Winter's
Coming 04-08-16
1 Corinthians 15:19 (ESV) 19 If in Christ we
have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Now wait just a minute Ronnie. This is
April and I am DONE with winter. Oh yeah, I hear you. You're preaching to the
choir. The sooner 80 degrees and sunny, the better as far as I am
concerned. Well what are you saying here? Let me try and put my thoughts into
words. I read a couple weeks ago and was reminded this week past of the
exhibition scheduled for NYC later this month. A replica of the arch of the
temple of Palmyra will be constructed for all to see. It seems that some people
see some benefit in resurrecting this pagan temple so as to preserve antiquity.
If you look a little closer, you will be shocked at the parallels in the 2000
year old Palmyra community with their worship of Molech, and the trends in our
society today. I will leave that to you. It strikes me as odd though. What's
that Ronnie? Well, one wonders where the archaeological interest lie in the
Christian and Jewish artifacts that have also been destroyed. To go further,
where is the monument being raised to the CHRISTIAN HUMANS that have
been virtually exterminated by these enemies of humanity. Oh well, getting back
on point.
The Corinthian Church was by a long shot
the WORST of the New Testament churches. The issues of division, immorality,
self promotion, immaturity are just a few of what Paul addresses in his letters
to this church. Not only that, he was dealing with some folk who were denying
the resurrection. With all that playing in the background, Paul, arguing for the
reality of the resurrection, makes the above statement. To paraphrase."Brothers
and sisters, if Jesus is for this life only, we be in a whole world of trouble."
You see, Corinth was a wealthy city. It
was located on an Isthmus that connected various trade routes and was also a
bustling sea port.Foreigners, passing through on business, had money to spend
while held up in the city.That being said, Corinth was also a wicked city. Our
word 'Corinth' in Hellenistic Greek ,meant "to practice fornication." As a
matter of fact it was THE wicked city. Sexual immorality was so rampant that
foreigners had a phrase for prostitution. It was said that a prostitute was a
"Corinthian Girl." They worshipped all kinds of different gods, infiltrated the
city with all manner of religious philosophy, idolatry was rampant, Corinth was
what we would say today "a party town." Corinth, in Paul's time, was in a
spiritual winter. The Corinthian Church was being profoundly influenced and
negatively so, by the surrounding community. The Church wrote Paul a letter
seeking his council and advice.
1 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV) 1 Now concerning the matters about which you
wrote:............."
The Book of Corinthians is his
reply.
Paul's message to those Corinthian
believers is as relevant to us today as front page news. He might as well have
posted it on Facebook or Twitter. In a world gone mad, we, just like the
Corinthian Church,are bombarded daily. The parallels are screaming at you from
behind replicated temples of idolatry. The atrocities daily committed against
each other in our communities. The insanity that drives us ever on to "live the
dream" only to have that dream destroyed by a system that is rigged from the
beginning. The division and partyism, both religious and political, that puts us
at each other's throat;the heady, intoxicating lifestyles of the rich and
famous. Can we be negatively influenced by all that our eyes see and our ears
hear. Of course we can. With all the craziness surrounding us, it is all too
easy to let our gaze and attention be redirected. The danger lies in conforming
to what the world says. That's what Paul saw 2000 years ago and guess
what.....that's what he would see today. With all that buzz, Paul made that
proclamation to the Corinthian Church yesterday and he makes it to us the 21st
Century today.
1 Corinthians 15:19 (ESV) 19 If in Christ we
have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Brothers and sisters, excuse my poor
English but " IT AIN'T ABOUT THIS LIFE ONLY."
There's coming a day dear Christian when
the Lord Jesus is going to set things right.
There's coming a day when the system will
function according to the Lord's righteous standards.
There's coming a day when the killing and
torture and madness is going to be halted.
There's coming a day when there won't be
anymore abused and hungry children.
There's coming a day when The King
Jesus will rule this earth in righteousness and justice.
It ain't about this life.
Psalm 124:6 (ESV) 6 Blessed be the
LORD, who has
not given us as prey to their teeth!
God Bless
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