PArt 3: Introduction 1 Corinthians

Introduction to 1 Corinthians from NKJV study bible:

Part 3 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!

What is happening in the churches today with regards to the Spiritual Gifts? Is there abuse of the Spiritual Gifts? What exactly are the Spiritual Gifts? I believe that God has shown that the spiritual gifts is the flowing of the Holy Spirit through us as God directs. Since the Holy Spirit is Jesus, then it would also mean that flowing of the Spiritual Gifts is actually Jesus flowing through an individual. The  abuse is in the fact that many churches today do not allow the flowing of the Spiritual Gifts. I was in a meeting with one leader and that leader said to me "Yes, we believe in the spiritual gifts but they can not take place during Sunday services. We do allow them to take place or be discussed during Wednesday meetings".  I can just hear what God is hearing "God - it is okay to flow as you want on Wednesday, but please keep it under control on Sunday because we have those in the congregation that will leave if they see you in your full glory". If not allowing the flow of the spiritual gifts and/or not teaching of the spiritual gifts, is not abuse of the spiritual gifts then I only ask God's forgiveness for allowing Him to flow as He so wants to flow during the meetings for Rivers of Eden Ministry! Flow Jesus flow...

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 cannot fall into the position of just calling out in His name. We must not be placed into 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!