{"id":84,"date":"2017-05-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2017\/05\/02\/5th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-2\/"},"modified":"2017-05-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-05-02T00:00:00","slug":"5th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2017\/05\/02\/5th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-2\/","title":{"rendered":"5th Sunday After Epiphany Year A &#8211; 1 Corinthians 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"paragraph\">\n<strong><font size=\"3\">The Word this Week:<br \/><\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"color:rgb(0, 0, 0)\">\n<li>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=17#hebrew_reading\">Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=17#psalm_reading\">Psalm 112:1-9 (10)<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=17#epistle_reading\">1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)<\/a>\u00a0\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=17#gospel_reading\">Matthew 5:13-20<\/a>\u200b\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>You can watch or read the sermon below.<\/strong>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wsite-content-title\">Watch:<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div id=\"372176812655130527\" align=\"left\" style=\"width: 100%; overflow-y: hidden;\" class=\"wcustomhtml\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwwanglican%2Fvideos%2F1599479473415564%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=270\" width=\"270\" height=\"620\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wsite-content-title\">Read:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"paragraph\">\n<font size=\"3\">Well good morning again everyone.\u00a0 Today we are going to be continuing our focus on Paul\u2019s first letter to the church in Corinth.\u00a0 Today we are focussing on chapter 2.\u00a0 Before we begin looking too closely at this chapter though I think it is important that we recap what we learnt in our readings from the last few weeks exploration of chapter one.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To recap Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth in around the year 54AD while he was in Ephesus on his third missionary journey.\u00a0 Corinth was the capital of the Roman province of Achaea.\u00a0 You will remember that the letter was written to this church because Paul had received reports that the church in Corinth was suffering under factionalism and placing great emphasis on the gifts certain members had over others. Others claimed superior knowledge and wisdom. While others were living immoral lives while still claiming membership of the church.<\/p>\n<p>You will remember that those first 9 verses which we read in our first week involved Paul setting out who the Corinthians were in the eyes of God, and emphasising that though their knowledge and gifts are wonderful things they are all from God.\u00a0\u00a0 They enable us to see that we are called into a whole body of believers, that we are set apart \u2013 sanctified by God, that the spiritual gifts we have are from God, that our knowledge and abilities in the faith are from God.\u00a0 Those first 9 verses point us to the great truth that it is God at work in us that is what redeems us \u2013 that it is God\u2019s grace \u2013 his unmerited, or unearned favour towards us that is what saves us.\u00a0 Above all it shows us that though we are fickle, that we often get caught in our own desires, or think we are the ones doing great things that it is in fact God and his faithfulness that enables us to do all things.<\/p>\n<p>Having set the scene for his letter to the Corinthian Church by letting them know that it is God who is at work in them, and their salvation, their knowledge and their gifts are all from God, that they are all one body \u2013 Paul moved into discussing factionalism and division in the church.<\/p>\n<p>Paul called the church to unity, to be of one mind. Now remember Paul mean when he says that we as the church should all be of one mind wasn\u2019t calling us to blind faith or conformity \u2013 rather he was calling the church to focus on the core thing \u2013 the Gospel. He was also emphasising that what we do and how we behave matters and effects how we are able to promote the Gospel.<br \/>\nHe also gave us that model of evangelism \u2013 that being straight forward and honest about the Gospel without embellishment and without compromise.<\/p>\n<p>Last week we focussed heavily on how the cross of Christ is foolishness to the world.\u00a0 We focussed on that cross where we are reconciled to God.\u00a0 That it is at the cross where the consequences for our sins are dealt with.\u00a0 It is at the cross where God incarnate says \u2013 even though you may think it is foolish, here I show you my love, here I do what I must to bring us back together.\u00a0 It is at the cross that the bill we owe is paid.<\/p>\n<p>Today Paul continues talking to the church in Corinth about how the Gospel does not conform to the wisdom of the world.\u00a0 In the opening five verses of our reading today Paul continues to explain to the them how he didn\u2019t come to them trying to appear wise and distinguished \u2013 he didn\u2019t come to them trying to look and sound like someone who would be deemed respectable by the standards of the world &#8211; rather he came to them from a place of weakness \u2013 with a story that would seem implausible to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He came and told them that they could be set free from their fear, their brokenness and be forgiven for all that they had done wrong through simply putting their trust in what Jesus had done on the cross. He came and told them that Jesus \u2013 this guy from Nazareth, who Was crucified as a criminal \u2013 this Jesus actually rose from death \u2013 this Jesus was actually the promised one of God \u2013 This Jesus was the one who would allow them \u2013 and us \u2013<br \/>\nas flawed and broken as we are \u2013 to be reconciled to God \u2013 to be forgiven for our sins \u2013 because Jesus took the consequence.<\/p>\n<p>As we talked about last week \u2013 this is foolishness \u2013 it is nonsensical to the world.