#432 (7/9/21) - ENRICHED IN EVERY WAY - (1 COR. 1:4-6)

This week our devotions are based on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.

'I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.' (1 Corinthians 1:4-6)

LET’S LOOK FOR REASONS TO BE THANKFUL

This church is far from perfect as we will see. However, Paul begins by thanking God that they are ‘enriched in every way’ because of ‘His grace given them in Christ Jesus’. Thanking God helps us to focus on the progress that has been made rather than on the progress yet to be made! Thankful people say, “look what God has done”. Immature people say, “look at what God hasn’t done”. We have to address issues, but let’s be like those who, in the spring, look out and see the shoots of new growth rather than the mud and barren branches!

ENRICHED IN SPEAKING AND THINKING

Paul thanks God that they have been enriched ‘in every way with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge’. What they say and how they say it has been transformed by Jesus. How they think and what they think about has been transformed by the work of the Spirit in them. They may be babies in Christ, they are a bit of a mess, but they are precious, they are alive, they’re improving because they are in Christ!

Question. Are you thankful to God for the good that you are seeing in your life and the lives of others? Are you making gratitude a habit? I like to write down three things that I'm grateful to God for each day. What will you do to get addicted to thankfulness?

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

2. Icebreaker

How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?

3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group

On Sunday we began a new series in 1 Corinthians entitled 'Becoming love'. A central idea in the book of 1 Corinthians is the importance of learning to live a life of love.

The title of Sunday's message was, 'GOD IS FAITHFUL TO FINISH WHAT HE BEGINS'.

Please read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.

Paul begins this challenging letter with an encouragement to remember God's grace and faithfulness. This is a rich text and here are few points from it:

i) He chose us in Christ - The term 'sanctified' means to be chosen by God as His treasured possession. Something that's key to remember and needs to be re-said all the time is that God chose us and saved us in Christ at our worst. We were 'dead in sin' but God saved us through the cross without any reference to our good works. It's all in Jesus who is mentioned at least 8 times in these 9 verses!

ii) He is transforming us - The term 'holy people' means to have a new way of living that is pleasing to God. God has given us His Spirit and is changing us. We read that 'in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.' God is transforming our way of speaking and thinking.

iii) He gives us all that we need - God promises that 'you do not lack any spiritual gift'. God is faithful to finish what He begins in us and the church by providing all of the spiritual gifts that we need for our edification.

iv) God is faithful - We are weak and faltering, but our Father is faithful to finish the work He began in us. A wonderful phrase is 'God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son.' 'Fellowship is an unbreakable parnership - like a perfect marriage. God will never give up on His people. Let's be encouraged to trust God to provide all that we need as we seek Him for growth.

Discussion questions

1. Did God speak to you, or what do you plan to do in response to Sunday's message?

2. Do you have any questions about this text?

3. Count up how many times Jesus is mentioned in these 9 verses. How can one be certain of being saved - loved, forgiven and certain of eternal life?

4. Giving thanks is an important application from this text. What are the sorts of things that it's important to give thanks for? (Particularly, take a look at 1:4).

4. How does knowing that we are 'sancified' -chosen by and for God - change us?

5. We are 'called to be His holy people'. What does the bible say about how we can grow in holiness?

5. SIV

Finally, it would be helpful to talk and pray about how we are doing in regard to Serve, Invest and Invite. Do you have any encouraging stories or any plans in this regard? How do you want to pray in regard to our mission?