Sunday, January 31, 2016

Philippians, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 50 - Philippians 

Philippians is a letter of encouragement from Paul to the church in the city of Philippi. Written from Rome while Paul was in prison, it offers the hard-learned lessons of faith that Paul has experienced through his suffering as a preacher of the gospel (elsewhere, Paul lists the number of times he was arrested, whipped, shipwrecked, and more).

Essentially, Paul recognizes God's blessings in all circumstances for people who know the truth through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Like many Christians, Paul awaits eternal life where he will live with Jesus and other Christians in heaven in perfect peace.  However, he also finds joy in his life on earth, despite the suffering and obstacles, because he is helping others discover and grow in faith.

Paul believes that all Christians can approach the hardships and challenges of life with an open attitude.  While all Christians anticipate leaving in a perfect new world through Jesus, they can find joy in their earthly lives as long as they are growing in faith and helping others to grow in their faith too.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Ephesians, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of Ephesians you might have missed.
 Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.


Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.
  • If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
  • Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
  • Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on Ephesians tomorrow at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

Friday, January 29, 2016

Ephesians, Day 5 Readings

Mutual Accountability & Encouragement for This World      

Today's first reading makes some people uncomfortable as it is the source of the instruction "women, submit yourselves to your husbands."  For centuries, this verse has been used to support patriarchy among Christians.  Interestingly, though, this is a misapplication of this verse, which follows another instruction: "submit to each other."

This is a vision of mutual accountability, where Christians of all genders, ages, and social statuses encourage each other, support each other, and lovingly teach each other how to be better Christians.  By living in this way, they will be better citizens of the new world God is creating.

Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading offers some final encouragements to Christians as they keep living in this world, before they can live in the new world God is creating.  While God is preparing Christians for a new world, they still must live on earth, with all of its brokenness.  In fact, life on earth poses a threat to Christians trying to live in a new way, and Christians should be prepared for struggle (even war) against the powerful forces of this world.  They should also have faith that God has equipped them for this fight.

Read Ephesians 6:10-24  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Ephesians 5:21-6:24 today.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Ephesians, Day 4 Readings

A New Way of Living for a New World     

Today's reading offers some practical descriptions of the way that Christians should live as they become citizens of God's new world.  Christians must make a sharp break with their old lives, turning their backs on their current vulgar lifestyles -- no more lying, cheating, lusting, backbiting ways.  Instead, filled with God's truth and love, they must live as children of the light: embracing all as God embraces all, seeking God's truth, and living in peace.  What is more, there is the possibility that others might see their behavior and recognize God's truth for their own lives.

Read Ephesians 4:1-5:20  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Ephesians 4:1-5:20 today.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Sermon - "Cut It Out" (Galatians)

On Sunday, Rev. Joshua Patty preached on Paul's letter to the Galatians, where the apostle exposed his frustration, and even anger, at those who were teaching that Christians had to follow Jewish law in order to be completely faithful.

Paul, despite being raised and educated as a Jew, understands the gospel of Jesus Christ much differently.  Jesus is a means for all people -- Jew and Gentile, alike -- to connect to God through the covenant with Abraham.

Even more, people need to stop worrying so much about all of the specific "do's" and "don'ts" of Jewish law.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can experience spiritual gifts that guide Christians in living out the "do's" and "don'ts" of faith, without a list of rules.  And Paul passionately believes that the "do's" of faith, where Christians follow the passions of their spiritual gifts.

Click here to listen to the sermon.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation and closing benediction.

Ephesians, Day 3 Readings

God's New World as a Mystery    

Today's reading continues to describe the new world promised by God to the church.  In some ways, this new world is a mystery which is known and understood only by God.  However, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God is slowly revealing this mystery to Christians -- unveiling a mystery that has been present, but kept a secret, throughout all of history.

By following the teachings of Jesus together in the church, God is revealing this wonderful new world to Christians -- a glimpse of the glorious eternal future for everyone who will live in heaven.

Read Ephesians 3:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Ephesians 3 today.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Ephesians, Day 2 Readings

A New World, United    

Today's reading continues to describe the vision of a new world which God is creating through Jesus Christ.  Unlike the kingdoms of earth, this world will be united.  There will be no outsiders and insiders, no VIPs and others.

