Thursday-Yr B-Sun bet Jul 3-9
Today’s readings: Psalm 48, 2 Samuel 2:1-11, I Corinthians 4:8-13,
1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (New International Version)
8Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment, we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
“He’s not as good a Christian as we are.” Andrew told his friend. “He doesn’t go to our church and his preacher is not as good as ours.”
“How do you know?” Joe asked.
“My mom said so.” Andrew replied as they walked in the door that led to their kitchen. He saw his mom sitting at the table with her Bible open to a passage; her notebook and pen that she used to journal each day were beside it.
“Hi, Mom.” Andrew called. She looked up and smiled. He saw tears welling around her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, but my own pride and arrogance.” She got up and went to the refrigerator to fix a snack for the boys. “Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich, okay?”
The boys nodded and she opened the bread and took out four slices and smeared on globs of peanut butter on one and jelly on the other.
“What’s wrong with your pride and arrogance?” Andrew ventured. He popped a section of sandwich into his mouth.
“I was reading in 1 Corinthians today. Paul was writing to the church in Corinth. They were saying that Paul was not as good as Apollos.”
“Who’s Apollos?” Joe asked after he swallowed a gulp of milk.
“Apollos was a gifted preacher. He convinced many to follow him and believe in Christ. Some said he was better than Paul and so people should follow Apollos and not Paul.”
“What’s wrong with following Apollos if he was better than Paul?”
“Paul answers by telling us that it doesn’t matter who preaches Christ as long as someone preaches about Christ. So to suggest following one rather than the other is focusing on the preacher, not Christ.”
“But isn’t it really the same thing?”
“No, Paul speaks sarcastically of the Corinthian church’s boasts; it’s not a right to boast about achievements that come from God. He notes that we are called to suffer for Christ’s sake—that we may look foolish or be cursed for what we do. Our job is to work hard, bless others, act kindly, respect everyone, and endure despite the abuse thrown at us.”
“Do we have abuse thrown at us?” “
Well, I was thinking that our church was behaving more like the Corinthian church and less like the kindly Paul.”
“How so?”
“The Corinthian church was filled with people who came to believe in Jesus without having the chance to grow up studying the Scriptures–just like our church. God blessed their enthusiasm with special gifts to help the church grow and learn–just like our church. But they became arrogant about their spiritual gifts claiming that they were better than others, even better than Paul.”
“But if they were so blessed from God, weren’t they better than Paul?”
“It’s not for me to judge, nor should they have judged Paul. Paul says that God uses different types of people, not just one type and that our job is to be Christ-focused. We are to bless when others curse us and to be kind when others are not kind.”
“Doesn’t our church do that?”
“I think when our church puts another church down because they don’t preach the gospel like we do. Even though I prefer our way, it goes against what God wants for me to put down another church. From this passage, I can see we are behaving with pride that displeases God.”
“So what are we supposed to do?”
“I need to ask God’s forgiveness and speak up at church and say that I’ve learned that we need to show that we can bless and treat others kindly and endure being picked on—and that we should not be the ones to persecute others.”
“Is that why you were crying?”
“I did feel very bad and was asking God’s forgiveness for not being filled with the fruits of the Spirit.”
“Mom, I think God will honor you.”
“My concern is that I honor God.”
“Why don’t we pray together?”
“Yes, let’s pray.”
Prayer for Today: Creator God, you made everything that is and without you there is nothing. Forgive us for taking credit for all that you have done. Forgive our pride and arrogance. Enable us to be what you want us to be without self-conceit for gifts that you have given us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. We love you Lord and pray that our work will please you today. Help us to bless those who curse us, treat kindly those who slander us and endure the persecution for your name sake. May we be at peace with all people and with you. Amen.