\u00a0 However What Paul does next is important.\u00a0 He transitions from talking about how this is foolishness \u2013 to begin to explain how it is in fact the very wisdom of God.\u00a0 He begins to explain to the Church in Corinth that while this may seem like foolishness to the wider world \u2013 to those of us who have been willing to open our hearts and minds to receive the Holy Spirit of God when he prompted us \u2013 it is in fact wisdom beyond anything we could ever hope for.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>You see this wisdom of God, that the rest of the world sees as foolishness actually points us to salvation \u2013 it points us to a new creation \u2013 it points us to God\u2019s Kingdom<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2018What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 nor the human heart conceived,<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>what God has prepared for those who love him\u2019<br \/><\/strong><br \/>\nPaul goes on to explain to us that it is through the spirit that we begin to fully understand what God has done for us.\u00a0 It is through God\u2019s Spirit working through us and guiding us that we begin to comprehend the magnificence of what God has achieved.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Through opening ourselves up \u2013 being willing to hear God\u2019s call, we begin to understand that what seems like foolishness to the powers of this world \u2013 is actually the very thing that will overthrow them.\u00a0 When we are willing to put aside what we deem as important and instead focus on what God\u2019s spirit leads us to \u2013 we find ourselves drawn into an understanding of God that is astonishing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We find ourselves understanding that God himself became a human being \u2013 we find ourselves understanding that God himself went to the cross so that we need not suffer the eternal consequence of sin. We find ourselves understanding that through Jesus God has broken into our world and a new creation has begun to dawn \u2013 a new creation that we are called to display in our own lives.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0When Jesus went to that cross God himself broke into the world he created \u2013 God himself came to break the corrupt powers of this fallen and broken world and draw us to him.<\/p>\n<p>Paul also says something that for some people is troubling \u2013 he says that those who are not spiritual don\u2019t receive the gifts of God\u2019s spirit.\u00a0 That\u2019s a significant statement \u2013 because Paul isn\u2019t just speaking here about the gifts of prophecy and tongues and understanding \u2026 he is talking about the ultimate gift \u2013 he is talking about salvation \u2013 forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We don\u2019t like to talk about that much do we \u2013 that there are people in the world who will not be saved \u2013 who will not be reconciled to God and thus will have to face the consequences of their sin.\u00a0 Paul here refers to them as those who are unspiritual \u2013 we can understand that as those who reject the call of God\u2019s Spirit on their lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>You see Paul isn\u2019t saying that God rejects people \u2013 he is saying that there are people who despite God\u2019s call \u2013 despite the Spirit moving their hearts to seek him out, choose instead to turn away \u2013 to reject the movement and prompting of the Spirit. When they make that decision they cut themselves off from God \u2013 they cut themselves off from the wisdom and understanding that would lead them to know what God has done for them.<\/p>\n<p>But I want you all to understand something very important \u2013 God never stops calling us.\u00a0 He never gives up.\u00a0 If you or someone you know has chosen to reject God \u2013 it is not to late, He is there waiting for us \u2013 all we need do is turn back to him.\u00a0 All we need to do is open ourselves up to the prompting of the Spirit and be willing to take that initial step of faith \u2013 if we are willing to take that step when he calls us, then as Paul says we will be lead into all wisdom, we will find joy and forgiveness\u00a0 &#8211; we will find hope.<\/p>\n<p>Brothers and sisters, we are constantly being told by the world around us that what we believe is foolish \u2013 that we are fools for even contemplating putting our faith in Jesus.\u00a0 We are constantly being drawn away from God \u2013 the enemy, is always seeking to pull us away.\u00a0 However, the Great promise of God is that he is with us always \u2013 and if we are just willing to put our trust and hope in him we will never abandon us \u2013 he will be our rock, our redeemer\u00a0 &#8211; he will be our guide, our comforter and friend \u2013 and he will lead us to a kind of wisdom joy and hope that we can trust in.<br \/>\nLet us each this week take some time to sit down and simply open our hearts up to God. Let us each take the time to reflect on what God has done for us \u2013 let us take the time to ask for a fresh movement of His Spirit to stir us, and guide us.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Let us dedicate ourselves again to seeking after the wisdom of God \u2013 given by the spirit \u2013 which sets us free through the cross &#8211; that foolish, foolish cross.<br \/>\n\u200b<br \/>\nThe Lord be with you.<\/font>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Word this Week: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)\u00a0\u00a0 Psalm 112:1-9 (10)\u00a0\u00a0 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)\u00a0 Matthew 5:13-20\u200b You can watch or read the sermon below. Watch: Read: Well good morning again everyone.\u00a0 Today we are going to be continuing our focus on Paul\u2019s first letter to the church in Corinth.\u00a0 Today we are focussing on chapter &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2017\/05\/02\/5th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-2\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;5th Sunday After Epiphany Year A &#8211; 1 Corinthians 2&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}