Archive for April 2023

Joshua 10-12, Psalm 76, Mark 2:1-12, 1 Corinthians 4 1 Corinthians 4: What is the nature of true apostleship? Or to put it more broadly, what marks out or characterizes godly Christian leadership? Paul is defending himself to the Corinthians who were doubting his credentials. And in that defense, he establishes several important principles. First, Christian leaders are…

Joshua 8-9, Psalm 75, Mark 1:35-45, 1 Corinthians 3   1 Corinthians 3: Paul now begins to address their conflict over human leaders more directly. In the process he establishes some very important principles that pertain to church health and dysfunction. First, divisiveness in church life is a sign of a lack of maturity. We should be hungering…

Joshua 6-7, Psalm 74, Mark 1:21-34, 1 Corinthians 2 1 Corinthians 2: In this passage Paul first explains his evangelistic strategy, and then his discipleship philosophy. First, his evangelistic strategy. Paul deliberately voided himself of superior eloquence of “Sophia” (Greek for wisdom) that was so well-known of the “Sophists” of his day. He did not use their techniques…

Joshua 3-5, Psalm 73, Mark 1:9-20, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 1 Corinthians 1:18-31: An extraordinary passage with an extraordinary message: all is centered on the cross so that God would get all the glory! First, consider why people do not center on the cross? Paul tells us it is because it seems like foolishness. We do not understand its…