5 Commands for Spiritual Battle

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

As the Apostle Paul begins to wrap up his first hard-hitting letter to the Corinthians, he doesn't disappoint. Chapter 16 gives the Corinthian Christians – and all of us today – five commands that pull together so much of what Paul has been teaching in this letter.

 

When it comes down to it, each of the commands Paul gives in verses 13 and 14 provides a short and sweet recap of rebukes and instructions from the first 15 chapters. To win in spiritual battle, Paul writes, you must be alert, doctrinally sound, courageous, strengthened and loving.

 

Let’s take a close look at each of these 5 vital commands:

 

Command #1: Be alert (v. 13). As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to live our lives with eyes wide open—alert and watchful. The New Testament tells us to watch out for 5 things: Satan (1 Peter 5:8-9); temptation (Mark 14:38); apathy (Revelation 3:1-3); false prophets and teachers (Matthew 7:15); and the Lord’s return (Matt. 24:42 and 25:13).

 

Command #2: Stand firm in the faith (v. 13). Paul is talking about standing firm in the TRUTH of our faith. Some of the Corinthians weren’t standing firm in the important truth of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They also failed to stand firm in the truth about church unity, sexual purity, forgiveness and spiritual gifts. Too many Christian churches are like that today—blown and tossed by the wind of every new, more politically-correct teaching. Most tragically, many Christian churches refuse to proclaim that Christ is the only Way to salvation. It’s not politically correct – but it’s true.

 

Command #3: Be men of courage (v. 13). The Greek word Paul uses here conveys two things: Courage and maturity. Whether you’re male or female, if you’re a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, you must stop thinking and acting like a baby Christian. God has called us to grow up in our faith and be men and women of courage. And when Satan and the world start throwing jabs at you, don’t run away like a scared 5-year-old.

 

Command #4: Be strong (v. 13). The verb Paul uses here means, “Be strengthened” or “Be made strong.” The New Testament makes it clear that you and I are inherently weak. Thankfully, Jesus tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My power is made perfect in your weakness.” And Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Only God can strengthen you. Your job is to sit at the feet of Jesus, learn from Him, and submit to God’s strengthening process.

 

Command #5: Do everything in love (v. 14).  As Chuck Swindoll points out, the first four commands sound like orders shouted in battle: “’Wake up! Stand firm! Be a man! Be strong!’…. The next imperative, however, put everything in perspective: ‘Do everything in love’.” John MacArthur agrees: “Without [this principal] the others could make us crusty, militant and hard…. Love is what the Corinthians needed most, and is what believers of all ages have needed most.”

 

I say “Amen!” to that!

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd., or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

Timeless Principals for Giving

“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income.”  –  1 Corinthians 16:2

Whoa! Where did that sudden shift in gears come from?
 
The Apostle Paul ends 1 Corinthians 15 with a beautiful climax: “Death has been swallowed up in victory…. Therefore, my dear brothers…. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (vs. 54-58).
 
Then, on the heels of this uplifting teaching about the resurrection, Paul begins chapter 16: “Now about the collection for God’s people” (v.1). What?
 
Well, Paul did move from subject to subject rather abruptly at times. But I think Paul’s teaching at the end of chapter 15 drives what he says in the first few verses of chapter 16. Because our “labor in the Lord is not in vain,” we must give generously to Christians in need.
 
In the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 16, we can find 4 biblical principles for Christian giving:
 
Principle #1: Offerings should be given on the Lord’s Day as an act of worship (v .2). In this verse, Paul tells the Corinthians to “set aside” a certain amount of money on the first day of the week (Sunday). Across the world, Christians gather on the Lord’s Day to take communion, pray, sing songs of praise and study God’s Word. But it’s not true worship if you’re just receiving. So, giving an offering is one of the beautiful ways that Christians worship God on The Lord’s Day.
 
