The Kingdom of God is Power

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Kingdom of God is Power

Date: Jun. 30, 2015

Passage

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)

14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 4:20

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

First, imitate me. (14-17) Paul wrote to the church in Corinth as he would to his own children. He warned them not to forget his fatherly service and love, through which they were guarded and grew in the gospel way of life. The way of the gospel looks weak and even foolish by worldly standards, but it is the only way to remain in Christ Jesus. So Paul urgently reminded them: "Imitate me." He would send them Timothy, a faithful man who lived a life consistent with the way of the cross Paul preached.

Second, not a matter of talk but of power. (18-21) Arrogance is opposed to the way of Jesus. The seeds of arrogance sap the strength of individuals and fellowships. Some in the church at Corinth boasted of their spiritual gifts and their knowledge. They talked as if they had power, but talk is not power; the kingdom of God is power. Paul reminded them how he had come to them with a gentle spirit and love. In that way the power of the kingdom of God had worked in them and could bear fruit through them.

Prayer: Lord, protect my spirit from arrogance. Help me to live the gospel way and grow in the power of the kingdom of God.

One Word: The kingdom of God is power

Worthy is Jesus the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Key Verse: 5:12

saying with a loud voice,

  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
  and honor and glory and blessing!”

Today's Question

What does the fifth commandment forbid?

See answer and references