Bible Study - Sabbath School Podcast
English Sabbath School Bible Study podcast from Unasp SP Brazil. An unpretentious and fun way to study the Bible, featuring the English Sabbath School class at Unasp SP.
Episódios
Episode 2892 - Lesson 13 - Wednesday Sep. 23 - The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
The Fellowship of the Holy SpiritThe grace of Jesus not only reveals the love of God for us but also brings the fellowship of the Spirit as a further effect of that love. At the same time, fellowship has its source in the love of God. And that is because without love, there is no fellowship. As Paul writes: "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fello
Episode 2891 - Lesson 13 - Tuesday Sep 22 - The God of Love
The God of LoveIn the ancient pagan world, people did not believe that the gods loved humans. Instead, the gods were malevolent and furious, and were supposed to be appeased. The idea of a God of love, as we see in the Bible, was a novelty. As surprising as this statement was in his time, Paul characterizes our God as "the God of love and peace" (2 Cor. 13:11).Read 2 Corinthians 13:11. H
Episode 2890 - Lesson 13 - Monday Sep. 21 - The Love of God
The Love of God"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" (2 Cor. 13:14, NKJV). With this verse, Paul ends his second letter. Notice that He mentions the three Persons of the Trinity in this order--Son, Father, and Holy Spirit. It is through the work of all three that we can better understand what God is like and
Episode 2889 - Sunday Sep. 20 - The Grace of Jesus
The Grace of JesusIt is inspiring that at the end of 2 Corinthians, we see a reference to the grace of Jesus, just as in the opening (2 Cor. 1:2, 2 Cor. 13:14). Paul begins and closes this letter with a reference to His grace. As we saw at the beginning of this quarter, he couldn't stop thinking and speaking about Jesus."For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was
Episode 2888 - Lesson 13 - Saturday Sep. 19 - Grace, Love, and Fellowship
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 16:20; 1 John 4:8-11; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 2:1-2; Gal. 4:4-6Memory Text: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14, ESV).As if Paul didn't have enough problems already, Paul closes 2 Corinthians by re-emphasizing essential elements
Episode 2887 - Lesson 12 - Friday Sep. 18 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Laodicean Church," p. 125, in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 30, 1873."The Lord is guarding his people against a repetition of the errors and mistakes of the past. There have always abounded false teachers who, advocating erroneous doctrines and unholy practices, and working upon false principles in a most specious, covered
Episode 2886 - Lesson 12 - Thursday Sep. 17 - Appeal to the Unrepentant
Appeal to the UnrepentantIn 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10, Paul informs the church about his third visit (2 Cor. 12:14, 2 Cor. 13:1). He had shown that he is not inferior to any of the false apostles and is now confident to come to Corinth once again and try to restore unrepentant members. In fact, this was one of the primary purposes of this visit. All Paul did and spoke was meant for the edification
Episode 2885 - Lesson 12 - Wednesday Sep. 16 - Sufferings for the Sake of the Gospel
Sufferings for the Sake of the GospelAfter exposing the false teachers as agents of Satan (2 Cor. 11:1-15), Paul now "plays" their game by boasting a little as a fool might (2 Cor. 11:16-21) so that the Corinthians could see how senseless it was to give ears to the false teachers' speech. If the Corinthians held them in high regard, Paul deserved higher consideration. His sufferings
Episode 2884 - Lesson 12 - Tuesday Sep. 15 - False Teachers Identified
False Teachers IdentifiedThe New Testament contains several warnings against false teachers in Christian communities. Jesus Himself warned the disciples about this same thing (Matt. 7:15-20). The apostles also called attention to it (Gal. 1:6-9, 1 Tim. 6:3-5, 2 Pet. 2:1-3).Read 2 Corinthians 11:1-15. How does Paul depict the challenges that he is facing with these false teachers?Paul unmasks the w
Episode 2883 - Lesson 12 - Monday Sep. 14 - Boasting in the Lord
Boasting in the LordYesterday, we saw that Paul and his fellow workers exerted their ministries as a spiritual warfare, and did so using God's weapons. Today, we will see that false teachers act according to human criteria. They boast inappropriately. In turn, Paul boasts only in the Lord. As he wrote: "But 'he who glories, let him glory in the LORD' " (2 Cor. 10:17, NKJV).Re
Episode 2882 - Lesson 12 - Sunday Sep. 1 - Spiritual War
Spiritual WarRead 2 Corinthians 10:1-11. Paul's meekness in his dealings with the Corinthians was sometimes confused with weakness. What words or phrases in this passage reveal Paul's courage to deal with the problem of false teachers in Corinth?Paul begins 2 Corinthians 10 very personally: "Now I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you" (2 Cor. 10:1, HCSB). This shows how concerned
