PEP TALK
I Corinthians 1:1-10
Every
thing I know about duct tape I learned from the Canadian TV program, “The Red
Green Show.” But I also learned a bit
about the gift of encouragement.
One of my
favorite segments was when the main character, Red, would muse about the
challenges of being middle-aged as he tied fishing flies. He always ended the piece with these words of
encouragement, “Remember, I’m pulling for you. We’re all in this together.” Isn’t that comforting?
It’s took
me a few years to figure out what Red’s closing line, “Keep your stick on the
ice,” meant. Thanks to Google, I found
out it means, “Be ready for anything, and everything will work itself out.” How encouraging!
Everyone
needs encouragement; everyone needs a pep talk once in a while.
“Keep
your stick on the ice. I’m pulling for
you; we’re all in this together.”
The
Christians in Corinth
certainly need a lot of encouragement. Corinth had the reputation of being the most morally depraved,
licentious city in the Roman Empire . Being a disciple of Christ in that culture was no picnic.
Paul was
only in Corinth
for a year and a half before the Jewish leaders of the city drove him out. The new Christians Paul left behind were
sincere in their faith. They were trying
their best, struggling to live new lives, learning to make different choices
and giving up old habits. They were
trying to make a major change in their lives while figuring out what it means
to be disciples of Christ. I’m sure that
it was frustrating and discouraging.
Change is
never easy, but it is a constant in all our lives. Each age and stage of our lives brings about
changes that require us to adapt and learn how to navigate new terrain.
Being a
disciple of Christ is about change. As
Christians, we are in the process of sanctification -- ongoing growth and
transformation through which we grow deeper in love with God and our neighbors
and our lives become more Christ-like.
Everyday,
we’re to pick up our cross and live out our faith. That may mean making the hard choices instead
of taking the easy way out. We butt
heads with cultural norms and struggle with all the distractions that would rob
us of the time we need for study, prayer and worship. And hardest of all, I believe, is knowing how
imperfect and unequipped we are for the task Christ puts before us. Life beats us down, and we grow weary and
discouraged.
Just like
the Corinthian Christians.
So in the opening of his first letter to them, Paul gives them a pep talk. He encourages them. He reminds them everything they need can be found in Christ. Through Jesus, they are sanctified children
of God. Christ is their master who puts
the gifts and benefits of God’s grace at their disposal. They don’t need a thing because God is
working in them to complete the work Christ has begun. God through Christ is never going to give up
on them.
Need a pep
talk? Hear this good news: everything we need is in Christ.
§
Through
Christ who has saved us and cleansed us from sin, we are God’s beloved, the
apple of God’s eye.
§
Christ
is our Savior and Lord who opens the door’s of God’s treasury and lavishes us
with love and meets our every need.
§
We
may not feel capable, but Christ only asks for willingness and provides the
rest.
§
God
will never, ever give up on us and never leaves us alone to struggle through.
So, keep
your stick on the ice. Remember Jesus is
pulling for you. We’re all in this
together with Christ.
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