Temple of God & Ministry of Apostles

Corinthians 3

1. We are following Jesus not ministers. Ministers are worker of God to nurture us, but we are essentially following Jesus. So that we do not argue that we are following different ministers.
2. We are God's Temple or building. We should build the temple with enduring things that will last in the test of fire. For if our work survives we receive rewards, if out work do not survive we will suffer, but still can be saved. For those who destroy the temple of God, he will be destroyed too. So that we should build God's building with the wisdom of God, which is concrete, not with human's wisdom, which is perishable.
3. We have got all the things because we are Christ's and Christ are God's, So we have absolutely no reason to be jealous.

Corinthians 4

1. Do not judge people because only God has the power to judge.
2. We should be humble in Christ, and we should respect our ministers
3. Paul says being a apostle is like a captive in Rome, that will be condemned to death in the arena in mortal with gladiators or beasts. So it is common that we will suffer after we start following Jesus.

Holy Spirit first, man's word second

Corinthians 2

• Unless the Holy Spirit works in a listener's heart, the wisdom and eloquence of a preacher are ineffective.
• God's wisdom is hidden from the men who does not have the Holy Spirit. That's why preaching would not work on a listener if the Holy Spirit has not worked on him first, because they think the God's wisdom is foolishness.

Christ the wisdom and power of God

Corinthians 1

• We should preach by the power of the cross of Christ, but not by the power of human wisdom.
• The gospel is offensive to Jews and foolish to gentiles who do not believe, but is the power of God and wisdom of God to those who are called.
• The grace of God is a free gift from God, no man gets the grace from his good work, so that no human being should boast in the presence of God.

Do not pass judgement to one another

Romans 14

1. Do not pass judgement to one another on different opinions of living (eating, drinking, etc...), as long as each one live for the honor of the Lord.
2. One should just one's life style to others in order not to destroy other's faith. On the matters that mentioned above.
3. This only applies to matters that are morally indifferent.

Submission to the authorities

Romans 13

• All authorities, including church leaders and civil authorities, are ordained my God.
• God ordained authorities to keep society peaceful, and also providing a way to bring judgement before the final judgement.
• Christians should submit to authorities as long as they do not contradict with God's word.
• Love is the fulfilling of the law.
• Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Practical advices from Paul

Romans 12

Very practical teachings from Paul in this chapters.

1. Offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.
2. Do not be conformed by this world
3. We are members of the body of Christ. We are given different gifts from God. We should use our gift to the greatest extend
4. Love each other in Christ. Be zeal in Christ and constant in prayer. Consider other saints' need and show out hospitality.
5. Do not take revenge but let God do his job. We should be peacemakers as long as we do not give up our principles. Be nice to our enemy.

31/10/2010 : six literal days creation

Genesis 1

The only correct creation theory is six literal days creation. Other explanations are all compromises towards the modern science.

Trying to fit the bible into the modern science is dangerous as it is undermining the authority of the scriptures.

We should let God tell us what it is like, we do not tell God what it is like.