The first proof of this unity -- this oneness -- of Christians is in God's abolition of the division between Jews and Gentiles.  Through Jewish law, non-Jews were considered separated from God, but through Jesus, all people are near God.  And if so, then all people can become citizens of the new world God is preparing.

Read Ephesians 2:1-22  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Ephesians 2 today.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Ephesians, Day 1 Readings

The Spirit of the Church    

Today's reading is the beginning of the letter to the church in Ephesus.  It begins with a description of the spirit that fills and inspires the church through Jesus Christ.  While God's purposes begin with forgiveness, the scope of what God has in store for the church is much larger than salvation.  The inheritance that Christians claim through Jesus Christ is a glory and a life beyond earthly possibilities.  (The rest of the letter will attempt to describe this new life.)

Read Ephesians 1:1-23  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Ephesians 1 today.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Ephesians, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 49 - Ephesians  

Ephesians provides a broad vision for what God is doing through Jesus Christ -- nothing short of beginning a new world.  In some ways, this new world remains a mystery which is slowly being revealed to faithful Christians.

However, the reality of this new world explains the importance and the purpose of the church.  It is an outpost in this world for people who will be citizens of God's new world.  In the church, people can grow in the knowledge of God's truth and begin to live as God expects them to live in the new world -- honestly, lovingly, and peacefully.  In this new world, everyone has an important and equal place.

In the meantime, Christians need to do two main things.  They need to grow in their faith so that they live, more and more each day, as citizens who will be at home in this new world.  They do this together: encouraging each other and teaching each other when they make mistakes.  And Christians need to defend against the evil ways of this world -- not only by avoiding the sins they used to commit, but recognizing that Christians face explicit attacks from the evil forces of earth.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Galatians, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of Galatians you might have missed.
 Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.


Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.
  • If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
  • Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
  • Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on Galatians tomorrow at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Galatians, Day 5 Readings

How Christians Learn Right from Wrong    

Today's reading is the conclusion of Paul's passionate letter about the true nature of Christian faith to the churches of Galatia.  Building on the previous section, where Paul describes the way that one can distinguish between actions that are sinfully human (works "of the flesh," in his words) and those that are faithful and good (fruits "of the Spirit).

Paul recognizes that even Christians will sometimes behave badly (doing things 'of the flesh'), but he believes that the Holy Spirit helps other people in the congregation to identify those bad behaviors and then empowers them to lovingly offer correction.  If the Galatian Christians will simply love and support each other, honestly praising the good behaviors guided by the Spirit and correcting the bad behaviors of the flesh, they have no need of Jewish law or any list of religious regulations. And they will begin to better understand and experience the new life that God has in store for them as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Read Galatians 6:1-18  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Galatians 6 today.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Galatians, Day 4 Readings

Spiritual Fruits   

Today's reading offers Paul's alternative to following the obligations of Jewish law.  Again, it is fair to say that Paul is rather flabbergasted by the eagerness with which some in the Galatian churches have wanted to become circumcised, thinking this will make them better Christians.

Paul, who was carefully taught Torah, and all of its intricacies, as a student of the Pharisees, knows that it is impossible to perfectly obey Jewish law.  How much better it is instead to live as Christians guided by the Holy Spirit.  Rather than having to study and remember countless regulations, Paul believes that Christians have the freedom to not worry about such things.  Instead, Christians need only worry if their actions come from baser human desires (which Paul describes as works of the flesh) or from faithful spiritual desires, which Paul lists as the fruits of the Spirit.  If a person's actions and thoughts are filled with these good spiritual fruits, there is no need to worry about the long list of rules -- most of which are "no-nos" -- in Torah.

Read Galatians 5:2-26  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Galatians 5:2-26 today.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Sermon - "You Must Love Me" (2 Corinthians)

On Sunday, Rev. Joshua Patty preached on Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, where the apostle continues to try to rebuild and reconcile a broken relationship with the congregation in Corinth.

Throughout 2 Corinthians, Paul wears two hats.  On the one hand, he is a teacher, trying to help these new believers become stronger Christians.  On the other hand, Paul takes the broken relationship personally, as he deeply cares for these people and is hurt that many people have misunderstood and mischaracterized his motives and actions.

