With Elder Elico Manenji
✝️In his final remarks to the Corinthians, the Apostle urges them to make a contribution for the poor Christians at Jerusalem. He promises to visit them after spending Pentecost at Ephesus. He encourages them to treat well his fellow workers, Timothy and Apollos who will shortly come and work amongst them. He commends the household of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus for paying him a visit and expresses his satisfaction over them. Then he sends greetings to many different workers of Christ and his concerns of those who are at enmity with him as he concludes his letter which he wrote with his own hand writing.
*1️⃣1Corinthians 16:1-9: Directions for the collection of the poor in Jerusalem and Paul's desire to visit them.after Pentecost.*
⏹️It is a duty of every devout Christian to be a steward of the mysteries of God. The scripture says, *"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive"(Acts 20:35).*
There should be no gulf between doctrine and duty of stewardship. There is no gulf between doctrine and duty. Believers' union with Christ and heaven is shown by their concern for the welfare of others and the spreading of the gospel to other regions by their devote giving. The prophet Malachi says, *"Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, said the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it"(Malachi 3:10).*
⏫Christian duty is the fruit of a rightly believed doctrine as character is the index and result of creed. Love for God and mankind must give. The Psalmist asked, *"What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all his people"(Psalm 116:12-14).*
⏹️All Christians should desire to be spiritually useful in their lives for the purpose of the gospel and encouraging others in upholding their faith. The Apostle says, *"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin"(Hebrews 3:13).*
*"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching"(Hebrews 10:25).*
⏭️Wherever the gospel is preached and the results signal triumph, there is great opposition to it and the people God will have used, this is certainly to be anticipated as there is a great controversy between good and evil. The Revelator says, *"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven"( Revelation 12:7-8).*
*2️⃣1 Corinthians 16:10-24: Paul's commendation and care for his fellow workers, admonitions and final salutations.*
⏹️It is expedient and necessary to work well with others in spreading the gospel, no one is the final means of utilization in the service of God. Recommend, assign and approve others who have done well for the salvation of many. The Scriptures say, *"And now, brothers, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified"(Acts 20:32).*
⏹️God’s faithful ministers are all men of one and the same work. Every man has his own mission given and sanctified by God as they are called to duty for no one can do the work which the other has been called to accomplish on earth. The Apostle says, *"But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"(Romans 5:8).*
⏭️Each person should work faithfully in their own assigned duty as the Apostle commends members of his team which worked the work of the Lord by the many graces given them.by God. No man is an island, for in such they will lack God's fresh supplies. The Apostle John says, *"Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do to the brothers, and to strangers"(3 John 1:5).*
*🅰️Appeal*
Christian salutations should not be void and empty compliments but should be seasoned with sincere love for one another. Christian salutations carry in them real expressions of good-will, divine grace and blessing of the Lord. Those who salute in the Lord should wish their brethren all good from the Lord, and breathe out their good wishes in fervent prayers. A Church is not necessarily a congregation but Jesus said, *"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them"(Matthew 18:20).* Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
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