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To Corinth (Part 1)
You've Got Mail
  • This week, we're diving into First Corinthians, a powerful letter from Paul that unpacks what it truly means to be spiritual family. If you're familiar with Lilo & Stitch, you know their iconic motto: "Family means no one gets left behind." And that's precisely the core message Paul emphasizes to the diverse Corinthian church, and to us today.
  • Don't Let Differences in Resonance Create Division
  • The Corinthian church was a vibrant, yet sometimes fractured, community. They gravitated towards different leaders like Paul, Peter, or Apollos, leading to factions and quarrels. Paul's message is clear: don't let what you resonate with cause you to leave a brother behind. While we all have preferences for certain teachings, authors, or worship styles, our ultimate unity is found in Christ alone. As Paul pointedly asks, "Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you?" Our shared connection to Christ far outweighs any minor differences in preference.
  • Don't Let Socioeconomic Status Create Separation
  • First Corinthians also reveals a troubling division along socioeconomic lines during their communion meals. Wealthier members were eating before the poorer ones arrived, often leaving little to no food for them. Paul sternly warns against this, saying, "When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper. For some of you hurry to eat your own meal without sharing with others. As a result, some go hungry while others get drunk." This highlights a critical lesson: don't leave a sister behind because of class. While outright discrimination might be less common today, subtle biases and assumptions about those with different financial backgrounds still exist, creating invisible barriers within the church. We're called to actively bridge these gaps, just as Jesus embraced all segments of society.
  • Don't Let Differing Gifts Lead to Disconnection
  • Finally, Paul addresses the issue of diverse spiritual gifts within the church. Some Corinthians were devaluing others because of their different strengths and abilities. Paul uses the powerful analogy of the church as a physical body: "If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it." Just as a body needs all its parts, the spiritual family needs every member with their unique gifts. We cannot afford to dismiss or stereotype fellow believers—whether they are Lutheran, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Charismatic, Reformed, Progressive Mainline, Baptist, or Methodist—because their focus or strengths differ from our own. We cannot afford to leave behind any of our spiritual family with gifts other than our own.
  • Ultimately, Paul's message in First Corinthians echoes the sentiment of Lilo & Stitch: spiritual family means no one gets left behind. We're challenged this week to take a baby step towards a fellow Christian we may have unintentionally or intentionally avoided due to differing interests, socioeconomic backgrounds, or spiritual strengths. Reach out, have a conversation, or simply take a meaningful step to connect. Remember, our failure to acknowledge our spiritual family doesn't negate the reality of our connection. God holds us accountable for how we treat each other, and His message is clear: "Spiritual family means no one gets left behind." 

Suggested Resources for Series

For Reflection

  • How does today’s message resonate with you?
  • What questions does this message raise for you?
  • What actions does this message encourage you to take?
  • How can you dig deeper into today’s message?

Remember: Jesus loves you right where you are, but He loves you too much to leave you there.

 

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