Principle #2: “Each” Christian should give an offering (v. 2 & 2 Cor. 9:7). Notice these four little words that Paul uses in verse 2: “each one of you.” When Paul wrote these words, he wasn’t just talking to the Christians with full-time jobs and 401K plans. He was talking to EVERY Christian. Never forget: All that you have in your possession has been given to you by God. And He has given you the privilege of giving some of what you have to Christians who have even less than you do. It’s not just rich Christians who have the privilege of giving; broke Christians can give too!
 
Principle #3: The amount of your offering should be in proportion to your income (v. 2). Nowhere in the New Testament do Jesus or His apostles REQUIRE every Christian to give a certain dollar amount, or even a certain percentage, to the church. You won’t find a “Thou shalt tithe 10%” command. Do I think tithing 10% is a good practice for all Christians? Yes, I do. But the fact remains: In the New Testament, God doesn’t tell Christians to give 10%. Instead, He calls you to give on the Lord’s Day as part of your worship – and He wants you to give in proportion to your income, from the heart, as the Holy Spirit leads you to give.
 
Principle #4: It is good and proper to support needy Christians in other congregations (vs. 1 and 3). Because our labor in the Lord is not in vain, Paul tells the Corinthian church to take up an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem, where poverty and unemployment were rampant. To this day, one of the best things the Church does is to bless Christians on the other side of the world. We are most like Jesus when we are making sacrifices and giving to “the least of these,” knowing that they’ll never be able to pay us back.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

Will Death Win in the End?

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 
–  1 Corinthians 15:55

Spoiler alert: When life ends for Christians … death ends up as one big loser.

 

In 1 Corinthians 15:54, the Apostle Paul says it straight out: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” In verse 55, he continues, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” He’s basically trash-talking death: “Is that ALL you got?”

 

But honestly, even for Christians, death still stings, doesn’t it? I officiated a funeral recently for a 44-year-old Christian woman. Her family took comfort in knowing that she is safe in Jesus’ arms. Verses like Luke 23:43, Acts 7:55-59 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 indicate that when Christians die, our souls and spirits immediately enter the presence of the Lord in heaven. But for her loved ones, the woman’s death at such a young age still stung.

 

However, don’t forget: For Christians, death’s victory and sting are only temporary. As Paul writes, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 57). Paul is so thankful because Jesus has given us three different victories:

 

Victory #1: Jesus has given us victory over sin. As Paul writes in verse 56, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” Because of the law, we are justly declared guilty of sin and the death penalty that sin brings. The law keeps us from pleading ignorance when we sin. When we do things that God’s law clearly says we “shall not” do, we can’t play dumb.

 

Victory #2: Jesus has given us victory over the condemnation of the law. Praise God, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

 

Victory #3: Jesus has given us victory over death. This bears repeating, because it wouldn’t be possible without the other two victories. Leon Morris, a pastor and theologian, says it very well: “It is not ‘death’ in itself that is harmful; it is that death that is ‘the wages of sin’ (Rom. 6:23) that matters. Death, considered simply as the passing out of this life into the immediate presence of the Lord, is a gain, not a loss (Phil. 1:21,23).”

 

When Jesus returns, He will conquer death once and for all. When our old bodies are transformed into their new and improved versions, He will even reverse the damage death has done in Christians’ lives. Jesus will strip death of its victories and remove its stinger … forever.

 

The fact of the resurrection makes everything in your life so meaningful! So, that resurrection should motivate you to get up and get to work for Jesus. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v. 58).

 

If you believe in the truth of the resurrection and are convinced that there will be a Judgment Day, you have every reason to work hard and make sacrifices for Jesus. And thanks to Him, you know that your work and sacrifices are totally meaningful.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

Your Amazing New Body!

“You will still be you, and I will still be me, but the resurrection will make you a better you and me a better me.” –  Chuck Swindoll

It will be like upgrading from a 1970s Ford Pinto to a Rolls Royce.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul spends the first half of the chapter teaching that because Jesus’ resurrection is a historical fact, our future resurrection is guaranteed. In the second half of the chapter, Paul goes on to tackle the next question: What will our resurrected bodies be like?  

