Author: preacherpollard

preacher,Cumberland Trace church of Christ, Bowling Green, Kentucky

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (XI)

Unity And Complicated Marital Issues (7:10-24)

Neal Pollard

With so much moral confusion and corruption among the Corinthians,  Paul had his hands full in addressing the various complications that arose in this congregation. Having already dealt with incest, homosexuality, fornication, and even spouses depriving one another, he moves on to another complicated matter. What do you do when your non-Christian spouse wants to abandon the marriage? What are your rights and restrictions? 

Unfortunately, some have interpreted 1 Corinthians 7 as a passage giving one an additional “exception” to the Lord’s rule in Matthew 19:9 (this belief is often called “The Pauline Privilege”). Is Paul adding to the Lord’s teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage? If one’s spouse “deserts” them, is he or she free to remarry?

First, notice that Paul begins by reviewing just what the Lord said during His ministry (10-11). He signifies this by saying, “But to the married I give instructions, not I but the Lord….” (10). In other words, Paul reviews what the Lord taught as recorded by Matthew (19:1-12). It is a summary of that passage. Keep in mind that anything Paul subsequently says cannot contradict what the Lord taught in His ministry on the subject. Everything Paul says here must be understood in the light of how he begins–“stay married, but if you divorce, remain unmarried or be reconciled to the husband you divorced.”

Second, notice that Paul is dealing with something the Lord did not address in His earthly ministry. That’s what Paul means when he says, “But to the rest I say, not the Lord…” (12).  Paul addresses an apparent concern for Christians in a pagan society like Corinth (our nation would be a lot more like Corinth than Jerusalem!). Paul delves into what a Christian ought to do who is married to an unbeliever. He begins with the scenario that the unbeliever is okay with staying married to the Christian. In that case, there is nothing to do. Do not leave them if they want to remain married (13-14). 

Then, he discusses a scenario where the unbeliever is not okay with staying married to the Christian. A spouse would then be in a quandary, deciding whether or not to stay with Christ or choose the unbelieving mate (15). Paul is saying, your duty to your husband does not outweigh your duty to Christ. If they force you into that choice, choose Christ. Some try to make the word “bondage” in this verse refer to the marriage bond, believing Paul to say you are free to remarry. Paul is using that word throughout this paragraph to speak of being enslaved, not to speak of being married (“bondage” is found in eight New Testament verses; the other seven–Acts 7:6, Rom. 6:18,22, 1 Cor. 9:19, Gal. 4:3, Ti. 2:3, and 2 Pet. 2:19–all mean “to make someone a slave”; that’s what Paul is saying here. Paul uses the word for “marry” several times in this chapter, a different word with a different meaning altogether). 

Third, understand the rest of this paragraph in light of what Paul has already said. He is not allowing people to do something which, as he has already pointed out, the Lord explicitly forbad. His words in 1 Corinthian 7:15-24 do not give a person an additional reason to divorce and remarry. Paul is illustrating with the circumcision analogy what he has just taught in verses 13-14. 

There is nothing in this context or any other passage that teaches that non-Christians who obey the gospel and are in an unscriptural marriage can remain in that condition. He is simply using multiple means to make a singular point: “Do not become enslaved to man’s will because you belong to Christ.” Do not choose your spouse over Christ. If they threaten to leave you if you don’t leave Christ, you must stay faithful to Christ. 

Sin brings complications. No relationship must be honored or prioritized over Christ. When a Christian is married to a non-Christian, he or she is to do everything possible to win the non-Christian spouse (cf. 1 Pet. 3:1ff). As Paul says, ” For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?” (16). That’s the ideal. But in less than ideal situations, always choose Christ! 

The Power Of The Resurrection (Part 3)

Carl Pollard

 Previously we have discussed the importance of knowing for certain that Jesus lived on this earth. The power of His resurrection begins with the hope of His birth. We are all in need of a Savior. Thankfully, 2,000 years ago God sent His Son to take on flesh. He willingly came and left an example for us to imitate. Secular historians all agree that Jesus of Nazareth really did exist. But there’s more to this that we need to study. He lived, oh yes, He LIVED. But we also need to understand that He Died. 

Scripture says that, in John 19:18, “There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.” Mark 15:39 adds, “When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Scripture tells us that not only did Jesus live on earth, He was also put to death. John tells us that Jesus hung on a cross between two criminals. Mark records the response of a Roman centurion who saw the way Jesus died and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” 

God in flesh and blood hung on a cross for my sins, for the sins of the world. For me, having several biblical authors record the death of Jesus is more than enough proof. But let’s see what secular history has to say about His death. 

The Roman historian Tacitus said this in AD 117, “Their originator, Christ, has been executed in Tiberius’ reign, by Pontius Pilate.” Even Jesus’ worst enemies record His death. The Jewish Rabbis and Religious leaders wrote this in the Talmud, “Jesus of Nazareth was a transgressor in Israel who practiced magic, scorned the words of the wise, led the people astray, and said that he had not come to destroy the law but to add to it. He was hanged on Passover Eve for heresy and misleading the people.” 

The truth is, Jesus surely died for you and me. Scripture clearly teaches this, and so do many secular historians. For us to fully grasp the power of what comes next, we’ve got to believe that Jesus lived and that He died on a cross for you and me. 

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (X)

Unity Through Sexual Integrity (6:9-20)

Neal Pollard


It had to be a challenge to maintain sexual purity in a city world-renowned for its sexual debauchery. Paul points out that this is a matter of feeding fleshly appetites, but that these must be mastered by those who want what only God can give. It also requires an appropriate appreciation for what God has done for us and wishes to do for us. One of their number had infamously failed at this, and God wanted it dealt with appropriately (chapter five). Paul urges them all to, like himself, “not be mastered by anything” (12). How could Corinth (how can we?) combat the temptation to succumb to immorality?

Remember What You Were And See What You Are (9-11)

Paul established the church at Corinth, helping to win the first converts there. In those first 18 months, how many conversations and counseling sessions did he have with these spiritual babes about their sinful past and spiritual struggles? Part of their studying to become Christians likely dealt with how to repent. Paul knew their situations. He reminds them they were guilty of all kinds of sexual sins (fornication, adultery, homosexuality, promiscuity)(9) in addition to sins of immoral character (10). The whole list has in common that they each pandered to fleshly desires. The wonderful news is that through Christ they put that all away, and by obeying the gospel they were washed, sanctified, and justified (11). The guilt of those sins were removed. They were set apart for God’s righteous use. They were in a right relationship with God. No sinful pleasure can compete with the feeling of peace and relief of forgiveness!

