Daily Devotion With Pastor Dan – October 1st, 2020
(1 Corinthians 1:4-9)…..I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Being thankful is something we all struggle with from time to time. Yet being thankful is something God wants from His saints (us) at all times, in everything. It is the sense of gratitude that we should have for all that the Father has done for us. Waking up with a grateful heart every day, with the sacrifice that should come from our lips (Psalm 116:17) (Hebrews 13:15).
It is the duty of the believer to be thankful for what God has done in the calling of another believer (saint) (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Paul was continually thankful for what God had done for all the saints (believers) in Corinth, especially for the grace of God that was given to them by Jesus Christ.
You and I have been given that same grace in Jesus Christ. What is grace? It is unmerited (undeserved favor with God). It is realized in salvation (Romans 11:1-6) (Ephesians 2:1-10). It is realized in eternal life (1 Peter 1:13). Are we as thankful as Paul for the grace of God that was given to us by Jesus Christ?
Let’s look at (1 Timothy 1:12-17). Notice Paul’s thankfulness of God’s grace towards him, specifically notice – (v.12). God’s grace revealed itself in that He gave us abundant faith and love towards Him. God’s grace has enriched us in everything. At this very moment the believer in Christ has everything the Lord has to give, we are in need of nothing (1 Corinthians 3:18-21) (Ephesians 1:3) (Colossians 2:6-10) (2 Peter 1:2-4) (2 Corinthians 8:9)
We have been enriched in all utterance (v.5)
- There is no believer that cannot speak on God’s behalf – (1 Peter 3:15)
- Pray for boldness – (Ephesians 6:17-20)
- Study to be ready – (2 Timothy 2:15)
By the grace given by God, the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them (and us)
- God has made Himself known to us, not just for a relationship with Him so we can speak for Him
- Read: (John 17:3) (Philippians 3:7-11)
- We cannot talk about what we do not know!
- The testimony of Christ – is – the Gospel of Christ
- The gospel of Jesus Christ – bears testimony to….His deity, His incarnation, His obedience, His suffering and death, His resurrection from the dead, His ascension to heaven, His intercession for the saints, His redemption by his blood, His justification by his righteousness, His atonement of sin by his sacrifice, and complete salvation by his obedience and death.
- Are these things true? – How do you know?
- It was confirmed, made certain, by the agency of the Holy Spirit, sealing it on their hearts
- Read: (John 16:5-15)
By His grace, every gift of God’s Spirit was possessed by the members of the Church in Corinth to accomplish God’s will
- Are we not also given gifts at Rathdrum Bible for the same reason?
- What are you doing with your gift?
- We should be using our gift as we eagerly wait for Christ’s return (Titus 2:11-14)
By God’s grace, He will confirm us to the end because He is faithful. God is Sovereign and does not change His promises towards us whom he has called by His grace. So how long will the believer receive the grace of God by Jesus Christ? Forever! Which means we will remain saved being sure of spending eternity with Him. Let’s give thanks to God for the grace He has given us!