Paul understands that the only way to reconcile the relationship is to admit how it has been broken.  Then, both sides need to approach each other with love -- a love that accepts each other for who they are, warts and all (rather than hoping for some idealized form of behavior), and a love that accepts each other for who they are, with gifts to offer the entire community in Christ's name.  If they can truly love each other, they can restore and even strengthen their relationship.  In Paul's eyes, this type of love is key for all Christian relationships.

Click here to listen to the sermon.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation and closing benediction.

Galatians, Day 3 Readings

Don't Go Backward in Your Faith   

Today's reading continues Paul's description of how Christians are the true heirs of God's covenant with Abraham.  However, in his passion, some of Paul's points in this chapter lack the precision he gives elsewhere.  Still, he insists that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ offers the best way to a good relationship with God, not Jewish law.

Paul recognizes that the Galatians are young in faith and still have much to learn.  However, he doesn't want them to go backward. Having claimed this new identity, with its promise of freedom from the sinfulness and brokenness of the world, Paul doesn't want them to give away this identity and its freedom.

This leads to a counter-intuitive understanding of Jewish history, which Paul then presents.   As we learn in Genesis, Abraham had two main sons.  Ishmael was the son of Abraham's wife's servant; Isaac was the son of Abraham's wife.  As such, Ismael represents slavery, while Isaac represents freedom.  However, with Paul's understanding of Jewish law as a form of spiritual slavery, he believes that the Gentile Christians must be heirs of Isaac, while the Jews (who are biological descendants of Isaac) are the heirs of Ishmael, blind to the freedom that Jesus Christ offers.  (If this seems like an argument where Paul is straining logic and history, many people have found it confounding through the centuries.)

Read Galatians 4:1-5:1  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Galatians 4:1-5:1 today.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Galatians, Day 2 Readings

Christians Are Heirs to God's Covenant with Abraham   

Today's reading expands on Paul's argument to the churches of Galatia that their Christian faith through the Holy Spirit is what God expects of them.  For all who would suggest that it is necessary to follow Jewish law in order to be faithful, Paul points out that the sacred faithful relationship between people and God predates Torah.  God's covenant with Abraham came long before the Ten Commandments.

For Paul, the Jewish law was only given by God to check human sinfulness.  Even worse, attempting to follow the law requires that you perfectly follow the entire law, which is impossible; if this is true, then the law is more of a curse than a blessing.  Better in Paul's eyes to focus on imitating Abraham's righteous behavior -- believe in God, and God recognizes that as good.  For Christians, then, we should believe in Jesus' teaching and the leading of the Holy Spirit -- and God will recognize our behavior as good.  This opportunity for faith is open to all, regardless of heritage, gender, or class.

Read Galatians 3:1-29  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Galatians 3 today.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Galatians, Day 1 Readings

Must Gentiles Become Jews to Become Christians?   

Today's reading is Paul's attempt to stamp out a persistent rumor that is taking hold in the churches in the region of Galatia.  He has heard that other Christian teachers have followed him into the churches that he planted and expanded upon his teaching.  Specifically, they have taught that if people want to be true Christians, they not only follow the Holy Spirit and the example of Jesus, but they must completely obey Jewish law and become practicing Jews.

The main action that these people ("super apostles," as Paul describes them) expect is that Christian men must be circumcised, highlighting a central practice of Jewish faith dating to Abraham.  This teaching, and its broader implications about Gentiles needing to become Jews in order to be Christians, infuriated Paul.  He comes out swinging in the beginning of this letter. There are no niceties at the start; Paul just jumps in and passionately argues against any belief that one needs to be Jewish before he or she can be Christian.

Paul does not devalue Jewish heritage; after all, he was raised a Jew.  However, he places much greater value on the power of faith through the Holy Spirit, which exists separately from Jewish Torah.

Read Galatians 1:1-2:21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Galatians 1-2 today.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Galatians, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 48 - Galatians  

Galatians is probably Paul's most passionate letter, written to a collection of churches in the province of Galatia (a small region in modern-day Turkey).  Having established these new congregations and inviting people to hear and believe the gospel of Christ, Paul is stunned to learn that the Galatian Christians have adjusted their understanding of faith due to some new teachers, whom Paul derisively calls "super-apostles."