Understand What Your Body Is For And Whose Your Body Is (12-15)

Don’t we struggle with that? The flesh has cravings, and we can satisfy those cravings improperly. In principle, this can be done with food, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and so on, but the central issue of context is sexual immorality. Paul points to the positive potential of our bodies. They are for the Lord (13). They are for the resurrection of life (14). They are members of Christ’s body (15). God has such exalted expectations of how we will spend our lives in these bodies. We cannot squander our purpose or lose sight of our identity! Too much is at stake.

Beware Of What Fornication Is And What Is Does (16-18)

Ben Witherington says, “Paul’s point is that sexual sin, unlike other sins, involves one’s very body in a union with others and is a sin against self as well as others. It involves the whole self and thus is dangerous and deadly to one’s spiritual well-being, for it puts one into the hands and mastery of someone other than the Lord” (169).  Certainly, Paul’s language is dramatic. Like Joseph (Gen. 39), run from it! Don’t do anything that jeopardizes your unity with the Lord! No matter how enticing it is, it will not be worth it! God has a wonderful place for this natural appetite to be fulfilled, and he will encourage that in chapter seven. Ironically, those who had the right and privilege of sex, husbands and wives, were failing to exercise such and causing each other to stumble. Society glorifies the shameful and ridicules the glorious, and that includes in sexual matters. Paul peels back the veneer of fornication and shows the ugly, rotten truth of what lies within.

Know Who Is In You And What You Are To Do (19-20)

One of the most powerful deterrents against sin is the knowledge that the Holy Spirit indwells me. Paul explicitly says so (19). When one becomes a Christian, he or she is telling God, “I am mine no more!” What I am now is God’s house, giving myself entirely for His use and glory. With privilege comes responsibility. Not only is that grand, impacting eternity, but it’s fundamental, involving my body. I cannot forget this. 

Put in the context of church unity, I am most responsible for how I handle my life and my body. By living a sexually pure life, I represent God as I should. That helps the church. Remember the words of Edward Everett Hale: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do.”

Not Our Problem

Gary Pollard

If I had a dollar for every time the world was supposed to have ended in my lifetime alone, I could probably fill my gas tank. Most recently, the eclipse was supposed to mark “the end.” In Graham Hancock’s 1995 book Fingerprints of the Gods, he puts great stock in the Mayan prophecy concerning the world’s end (supposedly Dec 23, 2012, conveniently revised to “no later than 2040” in Magicians of the Gods, 2015). Y2K was supposed to be a disaster. 

Just since I was born (1993), here are a few of the times the world was supposed to end (from Wikipedia, sorry): 

  1. David Berg claimed that the earth would end in 1993. 
  2. 05.02.1994 — Neal Chase’s claim that New York City would be struck by a nuclear bomb, followed shortly by the second coming. 
  3. 09.06, 09.29, 10.2.1994 — Harold Camping’s three consecutive failed predictions that the rapture would occur on these dates. 
  4. 10.23.1997 — The date, according to 17th century bishop James Ussher, that the world was supposed to end. 
  5. 03.31.1998 — Hon-Ming Chen claimed that God would come to earth in a flying saucer at 10:00 AM. 
  6. 08.18.1999 — World was supposed to end on this day, according to the psychic The Amazing Criswell. 
  7. 09.11.1999 — Earth was supposed to burn on this date, according to Philip Berg. 
  8. At least a dozen different public figures claimed the earth would end in the year 2000 (Jerry Falwell, Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins, James Harmston, Ruth Montgomery, Edgar Cayce, Sun Myung Moon, Ed Dobson, Lester Sumrall, and others). 
  9. Some 22 other predictions between 2000 and 2024 claimed that the end of earth was imminent. 

Does earth have an expiration date? Of course! But it makes us (understandably) look ridiculous when we fall for the doomsday-predictors’ nonsense. To comfort the churches at Thessalonica, Paul made it clear that we can’t miss the second coming. A few things have to take place first: 

  1. Lawlessness runs the entire world (2.3)
  2. The majority of Christians all around the world abandon God (II Thess 2.3). 
  3. Religion is discarded (2.4). 

We aren’t there yet. The church is still doing great things all over the world! The world is chaotic, but nowhere near as bad as it could be. Rather than discarding religion, we’re now seeing people pursue it, fed up with hedonism and its best friend nihilism. This may change in our lifetime, it may not. 

I’m writing this in light of what’s happened over the last few days in the Middle East. Already we’re seeing people claim that “Armageddon” is coming because Iran attacked Israel. The point is this: we simply don’t know when Jesus will return. Of all people, we’re the ones who are supposed to be least concerned about it! Rather than portraying an image of gullibility, let’s showcase Jesus’s love to our fellow people. If he returns, great! If not, we have much better things to do than share, post, re-post, or otherwise buy into doomsday speculations. 

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (IX)

Unity And Lawsuits (6:1-6)

Neal Pollard

Apparently, brethren suing one another was a problem plaguing the church of the first century. James asks his audience, “Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?” (2:6). In context, these are not the rich from the community but rich Christians taking their brethren to court. It was a problem for the church at Corinth, and Paul takes the time to address it. 

This Practice Was Audacious (1)

“Neighbor” in this verse is “Christian neighbor,” which is clear from verses five and six. Paul shows his disbelief at this practice, using the word “dare.” We might say, “How dare you do this?” To take a matter of disagreement or division between ourselves “before the unrighteous and not before the saints” damages the image of the Lord’s church in the community. 

This Practice Was Ignorant (2-3)

Often, we get so off track and err because we “do not know” God’s Word (Paul says “do you not know” twice in these verses). I have known of Christians suing Christians, and it is the height of ignorance of the worst kind! When challenged by the Sadducees, Jesus responded, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Mat. 22:29). When we are ignorant of Scripture, we will wind up violating the will of God and breaking the heart of God.

