1 CORINTHIANS 2: THE WISDOM OF THE CROSS

 

1 Corinthians 2:2 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

In the dictionary, Wisdom is the ability to use your knowledge, experience, and deep understanding to make good choices, sound judgments, and sensible decisions in life. It goes beyond merely collecting facts by knowing how to apply what you have learned to solve complex problems and help others

In the Bible, James 3:17 says “17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

Every day we are in need of wisdom. When we wake up in the morning what is the first thing we do, do we pray first or simply thank the Lord for the new day or turn on our phones and start scrolling social media and checking feeds. What are we going to eat or what to wear? When we talk to our colleagues or subordinates, or correct the mistakes of our students. When we talk to our children. When we need to make an important decision, do we ask God or rely on our own understanding.

 

Wisdom indeed plays a major role in our daily lives.

But what wisdom operating in us and what we are preaching to others?

Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

 

We need to fear the Lord first before we can have His wisdom.

We fear the Lord when we -

Obey His Word: Keeping God's commandments and following His instructions faithfully show that His authority matters more than our personal desires.

Completely hating Evil: Rejecting dishonesty, malice, and sin demonstrates an understanding of how much God dislikes wrongdoing.

Humble and Contrite Living: Approaching God and others with humility, a tender heart, and a willingness to accept correction.

Reverent Worship: Honoring God with awe, gratitude, and a lifestyle that reflects His majestic character.

Living Mindfully of His Presence: Recognizing that God sees all actions and motives, which purifies intentions and choices

 

On our reading today from 1 Corinthians 2, Paul is determined to proclaim only the wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is nothing that he wanted to know and preach to the people but the Cross of the Christ.

Paul is certain that Jesus wisdom is all that he needs.

In 1 Corinthians 1:5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—

And the very purpose why we only need Christ wisdom is for us to be blameless on Jesus Christ second coming.

1 Corinthians 1:8

8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Only through Jesus Christ wisdom that we can be –

v  Righteous in the eyes of God: because we have relationship with God, our lives match God's goodness, loving justice, and treating other people right.

v  Holy and have a sanctified living: Heart completely devoted to God, He rules our deepest thoughts, desires, and choices. Living in trust and obedience to the Lord.

v  Redeemed and forgiven from all sins: we reject all bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts and have peace with everyone

Paul preaches Christ crucified (V1-5) –

    Focus on the Message, Not the Messenger: When we share the gospel, we avoid fancy words and instead testify the goodness of God in our lives. How God change our hearts from loving ourselves to leaving ourselves through walking away from our comfort zone to loving people.

    Center on Christ: Are we decided and determined to live in obedience to Christ and nothing can hinder us to follow Him because He is our priority? Or time, personal relationship, ability, work or even finance still becoming a stronghold in us disabling us to really make Him as our Lord.

    Embrace Humility: We admit our weakness, fear and limitations, but we still persevere to serve God’s people on the ministry that He entrusted us or we let our pride to rule in us justifying why we cannot serve?

    Rely on the Spirit: Do we allow the Holy Spirit to correct us and grow silently reflecting what is the will of the Lord when we face arguments or we tend to fight back insisting our points believing that they must follow us?

    Anchor Faith in God: Do we give all the glory to God in every success of the ministry, every personal achievement that we had pointing that all comes from the Lord or we claim those are from our talents and abilities? Do we point people to believed only in Jesus by encouraging them to go the church and study His work or we let them to stay ignorant not telling them the consequences of their actions?

Jesus died for us on the Cross, His body is beaten, wounded and pierced for our healing and restoration – Isaiah 53:5

Ø  So, we can be His hands to others as healing. Not to neglect His word and grieve the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Ø  So, we can be a blessing to others through material or spiritual aspect. Not to be worried of having not enough or focusing to self.

Ø  So, we can also deny ourselves from comfort, pride and self-righteousness taking up our cross and be fully committed to choose a life of obedience no matter what the circumstances are. Not to point everything to self, “I” deserve to be happy even it comprises faith, “I” deserve to sleep well even if we know we have to wake up a bit early and do devotion scripture.

Ø  So, we may live Holy and pleasing to His sight. Not to live in our own terms, not to live in our way, pleasurable and comfortable forgetting the very purpose of God in us.

Jesus shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins so we may have eternal life in heaven with Him – Hebrews 9:22

Ø  So, we may forgive others even if they have deeply hurt us or wronged us. Not to suffer of carrying the grudge in our hearts and loosing peace that is not God’s will to His children.

Ø  So, we may remember that everything we have is from the Lord and for the Lord and that it will show humility in us at all times. Not to lift up our status and not to show that we are “someone”, because we are nothing without God.

