in the faith, strong, and acting in love. May we not be passive when it comes to the passion we have in You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.13, 14 - Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
We are in the concluding chapter and the finishing verses of this letter to the church in Corinth. Paul is giving some last words that will be carried to them by one of brothers in Christ he has discipled named Timothy. These two verses seem to direct these exhortations toward the men of the church. It is not that all are not to be alert or stand in the faith or do things in love but Paul singles out the men to be especially doing this.
There is a popular men's conference that is based off of these two verses. Men's ministry in the church is so important to the spiritual life of the church. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to take the lead in being alert about sin and especially the sin of pride. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to stand firm in the faith of the gospel. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to be biblical men displayed in the Scripture and by the perfect man, Jesus Christ. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to be strong in being alert and firm when it comes to doctrine. Paul is pointing his finger at the men to act in love. As Paul is pointing his finger at the men, he is also pointing it at himself who was alert and standing firm and strong and acting in love. When this comes from the men of the church, it helps establish the direction of the church and the families it represents.
v.15-18 - Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Archaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, acknowledge such men.
After Paul gives this specific instruction to the men of the church in Corinth, then, as Jesus, he gives some physical examples to follow. He names these 3 men, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Archaicus as men to follow in example. In the midst of the wandering of the church of Corinth, these men stood alert, standing firm in the faith, acting like men, being strong, and acting in love. Paul points to these men for the men of the church in Corinth to look at for spiritual examples of spiritual men.
Guys, do you have men like these in your lives? Do you have men that you look to when it comes to your spiritual walk? These are the type of men that you need to be looking to and seeking out that are also in your professional field or your work environment. These are the men who in the midst of a world that is ever changing are staying alert, standing firm, being strong, and acting in love and in doing so they are acting like men. Find these men. They probably won't be named Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Archaicus but mostly your Tom, Dick, and Harry of your life. Pray to God to reveal who these men are to be in your life, "acknowledge such men," and then seek them out to be discipled by them to be spiritual men for the Lord.
Ladies, I don't mean to leave you out of this conversation but the men of the church need this talk and also your prayers to go against the tide of the world that paints them to be something other than a Biblical man. They need support to step forward for Christ in the home and in the church so the next generation of men know who to follow and how to lead.
"Lord, thank You for godly men over the years that have guided me in my walk with You. Some are here and some are gone. Some I have known personally and some I have only known through the history of books. In the area of our spiritual lives may we be alert, standing firm in the faith, strong, and acting in love. May we not be passive when it comes to the passion we have in You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
Comments
Post a Comment