This Practice Was An Abdication (4-6)

God has a definitive system for His family to handle whatever challenges it faces. If our brother offends us, He has a plan (Mat. 18:15-17). If our brother is overtaken in a fault, He has a plan (Gal. 6:1-2). If we offend our brother, He has a plan (Mat. 5:23-24). If we have seemingly irreconcilable difference, He has a plan. The plan is not to use earthly courts, but to solicit “a wise man” from “among you” (5). 

This Practice Was Damaging (6)

Paul’s bottom-line concern is inviting interference and unflattering insight into the precious bride of Christ. To have the world see the church’s “dirty laundry” can do untold harm to her ability to win souls to Christ. Incidentally, this is not about covering up abuses or crimes, but rather personal grievances brethren have between each other. If we act like the world in such circumstances, we offer the world absolutely nothing different from what it already believes and does. The world is hopelessly divided already. They should be able to look to the church and see a higher law! 

Encouraged By Eternity

Dale Pollard

What will Heaven be like? While some biblical authors will attempt to explain aspects of our eternal home’s appearance, Peter chooses to tell us what it won’t be like. He states, it won’t perish. Heaven won’t be a place that can be defiled as the earth has become in many ways down here. Our new home above will be perfect on day one (though it’s a place outside time) as on day one billion (I Pt. 1.4). So Peter tells us what paradise won’t be like by explaining the difference between Heaven and earth. 

Interestingly, Peter tells us about our inheritance to give us motivation while in the middle of our earthly trials. We should be motivated to endure the lowest valleys in life because of what awaits us. This seems to be something we’d all agree with; however, some seem to be motivated by fear of the punishment rather than faith in the prize. While it’s true that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 9.10-12), God wants us to live out our faith based on the knowledge of eternal rest. 

As one makes their way down through the chapter the reason Peter begins by elucidating our heavenly home becomes clear. With all of that in mind, we’re told to prepare mentally for what we’re called to do (v.13). We must prepare our minds for action! What things demand preparation in your own mind? For some it’s their view of God or the reason they suffer in the first place. They may think if they don’t live perfectly then they’ll be lost forever— so they anxiously go about living a “check list” style Christianity. 

THREE WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR MIND 

Preparing the mind means educating the mind. 

1. Educate the mind about the concept and workings of the amazing grace Jesus offers us.

2. Prepare the mind by filling the mind with the glories of heaven. 

3. Prepare the mind by studying the benefits of Christian suffering, rather than allowing our suffering to negatively distort our view of God. 

Another Excellent Reason!

52 Reasons to Love the church

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (VIII)

Unity Through Subtraction (5:1-13)

Neal Pollard

As Paul works his way through some of the challenges and issues the Corinth congregation was dealing with, he turns his attention to an awful situation. As he says, “It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife” (1). This was being openly practiced at the congregation, and Paul compares how they were reacting to how they should react. Even if the congregation unanimously embraced this situation, the end result would not be unity in truth. As Moses said in his day, “You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil” (Ex. 23:2).

Paul rallies them to unite in doing what pleased God. This began with amending their hearts, mourning rather than being arrogant (2). It should be followed by removing this man from their midst (2). Based on the report (presumably from Chloe’s household), Paul already knew what needed to be done (3). While the term “church discipline” is not used in the text, that is the action. Paul uses such words and phrases as “deliver to Satan” (5),  “clean out” (purge, 7), “do not associate” (9,12),  and “remove” (13). Why was such a drastic action necessary?

“THAT HIS SPIRIT MAY BE SAVED IN THE DAY OF THE LORD JESUS” (5)

By withdrawing fellowship from him, the goal was to induce his sorrow and cause his repentance. This relationship was unrighteous, and it would cost him his soul if he did not end it. How uncaring is it to validate an unscriptural relationship, knowing what Scripture says about it? Paul is about to write that fornicators and adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God (6:9). 

“A LITTLE LEAVEN LEAVENS THE WHOLE LUMP OF DOUGH” (6-8)

Paul calls this the leaven of “malice and wickedness” (8). Allowing sin unchecked and unaddressed to continue in a congregation does not make the sin all right. It allows the influence of sin to spread throughout the congregation. Remembering that the church is the body of Christ (see chapter 12), how can the body act in rebellion to its head and still please God? For the purity of Christ’s body, this action must be taken.

THERE IS GUILT BY ASSOCIATION (9-11)

Paul expands this beyond just the situation of the man with his father’s wife. He says not to associate with the immoral, covetous, idolatrous, reviling, drunkard, or swindling brother in Christ (11). Even eating a fellowship meal with them sent them the message that they were okay living in rebellion against God. Remember, this is not about vengeance or angry resentment. This was about honoring God’s will in a matter that God’s word clearly addresses. 

IT IS AN EXERCISE OF DIVINE JUDGMENT (12-13)

This was not a matter for human courts, which in most civilizations do not legislate morality. This is an “internal matter,” a child of God “judged” by the people of God according to the will of God. God established the pattern. 

When I preached in Virginia and Colorado, the elders in both churches practiced church discipline. It was done in such a loving way, with the elders first going to the individuals in various sinful situations and pleading with them to repent. When they refused, the elders brought the matter before the congregation urging any and all with any influence and relationship to plead with them. When that did not work, they announced that it was necessary to withdraw fellowship from them. There was no angry or hateful rhetoric, no gleeful attitude that such an action would be taken. To the contrary, it was as sad and solemn a moment as I’ve experienced in the family of God. I am happy to say that I have witnessed on several occasions the ultimate repentance and return of some of these wayward Christians. That was the goal in every situation. It would seem to me that one of the most neglected, disobeyed commands among God’s people is the practice of church discipline. It is unpleasant, frightening, and unpopular, but it is what God commands. God knows what is best and what is the best way to handle every situation among us. We should always trust Him and submit to His pattern for handling every difficulty and dilemma among us. The end result is biblical unity. 