Ø  So, we may endure the sufferings for the Lord joyfully and persevering to reject all evil words, thoughts and actions that are still in us relying to the power of the Holy Spirit that is able to transforms us. Not to insist the laziness, Luke warmness and complacency leading to Spiritual death.

Ø  So, we may sacrificially lay down our lives to the Lord in all area of our lives. Giving Him the first fruit of our time daily, our service to His people, our salaries and resources, and our hearts loving and focusing on Him alone. Not to give the left overs all areas of our lives because Jesus is coming soon, we will face Him and His word will judge us from the smallest to biggest sins that we have committed.

·       Does our daily choices on our speech, thoughts, decisions and actions reflects the wisdom of the cross or still the wisdom of the world?

·       Is the wisdom that operates in our lives leading us to Jesus in eternal life or pushing us away from Him?

·       When we face difficulties, hardships and challenges in area of our lives, do we still choose to follow God’s wisdom even if it places us to give up the most important part of us?

·       Can we confidently say that we have God’s wisdom because the transformation is visible in our lives bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control)?

·       Just like Paul, are we also determined to know and preach only the wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of the Cross?

Let us come to the throne of grace, our Heavenly Father and pray.

Father God in the Name of Your Son Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we praise and thank you for your word in 1 Corinthians 2. There is none like you Lord, there is no one beside your Name Father, thank you that even now your love, mercy and faithfulness is upon us. Thank you for letting us understand more of your wisdom that is all we need, that our lives are from you and for you alone, that our lives are for us to glorify you alone and you have given us your knowledge so we may not fall away from you. Father God, forgive us for those times that we still follow worldly wisdom justifying laziness, stinginess, selfishness and pride in us. Forgive us Lord Jesus when our words, thoughts and actions are still not reflecting your teachings because we are not yet becoming a vessel of your encouragement and enlightenment to those that don’t know you yet, we are sorry Lord God for our disobedience. Father God, we pray that today and onwards, we may remember that you are sovereign in this world, in heaven and even under the earth. Put into our hearts Father God that Jesus is our only savior and Lord and that only His wisdom may rule in our daily choices to all area of our lives. May we walk humbly and surrendered, may we live, love and serve in your likeness Lord Jesus. All glory and honor belong to your Father God. In your Holy and mighty Name Lord Jesus we ask and pray, Amen.  

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ELDER ERNELYN - JCRC CAMBODIA

ROMANS 16: OBEDIENCE WITH DISCERNMENT

 

Scripture

Romans 16:19 — “Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.”

Paul closes the book of Romans by recognizing the obedience and faithfulness of the believers. He encourages them to remain wise about what is good while staying innocent and separate from evil.
This reminds us that following Christ is not only about knowing what is right but also about living it out through obedience. God calls us to be careful about what we allow into our hearts and minds. We should pursue what is good, pleasing to God, and beneficial to others, while refusing to be drawn into things that lead us away from Him.

Romans 16 also shows the importance of Christian community. Paul mentions many people who faithfully served God alongside him. This reminds us that we are not meant to walk with God alone. We should value, encourage, and serve together with other believers.

Today, let us examine what influences our thoughts, words, and actions.

Choose what is good and pleasing to God.
Be careful about influences that can lead us toward sin.
Practice obedience instead of merely knowing God’s Word.
Encourage and appreciate the people who serve God alongside us.
Ask God for wisdom to recognize what is good and discern what is harmful.
We want our lives to show that we truly belong to Christ—not only through our words, but through our obedience.

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word, for the revelation and conviction it brings. Give us wisdom to recognize what is good and courage to reject what is evil. Help us to obey You even when it is difficult. Keep our hearts pure and our minds focused on You. Thank You for the people You have placed in our lives. Help me to encourage them, serve them, and grow together with them in faith. May our lives bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ROMANS 15: LIVING TO PLEASE GOD, NOT OURSELVES

 

Life in the church is not always easy. People are different. Some are strong in faith, some are weak. Some understand more, some understand less. But Paul teaches us in Romans 15 that the strong must carry the weak, just as Christ carried us.

“Christ’s example is the strongest argument for Christian love.” This chapter is a call to unity, patience, and hope. Paul reminds us that we don’t need complicated reasons to love others. The best reason is simply this: Christ loved us first. His life is proof.

Romans 15:1–2: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

” Do not live for yourself. Live to help others. Christ Himself did not please Himself but bore our sins and shame (v.3).

The church is called to harmony, so that “with one voice” we may glorify God (v.6).

The principle is love that builds up. Christian love means denying ourselves for the good of others. True strength is shown when we carry the burdens of the weak. Unity is not everyone being the same, but everyone being patient and kind in Christ.

· Sharing in worship

You may want to sing your favorite song, but the church sings another. Denying yourself means singing with joy anyway, because worship is for God, not for us.

