Sunday School: Judgment in the Kingdom

Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!

When we meet in person, we take some time to share about our last week. This includes our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests you would like to share, you can add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.

Dear Father,

Help me to live according to your Holy Scriptures. That is why I pray to you in their very words. I want to be conformed to your will, for you will what is best for me. Help me not to be puffed up against my brothers and sisters in Christ. For who sees any difference in me. We all have been freely justified by your grace, forgiven of our sins.

What have I that I have not been given? I cannot boast of anything as if it were not a gift. Whatever I am or have, Father, you have given. I would not be addressing this prayer to you if you had not called me to be your servant, your child, and your warrior in prayer.

Thank you for calling me. Thank you for all your gifts. You are so gracious, so kind, so bountiful, so wonderful. My God, let me walk humbly with you all my days.

In the name of Jesus, who calls us to his own kingdom and glory. Amen.

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This week's lesson is on 1 Corinthians 4:1-6, 17-21. 

Paul’s language towards the Corinthians is sharply and appropriately judgmental.  Paul founded the church in Corinth. A few years after leaving the church, Paul heard some disturbing reports about the church. They were full of pride and were excusing sexual immorality. Spiritual gifts were being used improperly, and there was rampant misunderstanding of key Christian doctrines. The apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians in an attempt to restore the Corinthian church to its foundation—Jesus Christ. 
 
The church was plagued by divisions. The believers in Corinth were dividing into groups loyal to certain spiritual leaders. Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers to be united because of devotion to Christ. Many in the church were essentially approving of an immoral relationship. Paul commanded them to expel the wicked man from the church. The Corinthian believers were taking each other to court. Paul taught the Corinthians that it would be better to be taken advantage of than to damage their Christian testimony.

Prayer
God, we come to you in repentance of the arrogance that we all have been guilty of at times.  May we abandon our focus on our supposed entitlements and focus instead on the entitlements Jesus voluntarily gave up so that we might live with him eternally.  In his name we pray.  Amen!

Thought to Remember
With God as our judge, the church lives in humble fellowship.

Benediction
​This week's benediction is from the New Living Translation.

Next week's lesson will be on 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.