Introduction - 1 Corinthians

Introduction to 1 Corinthians from NKJV study bible:

Part 1 of 3:

Paul wrote in response to two letters that he had received. One was from the house of Chole in regards to divisions and immorality in the church. The other letter was a set of questions from Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus regarding marriage, singleness and Christian liberty. Paul responded to the letters and, even though the church was riddled with problems, he ended the confrontational letters with a note of hope. The church of Corinth could have victory over sin and death because Jesus in His death and resurrection had already decisively obtained it.

At the time of the writing of the letters, the church at Corinth was a seriously troubled church. The believers in the church were being effected by the non- believers of Corinth. They were allowing the beliefs and actions to infiltrate the Church. Sexual immorality, factions dragging each other into court, and abuse of the spiritual gifts all were prevalent in the church. The church was in need of radical spiritual surgery. The church had to stop following the immoral, selfish, and contentious ways of their pagan neighbors in Corinth!

As I wrote the words above I felt that just as the believers in the Church of Corinth allowed the beliefs of the pagan believers in Corinth to lead and direct their beliefs in the church, many, leaders (and congregations) today are being influenced by man rather than being led by the Holy Spirit! Many are trying to do it themselves in the name of Jesus, instead of allowing Jesus to do it through them in His name. When they start doing it themselves they actually push Jesus to the side and start allowing compromise to take place. Thus sin begins to be overlooked and not fully addressed. The sin must be addressed. God loves the sinner but hates the sin! Jesus addressed the demons and not the person. He cast the demons (sin) out of the person not the person out of the demon (sin).

Sexual immorality has, and continues to increase amongst the leaders. If the leaders are participating in sexual immorality, individuals within the congregation will also be guilty of sexual immorality!  God is bringing forth recognition of the fact that many leaders are participating In sexual immorality by revealing the sin to others in the church. The sin is the same for a leader as it is for a member of the congregation yet it seems that other leaders place a "sentence" on the individual in accordance to their feelings of who the individual is that committed sexual immorality. It is evident that a "big name leader" that is exposed of sexual immorality is treated completely different than a "small name leader" or a member of the congregation! "Big name leader" - slap on the hand - sit down for a VERY short time - back behind the pulpit being backed the other "big named leaders". "Small name leader" or member of congregation - excommunication and a mark against you that will never let you behind the pulpit for a specific denomination! Same sin, different sentence for different individuals - MAN's ruling ways...... The richer you are the easiest it is to commit a crime and never be found guilty. The larger the number of people that are following you the quicker you get back behind the pulpit.

Many "think" they know the Lord and proclaim to know Him. Some started off knowing the Lord and allowing the Lord to work through them with the Lord getting all. Recognition. As more people began to follow, they unknowingly began to receive the praise themselves for all that the Lord was doing through them. They will still prophesy in His name, cast out demons in His name, and even do mighty works in His name but it is all just done in His name and not by allowing Him to work through them. They claim Jesus is in the church but they no longer preach the blood. The fact that they are doing it themselves is why they succumb to sin. We must return to Jesus working through us with Him getting the praise and glory. It has to be all Jesus and nothing of ourself.

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

We can not fall into the position of just calling out in His name. We must be not be placed in the position of working iniquity. It must be only Jesus! It must be all of Jesus! The leaders must allow Jesus back behind the pulpit. They have to relinquish what they have taken ownership away from God. MAN's rules and regulations will not allow God to speak through whom He want to speak and/or how He wants to speak. The only resolution is to know Jesus fully and allow Him to have full control.

With all that Paul was addressing and with all that is happening in the "churches" today, we know that Debra, Tarja, and I have heard correctly when God said to go back to Finland and just teach Jesus. We have to let Jesus back into the congregation. MAN's rules and/or restrictions must be removed to allow the full move of God in His people. Jesus bought us with the shedding of His blood on the cross, but w allow MAN to enslave us with his rules and regulations. It is those rules and regulations that block the comforter (Holy Spirit) sent by God to flow freely in power and might through us individually. It is plain to see that's the church of today can still have victory over sin and death because Jesus in His death and resurrection had already decisively obtained it. It is only Jesus. It has to be all Jesus! IT WILL BE ALL JESUS!