{"id":85,"date":"2017-12-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-12-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2017\/12\/02\/6th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-31-9\/"},"modified":"2017-12-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-12-02T00:00:00","slug":"6th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-31-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2017\/12\/02\/6th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-31-9\/","title":{"rendered":"6th Sunday after Epiphany &#8211; Year A \u00a0&#8211; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"paragraph\">\n<strong><font size=\"3\" color=\"#2A2A2A\">\u03a4he Word This Week:<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=110#hebrew_reading\">Jeremiah 1:4-10<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=110#psalm_reading\">Psalm 71:1-6<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=110#epistle_reading\">1 Corinthians 13:1-13<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu\/texts.php?id=110#gospel_reading\">Luke 4:21-30<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u200bWatch or read below!\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wsite-content-title\">Watch:<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div id=\"207756301318197935\" 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%2F1607105189319659%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=270\" width=\"270\" height=\"580\" 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 verses 1-9 of chapter 3 and Paul\u2019s call to the church in Corinth to turn back to Jesus, rather than caving into the call of the world.\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 recall we read in our first week about 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 Paul wanted them to understand the great truth that it is God at work in us that redeems us \u2013 that it is God\u2019s grace \u2013 his unmerited, or unearned favour towards us that is what saves us.\u00a0<\/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 \u00a0when 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 that Gospel.<br \/>\nRemember he 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>Then we focussed heavily on how the cross of Christ is foolishness to the world.\u00a0 We focussed on how it is through that cross 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>Last week in chapter 2 Paul continued 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 continued 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>Then he explained 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<br \/>\nThrough 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 focus on what God\u2019s spirit leads us to \u2013 we find ourselves drawn into an understanding of God that is astonishing.\u00a0<br \/>\n\u200b<br \/>\nThen we also learnt that God never stops calling us.\u00a0 He never gives up\u2013 it is not to late, for anyone &#8211; He is there waiting for us \u2013 all we need do is turn back to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s what Paul is really asking the Church to do in our reading from today \u2013 to turn back to God.\u00a0 We begin by Paul continuing where he left off at the end of chapter 2.\u00a0 He had just finished talking about how those who are spiritual are able to comprehend the true wisdom of God \u2013 and receive the gifts of God (including salvation).\u00a0 Those who are not spiritual can\u2019t.\u00a0 We focussed on this last week and how Paul was trying to help them understand that the Spirit is there ready to guide them \u2013 but they must be open to the Spirit\u2019s guiding.<\/p>\n<p>So it is pretty powerful that he started the reading today by saying: <strong>And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. \u00a0I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?<\/strong><br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nWow.\u00a0 So after having explained to them that Christians are ones who are spiritual, and open to the wisdom of God. Paul moves to saying \u2013 so that\u2019s why I had to speak to you guys not as spiritual people \u2013 (here he is referring to when he evangelised them and introduced them to the Gospel) but then he hits them where it hurts and says- guess what \u2013 nothing has changed \u2013 you are still mere infants in the faith \u2013 you don\u2019t appear to have grown at all. Look at you fighting amongst yourselves \u2013 you are getting caught up in the trivialities \u2013 you are getting caught up in what the wider world tells you is important rather than actually allowing yourselves to be lead by the spirit to growth, and understanding.<\/p>\n<p>Paul is giving them a good wake up call here \u2013 and it is a strong contrast to how he opened the letter \u2013 where he was saying how good it was that the church had gifts, and knowledge and wisdom \u2013 all of which are from God.\u00a0 Here though he gfives them a reality check and says \u2013 well guys actually, whilst you have been bragging and arguing amongst each other about who is the superior one with the most oif these gifts and wisdom \u2013 the truth is you are merely infants, you haven\u2019t even progressed past milk to getting into the solid food of God\u2019s knowledge and wisdom.<\/p>\n<p>Then he explains what the greatest example of this is: <strong>For when one says, \u2018I belong to Paul\u2019, and another, \u2018I belong to Apollos\u2019, are you not merely human? \u00a0What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. \u00a0So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. \u00a0The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God\u2019s servants, working together; you are God\u2019s field, God\u2019s building.<br \/><\/strong><br \/>\nYou see the greatest example that the Corinthian Church is still in its infancy in terms of its understanding of God is that its members are elevating Paul and Apollos and arguing over who is greater through association with each of them.\u00a0 Paul responds by saying <em>what are doing?<br \/><\/em><br \/>\nYou see the Corinthians have made Paul and Apollos idols &#8211; they have forgotten that they are merely servants in God\u2019s Kingdom, who preach and teach \u2013 but it is not preachers and priests and bishops who save you, it is not the preachers greatness which redeems you! The preacher is just a servant in the kingdom \u2013 merely a messenger \u2013 it is God who saves us!<\/p>\n<p>It is God who came to earth as a human being and showed us how to live a life of love, care and compassion.<\/p>\n<p>It is God who came and died on the cross and took the consequence of our sin.<\/p>\n<p>It is God who rose from death and destroyed its hold on us.<\/p>\n<p>Brothers and sisters, just like the church in Corinth 2000 years ago \u2013 we need to identify the idols in our lives that get in the way of our relationship with God.\u00a0 For us it may not be arguing about who we are associated with \u2013 it may well be thst we are instead putting money as our idol above God, or perhaps it is our sports team, or our reputation or popularity.\u00a0 There are many many things that we are tempted to put at the forefront of our lives \u2013 that we are willing to push God to the side for.\u00a0<br \/>\nWhat we are called to do is to examine our relationship with God, to examine our priorities in life and ask ourselves the question \u2013 If St Paul was writing to us would he be telling us that like the church in Corinth we are still mere infants \u2013 still so focussed on human desires that we have pushed God to the side?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\nOr would he write to us and commend us for how we model our lives after Jesus? Would he commend our love and compassion for each other and those around us? Would he speak of our willingness to share with others the Gospel of salvation?<br \/>\nThese are the things we are called to brothers and sisters \u2013 and like the Corinthian church was 2000 years ago, we are being called to renew our faith and renew our commitment, so that we truly are ambassadors of the incredible love and hope that comes through Jesus.\u00a0 Lets walk bravely forward not as infants, but as men and women in the faith, boldly living out the Gospel message through our actions and our words.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nThe Lord be with you.<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/font>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u03a4he Word This Week: Jeremiah 1:4-10\u00a0\u00a0 Psalm 71:1-6\u00a0\u00a0 1 Corinthians 13:1-13\u00a0\u00a0 Luke 4:21-30 \u200bWatch or read 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 verses 1-9 of chapter 3 and Paul\u2019s call &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/2017\/12\/02\/6th-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-1-corinthians-31-9\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;6th Sunday after Epiphany &#8211; Year A \u00a0&#8211; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9&#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-85","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\/85","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=85"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewordthisweek.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}