Episode 2881 - Lesson 12 - Saturday Sep. 12 - Dealing with False Teachers🧑🏫
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 2 Cor. 10:1-17; Jer. 9:24; 2 Cor. 11:1-15, 22-28; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; 2 Cor. 13:5Memory Text: "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV).As if Paul didn't have enough problems already, another one arose that he had to deal with as well: false teachers in the
Episode 2880 - Lesson 11 - Friday September 11 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "A Liberal Church," pp. 335-345, in The Acts of the Apostles."Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ, will follow the example of Him who for our sake became poor, that through His poverty we might be made rich. Money, time, influence--all the gifts they have received from God's hand, they will value only as a means of advancin
Episode 2879 - Lesson 11 - Thursday Sep. 10 - Unity
UnityWe have seen that Paul encourages the members in Corinth to get involved in a collection for the impoverished churches in Judea. One of his purposes is to kindle a sense of unity. He wants them to participate, to be part of the mission. He wants to show that the Gentile churches are part of the same family of God as are the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. That is, these people, who were once t
Episode 2878 - Lesson 11 - Wednesday September 09 - Attitude
AttitudeRead 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. What possible reason could have been behind the Macedonians' willingness to give their offerings with such generosity?The positive attitude of the Macedonians can be seen in several ways.First, they gave with abundant joy (2 Cor. 8:2). Paul says that the Macedonians' "abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosit
Episode 2877 - Lesson 11 - Tuesday September 08 - Planning
PlanningRead 2 Corinthians 9:7. What does this passage say about the act of offering?God's decision to save the world took place even before the world fell into sin. The coming of Christ to die for us was part of an ancient plan (Rev. 13:8). God was not caught by surprise. He had made plans to give Himself through Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 8, and 9, planning is an essential theological principle
Episode 2876 - Lesson 11 - Monday September 7 🇧🇷- Motivation
MotivationRead 2 Corinthians 8:1, 5, and 2 Corinthians 9:7, 9, 13, 15. What is the central message of these passages?The language of giving pervades 2 Corinthians 8, and 9: "The grace of God . . . has been given" (2 Cor. 8:1, ESV); "They gave themselves" (2 Cor. 8:5, ESV); "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart ..., for God loves a cheerful giver"
Episode 2875 - Lesson 11 - Sunday September 06 - The Example of Jesus
The Example of JesusThe context of 2 Corinthians 8, and 9 has to do with Paul's encouraging members in Corinth to complete a fundraiser for the impoverished churches in Judea. Apparently, they had already committed to doing that (2 Cor. 8:10-11; 2 Cor. 9:5; see also 1 Cor. 16:1-4), but relationship issues between them and Paul had complicated things. After dealing with these issues (2 Corinthians
Episode 2874 - Lesson 11 -Saturday Septembe 05 - Stewardship and Mission
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 2 Corinthians 8-9; John 3:16; John 17:5; Luke 9:58; Rev. 13:8; Rom. 12:8; Rom. 15:26-27Memory Text: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9, NKJV).Second Corinthians 8 and 9 show that Paul gave the Corint
Episode 2873 - Lesson 10 - Friday September 04 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Message Heeded," pp. 323-334, in The Acts of the Apostles.Last week, we read the above cited passage in The Acts of the Apostles. It is worth rereading it. This time, dwell a little bit more on the parts referring to Paul's severe letter, his feelings upon writing it, and his joy upon receiving the good news about the sincere repentance of t
Episode 2872 - Lesson 10 - Thursday September 03 - Comfort and Joy
Comfort and JoyRead 2 Corinthians 7. What are Paul's feelings upon hearing that the Corinthians had repented?How much love flows from the words "You are in our hearts" (2 Cor. 7:3, NKJV; see also 2 Cor. 6:11). In his deep desire to have his love reciprocated, Paul also says, "Make room in your hearts for us" (2 Cor. 7:2, ESV). While the phrase "in your hearts" is
Episode 2871 - Lesson 10 - Wednesday September 02 - Call to Holiness
Call to HolinessIn 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Paul keeps encouraging the Corinthians to be reconciled to God. He presents a long list of hardships and triumphs to show what it means to be a follower of Christ and a minister of God. In short, he lists difficult situations (2 Cor. 6:4-5), virtues of character (2 Cor. 6:6), equipment for ministry (2 Cor. 6:7), and vicissitudes of ministry (2 Cor. 6:8-10).