“May Your Silver Perish With You”

Neal Pollard

Brian Castner has written an excellent book called Stampede: Gold Fever and Disaster in the Klondike. In it, he chronicles the history of the gold rush to Alaska that occurred at the turn of 20th Century. There had been an economic depression in the 1890s that was just starting to lift around the time reports came out of the Klondike that people were striking it rich way up north. Castner tells of disease, death, and dismemberment from typhoid fever, violence in cities like Skagway and Dawson City and on White Pass and Chilkoot Trails, avalanches, exposure, starvation, and drownings in the white water rapids of Lake Bennett. They called it “gold fever” because men (and women) with no experience with the elements and no real plan threw all caution and common sense to the wind in order to strike it rich. The overwhelming majority of them wound up broke and broken. 

Peter told a new Christian, “May your silver perish with you” (Acts 8:20). You may remember that Simon the sorcerer was a big shot in Samaria before the traveling missionary, Philip, came to town with the transforming message of Christ. The gospel turned the heads of men and women, including Simon (12-13). Peter and John come from Jerusalem to impart the miraculous gifts of the Spirit on the new Christians, and Simon was tempted by his past when he saw this (18-19). Did he see this power as a cash cow or a way to build his already renowned reputation as “someone great” (9-10). Part of his sin was the abuse of his money. 

There is more than one way that our “silver” may “perish” with us.

  • Loving it (1 Tim. 6:10).
  • Making it the stuff life is made of (Luke 12:15).
  • Storing it up for ourselves and not being rich toward God (Luke 12:21; Mat. 6:19-21).
  • Making it an idol (Psalm 115:4).
  • Being greedy (Col. 3:5).
  • Trying to find satisfaction by it (Ecc. 5:10). 
  • Letting it motivate us to do wrong (Amos 2:8; Mic. 3:11; Mat. 26:14ff).
  • Choosing it over wisdom (Prov. 16:16). 

It is said several ways, but God is trying to ensure our spiritual survival. He knows that wealth can become our god when it drives us or becomes our central purpose. He knows that not only is that futile and unsatisfying, but He also knows how destructive such desire is for the other people in the lives of those who are suffering from “gold fever.” Paul describes it vividly, saying, “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim. 6:9-10). Let’s not perish with our silver or with an unholy pursuit of it! 

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (VII)

Unity Through Instruction (4:14-21)

Neal Pollard

Unity is not instinctive, or else we would not have so much instruction about it in the Bible. Paul clarifies why he is and is not writing this letter to them. He says it is not to shame them, but rather to admonish them (14). Admonish means to provide instruction in order to correct a behavior or belief (to provide instruction as to correct behavior and belief (Louw-Nida 414). It also carries with it the idea of counseling against improper actions. That sounds pretty negative unless you see how Paul does it. He writes like a father (15) to his beloved children (14). I don’t know about you, but I can endure quite a bit of correction from someone who I am convinced is doing so out of genuine love and interest in my soul. 

Paul was in a unique position among other voices of influence, in that he had actually been the one to teach many of them the gospel and help bring about their salvation (15). A “tudor” in New Testament times was more a person who led a student to and from school, who also supervised the student’s conduct (BDAG 748). Paul contrasts himself with that, and you can see a huge difference between someone hired to look over your shoulder as opposed to a loving parent who had a vested interest in your success.

Paul’s interest in their spiritual success is further proven by the measures he takes to see to it these Christians were reminded of what he taught them. First, Paul sends one whom he has taught and trained (Acts 16:1ff) and who actually worked with Paul among them at the beginning of the church’s existence (Acts 18:5ff). Timothy was going to do follow up study with them to help remind them of the apostle’s inspired instruction (17). For Christians to have their best shot at success, they will need to hear the same subjects from “the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27) on many occasions. 

Peter will write to another audience and say, “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Pet. 1:12). He goes on to say “I am writing to you” for the purpose of “stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder” (2 Pet. 3:1). Why preach and teach about worship, gender roles, sexual morality, baptism, marriage, self-control, attitude, evangelism, and the like year after year? Simply because we forget, new Christians are added to the kingdom, young people come of age and need to learn what we already know, and external pressures and rival teaching can tempt us to abandon the truth. Paul, knowing this, was ready to personally and through other teachers make this effort to help Corinth, like Colosse, “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not move away from the hope of the gospel” (Col. 1:23). 

Biblical instruction is also key to provide attitude adjustment. Arrogance had shown its ugly head at Corinth (6,18-19). Do you know who Paul says has to really work at fighting arrogance? Those who have knowledge, especially knowledge without love (8:1; 13:2). Paul understood the true nature of God’s kingdom (20), and this motivated him to do whatever was necessary to further their knowledge but also their application of their knowledge (21). Look ahead in chapter five at what Paul is about to write the Corinthians. They are arrogantly embracing someone who was living in egregious sin (5:1-2). They knew better, but they were not doing better!

Instruction is about way more than Bible stories, facts, and memory verses. It is about letting the word live in your heart, keeping it in your heart, and living it in your life. How does God get that done? Through continued teaching, over and over again. What does God accomplish through it? Among the many personal benefits it yields an individual, it also helps produce and preserve unity in truth! May we never buy into the idea that growth requires abandoning God’s pattern and plan in order to appease people’s fleshly desires. 

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (VI)

Achieving Unity Through Humility (3:18-4:13)

Neal Pollard

The late George Bailey was known for saying, “A man wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package.” Truly, there is a little “i” in Christ! Paul exemplifies the way a servant of Christ and steward of the gospel (4:1) behaves. How can we humbly serve Christ and, through such, contribute to unity in His body?

Do Not Deceive Yourself (3:18-23)

Paul draws on his contrast between wisdom and foolishness back at the beginning of the letter. The wisdom of this world is foolishness before God (3:19). Why does Paul say that here? In part, it is to drive home the point that they should not boast in men (like himself, Apollos, and Peter). But it is also to remind them that their glory and worth are tied to their being in Christ and belonging to Him. We wrestle so much with pride in our earthly accomplishments and attributes, but none of those things, of themselves, get us into heaven or bring about unity. Paul drives the point home by quoting from Job and Psalms. Worldly wisdom is a dead-end street. 

Be A Faithful Steward Of The Mysteries Of God (4:1-2)

Instead of being spiritual heroes to be idolized, Paul says that he and other church leaders were servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1). The mysteries of God are the testimony of God (2:1), God’s once-hidden mystery (2:7) now revealed in the preaching of the gospel (see Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:1ff). Paul wanted to be seen as a trustworthy steward (manager) of that unparalleled message (cf. 3:11-15). Here’s the point. Paul knew he had only so much time, energy, and other resources to spend on accomplishing his purpose, and he wanted to be the most effective worker for Jesus that he could be. If that’s how we see ourselves, our purpose and work, it will keep us from focusing on who we are and what we have done. 

