1 Corinthians 16
Making Personal Connections!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, October 7.
As Paul concludes this letter he personally comments in 1 Corinthians 16:15-18, “Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.”
The last chapter of Corinthians is filled with personal remarks, greetings, and preparations for travels. I find great joy in seeing personal remarks in the Bible, travel plans, everyday communications that people who love one another would make as they stay in touch.
Paul says of the people in the Corinthian church, “they refreshed my spirit” (18). Who refreshes your spirit in your church? Do you look forward to seeing the people with whom you worship each week? Whose spirit are you refreshing? How?
Today, we can do this through numerous social media platforms, emails, texts, phones, and the classic hand-written letter or card. But nothing replaces being face-to-face with someone; when we refresh one another by being together. I am convinced of the importance of making personal relationships in small groups, during Sunday School classes, times of just hanging out with one another, and worshipping together on the Lord’s Day. We are called to love one another and to make space in our lives to know and be known.
Seize the moment and reach out today to make a personal connection with another person. Make a commitment to return to the public gathering of worship or to start meeting with your small group or Sunday School class. Then, invite someone to join you. Encourage another person. You never know how a personal invitation could bless someone. Don’t wait for someone else, you make the call today.