John Honan -  There are bible chapters that are famous for certain topics.  Hebrew's 11 "The faith chapter", John 15 "The abiding chapter", Psalm 23 "Shepherd's chapter" etc.  1 John 1 to me is "The fellowship chapter".  The secrets to true fellowship are found here.  It starts with how real we see Jesus who came with real flesh and blood.  Jesus' physical body was just like ours, except without sin.  If we accept him fully as complete man and complete God we can have complete fellowship with him.  Secondly our fellowship with each other is based on how completely we walk in the light.  We walk in the light completely by acknowledging our sin and confessing them.  The blood of Jesus is in full swing cleansing us and opening guenuine fellowship when we walk in light and not in darkness.  Some people are hard to relate too.  Each day, ask God to bless them and forgive you for any bad attitudes.   This is walking in the light and this is how your joy with Christ and other Christians will be full.

1 Corinthians 16:1-16

The last specific matter that Paul addresses with the Corinthian Christians concerns money that they have promised to share with the poor in a far-away country, Judea. Paul reminds them of their promises and gives specific instructions on how to make the collection and how to send it to their brothers and sisters in need.

Paul closes the letter with various greetings.

posted by: Jon Paden

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Paul continues his discussion about resurrection to show that resurrection makes sense. (a) In order for a seed to grow into a plant, the seed must "die." If the seed does not yield itself, then no plant grows. (b) A seed has a certain shape, different from the plant that grows from it.

In the same way, our present material bodies are like the seed. The material body must die, it must yield itself, so that a "spiritual" body may arise from the ashes. It is substantive, but has qualities the former body does not have: the new is imperishable and immortal. (The former was perishable and mortal.)

This new, spiritual body is not to be confused with a non-physical existence: rather, it is to be "further clothed" than ever before (to borrow from 2 Corinthians 5:4). It is a body like that of the Risen Christ!

When these things take place, and they all take place in the order and timing of God, then death itself will be destroyed, swallowed up in the victory of Life! Consequently, and despite the challenges to the contrary, every work the believer pursues with great diligence is not in vain in the Lord.

posted by: Jon Paden

What do you love?  Wickedness?  Truth?  Love for the truth is something everyone can have.  It is God's desire for you to be filled with love for the truth.  If you want love for the truth, you must first accept the truth.  Jesus is the truth.  Accept Jesus by faith into your heart by simply asking him in prayer.  Now love for the truth (in Jesus) is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit!  Wow, say something like, "Lord, please fill me with love for the truth.  I open my heart to the love your Holy Spirit gives us.  Thank you for filling me with love for the truth!  Amen
In the second chapter of second Thessalonians, Paul goes on to tell us that Jesus won't come back untill the great rebellion occurs against God and then the Anti-Christ comes on the scene in world wide power.  Well, befor there can be a great rebellion their must be a great revival.  So at this time we are seeing great momentum world wide in people come to Christ. This will continue till the glory of God has swept the earth and people have had the chance to "taste and see that the Lord is good."  Then the great rebellion will occur.  In the meantime... lets keep doing good in Jesus name by praising him, loving each other in practical ways and sharing what we have with those around us.  This combined with prayer will open the door for the good news and great glory to spill into our world till Jesus returns.

 

1 Corinthians 14:20-40

The Corinthian assemblies were undisciplined, chaotic, confusing events so that (apparently) when visitors might attend the assembly they would respond saying these people were mad. Paul's responds to say that God does all things in decency and in order, and the Church should do so likewise. He explains that tongue speakers, prophets, and certain disruptive wives need to hold their peace. There is a time and place for speaking, for asking questions, indeed, for challenging whatever is said.

But what takes place during the assemblies of the whole congregation needs to be done in a way that edifies, that engenders love for God and growth in Jesus.

posted by: Jon Paden