Remember Who Is Examining Your Work (4:3-5)

The previous point is made more powerful by the fact that not only should we not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but we need to remember God is examining us. Ignore the idle critic or the armchair quarterback. Don’t spend a lot of time polishing your trophies and reading your “press clippings.” “Wait until the Lord comes” (4:5) and let Him acknowledge you and reward you. He will reveal all the secrets and He will disclose men’s motives. In other words, do the right things for the right reason and you will be richly rewarded by Christ in the end. God will praise you at The Judgment. 

Follow Good Examples Of Humility (4:6-13)

Paul and Apollos did not view each other as rivals, measuring who was more successful, more loved, or more influential among the Corinthians. He urges them to look at their example, and let God’s Word be the measuring stick of success and failure. The end result would be preventing arrogance and rivalry. These servants of Christ had been doing their service to Him at great personal cost–they were a spectacle to the world (4:9), fools  for Christ’s sake (4:10), weak (4:10), without honor (4:10), physically deprived (4:11), reviled, persecuted, and slandered (4:12-13), and, in summary, “we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now” (4:13b). Doesn’t sound like a condition to brag about, does it? Paul is not trying to portray himself as some spiritual superhero. Neither is he whining or complaining. He is trying to get the Corinthians to understand what matters. It’s not about jockeying for the top spot in the kingdom. It’s about being a faithful steward of the gospel and servant of the Christ. Focus so hard on that goal that you can ignore the praise and the persecution, and let Jesus exalt you at the end. A mindset like that kills division and disunity. 

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (V)

Unity Analogies (3:1-17)

Neal Pollard

Having been given the mind of Christ through the Spirit-inspired word, we have the instruction book for unity. But, as we all know, taking the information and making proper application is the bigger challenge. It’s more than knowing better; It’s doing better. Paul urges individual spiritual growth so that the message of the cross could take root in their lives and produce good fruit. To emphasize this, Paul gives a series of analogies. But the purpose of each of them is the same, to exhort us to spiritual maturity. The result will be unity in Christ. 

SPIRITUAL FOOD AND DRINK (1-2)

Paul said that he wished to go deeper in his message, but they were still fleshly. That was not an idle accusation. Paul based this on their actions, the jealousy and strife (3). It made them men of flesh rather than spiritual men (1). We may claim to be spiritually mature, but such rings hollow if we exhibit behavior that shows our flesh rather than the Spirit ruling our lives. 

SPIRITUAL PLANTING AND WATERING (3-9)

Paul strikes at the sectarian spirit (4) he first mentions in chapter one. To help Corinth see the silliness of their divisiveness, he shows them who he and Apollos are. They are tools in the Master’s hand, each playing a role in their salvation and development. Paul planted (6; Acts 18:1ff) and Apollos watered (6; Acts 19:1). Which is more important? Exactly! What is most vital is God who causes the growth (6). Each of them is rewarded for doing their part, but God is the true force behind the results. Isn’t that a helpful reminder as we think about the work of the church today? Which of us is most important, who is doing the most or biggest work, who is more indispensable, or any similar question misses the point–“God causes the growth” (7). We each are rewarded based on what we do, but we do it as God’s fellow workers in God’s field (9). 

SPIRITUAL BUILDING AND WORKING (10-17)

In the middle of verse 9, Paul switches analogies from farming to construction. He again seems to allude to the beginning of the church in Corinth (10). Now, others were having to take up the work he started and each, like he had done, had to carefully build. But, the only lasting foundation is Christ (11). If they are God’s building, then they are the materials like Paul mentions in 12-15. In the process of time, temptation, and trials, they would either endure the fire of such challenges or they would be lost. Wise building helps, but ultimately each one won to Christ would either stand or fall based on their freewill. Paul is writing to these folks of such varied “materials,” but to encourage their endurance he tells them just what kind of building they are. They are a temple of God with the Spirit of God having residence among them. That makes division doubly deadly! It does individual harm but it also harms the entire church. And one who divides the body of Christ faces the prospect of being destroyed by God (17).

So how can that help us as we strive to live today and every day as a Christian? First, I need to analyze my own level of spiritual maturity. What rules my life–my flesh or God’s Spirit? Second, I need to analyze my involvement in spiritual work. Am I planting and watering or uprooting and trampling? Am I building up and working spiritually, or am I tearing down? Am I beautifying and honoring God’s temple? If each of us seriously considers these questions, we will find ourselves forces for unity and never striving dividers.

King Jotham

A Model of Principled Leadership and Spiritual Integrity

Brent Pollard

King Jotham of Judah, who reigned in the 8th century BC, is often overlooked in the historical pantheon of biblical kings. However, he was known for his prudent leadership and unwavering moral integrity. After succeeding his father, Uzziah, Jotham distinguished himself by actively studying his father’s reign and taking measures to avoid repeating his mistakes. He focused on enhancing his kingdom’s defenses and infrastructure. Additionally, he dedicated himself to religious duties, ensuring he stayed within his limits. The astute blend of political acumen and spiritual dedication ensured stability and prosperity in Judah under his rule and set a benchmark for effective leadership, highlighting the importance of balancing authority with piety. Contrasting Jotham’s decision to prioritize constructive projects with Uzziah’s focus on personal glorification highlights vital leadership lessons that can shape individual and communal growth.

Jotham’s Wisdom and Prudence (2 Chronicles 27.1-2):

Jotham was determined to learn from his father Uzziah’s errors, which defined his otherwise successful reign. He wisely avoided overstepping his boundaries by considering his experiences, family history, and lessons from observing others. Unlike his father, Jotham remained humble and discerning and never trespassed into sacred spaces. His prudence, demonstrating his dedication to being a proper leader, underscored his effectiveness in guiding his kingdom.

Jotham’s Constructive Endeavors (2 Chronicles 27.3-5):

While his father concentrated on building structures for war and glorification, Jotham prioritized constructive projects that would benefit his people. This included fortifying Judah and rebuilding the Temple’s Upper Gate to improve the community’s security and welfare. His dedication to public service and the welfare of his people exemplified his altruistic leadership style and priorities.