·Serving in unnoticed roles

Many want to lead, but denying yourself means gladly cleaning the church, arranging chairs, or helping in washing the dishes or cleaning the toilet— work that may not be seen but build up the body.

· Welcoming newcomers

You may want to sit with your close friends. Denying yourself means sitting with a new visitor, making them feel loved and part of the family.

· Forgiving quickly

 Someone may say something that hurts you. Denying yourself means forgiving them fast, so unity in the church is not broken.

Romans 15:7: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” This is a command. We must welcome one another, even when we are different. Christ welcomed us when we were sinners. In the same way, we must welcome others into fellowship.

Warning

The warning is clear: if we live only to please ourselves, we will break unity.  Selfishness destroys Christian love. Division makes the church weak, and the world will not see Christ in us.

As believers

Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

• Encourage, not criticize.
• Welcome differences in culture, age, and maturity.
• Pray for joy, peace, and hope in the Spirit.
• Serve humbly, just as Christ served us.

Romans 15 is a call to live for others, not for ourselves. Christ carried our burdens, so we must carry one another.  May the God of hope fill us with joy, peace, and unity, so that our lives shine for His glory.

Romans 15:33 “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

 

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PAS MAY - JCRC STEUNG MEANCHEY

ROMANS 14: PURSUE PEACE AND BUILD OTHERS UP

 

¹⁹ So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19

 

Christianity is not only about what we believe or what we are free to do; it is also about how our lives affect other people.

 

I. Pursue the Things That Make for Peace

¹⁹ So then let us pursue what makes for peace

Peace requires intentional effort.

We should avoid arguments and divisions.

Instead of always trying to prove that we are right, we should seek what brings unity.

Jesus calls His followers to be peacemakers.

 

II. Build One Another Up

..and for mutual upbuilding.

Mutual upbuilding means helping, encouraging, and strengthening one another so that everyone grows and becomes better.

Our words can either encourage someone or discourage them.

Encourage people who are struggling

Help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We should use our actions responsibly, remembering that other believers may be watching our example

 

III. Put Spiritual Growth Above Personal Preference

Romans 14 deals with differences among believers.

Not every disagreement should become a division.

We should be willing to sacrifice personal preferences for the good of others.

Christian maturity means asking, “How will my choice affect my brother or sister?”

Romans 14:19 gives us two responsibilities: Pursue peace and build others up.

 

Reflection:

“Does my life bring peace? Does my life build others up?”

Let us intentionally choose our words and actions so that the people around us become stronger, encouraged, and closer to Christ because of our example.

 

Prayer:

“Lord, help us to pursue peace and to build one another up. Give us wisdom to speak with love, patience to understand others, and humility to value relationships more than winning arguments. May our words and actions bring unity, encouragement, and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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ROMANS 13: WAKE UP FROM SLUMBER: THE DAY IS NEAR

 

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. -Roman 13:11

The Day is Near

The promise of the return of Jesus Christ is written in the word of God. And just as the prophecies of His birth, sacrificial death and resurrection have come to pass, it is sure that this next major event of His return is to come fulfilling God’s salvation.

We are now in the last days, and the coming of Christ is drawing near. Things told in the scriptures has happened and is happening now that the nearness of God’s promise of Christ’s return is felt and anticipated by us believers.

-Acts 2:17  “In the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh”

-2 Peter 3:3  “scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.”

-Hebrews 1:2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  -Matthew 24:44

Wake up from Slumber and Prepare

Slumber means to sleep or be in a state of inactivity. Being inactive does not help us to prepare for Jesus’ return. How would we want to meet Christ our Savior and Lord? Is being the same as in our old ways and in untransformed life be pleasing to Him?

Since the day of His return is getting near, let us be awake and be prepared to meet Him.

How?

a) Make ourselves clean
[Romans 13:12a] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness.

-after waking up from the darkness where we once held captive and now in the light of Christ, we put aside our deeds of darkness and all things that are unclean and displeasing to God so that we may meet Him clean and pleasing to Him.

b) Be clothe with Christ
[Romans 13:14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,

[Romans 13:12b] and put on the armor of light
-we remove our old clothing having dirtied with our old sinful ways and wear our new clothing in Christ washed clean signifying our new identity in Him as someone rescued from darkness and now in His kingdom of light. Be identified in Christ when He returns.

c) Live in newness (saved and transformed life) while we wait for His return
[Romans 13:13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

[Romans 13:14] and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

-Looking forward for the day of Christ return then we live today as someone who has been given salvation, a changed and transformed life by Jesus Christ not gratifying the desires of our flesh rather the desire of His Spirit in us thereby continuously being clean and set apart for God until His return.

 

As we anticipate the soon return of Jesus, let us not be inactive/asleep but rather awake, at work, preparing and living right with God until He comes.

