The situation at Corinth wasn’t so different than what we find today—at least in general terms. Those who were gifted in regard to knowledge, the ability to prophesy, speaking in tongues or something else had become puffed up and arrogant in regard to their status in the community of disciples. They believed their gifts meantContinue reading “The Greatest of These”
Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green
Paul, Apollos and Corinth
Here’s what we know as it relates to Paul, Apollos and the establishment and early years of the church at Corinth: 1. Paul started the church in Corinth somewhere around 50 AD. After 18 months, he left for Ephesus where he didn’t stay long before heading to Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 18:11,19-21). 2. Apollos showedContinue reading “Paul, Apollos and Corinth”
Not Relevant for Today?
I suppose it’s difficult for us to work up much passion when it comes to the subject of meats sacrificed to idols. After all, it hasn’t been an issue for a couple thousand years. Still, it would be a mistake to be casually dismissive of it. After all, the subject has a presence in ScriptureContinue reading “Not Relevant for Today?”
Living as Christ Lived
There’s quite a bit of confusion in our culture in regard to the body. There are those (men and women) who absolutely worship it and will stop at nothing (augment, tuck, lift, implant, fill, suction, weird diets, supplements, ridiculous treatments, bizarre clothes, etc.) in pursuing what they regard as the perfect look. Once they believeContinue reading “Living as Christ Lived”
Groaning
She’d experienced her share of tough times in life: an unfaithful husband, the economic stress that results from divorce, several relocations in an attempt to find work, etc. She settled in as our church’s secretary and found a home. Still, she was looking for more. (Aren’t we all?) I had been preaching a series ofContinue reading “Groaning”
Building on Jesus
The immaturity of the disciples at Corinth was anchored, to a large degree, by their infatuation with worldly wisdom (the words “wisdom” and “wise” appear 28 times in the first four chapters). Despite the eighteen months Paul had spent there and the letter he had written to them (5:9), they were stubbornly clinging to theirContinue reading “Building on Jesus”
True Power and Trusting God
When Jesus sends His disciples out to preach to the towns and villages, He tells them to “take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt” (Luke 9:3). The text doesn’t tell us exactly how long they were to be gone but we are told they went “from village toContinue reading “True Power and Trusting God”
The Pace of Grace
There’s a pace to grace. It’s like running a long distance race. No one in those races runs as fast as they can. Instead, they pace themselves so they’ll have enough strength to make it to the finish line. They find a nice rhythm on the straightaway to conserve energy so they’ll be able toContinue reading “The Pace of Grace”
The Account Manager Who Cooked the Books (2)
To answer this we need to add another layer to the story—that of honor and shame. A number of recent commentators have pointed out that the manager’s wasteful actions not only brought shame upon himself but also upon the rich man (who would be viewed as weak and unable to control his employee as wellContinue reading “The Account Manager Who Cooked the Books (2)”
The Account Manager Who Cooked the Books (1)
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a story at the right place and time is worth at least that many words of facts, figures, and data. People who make commercials understand this so rather than push information on us they pull us in through characters like Flo of Progressive or Jake fromContinue reading “The Account Manager Who Cooked the Books (1)”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 