Jotham’s Spiritual Integrity (2 Chronicles 27.6–9):

Jotham had a solid and unwavering bond with God, showcasing the depth of his spiritual devotion. He prepared to walk before the Lord his God, demonstrating his intentional alignment with God’s will. Jotham shared King Jehoshaphat’s deep commitment to seeking God. This underscores the importance of spiritual integrity as a cornerstone for effective leadership.

The Challenge of Righteous Leadership:

Despite Jotham’s exceptional leadership, his people did not emulate his virtuous example and continued practicing idolatry, revealing the complexities of leadership and followership dynamics. This highlights a crucial lesson: being a good leader does not necessarily ensure followership. Leaders ought to maintain their integrity regardless of whether or not they have public approval or support.

King Jotham’s life inspires us to uphold righteousness and integrity despite external pressures or historical influences. His story encourages us to steer clear of societal corruption and familial mistakes, guiding us toward a path that aligns with the divine expectations of justice, compassion, and righteousness. Jotham’s example encourages us to dedicate our time and talents to higher principles, instilling a vigilant and cautious approach to personal and communal responsibilities. Following King Jotham’s example can assist in constructing a society where integrity, fairness, and ethical behavior are prioritized, fostering a community built on trust and righteousness. It may not always be the easiest or most popular choice, but maintaining our integrity is crucial for earning the trust and respect of others. Amid life’s challenges, King Jotham is a resilient role model, showcasing the strength of staying committed to one’s values and beliefs in the most adverse circumstances. Ultimately, his legacy serves as a reminder that character strength and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right are the actual indicators of success. 

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (IV)

A Uniting Emphasis (2:1-16)

Neal Pollard

Inevitably, every congregation of God’s people has an overriding emphasis. It’s probably the thing that the community, if it knows about them, associates them with. It could be the thing that the entire brotherhood associates them with. It’s almost certainly the thing those who attend there understand it to be. The same is true of you and me. It’s true of our families, our marriages, and our individual selves. Something is so important in our lives that it is what people think of when they think of us. What is that? What should it be?

Corinth had developed a reputation, as Chloe’s household reported, for quarreling (1:12). That was a problem! Paul is writing this letter, in part, to help them right the ship and move in the proper direction (1:10). How did he propose to do that?

WHAT NOT TO EMPHASIZE

  • Superiority Of Speech (1)–This was not going to help. His goal was proclaiming to them the testimony of God. Saying it in high, lofty ways would be a hindrance rather than a help. The remedy was much, much simpler. 
  • Human Wisdom (1)–He has already told them why this was counterproductive. Human wisdom led to thinking the cross of Christ is foolish (1:22-23). Two, the “foolishness” of God (1:21) was wiser than men (1:25). Third, not many who are wise according to the flesh answer God’s call (1:26). Fourth, God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (1:27). Fifth, Jesus became wisdom from God to us (1:30). So often, the foundation of man’s capacity to understand and function from that understanding is faulty. Logic, reasoning, and understanding devoid of God’s wisdom is destined to destroy and divide. 
  • Persuasive Words Of Wisdom (4-5)–If human wisdom is the cause, persuasive words of wisdom is the effect. Listen to the world’s experts in just about any discipline. If they do not ignore God’s plan and His way, they mock and ridicule it. They even rail against it. To those who refuse to take the time and effort to scrutinize those persuasive words, it may sound intelligent or at least adequate to build their lives on. Tragically, their persuasive words are spiritual sand (Mat. 7:24-27). 

WHAT TO EMPHASIZE

  • Jesus Christ And Him Crucified (2)–Paul has laid the groundwork for this at the very beginning of the letter. When a people are known for divisiveness, they need to train their eyes on the crucified Lord. If we let His love and sacrifice dominate our thinking and focus, there is NO WAY we will let our selfish agenda, pride, or hunger to be in charge. This emphasis trumps being entertained, being unconditionally tolerant, being Pharisaical, being comfortable, or being a social club. 
  • Demonstration Of The Spirit And Of Power (4)–What will happen if we base our plans, our budgets, and our works on what God can do through us? What if what we hear when we assemble for worship or get together for fellowship is God’s thoughts and ways? That’s what Paul wanted Corinth’s faith to be in.
  • The Wisdom Of God (5-9)–Human wisdom led Jesus to be crucified in the first place. God accomplished His eternal purpose through it, but the rulers of Jesus’ day did not kill Him on a cross with that understanding. It was God’s wisdom, revealed by the Spirit, that Paul is speaking about when he says, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him” (9). This quotation of Isaiah 64:4 is not a reference to heaven. Many have quoted 1 Corinthians 2:9 to say that heaven is going to be greater than anything we’ve seen, heard, or even dreamed of. That’s a true sentiment, but it is NOT what Paul is talking about here. He’s talking about something the Spirit has already revealed (10), the revelation of God’s Word. That must be our emphasis!
  • The Spirit’s Revelation (10-16)–This is what to preach and practice. Paul gives insight into the process that brought us Scripture. The Spirit searches the deep things of God (10), gives it to us (12), teaches us, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words (13), and reveals the mind of Christ (16). Jesus promised that this would come to fruition (John 14:26; 16:13), and this letter to Corinth was part of that process. How do we know what we SHOULD emphasize? We need to consult the “mind of Christ” found on the pages of the New Testament. 

Wouldn’t it be great if our congregation, with every single member in it, had the reputation in our brotherhood and our community as a people so full of the saving message of Jesus and Him crucified that it consumed our thinking and actions and drove our purpose and our mission? I want to be able to say with integrity, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 

The Power Of The Resurrection (Pt. 2)

Carl Pollard

The power of the gospel is grounded and built on four essential facts. If just one of these is wrong, there’s no point in being a Christian. No point in worshipping as a family, no need to change the way we live, and no eternal life. These four essential facts are simple–I’m sure you’ve heard them before–but they are life changing. 

Fact number one…He Lived. 

This simple truth determines the outcome of the gospel truth. We need to establish that Jesus lived, before we can determine if there was a resurrection. If there is no life, there can be no death, no death means no resurrection. Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth. 

