In his first epistle to the church at Corinth written from Ephesus, the Apostle Paul began by expressing his thanksgiving to God for the grace given them through Christ. Specifically, he wrote “I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 1:4). Continue reading “The Grace of God in Others”
Author Archives: randylivingston
Fact: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
One of the cornerstones of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that he rose bodily from the grave following his crucifixion and ascended into heaven where he is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). The scriptures leave no doubt about this for us. We are told that after hisContinue reading “Fact: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ”
The Accountability of Stewardship
In writing to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul likened himself and Apollos to mere ministers or “under-rowers” as we understood the word in its usage. They simply shared in the task of ministry much like the galley slaves in the Roman ships. Certainly, no great personalities stood out there, no great egos. Just simple slavesContinue reading “The Accountability of Stewardship”
Suffering Loss Willingly
Paul addressed a number of certain practices by the Corinthians particularly among themselves. One such practice dealt with litigation. “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints” (I Corinthians 6:1)? The believers in this local assembly were taking one another to court toContinue reading “Suffering Loss Willingly”
Submission, Sensitivity and Strenuous Discipline
In I Corinthians 9:1-18, the Apostle Paul provided the personal example of his refusal to exercise his apostolic right to be supported by the Corinthians. This was a reminder and object lesson of the need to surrender one’s rights for the benefit of others. In the balance of the chapter, he goes on to explain theContinue reading “Submission, Sensitivity and Strenuous Discipline”
Serving One Another
Paul challenged the Corinthian believers’ perspective on Christianity. They were puffed up over sin tolerated in their midst (I Corinthians 5:1-2). There were divisions among themselves as they laid claim to following particular apostles (I Corinthians 3:3-5). They misused the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to them to draw attention to themselves in theContinue reading “Serving One Another”
Safety is of the LORD!
Solomon, speaking on the matter of war, testified to the convergence of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in a very unusual yet clear manner. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31). We’ve all seen horses in books or movies arrayed in special armor to aidContinue reading “Safety is of the LORD!”
One of Love’s Many Faces
The church in Corinth had many spiritual gifts (I Cor. 1:5-7). Yet they struggled with discontent, striving, and selfish ambition as they deployed these gifts (I Cor. 3:3; 4:7; 12:28-31). Paul emphasized the need for love to govern the ministry of their gifts one to another. This is the background and purpose for one ofContinue reading “One of Love’s Many Faces”
Moved with Compassion
The Apostle Paul spent just a brief time, perhaps a few months at best, in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey before being forced to leave. The Jews who resisted the message of the gospel made it difficult for him to minister. But many of the Gentiles “received the word of God…not as the wordContinue reading “Moved with Compassion”
Men’s Words or God’s Word
The Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for their reception of his ministry among them. In fact, he was particularly given to rejoicing because “when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,Continue reading “Men’s Words or God’s Word”
From the Chaplain 