Episode 2870 - Lesson 10 - Tuesday September 01 - Christ-focused Ministry of Reconciliation
Christ-focused Ministry of ReconciliationRead 2 Corinthians 5:11-15. How does this passage demonstrate that Paul's ministry is Christ-centered?Paul knew he was supposed to render an account of his ministry to Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). He knew "the fear of the LORD" and sought to persuade people about the gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 5:11, ESV). This fear is reverence and awe toward Christ an
Episode 2868 - Lesson 10 - Monday August 31 - Suffering and Glory
Suffering and GloryRead 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. Make a list of Paul's sufferings. How did he endure his sufferings?John Huss, the great reformer of the old Bohemia, once said about Jesus, "He is Master of the world, and we are contemptible mortals--yet He suffered! Why, then, should we not suffer also, particularly when suffering is for us a purification?"--Ellen G. White, The Great Co
Episode 2867 - Lesson 10 - Sunday August 30 - Fruits of an Authentic Ministry
Fruits of an Authentic MinistryRead 2 Corinthians 3:1-9. In what sense can we be an epistle of Christ?Letters of recommendation were common in the Greco-Roman world. However, Paul did not bear such letters. The Spirit's transformative power in the lives of the Corinthians was proof of his authentic ministry. Yet, Paul was sure that it was not through his intelligence or efforts that the church
Episode 2866 - Lesson 10 - Saturday August 29 - Authentic Christian Ministry
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 2 Cor. 3:1-9, 2 Cor. 4:7-18, 2 Cor. 5:11-15, Col. 1:19-23, Eph. 2:13-16, 2 Cor. 6:11-7:1, 2 Corinthians 7Memory Text: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may a
Episode 2865 - Lesson 9 - Friday August 28 - 🥳Further Thought 🎉
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Message Heeded," pp. 323-334, in The Acts of the Apostles."Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung
Episode 2864 - Lesson 9 - Thursday August 27 - Triumph in Christ
Triumph in ChristRead 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. Where did Paul go after writing "the severe letter" to them? What did he do there?Paul's heart was uneasy while waiting for Titus (2 Cor. 7:5-6). Despite that uneasiness, he couldn't stop talking about Jesus (2 Cor. 2:12). He loved Jesus so much. At that point, he didn't yet know the results of his letter. He was anxious to see Tit
Episode 2863 - Lesson 9 - Wednesday August 26 - Forgiveness and Reaffirmation of Love
Forgiveness and Reaffirmation of LoveRather than visiting the Corinthians a second time, Paul, after returning to Ephesus, sent what became known as "the severe letter" (see 2 Cor. 2:3-4; 2 Cor. 7:8, 12).Read 2 Corinthians 7:5-13. What was the result of what he wrote to them, and what was Paul's reaction because of that result?Paul and Titus met later in Macedonia, where Paul heard f
Episode 2862 - Lesson 9 - Tuesday August 25 - Changing Plans for Love
Changing Plans for LoveWe saw that some in Corinth doubted Paul's intentions and love. Today, we will look into one particular reason: his changing travel plans (Corinthians 1:15-2:4" target="_self">2 Cor. 1:15-2:4).Read 1 Corinthians 16:5-7. What was Paul's original travel plan?Paul had been in Corinth before. According to 1 Corinthians 16:5-6, he planned to pass through
