Aug 4 – 1 Chronicles 16:37-43, 1 Chronicles 17, 1 Chronicles 18 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 Proverbs 19:3-12

1 Cor 1:4

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,

The letters to the Corinthians are very interesting ones. This one was written as a result of a letter of questions Paul had received from the church in Corinth.

Paul founded this church and had spend over a year there setting it up – it was in a strategic city out of which other areas could be reached. But when Paul moved on he started hearing some very concerning reports.

Members of the household of Chloe(1:11) and other friends (16:17) came to him at Ephesus and brought news of their divisions and of the evil practices of certain of their members.

So Paul takes the opportunity to reply to their questions – but also to address the issues he’s heard about. Many of these problems could just as easily have been written to the church today – is it’s an incredibly useful letter.

But look at how he opens it.

Grace and Pace and I always give thanks for you.

He’s going to tell them off – he’s going to get into some things that he will directly challenge. But he starts with warmness and with grace.

When we see wrong – it must be challenged. But let’s do it with warmth and grace.

1 Cor 1:11-13

For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarrelling among you, my brothers.

What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptised in the name of Paul?

We do this all the time don’t we? We start getting carried away and follow people. “Oh, I prefer this preacher” and mainly it’s because they start saying the things we want them to say – so naturally we agree with them. Or they have a charismatic personality and we follow that.

The trouble is with following someone you already agree with is you’ll never be challenged.

No preacher wants that, not really. We may raise people up to the level of Christian Celebrity, but any true preacher of the Gospel doesn’t’ seek that. Paul didn’t. Peter didn’t. Apollos didn’t. The second a preacher starts seeking that he’s in trouble.

Jesus doesn’t want these factions. He doesn’t want us to follow people. HE wants us to follow Him. He’s the only one who died for us. He’s the only one who can save us.

By all means, listen to as many good preachers as you can. But don’t become fanboys or fangirls, because it’s not about the preacher. It’s all about Jesus. The preacher is there to point you to Jesus – and there’s some people with a great anointing to do so. That’s good… but don’t get so taken with looking to them that you don’t look to Jesus.