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ROMANS 12: FROM CONFORMITY TO TRANSFORMATION

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” 

— Romans 12:2

The world's pattern: Conformity
Conformity is allowing the world to shape how we think, live, and make decisions. Paul warns that the world has a pattern—but it is a pattern that leads away from God.
- Rebellion against God
- Driven by feelings and emotions
- Chasing popularity and approval
- Mind shaped by culture

The world says, “Follow your heart.” God says, “Guard your heart and renew your mind.”

God's work: Transformation
- The word “transformed” comes from the Greek metamorphoō, meaning a complete metamorphosis.
- It is the same word used to describe Jesus' glorious Transfiguration in Mark 9:2–3. God does not simply improve us—He changes us from the inside out.

- Paul uses this word again in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“We all… beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…”

How do we move from conformity to transformation?
- Resist the world's influence - Refuse to let culture dictate your values, identity, or priorities.
- Renew your mind with God's Word - Scripture replaces lies with truth and reshapes the way we think.
- Remain in fellowship with God - Prayer, worship, and communion with Christ allow the Holy Spirit to transform us daily.

Let us reflect:
- Am I being shaped more by social media than by Scripture?
- Are my decisions driven by emotions or by God's truth?
- When people see my life, do they see the image of the world—or the image of Christ?

Conformity changes your behavior to fit the crowd. Transformation changes your heart to reflect Christ. 

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PAS MATET - JCRC HANOI 

Romans 11 —Grace That Keeps Us Humble

 

Romans 11 —Grace That Keeps Us Humble

S — Scripture
“For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” — Romans 11:32 NKJV
Romans 11 is a beautiful reminder that salvation is always rooted in God’s mercy and grace—not in our goodness, background, or accomplishments.
Paul explains God’s plan for Israel and the Gentiles. Some Israelites rejected Christ, and because of their unbelief, the gospel reached the Gentiles. But Paul also warns Gentile believers not to become proud. We are like branches grafted into the olive tree—not because we were better, but because of God’s grace.
And then Paul ends with worship:
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36 NKJV
After explaining God’s sovereignty and mercy, Paul could only respond with awe and worship.

O — Observation

Romans 11 teaches us three important truths.

1. God is faithful even when people are unfaithful.

Israel’s rejection did not cancel God’s promises. God was still working according to His purpose.
Minsan sa buhay natin, may mga bagay na hindi natin maintindihan. We see rejection, delays, closed doors, or people turning away.
But Romans 11 reminds us: God has not lost control.

2. Grace should make us humble, not proud.
Paul warned the Gentile believers not to boast.

We did not earn our place in God’s family.
We were brought in by grace.

Kaya walang lugar ang pride sa ministry.
Hindi tayo ginagamit ni Lord dahil perfect tayo. Hindi dahil mas magaling tayo kaysa iba.
We are here because God showed us mercy.
Every opportunity to preach, serve, worship, teach, give, or reach someone is a privilege of grace.

3. God’s ways are deeper than our understanding.
Paul eventually says:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” — Romans 11:33 NKJV
There are things God is doing that we cannot fully understand.
And sometimes, faith means saying, “Lord, I may not understand everything, but I trust You.”

A — Application

Remnants, Romans 11 speaks strongly to our hearts, especially when we are serving the Lord.

Stay humble.
Stay grateful.
Stay faithful.

Kapag may ginagamit si Lord sa atin, let us never think, “I deserve this.” Instead, let us say,
“Lord, thank You for allowing me to be part of what You are doing.”

When someone falls away, don’t immediately judge.
Pray for them.

When someone is not yet saved, don’t give up on them.
Keep witnessing.

When God’s plan doesn’t make sense, don’t run away.
Keep trusting.

And when God blesses our ministry, let us remember who deserves the glory.
Hindi tayo ang center ng ministry. Hindi tayo ang source ng salvation. Hindi tayo ang may-ari ng harvest.

God is.

As servants, our role is simply to obey, to remain faithful, and to point people back to Jesus.

Romans 11 also reminds us that God’s mercy is bigger than our limitations.
The person we think is impossible to reach may be the very person God is preparing to touch.

So don’t stop praying. Don’t stop caring. Don’t stop going. Don’t stop speaking about Jesus.

Grace brought us here, and grace should keep us moving.

P — Personal Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace. Forgive me whenever I become proud of what I have done for You. Remind me that everything I have—including my salvation, my gifts, my ministry, and every opportunity to serve—is because of Your grace.
Teach me to trust You even when I don’t understand Your ways. Give me a humble heart that will continue to pray, serve, witness, and love people without giving up.
Lord, use my life not for my own recognition but for Your glory. May everything I do point people back to Jesus.

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36

---------------- PASTORA SHERLY - JCRC RIYADH