Episode 2861 - Lesson 9 - Monday August 24 - Simplicity and Sincerity
Simplicity and SincerityYesterday, we learned that Paul's love for the Corinthians was made manifest in that he comforted them in their hardships, just as he received comfort from God in his (2 Cor. 1:1-11). Today, we will see that his love for them was also displayed through the integrity that he and his fellow workers manifested toward the church members in Corinth.Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-14
Episode 2860 - Lesson 9 - Sunday August 23 - Thanksgiving
ThanksgivingRead 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. What is the reason for Paul's attitude of thanksgiving here?Paul's thankfulness focuses on the comfort that God provides for those who are suffering. In this passage, the verb to comfort (parakaleō) and the noun comfort (paraklēsis) occur together ten times. This represents one third of all occurrences of these words in 2 Corinthians (29 times). God is
Episode 2859 - Lesson 9 - Saturday August 22 - Love-driven Ministry
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 2 Cor. 1:3-14, 2 Cor. 2:17, 2 Cor. 4:2, 1 Cor. 16:5-7, 2 Cor. 7:5-13, 2 Cor. 2:5-17Memory Text: "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you" (2 Corinthians 2:4, NKJV).The apostle Paul didn't always h
Episode 2858- Lesson 8 - Friday August 21 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "God's People Delivered," pp. 635-652, in The Great Controversy."The divinity of Christ is the believer's assurance of eternal life. 'He that believeth in Me,' said Jesus, 'though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?' Christ here looks forward to t
Episode 2857 - Lesson 8 - Thursday August 20 - Final Victory over Death ✌🏻
Final Victory Over DeathRead 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. What does this passage tell us about our ultimate victory over death?Paul begins the last paragraph in 1 Corinthians 15 with an intriguing statement: "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 15:50, NKJV). Many Bible readers use this declaration to say that Paul defends an immaterial existence in heaven. But the conte
Episode 2856 - Lesson 8 - Wednesday August 19 - The Resurrected Body
The Resurrected BodyIn 1 Corinthians 15:35-39, Paul turns to a brief discourse on the resurrected body. He begins this section by positing two questions: " 'How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?' " (1 Cor. 15:35, NKJV). These questions are answered in 1 Corinthians 15:36-49.Read 1 Corinthians 15:36-41. How does this passage answer the questions in 1 Corinth
Episode 2855 - Lesson 8 - Tuesday August 18 - Christ, the 🥝Firstfruit🍓s
Christ, the FirstfruitsIf Jesus were not alive, any expectation about the future would be only delusion (1 Cor. 15:12-19). "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead" (1 Cor. 15:20, ESV). His resurrection is a historical event. Consequently, we can be sure that all who have died in Christ will be resurrected at His coming (1 Cor. 15:20-23).Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. What does it
Episode 2854 - Lesson 8 - Monday August 17 - The Risen Christ, Our Only Hope!