Scripture says this in John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The apostles here claimed to have seen God in the flesh. He dwelt among them, flesh and blood. ALIVE. The Logos, the word took on flesh. He was fully human! 

He was flesh and blood just as we are. 

For example, Jesus ate (Luke 7:34), He slept (Matt. 8:24), He walked (Luke 24), sometimes on land, sometimes on water…but nevertheless God took on flesh. He wore sandals, His feet got covered with dust from this very world. He felt emotions. He expressed joy (Luke 10:21), He wept (John 11:35), He loved (1 Jn. 4:19). A straight forward reading of scripture teaches us that Jesus truly lived. 

But let’s take it a step further and look at some historical proof. The fact that Jesus lived is pretty much universally accepted. 

Even people who were enemies of Christ admitted that He lived. Flavius Josephus, a non Christian historian spoke of Jesus in his history of Judaism titled “Jewish Antiquities.” In AD 97. He said this about Jesus, “There was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

Just so this article doesn’t turn into history class, we will keep the old quotes to a minimum. But if you want to look it up on your own time, there are many more historians who wrote of Christs existence. Pliny the Younger and Tacitus both reference a man named Jesus who died on a cross. 

Point is, history gives us undeniable truth that Jesus lived. Do you believe in George Washington? How about Abraham Lincoln? How come? You’ve never seen him! Historians and eye witnesses give us proof. We have the exact same evidence for Christ.

The power of the Gospel is found in the truth that Jesus the Son of God came down to this earth, took on flesh, and walked among us! He taught, He healed, He was a servant. And to this day He continues to impact millions with the life He lived. 

Tune in next week for fact number 2.

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (III)

Unity Is Cross-Shaped (1:18-31)

Neal Pollard

Corinth’s problem was not baptism itself, but an apparent pride in who baptized them or nurtured them in their Christian walk. There seems to have been “camps” within the congregation, following their favorite preacher. Paul had established the church in Corinth (Acts 18). The eloquent orator Apollos also worked at Corinth (Acts 19:1). It is very possible, given Paul’s statements in 1 Corinthians 1:12, that Peter also spent time working with this church (Peter greets churches in five broad regions in 1 Peter 1:1, and Asia was just across the Aegean Sea from the eastern seaboard of Achaia where Corinth was situated; Also, Peter’s ministry appears to have gone other places than that specifically recorded by Luke: see Acts 12:17; 1 Pet. 5:13). The result of these allegiances was disunity and divisions. Division is perhaps more harmful to the cause of Christ than ignorance and amorality. People who ought to know better are acting contrary to the heart of Christ when they fail to unite under His leadership. What is the remedy? Paul points to Calvary.

IT IS THE WAY TO TRUE WISDOM 

Paul uses the word “wisdom” eleven times in this paragraph, contrasting it with “foolishness” six times. In a paragraph full of contrasts, Paul points to the cross as the wisdom of God which destroys and makes foolish the wisdom of the worldly wise. God uses the cross to put to shame the wise according to the flesh. The wisdom of the cross leads to righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Ironically, the world is searching for wisdom, but they are looking in all the wrong places. They stumble at and find foolish the preaching of the cross. Paul appeals to Christians to not only understand this, but unite together to show the world the wisdom of God’s plan through the crucified Christ. What a testimony to the ability to understand the greatest thing man could ever know when believers in Christ stand together at the foot of the cross. 

IT IS THE ACCESS TO TRUE POWER

Paul shows us the power of the cross. It saves those who believe (18,21). It is stronger than men’s power (24-25). It puts unbelievers to shame (27). It looks like weakness to the world and worldly, since an innocent Man submitted to it to act in the interest of others. That is seen as weakness to those who walk after the flesh. What happens when believers imitate the true power of God by living crucified lives in submission to the crucified Lord? 

IT IS THE REASON TO BOAST

People who brag on themselves are a significant turn off. But we often see it in others while failing to see it in self. Paul points to the cross as the only reason for boasting. When we understand that the wisdom and power are from God, we will not be so audacious as to boast before the Lord (29) but will live, instead, by the inspired principle of Jeremiah 9:23-24: “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (31). The worldly boast in who they are, who they know, what they’ve done, how much they know, what they have, what they can do, where they have been, or where they are going. None of these things will bring souls to Christ and get them to heaven. What will? The preaching of the cross! 

Cross-eyed people are the only ones who see clearly. Focus on the cross, deriving your wisdom, power, and glory from it, and you will be a source of unity rather than division. This is the broad foundation Paul lays before getting to the specific, individual issues Corinth struggled with. If you see a church that is divided or filled with allegiance to men rather than The Man, you will find just about any kind of problem you can imagine. It was that way with Corinth, and it will be that way with any congregation. Paul encourages us to unite by standing together at the foot of the cross. There’s always room there!

Jesus Did It

Gary Pollard

Colossians 2.11ff teaches us that Jewish customs from the old system are no longer valid. Our relationship with Jesus was initiated in a totally different way. No flint knives were necessary — he made us his special people by freeing us from the power of our sinful selves. Rather than going through a painful procedure, we go through the painless act of immersion. Immersion buries us with Jesus and allows us to access the same resurrection he did. Our faith in God’s power makes that possible. 

Notice the emphasis in Col 2.11-15 on the passive nature of our forgiveness! Judaism was all about doing stuff for the purpose of being forgiven of bad actions. The whole purpose of the old law was to show us that we’re incapable of working off our existential debt. We are completely powerless by ourselves. 

Verse 11 — not done by human hands, you were made free, this is circumcision Christ does

Verse 12 — you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, you were raised up, God raised Christ

Verse 13 — you were spiritually dead, you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God gave you new life together with Christ, he forgave all of our sins

Verse 14 — we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt, God forgave that debt, God nailed that debt to the cross

Verse 15 — God defeated the ancient ruling powers of earth through the cross, they are now defeated and powerless prisoners 

God was and is responsible for our status. We can’t dig ourselves out of any sin-debt, but he can and does forgive. God’s grace through Jesus’s sacrifice is how we’re immortal! 

