It Starts Small

Category: Epistles

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Finding Contentment in God’s Calling

    The content emphasizes the importance of contentment in one’s current situation, as teachings from Paul indicate that faith transcends cultural and social conditions. Whether single or married, believers are urged to serve God wholeheartedly and recognize that personal circumstances do not limit their ability to fulfill spiritual responsibilities and growth.

  • Understanding Marriage and Sexual Boundaries

    Chapter 7 addresses significant issues regarding sex, marriage, and divorce from a biblical perspective. Paul emphasizes the seriousness of sexual relationships, the sanctity of marriage, and the boundaries God intended, advocating that sex should occur only within marriage. Divorce is discouraged, except under specific circumstances, highlighting the commitment involved in…

  • ‘hand that one over to Satan’

    In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Paul reprimands the church for tolerating severe sexual immorality, urging disciplinary action to promote accountability and potential redemption. He emphasizes that handing the sinner over to Satan symbolizes breaking pride and sinfulness, aiming for spiritual salvation rather than physical punishment, ultimately striving for reconciliation.