The Risen Christ, Our Only Hope!In 1 Corinthians 15:9-19, Paul explains how severe and dreadful the consequences of denying the resurrection are. Without the resurrection, believers have no hope in the present, much less in the future.Read 1 Corinthians 15:9-19. What do we lose if Christ has not been raised?By and large, ancient pagans did not believe in resurrection, especially in the Greek world
Episode 2853 - Lesson 8 - Sunday August 16 - Proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ
Proclaiming the Resurrection of ChristPaul begins 1 Corinthians 15 by focusing on the gospel. He speaks about the gospel: (1) which he preached to the Corinthians; (2) which they received; (3) in which they stood; and (4) by which they were saved (1 Cor. 15:1-2, NKJV). This opening prepares the reader for what comes next in the chapter and shows how essential Christ's resurrection is for our s
Episode 2852 - Lesson 8 - Saturday August 15 - The Power of Christ's Resurrection
Read for This Week's Study: 1 Corinthians 15; Luke 24:44-47; Rev. 20:5-6; Col. 2:12; 2 Tim. 1:12; 1 Thess. 4:13-17Memory Text: "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. . . . And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" (1 Corinthians 15:14-17, NKJV).How fascinating that, even in his time, Paul had to deal
Episode 2851 - Lesson 7 - Friday August 14 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Need of Love," pp. 545, 546, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, August 28, 1888."No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with love for God and his fellow men is not a true disciple of Christ. Though he should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. H
Episode 2850 - Lesson 7- Thursday August 13 - Faith, Hope, and Love ❤️
Faith, Hope, and LoveThus far, we have learned that love is patient, kind, joyful, resilient, believing, hopeful, and enduring (or perseverant) because Jesus is all these things. Once we see these qualities in Jesus, the next step is to imitate Him. That was Paul's wish for the Corinthians. However, if we remove the "not" in the eight negative features of love, "we get a pretty
Episode 2849 - Lesson 7 - Wednesday August 12 - A Portrait of Jesus
A Portrait of JesusAs we read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we may feel frustrated at realizing that, to a lesser or greater degree, we fall short of displaying all those features of love. Likely, Paul had the person of Jesus in mind when writing 1 Corinthians 13. Indeed, only Christ perfectly revealed all those characteristics of love. Thus, ultimately, Paul's portrayal of love is a portrait of Jesus
Episode 2848 - Lesson 7 - Tuesday August 11 - What Love Does Not Do
What Love Does Not DoRead again 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Why does Paul mention negative rather than only positive characteristics of love?Yesterday, we focused on seven things love does; today, we will look into eight things it does not do. Love ...Does not envy (zeloō). Zeloō can be used positively as in "desire [zeloō] the higher gifts" (1 Cor. 12:31, ESV), "desire [zeloō] the spirit
Episode 2847 Lesson 7 - Monday August 10 - What Love does
What Love DoesFirst Corinthians 13:4-7 is the heart of the chapter. Paul focuses on the features of love--showing what love is and what it is not, or what love does and does not do. He personifies love so that we can have a glimpse of how a person filled with Spirit-driven love behaves. In his portrayal of love, Paul uses a series of verbs. For him, love is more about actions than about feelings o
Episode 2846 -Lesson 7 - Sunday August 9 - The Essentialness of Love
The Essentialness of LoveLast week we touched on the theme of love, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13. We need to explore Paul's words here in even more depth.Read 1 Corinthians 13. Summarize what he is telling us about love.Paul is not saying that tongues (1 Cor. 13:1), prophecy, understanding, knowledge, faith (1 Cor. 13:2), and benevolence (1 Cor. 13:3) are useless. They are useless only if not d
Episode 2845 - Lesson 7 - Saturday - August 08 - A Portrait of Love
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 1 Corinthians 13; Matt. 24:12; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Tim. 1:14; 1 John 4:8Memory Text: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV).Love can conquer all. That's why Paul had so much to say about it. The word family of agapaō--the most common Greek word in the New Testament t
Episode 2844 - Lesson 6 - Friday - TGIF🎉 - August 7 - Further Thought 💭
Further Thought: Read Roswell F. Cottrell, "Spiritual Gifts," pp. 5-16, in Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1."Let men go forth to labor, trusting in the Lord, and He will go with them, convicting and converting souls. One worker may be a ready speaker, another a ready writer, another may have the gift of sincere, earnest, fervent prayer, another the gift of singing. Another ma
Episode 2843 - Lesson 6 - Thursday August 06 - The Gift of Prophecy
The Gift of ProphecyThe gift of prophecy occupies a prominent place in Paul's discussion on spiritual gifts. Interestingly, the gift of prophecy is usually mentioned before the gift of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10, 28; 1 Cor. 13:8). When the gift of tongues is mentioned first, this is only to emphasize its relative unimportance compared to the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:4-5, 6, 22).Read Ephesians 4:
Episode 2842 - Lesson 6 - Wednesday August 05 - The Gift of Tongues
The Gift of TonguesWhat about the gift of tongues? In line with the manifestation of the gift elsewhere in the Bible (Mark 16:17, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6), the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians is most likely the Spirit-granted ability to speak in foreign languages.Paul mentions the gift of tongues in the list of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (see also 1 Cor. 12:28, 30; 1 Cor. 13:1,
Episode 2841 - Lesson 6 - Tuesday August 04 - "A More Excellent Way"
"A More Excellent Way""Love is not one gift among many. It is the means through which all of the gifts reach their ultimate purpose."--Carl P. Cosaert, "1 Corinthians," Andrews Bible Commentary: New Testament (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2022), p. 1643.Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, and 1 Peter 4:8-11. What is the role of love as far as spiritual gifts
Episode 2840 - Lesson 6 - Monday August 03 - Unity through Diversity
Unity Through DiversityThe language of oneness introduced in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ("the same Spirit," "the same Lord," and "the same God") is developed in the rest of 1 Corinthians 12. This is evidenced by Paul's use of phrases such as "one and the same Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:11, NKJV), "the body is one" (1 Cor. 12:12), "one body" (1 Cor.