These new teachers insist that for Christians to be truly faithful, they need to follow Jewish law.  Foremost, men need to accept the sign of the Jewish covenant and be circumcised.  Paul believes that this is a complete misunderstanding of the gospel.  Jesus is the new vehicle for the original covenant between God and Abraham.  Through Jesus (and the power of the Holy Spirit), all people can become faithful to God.  This requires faith in Jesus -- for Paul, a specific understanding of the purpose and meaning of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

Again and again, Paul tries to make this clear to the Galatians, often in rather exasperated tones (and frequently with double entendres related to circumcision).  Rather than trying to learn and follow the numerous regulations of Torah, Christians need to focus on two things only -- being heirs to the covenant through proper belief, and bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit -- the signs and consequence of faithful behavior -- in their lives.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

2 Corinthians, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of 2 Corinthians you might have missed.
 Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.


Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.
  • If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
  • Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
  • Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on 2 Corinthians tomorrow at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Sermon - "Why Fight? You Have What You Need" (1 Corinthians)

On Sunday, Rev. Joshua Patty preached on Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, the first part of a correspondence in which the apostle tried to help the young congregation deal with the factions that had formed within it.

After Paul had left Corinth, other teachers had followed him, and different people in the congregation decided that different teachers were best.  Some remained loyal to Paul, others to Peter or Apollos.  More challenging, some people in the congregation became financially successful, and they believed that this success was God's validation for their actions -- an attitude they used to justify some terrible behavior.

Paul worked to confront both issues -- the entitlement to bad behavior and the unnecessary conflict -- by insisting that the Christians were wasting their time and energy arguing about silly things.  Instead, they should focus on the central message of the gospel, which will unite them.  Even more, if they remember the central message of the gospel, God's love and generosity, they will come to value every person in the congregation and recognize that each person has things to offer.  This should be reinforced by proper and faithful celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Click here to listen to the sermon.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation.

2 Corinthians, Day 5 Readings

Suffering to Share the Gospel & The Proof of Self-Examination     

Today's first reading continues Paul's defense of his ministry in Corinth, as opposed to the teachers who followed him.  Paul considers these to be false prophets, not only because they taught different things than he did, but because they convinced the Corinthians to pay their salaries.

In contrast to them, Paul identifies his many sacrifices.  First, he never asked the Corinthian church for money while he was there, but relied on others to cover his expenses. Second, he has suffered many time more.  In comparison to the other teachers and their self-promotion for profit, Paul promotes his own suffering -- including a list of punishments and obstacles.

Read 2 Corinthians 11:1-33  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading is the conclusion of Paul's defense.  After highlighting the reasons why he believes he has been a true evangelist among them, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul offers a final example.  He encourages the Corinthians to examine themselves.  If they truly have the spirit of Christ (what we would call the Holy Spirit), they will recognize the truth of Paul's teaching and thus the truth to his claims for authority as a teacher against these other so-called teachers.  Ultimately, nothing can hide the truth.

Read 2 Corinthians 13:1-13  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Corinthians 11-13 today.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

2 Corinthians, Day 4 Readings

Asking for Money & Paul Defends His Ministry     

Today's first reading is a letter for an early church stewardship campaign.  (There seem to be two such letters, preserved back to back, in 2 Corinthians,)  It is an abrupt change of tone from the previous chapters, where Paul is hoping for a reconciliation.  Here, he is unabashedly asking for money to support his ongoing church planting.

Even more, given that several Christians in Corinth seem to have money, Paul is asking them to be as generous in their giving -- relatively speaking -- as other poorer Christians have been.  Not only would this be a great windfall for Paul's ministry, but it also encourages the Corinthians to "put their money where their mouths are" -- not only should they give something, but they should give enough that it is an actual sacrifice for them because only at this point can they fathom the completely sacrificial giving of Jesus.

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-24  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading is the beginning of the final section of 2 Corinthians, which likely was itself part of a separate letter to the Corinthians.  In it, Paul defends his ministry at Corinth, using writing that is sometimes theological and sometimes deeply personal.  When the disagreements between Paul and Corinthian church leaders arose, Paul was obviously hurt, even to the point of feeling betrayed.  

He offered four main points to justify how he had approached and taught the Corinthian Christians, in comparison to the leaders/teachers that they preferred after him.  Here, he insists that good teaching can be identified by what it promotes.  Some teachers are mostly interested in promoting themselves; others are more worried about promoting their subject.  For Christian teachers, the most important thing is how they share the Gospel and help people claim it for their lives.  (The implication, then, is that the other teachers were more interested in promoting their own fame -- and getting people to pay them.  This is a central dilemma of Christian ministry -- it is valuable and should be financially supported; however, money cannot be the main reason why people serve in Christ's name.)

Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-18  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Corinthians 8-10 today.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

2 Corinthians, Day 3 Readings

Opening Your Hearts, Because Paul Has Already Opened His   

Today's first reading is about the nature of reconciliation.  First, Paul reminds the Corinthians that Jesus is the way that God has restored the relationship between God and all of creation.  Such forgiveness and grace on God's part make it even more possible for human's to offer each other forgiveness in their broken relationships.

And, in case the Corinthians only remember their arguments and frustrations with Paul, he then lists how he much he has suffered to share this message of God's forgiveness and salvation.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:13  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading allows Paul to lead by example.  Just as he hopes that the Corinthian church will again accept his teaching authority, he shares how he has accepted them -- especially after hearing from Titus that they wanted to learn from Paul again.  He has an open heart, filled with love and hope for them, excited that they seem willing to refocus their energies in more faithful ways.  Like a father, Paul accepts that they have learned from their mistakes and are willing to do things differently going forward.

Read 2 Corinthians 7:2-16  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Corinthians 6-7 today.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

2 Corinthians, Day 2 Readings

The Promise of Eternal Life   

Today's reading provides one of the most poetic expressions of the promise of life after death in the Bible.  As Paul continues to explain how forgiveness and reconciliation are possible through a true understanding of Christian faith, he compares life on earth to the promise of life in heaven.  Life on earth is temporary and filled with challenges, especially for those who are aware of God's larger purposes and promises; life in heaven will surpass all expectations.

This larger perspective provides all of the things which make it possible to repair a broken relationship: hope for the future, encouragement to persevere through life's challenges, and the recognition that all people make mistakes and need forgiveness for those mistakes.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:15  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Corinthians 4-5 today.

Monday, January 11, 2016

2 Corinthians, Day 1 Readings

Mending Relationships  

Today's reading offers Paul's attempt to mend his broken relationship with some in the Corinthian church.  Paul is reluctant to apologize -- feeling that he has nothing to apologize for.  In fact, he believes that he took the painful step of backing away from the argument -- and not visiting the congregation in person -- so that a reconciliation would be possible.

Now that day has come.  And Paul hopes -- and frankly, expects -- that the Christians in Corinth will forgive the people who raised trouble and will follow Paul's teaching.  Instead of focusing on the lingering controversy on whether Christians need to follow Jewish law, they should embrace Paul's teaching of spirituality -- guided and filled by the Holy Spirit.  In some ways, true forgiveness is only possible, in Paul's eyes, through such an open faith.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:23-3:18  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Corinthians 1-3 today.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

2 Corinthians, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 47 - 2 Corinthians  

2 Corinthians is the second of two letters written by Paul to the church in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece.  It seems to be part of a long correspondence that Paul maintained with the Corinthian church after he traveled to establish churches in other cities.

In fact, there seem to be several letters preserved in 2 Corinthians.  The need for all of these letters seems to have been a long-distance argument between Paul and leaders in the Corinthian church, who had decided to follow the teaching of other people (whom Paul derisively calls "super-apostles").  Throughout 2 Corinthians, Paul is trying to offer reasons to reconcile their relationship (and for the church to disavow the teaching of these others and follow the teaching of Paul and his associates again).

As such, much of the letter deals with themes of forgiveness and reasons to accept people, despite their mistakes.  The best example of this is through God's forgiveness of humans through the teaching and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  If God can forgive sinners, we should be able to forgive others for their mistakes.

This forgiveness does not mean that people can keep doing what they are doing.  Instead, they need to become better and more faithful Christians every day.  This means that they need to recognize good Christian teaching and follow it.  This can be uncomfortable, though, because such teaching will identify bad behavior and work to correct it -- which is exactly what Paul is trying to do throughout the letter.

