It Starts Small

Author: Kimberlee Smith

  • Avoiding Counterfeit Gifts: Know the Truth

    The content discusses the dangers of counterfeit spiritual gifts in the church, particularly ecstasy and enthusiasm, which are rooted in false practices and demonic influence. It emphasizes the necessity of knowing and testing the truth through Scripture to avoid deception, highlighting the importance of using and understanding one’s spiritual gifts…

  • Lessons from Corinth: The Lord’s Supper Abuse

    Paul addresses issues in the Corinthian church concerning the misuse of the Lord’s Supper. Christians were motivated by selfishness rather than reverence. He emphasizes the importance of unity, self-examination, and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice during communion. Proper conduct ensures spiritual growth and glorifies God, avoiding division and materialism.

  • Understanding Authority in 1 Corinthians 11

    We continue our walk through 1 Corinthians. Paul opens this chapter by reconfirming his apostolic authority in verses 1 and 2. He commends the Corinthians believers for remembering him. He also appreciates their adherence to his previous instructions. He reminds them they need to follow everything he teaches them. They…

  • God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle: A Deeper Look

    1 Corinthians 10:13 emphasizes that God will not allow individuals to face temptations beyond their strength, offering a way out. The context reveals that Paul addresses a community, urging collective endurance rather than individual isolation. Misinterpreting this verse as a solitary struggle undermines the importance of communal support in overcoming…

  • February Scripture Writing Plan and Journal: Strength in Weakness

    Well, 2025 did not slow down and we have found ourselves half way through January already! We are going to continue our theme this year and go from 1 Corinthians to 2 Corinthians. Without a doubt, the apostle Paul is the most important missionary of the first century. He established…

  • Understanding Christian Freedom and Idolatry

    The passage emphasizes the importance of avoiding idolatry, using the Israelites as a warning to the Corinthians not to repeat their mistakes. It stresses the need to prioritize God above all, avoiding anything that compromises faith, such as food sacrificed to idols. Paul encourages believers to act in ways that…

  • Avoiding Spiritual Pitfalls

    Chapter ten emphasizes the importance of self-discipline in our spiritual journey, using the failures of the Israelites as a cautionary example for the Corinthians. Despite receiving immense blessings, the Israelites fell into pride and sin, leading to their demise. The Corinthians are warned not to repeat these mistakes and to…

  • Paul’s Defense: The Use of Freedom for Others

    In this passage, Paul emphasizes the importance of using Christian freedom for the benefit of others and defends his apostolic authority. He illustrates how he refrained from exercising his rights to avoid hindering the gospel, contrasting his sacrifices with the spiritual benefits he provided to the Corinthian church.

  • Paul’s Message: The Importance of Love Over Knowledge

    Paul’s letter to the Corinthians addresses the issue of idol worship and the associated rituals, particularly food sacrifices. He emphasizes the importance of love over knowledge, arguing that while idols are meaningless, Christians should not let their understanding divide or elevate them above others. True Christian identity is marked by…

  • Celibacy

     6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person has this gift, another has that. 1 Corinthians 7:6-8 There are two passages in the New Testament. These passages have been used to…