Episode 2839 - Lesson 6 - Sunday August 02 - Varieties of Gifts 🎁
Varieties of GiftsPaul introduces a new topic in 1 Corinthians 12:1, with the formula "now concerning." Scholars discuss whether he is talking about "spiritual gifts" or "spiritual people" because the Greek phrase tōn pneumatikōn allows both interpretations. "Spiritual gifts" is preferable in light of 1 Corinthians 12:4, where Paul clearly refers to spiritua
Episode 2838 - Lesson 6 - Saturday August 1 - Spiritual Gifts 🕊️🎁
Read for This Week's Study: 1 Corinthians 12, Eph. 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Pet. 4:8-11, 1 Cor. 14:27, Amos 3:7Memory Text: "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV).Like a human body, the church is one but has many members, each with different roles, functions, and gifts. Practiced with love, these spiritu
Episode 2837 - Lesson 5 - Friday - TGIF - July 31 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "Idolatry at Sinai," pp. 315-330, in Patriarchs and Prophets."How much good might be done if we would make a right use of our associations with one another! Every one who has received of the heavenly benefits is under obligation to shed some light on the pathway of others. . . . Then all those who truly love God will cease their idolatry of self
Episode 2836 - Lesson 5 - Thursday July 30 - Overcoming Idolatry
Overcoming IdolatryIn 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, Paul argues that love for God keeps one safe from idolatry. This argument is resumed and further developed in 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. In 1 Corinthians 8:3, he speaks about our love for God. He says, "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being" (1 Cor. 10:24, NKJV). This is love for others.Read Mark 10:17-22 and Mark 12:28
Episode 2835 - Lesson 5 - Wednesday July 29 - Warning against Idolatry
Warning Against IdolatryRead 1 Corinthians 10:5-22. Why must we flee from idolatry?In 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, Paul resumes the issue of food offered to idols. Offering food to idols may be strange in many cultures today, but it was common in biblical times. When animals were sacrificed to the gods in the heathen temples, part of the animal was given to the officiating priests, who sold the meat. S
Episode 2834 - Lesson 5 - Tuesday July 28 - Learning from the Past
Learning from the PastAfter providing an example of self-denial from his own experience, Paul turns more particularly toward the issue of idolatry. In a sense, 1 Corinthians 10 develops the idea of 1 Corinthians 9:27, where Paul comments that he exercises self-discipline in order not to become disqualified. He wants the Corinthians to follow his example, but Jesus is the model par excellence (1 Co
Episode 2833 - Lesson 5 - Monday July 27 - Selfless Love
Selfless LoveRead 1 Corinthians 9:1-6. How does this passage provide a practical example of what it means to practice self-denial motivated by love?At first sight, it looks like Paul's defense of his apostleship, in 1 Corinthians 9, has nothing to do with the previous discussion on knowledge versus love. One cannot forget, though, that the Bible was not originally written in chapters. What Pau
Episode 2832 - Lesson 5 - Sunday July 26 - Knowledge versus love
Knowledge Versus loveRead 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Why does Paul contrast knowledge with love, and what is the context here? What point is he making?Paul uses the theme of food offered to idols in order to address a deeper issue: the lack of love for others (1 Corinthians 8). The matter of food offered to idols split the church of Corinth into two groups. Some believed that their knowledge about the
Episode 2831 - Lesson 5 - Saturday July 25 - All to the Glory of God
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 1 Corinthians 8; Acts 15:20; 1 Cor. 9:1-6; 1 Cor. 10:5-22; Deut. 6:4-5; Mark 12:28-31Memory Text: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV).First Corinthians 8-10 brings the discussion on sexuality (in chapters 5-6) to a conclusion at the same time that it introduces P