One more word about the idea that there are several letters within 2 Corinthians.  The presence of multiple letters can explain why 2 Corinthians feels a little disjointed.  It begins with Paul trying to gain reconciliation with the church in Corinth.  Then it seems that the relationship has been restored -- so much so that Paul asks for money to support his ministry in other churches (in what seem to be two distinct fundraising letters).  Then the tone suddenly shifts, and it seems that Paul believes the relationship is much worse (and he becomes more defensive about his ministry).  One very easy explanation is that there are different letters here, sent over a period of time, and they seem to be a little out of order.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

1 Corinthians, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of 1 Corinthians you might have missed.
 Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.


Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.
  • If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
  • Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
  • Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on 1 Corinthians tomorrow at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

Friday, January 8, 2016

1 Corinthians, Day 5 Readings

Spiritual Gifts in Worship & Resurrection Life   

Today's first reading suggests that some Christians in Corinth believed that the most important spiritual gift was the ability to pray in tongues.  While Paul believes that praying in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, he believes that it can easily be overdone.  If everyone is focused on praying in tongues, it means that worship is chaos, with everyone praying at the same time, and no one paying much attention to anyone else in the church.

Instead, Paul suggests that they focus on sharing spiritual gifts in ways that are good for the Christian community.  He offers a suggested order of worship, which includes praying in tongues (as long as there is someone to interpret these prayers for those gathered in worship), but encourages prophecy and testimony in equal numbers so that people may continue to learn about God.

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-40  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
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The second reading provides the longest description of human resurrection in the Bible.  Evidently, some Corinthian Christians had decided, following the example of a Jewish sect known as Sadducees, that there was no resurrection of the dead. Paul's response is scoffing dismissal because without resurrection there cannot be any Christianity.  From this, though, Paul takes an opportunity to explore what human resurrection is like.  The resurrected body is permanent and imperishable (unable to die).  Somehow -- and Paul insists that it is a mystery exactly how -- we will be changed and given a new spiritual body (which for Paul probably means a physical body given through the Holy Spirit) and then a new home in the Kingdom of God.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-58  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Corinthians 14-16 today.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

1 Corinthians, Day 4 Readings

Spiritual Gifts & Christian Love   

Today's first reading offers Paul's vision for the nature of a Christian community.  Everyone is a valuable member because everyone has been given talents and skills by God for the good of the community.  None of these gifts or talents is more important than others and all of them are necessary.  However, it seems that some in Corinth had said that certain things were more important than others.  (Anyone want to bet these more valuable skills were the exact same gifts exhibited by the rich Christians in Corinth?)

Everyone is an important part of the church.  If one person is successful, then it is a success for the entire group. If one person fails, then it is a failure for the entire church.  Everyone should be appreciated and honored for the good they bring to the church.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-26  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading builds on this concept by suggesting that the most important spiritual gifts are not praying in tongues or preaching.  Instead, the most important gifts -- which should be nurtured in every member of the church -- are faith, hope, and love.  And the greatest is love.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Corinthians 11-13 today.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

1 Corinthians, Day 3 Readings

Living for Others & True Communion   

Today's first reading offers a problem for early Christians -- the question of whether they could eat meat sold in local markets.  The problem was that most meat was sacrificed to one of the gods before it was sold.  However, Christians recognize that such sacrifice is idol-worship. Wouldn't their purchase and/or eating such meat be an endorsement of idolatry?

The problem was more pronounced in the Corinthian church because they had wealthier members who could afford to eat meet more frequently and who also were invited to events where such meet was served more regularly.  In a basic way, Paul dismisses the problem.  Christians know that these false gods do not exist, so they know that there is nothing special about the meat; so they can eat meat, preferably without even thinking about the superstitious sacrifices.

However, if people around Christians make a big deal about how the meat is special because it has been sacrificed to a specific god, then Christians should not eat that meat.  They must always seek to live in ways that can show others the nature of true faith.  In fact, this is the more important thing for Paul -- how the Corinthians treat each other and treat people outside of the congregation.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading provides the clearest instructions on how to share Communion in congregations.  Paul focuses on the misuse and abuse of the Lord's Supper among the Corinthians -- the wealthy provide plenty of food and drink, but they eat most of it and get drunk before the working-class Christians arrive after their workdays.  Such behavior is a terrible reflection on the church, and it is unworthy of the name or title of Jesus.  Instead, this sharing of bread and cup in Jesus' name is meant to be a unifying action of the entire community.  Correcting this behavior points toward a better way to be church, and thus a better way to be Christians.

Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Corinthians 8-10 today.