Category Archives: discernment

food of the gods

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Corinthians 8.  The Corinthian Christians had been rescued from a pagan, animistic society that was in deep bondage to the spirits who masqueraded as gods.  Having been set free and knowing the reality of Christ gave them knowledge that … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, idolatry, obedience, sanctification, witness, worldview | Tagged | Leave a comment

incongruous

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Corinthians 6.  Paul addresses two incidents in which people within the church in Corinth are acting in an incongruous manner. Their actions are inconsistent with what Jesus did for them. He justified them by his substitutionary death. He washed … Continue reading →

Posted in church, discernment, faithfulness, holiness, Holy Spirit, hypocrisy, idolatry, integrity, kingdom of God, sanctification, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

defiling the Passover

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Corinthians 5.  The Corinthians had been guilty of judging (criticizing) Paul and the others  in his band. It was as if they had pointed out a speck in the eyes of the missionaries, but had failed to notice the … Continue reading →

Posted in church, courage, discernment, holiness, hypocrisy, witness | Tagged , | 1 Comment

these are your gods

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Exodus 32.  It is hard to resist the temptation to make something happen when God wants you to wait.  Israel had already agreed to keep the covenant, but grew impatient when Moses stayed atop Mt. Sinai. Their solution: worship God … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, idolatry, integrity, patience, relationship with God, trust, worship | Tagged | Leave a comment

fireproof buildings

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Corinthians 3.  Paul describes the Christian life as both God’s field and God’s building.  As a field, the life is planted in us by God through one worker, and watered through another, but but workers answer to God — … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, divisions, future, Holy Spirit, preparation, scriptures, works | Tagged | Leave a comment

a wisdom ahead of its time

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Corinthians 2.  When Paul first shared the gospel with the Corinthians, he avoided demonstrating his considerable skill in Greek rhetoric, and he also avoided showing off his profound wisdom. He kept his message simple, and trusting God to make … Continue reading →

Posted in church, discernment, gospel, Holy Spirit, scriptures, wisdom | Tagged | Leave a comment

the foolishness of God

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Corinthians 1:18-31.  The human mind is capable of astonishing leaps of insight, connecting the dots of thought and idea in a way that makes sense of an altogether complex world.  But the unaided human mind stops and opens its … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, Jesus Christ, plan of God, praise, the cross | Tagged | Leave a comment

getting Egypt’s attention

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Exodus 7:14-8:19.  The plagues in Egypt were directed toward Pharaoh, who stubbornly refused to release the people of Israel from their bondage. There was a matter of Egyptian religious pride here too.  The Hebrews were merely slaves, why should Pharaoh … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, humility, judgment, prayer, relationship with God, wisdom | Tagged , | 1 Comment

too big for his breeches

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Chronicles 26.  Uzziah was a great man and a good king, because “he was marvelously helped, till he was strong” (15).  Then he got too big for his breeches. He usurped the right of the temple priests, and went … Continue reading →

Posted in discernment, humility, leadership, ministry, obedience, self-control, submission, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

just enough of Jesus

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Acts 18:23-19:22.  Apollos had a problem.  Luke says that he could speak and teach accurately the things concerning Jesus, but he needed Priscilla and Aquila to explain to him more accurately the way of God – that is – the … Continue reading →

Posted in church, commitment, discernment, Holy Spirit, integrity, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, ministry, truth | Tagged , | Leave a comment