Episode 2830 - Lesson 4 - Friday July 24 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "A Message of Warning and Entreaty," pp. 298-308, in The Acts of the Apostles.Interestingly, in the catalog of vices in 1 Corinthians 5:10-11, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, idolatry and drunkenness are listed along with sexual immorality. As Paul recalls in 1 Corinthians 10:7 (compare with Exod. 32:1-6), idolatrous festivals were usually marked with exce
Episode 2829 - Lesson 4 - Thursday July 23 - Marriage and Singleness
Marriage and SinglenessPaul's affirmation that our body "is the temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 6:19, NKJV) occurs in the context of a warning against sexual immorality. Being a temple of the Spirit is the only means to live a holy life. The church is a Christian community that distinguishes itself from the surrounding environment. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit that makes it possible.Re
Episode 2828 - Lesson 4 - Wednesday July 22 - Antidote Against Sexual Immorality
Antidote Against Sexual ImmoralityRead 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. What does this passage say about the connection between sanctification and abstinence from sexual immorality?Though Paul was writing to someone else in the above texts, the principle can be applied across the board, to all Christians. Which still, though, leads to the question: What was going on in Corinth? Why all these problems?Some i
Episode 2827 - Lesson 4 - Tuesday July 21 - Protecting the Church's Identity
Protecting the Church's IdentityIn 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Paul continues his discussion on how Christians should approach issues involving people in the church.Read 1 Corinthians 5:3, 12, 13, and 1 Corinthians 6:1-13. What is Paul trying to teach the Corinthians and us?The Greek word pragma in 1 Corinthians 6:1, translated as "matter" in the New King James Version, is a generic term m
Episode 2826 - Lesson 4 - Monday July 20 - Dealing with Scandals
Dealing With ScandalsDealing with matters of sexuality is always hard. It was hard for Paul, and it is for us, too. In these situations, we must be faithful to the Scriptures and address the issue with prayer and love. We must never forget that our goal is restoration.Read again 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. How does Paul tell them to deal with this situation?Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 5 that se
Episode 2825 - Lesson 4 - Sunday July 19 - Dissonance between Faith and Practice
Dissonance Between Faith and PracticeThroughout Christian history, theologians, pastors, and laypeople have studied the New Testament in order to determine what the church should look like. We marvel, for instance, at the church of Acts. But we quickly lose sight of one significant element: people have problems. It seems that we can also read the New Testament to see what the Bible says about what
Episode 2824 - Lesson 4 - Saturday July 18 - Sin in the Church ⛪
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 1 Cor. 5:1-13, 2 Cor. 2:5-10, 1 Cor. 6:1-13, 1 Thess. 4:1-8, 1 Cor. 6:19-7:9Memory Text: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV).Our brains are like s
Episode 2823 - Lesson 3 - Friday July 17 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Training of the Twelve," pp. 17-24, in The Acts of the Apostles."God is leading out a people to stand in perfect unity upon the platform of eternal truth. Christ gave Himself to the world that He might 'purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.' This refining process is designed to purge the church from all unrig
Episode 2822 - Lesson 3 - Thursday July 16 - A Lifestyle that reflects the Cross
A Lifestyle That Reflects the CrossThe fact that we should not form cliques, especially around human leaders, does not mean we should not support our leaders. We are supposed to appreciate and help those who lead out in church work. God commissions people to do His ministry on earth. Church leaders who display a lifestyle that reflects the submissions represented by the Cross are worthy of being h
Episode 2821 - Lesson 3 - Wednesday July 15 - Christlike Servanthood
