Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

1 Corinthians 7:20 "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." This week we began with verse 17, where Paul teaches believers to remain in the life circumstances and social roles they had when God first called them to faith, rather than feeling pressured to radically change their external situation. In yesterday’s verses, Paul applied this principle to circumcision, a major point of division between Jewish and Gentile Christians. His instruction was clear: Do not change your physical condition. External religious markers and cultural identities do not determine your standing with God. What matters is obedience to His commandments and a heart surrendered to Christ. Today’s verse continues this teaching: Remain in the social, economic, or religious condition you were in when you first accepted the Christian faith. Key Aspects: •Definition of “Calling”: This refers not to modern careers, but to one’s station in life—such as slave or free, married or single, ...

1 Corinthians 7:18&19 "18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God." In these verses, Paul addresses new believers regarding circumcision; a major point of division between Jewish and Gentile Christians in the early church. His instruction is straightforward: Don’t change your physical condition. If you were circumcised when God called you, stay that way. If you were uncircumcised, don’t get circumcised. The heart of the passage is verse 19: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the KEEPING of the commandments of God.”  Meaning for Believers Today: Paul is teaching a powerful, timeless truth: External religious markers and cultural identities do not determine your standing with God. What matters is obedience to God’s commandments and a heart surrendered to Chr...

1 Corinthians 7:17 "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches." Last week we studied Jesus calling His first four disciples; Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Their time with Him culminated in the Great Commission, which includes Christ’s authority, the command to make disciples of all nations, and His promise of presence. That mission now belongs to us. This week we examine how Jesus is calling you today. In 1 Corinthians 7:17, Paul gives foundational instruction: Christians should remain faithful to the life circumstances and social roles they had when God first called them to faith. The phrase “as God hath distributed” refers to the various providential conditions of life; marital status, social standing (slave or free), or cultural background (circumcised or uncircumcised). Paul teaches that becoming a Christian does not require abandoning earthly duties or radically changing one’s social po...

Matthew 28:18-20 "18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." This week we studied Jesus calling His first four disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They responded with immediate obedience, leaving their trade and families behind to follow Him. Their response highlights the radical priority Jesus demands: loyalty to Christ above all else. The call was not just to believe, but to become “fishers of men.” A lifelong commitment to learn from Jesus and travel with Him. Today’s passage, known as the Great Commission, is Jesus’ final directive to His disciples after the resurrection. After spending years learning fro...

Matthew 4:22 "And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed Him." Today’s verse records the immediate response of James and John, sons of Zebedee, to Jesus’ call. While mending their nets in a boat with their father, they instantly left the boat, their father, and their livelihood to follow Him. This event highlights several key themes in Matthew: •Immediate Obedience: The word "immediately" stresses urgency and decisiveness. It parallels the calling of Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:20) and echoes the prompt obedience seen in Joseph (Matthew 2), presenting quick response to God’s call as a virtue. •Renunciation of Family and Livelihood: They abandoned not only their trade but also their father. This act underscores the radical priority Jesus demands, showing that loyalty to Christ surpasses traditional family obligations and patriarchal structures. (Note: This was not necessarily a permanent break, as they are still identified as Zebedee’s sons els...

Matthew 4:21 "And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them." This verse records Jesus calling James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to become His disciples while they were working in a boat with their father, Zebedee. The verse specifically notes that the brothers were mending their nets at the time, an act of preparation or repair that some commentators interpret as symbolically representing the restoration and perfection required for their new mission.  Unlike the first pair of disciples (Peter and Andrew), Matthew explicitly mentions Zebedee was present in the boat, highlighting the family dynamic and the significant sacrifice of leaving both their trade and parental ties. The act of mending nets is often viewed as a metaphor for spiritual preparation, while the call itself underscores the inclusive nature of Jesus’ ministry, selecting fisherme...