1 Corinthians: “That There Be No Divisions Among You” (II)

THE PURPOSE OF THE LETTER (1:1-17)

Neal Pollard

When I was in elementary school, we had a teacher who taught us how to properly write a letter. Miss Crews, my fourth grade teacher, told us it included the heading, greeting, body, complimentary closing, and signature. Isn’t it interesting what we retain (or fail to retain) from childhood?

Applying that basic analysis to the New Testament epistles, we are greatly helped. In addition to reading who it is from (1:1) and who it is to (1:2), we have a heading (helped by the information in verse 2), greeting (1:3), body (1:4-16:18), complimentary closing (16:19-20, 22-24), and signature (16:21). It is also in this first section of the letter (1:1-17) that we find the purpose of the letter. Notice some key aspects of these first several verses.

PAUL REMINDS THEM OF WHO THEY ARE (1:2-3)

In the daily grind, I can be apt to forget exactly who I am and who God has called me to be. It seems this had happened to the entire congregation at Corinth. Paul starts out this letter by reminding them they belong to God, set apart, and recipients of grace and peace. 

PAUL TELLS THEM WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM (1:4-9)

Except for Galatians, Paul begins his letters with a prayer, blessing, or thanksgiving. Here, Paul reminds them of how blessed they are–with grace (1:4), riches (1:5), confirmation (1:6), various blessings (1:7), hope (1:8), and fellowship with the Father and Son (1:9). I don’t know about you, but I often need to be reminded of how mindful the Lord has been of me. I need to reflect on my blessings so I won’t obsess over my problems. Paul is going to be addressing a serious problem in their lives, but he starts by centering their focus on their spiritual treasures. 

PAUL URGES SOMETHING OF THEM (1:10-17)

One of the ways a New Testament writer indicated the purpose of his writing is through petition verbs. While Paul actually uses a petition verb three times in this letter (1:10, 4:16, and 16:15), there’s no doubt that his first usage sets the tone for the rest of the letter. They have a big problem at Corinth: division. We will see this in greater detail as we walk through the letter, but their division was seen in their allegiances to men instead of Christ, in their worship services, in their exercise of spiritual gifts, in their exercise of their Christian liberties, in their view on various sins, and more. So, Paul brings them into focus here.

  • He urges them to be complete, by being of the same mind and judgment (1:10).
  • He urges them to see the true nature of Christ (1:11-13).
  • He urges them to focus on the gospel and the cross (1:14-17). 

Keep in mind, as we read through this letter, that God had something He wanted Corinth and all subsequent churches and Christians facing the same general struggle to understand. It requires us to keep sight of our identity, blessings, and purpose. Otherwise, we open the door to division which can be the gateway to “disorder and every evil thing” (Jas. 3:16). 

The Praying Sinner?

Dale Pollard

Does God Hear The Sinners Prayer? 

It’s not as if an all-powerful and all-knowing God doesn’t hear the sinner, but He won’t respond or act on their requests or the content of those prayers in a desirable way. 

However, there’s at least two exceptions: 

  1. He will answer prayers that lead one to salvation. 
  2. A “sinner’s” prayer that furthers God’s Will in the world. 

For Example: 

God, in accordance to His plan to bring the gentiles into the fold, heard the prayer of the unsaved Cornelius (Acts 10:30-31). 

“DOES HE HEAR THE PRAYERS OF SINFUL SAINTS?”

Quick Answer: 

God will answer a particular kind of prayer. A prayer to guide the lost back home or to lead one to Salvation. This applies to sinners in both camps— the wayward Christian and the non-Christian (Matt. 6:33). 

THE NOT-SO-QUICK ANSWER 

God hears the prayer of the one(s) who leave His presence— but seek forgiveness or direction. 

EXAMPLES & EVIDENCE 

What about Jonah? 

“In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry” (Jonah 2.1-2). 

What about Israel? 

“The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years. 

But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them” (Judges 3.8-9). 

ANSWERED PRAYERS ARE CONDITIONAL 

  1. God won’t answer prayers that are lifted up by those with selfish motivations 

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2-4).

  1. God won’t hear the prayers of the man who isn’t living peacefully with his wife 

“You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (I Peter 3:7). 

Scripture Teaches Us How To Pray With Constant Success 

Live righteously. The righteous have a more potent prayer (James 5:16). 

Wise up. The one who doesn’t know how to make it through a trial is guaranteed wisdom if he asks God for it (James 1.5). 

The Art Of Contentment

Neal Pollard

Paul mastered the art of contentment despite extreme adversity. Behind prison bars he wrote, “I have learned to be content…” (Phil. 4:11). It didn’t come naturally to him. He learned it in the proverbial “school of hard knocks.” Contentment suggests the idea of supporting oneself without aid from others. Vincent adds, “By the power of his own will, to resist the shock of circumstance. Paul is self-sufficient through the power of the self; not he, but Christ in him” (459-460).

Everybody has met malcontents. Such are rarely happy, satisfied, or appeased. They are always holding the short end of the stick. They are forever the victim. From their point of view, nothing seems satisfactory. Aren’t they such fun?

The church where they are attending is always deficient in some way. The leadership is not enough of this and too much of that. The same applies to the Bible school, worship services, preacher, song leader, missionaries, facilities, deacons, or programs of work. Others find them a mine field, and interacting with them is comparable to walking on egg shells.

Malcontents have failed to grow in the important spiritual area Paul references in Philippians. The sniping and yelping of the discontented interferes with the good it can do. It is destructive, divisive, discouraging, and devilish. John Bunyan concluded, “If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot.” Or, as another put it, “The crown of life looks funny on a sore head.”

In an English cemetery stand two sad epitaphs on slabs of granite. The wife’s reads, “She died for want of things.” Her husband’s says, “He died trying to give them to her.” No doubt the man never made her happy because he had not the power. Only she did. Sadly, she never exercised what Paul did in adverse circumstances.

Perhaps Paul wrote above the howl of a dying fellow-prisoner in the squalor of a dirty cell, looking up to see the scowl of a godless prison guard. Perhaps, with Christlike peace, he shook his head, smiled, and sealed up that inspired epistle to the church at Philippi. Perhaps, there persecuted but not forsaken (cf. 2 Cor. 4:9), he sang a hymn (cf. Acts 16:25). Whatever happened, one thing is certain. Paul found a way to be content. Let us learn that.