help people have joy

2 Corinthians 1

v24

Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Paul and Timothy were helpers of the joy of the saints.

We should be helpers of other people's joy.

listen to mp3 file

in much patience

2 Corinthians

Key Verse 2Cor6:4

But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

When we're distressed, we should have much patience, and be ministers of God. mp3 file

quit you like men

1 Corinthians 16

v1-4

how to collect the money

v5-9

struggles don't mean the Lord isn't doing great things (v9.)

v10&11

work the work of the Lord

v12

Sometimes a thing we greatly desire isn't what other people want at that time.

v13-24

Love the Lord and one another

Key v13

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

When we have work to do, we should do it faithfully, even when it's hard.

When we have a hard time, we should still resist temptation to sin.

mp3 file

labor more abundantly

1 Corinthians 15

Outline

v1-4

The Gospel

v5-8

who saw Jesus after He rose again

v9,10

The grace of God

v11-23

Christ is risen, our preaching is not in vain, we aren't false witnesses, our faith isn't in vain, we're not still in our sins, those who've fallen asleep in Christ aren't lost, it's not only in this life that we have hope, we're not most miserable of all men, and this is all because of the resurrection.

v24-28

then comes the end

v29-32

protests that the dead rise

v33-36

don't be a fool: have the knowledge of God

v37-44

our glorious hope: spiritual incorruption and power

v45-53

a mystery: changed from earthly to heavenly

v54-57

thank God, who gives victory, even over death, through Jesus

v58

Don't move, stay strong, and always be filled full with serving the Lord. Our labor isn't in vain if it's in the Lord. We can know this because there's the resurrection.

Key

v10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

This is like verse 58 and Romans 16:6: "Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us."

Application

This will be a lot of work, so I'll be laboring much. I'm doing a podcast. A podcast is a little bit like a radio program over the Internet. To hear me, click "Podcast" on the bottom left of findmercy.com. mp3 file

to edify the Church

1 Corinthians 14

v12

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

A way I can try to not think selfishly is to seek to do good for the Lord's people.

charity is not easily provoked

1 Corinthians 13

v5

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

If we have charity, we won't be provoked easily.

Application

I've been having a problem getting angry at people lately, and I should remember this verse. I'll work on being not easily provoked.

all suffer or rejoice together

1 Corinthians 12

v26

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

I shouldn't think selfishly.

let a man examine himself

1 Corinthians 11

Outline

v1-16

head coverings

v17-34

the bread and cup of remembrance

Key

v28

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.

Application

When I take the bread and cup, I'll consider to make sure I'm right with the Lord.

wealth for somebody else

1 Corinthians 10

v24

Let no man seek his own, but every man another's [wealth].

When I eat today, I'll pray for the Lord to save a certain person I know of who needs saved.

we need the gospel

1 Corinthians 9

v16

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

We should realize that there's a necessity, that we have to preach the gospel.

knowledge vs. charity

1 Corinthians 8

v9

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

We shouldn't do things just because we can, or just because we know something somebody else doesn't know. We should consider other people's consciences, and how they could follow our example.

We should be willing to give up privileges to Love others.

be serious about prayer

1 Corinthians 7

v5

Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

It says, "that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer". We should be serious about prayer.

a matter against another

1 Corinthians 6

v1

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

We shouldn't go to law against each other in front of unbelievers.

leaven like wickedness

1 Corinthians 5

v8

Therefore let us keep the feast,
not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness;
but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.

I studied the passover feast lately. Having no leaven was a big deal. The leaven made me think of having sin.

It reminded me of the Lord's supper to remember Jesus. We should examine ourselves when we take the Lord's supper.

teach everywhere

1 Corinthians 4

v17

For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

One of my friends once pointed out that people don't need just the good news of how to be saved.

Especially right after we bring somebody to Jesus, we should also give them teaching and instruction in righteousness.

give God the credit

1 Corinthians 3

v7

So then neither is he that planteth any thing,
neither he that watereth;
but God that giveth the increase.

This goes with something 1 of my friends taught last night.

Some people talk like we deserve some credit for good things the Lord does. We shouldn't take any credit for the Lord's work.