Christlike ServanthoodRead 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. What does this passage teach about the correct view one must have about human leaders?In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Paul hints that cliques result from a lack of spiritual maturity. However, before addressing this topic, he affirms, "We have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16, NKJV). This phrase likely refers to Christ's way of thinking and act
Episode 2820 - Lesson 3 - Tuesday July 14 - Wisdom & Maturity
Wisdom and MaturityBy and large, cliques result from too high a view of human leaders. This is very threatening to the unity of the church and to the members' spiritual health, for a distorted view of Christian ministry may lead a church to give excessive importance to certain leaders, all to the detriment of others. The consequence of such behavior is an atmosphere of competition, which can s
Episode 2819 - Lesson 3 - Monday July 13 - Centered on Jesus
Centered on JesusRead 1 Corinthians 1:10. What do you think Paul meant by "be united in the same mind and the same judgment" (ESV)?The formation of cliques constituted here a denial of one's allegiance to Christ (1 Cor. 1:10). God called us "into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9, NKJV). Our Lord is Christ, and we must be centered on Him. Thus, t
Episode 2818 - Lesson 3 - Sunday July 12 - The Problem of Cliques in the Church
The Problem of Cliques in the ChurchPaul's appeal that "there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10, ESV) dominates the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians. In fact, most scholars agree that unity is the all-encompassing theme that binds all the parts of the letter together.Read 1 Corinthians 1:12-17. How does this pas
Episode 2817 - Lesson 3 - Sabbath July 11 - Unity in Christ
Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 1 Cor. 1:12-17, Rom. 1:29, 1 Cor. 1:10, 1 Cor. 3:1-4, Phil. 2:5-8, 2 Cor. 11:23-28, Col. 1:24.Memory Text: "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV).Those who obse
Episode 2816 - Lesson 2 - Friday July 10 - Further Thought
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "Calvary," pp. 741-757, in The Desire of Ages."To the minds of multitudes living at the present time, the cross of Calvary is surrounded by sacred memories. Hallowed associations are connected with the scenes of the crucifixion. But in Paul's day the cross was regarded with feelings of repulsion and horror. To uphold as the Saviour of mankin
Episode 2815 - Lesson 2 - Thursday July 09 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God
Christ, the Power and Wisdom of GodIn 1 Corinthians 1:19-20, 30, and 31, Paul talks about how God's wisdom and human wisdom are incredibly different and, thus, mutually exclusive. Notice that Paul does not reject wisdom as such, but he rejects the kind of human wisdom that tries to compete with God. Human wisdom is incapable of freeing men from sin. Only Christ, the wisdom of God, can perform
Episode 2814 - Lesson 2 - Wednesday July 08 - A Messiah Crucified
A Messiah CrucifiedPaul wrote that the "Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom" (1 Cor. 1:22, ESV). The Cross--the idea of God, the Messiah, being crucified--was not a sign that the Jews had expected. Nor was it the kind of wisdom that the Greeks wanted. It went against everyone's expectations.In fact, all one has to do is read how the disciples reacted to the idea of Jesus being c
Episode 2813 Lesson 2 - Tuesday July 07 - Power to those who are being saved
Power to Those Who Are Being SavedThe message of 1 Corinthians 1:18 is too clear for one to miss the point. What the Cross means depends on the way one looks at it. It is foolishness for those in rebellion against God, but it is power for those who long for His salvation.Read Colossians 1:20, and 1 Peter 2:24. What did Jesus accomplish for us on the cross?As we have already seen, in preaching the
Episode 2812 - Lesson 2 - Monday July 06 - Foolishness to those who are perishing
Foolishness to Those Who Are PerishingIn contrasting human foolishness to divine wisdom, Paul states that the "message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Cor. 1:18, NKJV). This is the first of six references to foolishness or foolish in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.Read 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, 23, 25, and 27. How do these references to foolishness help us understand what