 

Some Christians assume that our resurrected bodies will simply be our current bodies … reassembled. But Paul removes all doubt that our resurrected bodies will be a thousand times better than our bodies today.

 

In verses 42-44, Paul presents 4 big differences between our mortal bodies today and our immortal bodies tomorrow:

 

Difference #1: Our mortal bodies are perishable and corruptible. Our resurrected bodies will be unperishable and incorruptible. “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable” (v. 42).

 

Difference #2: Our current bodies are dishonorable and easily led into sin. Our resurrected bodies will be “raised in glory” (v. 43).

 

Difference #3: Our mortal bodies are weak, but our new bodies will be powerful (v. 43).

 

Difference #4: Our old bodies are natural. Our new bodies will be spiritual (v. 44).

 

Our mortal, corruptible bodies, Paul explains, were made in the likeness of Adam, the first created man, who fell into sin. But when we are resurrected, we will be made in the likeness of Jesus – the “last Adam,” who overcame sin and made our resurrection possible (vs. 45-49). In other words, if you want to know what your resurrection body will look like and be capable of, just take a closer look at Jesus in the final chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

 

After His resurrection, Jesus was recognizable. You too will be recognizable. Jesus was able to eat and drink. It stands to reason that you too will be able to eat and drink. Jesus was able to suddenly appear and pass through walls into a locked room. Guess what you’ll be able to do? If you want to know what a resurrected body can do, look at Jesus. He is the prototype.

 

Thanks to Jesus, your resurrected body will be so much better than the body you’ve got right now.

I love the way Chuck Swindoll puts it: “You will still be you, and I will still be me, but the resurrection will make you a better you and me a better me.”

 

Now, just because our resurrection bodies will be so much better than the bodies we’ve got right now, that doesn’t give us an excuse to waste these bodies we’ve got right now. If all you’ve got is a Ford Pinto, fire it up and drive it for God’s glory. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

 

We thank God for the new and improved Rolls Royce resurrection bodies that we’ll be given one day, but until we trade in these Ford Pintos, we must use them for the glory of God.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

How Are You Spending Your Eternity?

“The fact is that Christ did actually rise from the dead and has become the first of millions who will come back to life again someday.” –  1 Corinthians 15:20 (The Living Bible)

 

The truth is, Christians never really die.

 

Even though our bodies decompose after death, they are really just resting until resurrection day. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul speaks of Christians who have died as simply having “fallen asleep,” because Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our resurrection. In verses 21-22, Paul drives this point home: “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

 

Both Adam and Jesus blazed a trail of rewards and consequences for everyone who would come after them. Adam brought us sin and death. Jesus brought us righteousness and life. ALL of us have inherited Adam’s undesirable gift of sin and death. But only those who reach out in faith to Jesus Christ will inherit His gift of righteousness and life.

 

Sadly, many of the Corinthian Christians’ neighbors didn’t believe in the resurrection, so they didn’t believe in a Judgment Day. They thought there would be no consequences for any of their choices here on earth. So, they figured they might as well live it up! Drink to your heart’s content. Have sex whenever and with whomever you want. Who cares about anyone else? Live for yourself!

 

Hedonism makes sense if there’s no life after death. But since both our resurrection and a day of judgment are guaranteed, hedonism is spiritual suicide. Paul warns in verses 33-34: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to shame you.”

 

In this passage, I believe God is revealing 3 undeniable truths:

 

Truth #1: Only those who are ignorant of God don’t believe in the resurrection (v. 33). To know God is to know that He has provided indisputable evidence for the resurrection. Jesus holds the keys of eternal life. His life conquers death.

 

Truth #2: Our good character can be corrupted easily by cynics whose unbelief fuels their hedonism (v. 33). Bad company DOES corrupt good morals. If you hang out with dirty dogs, don’t be surprised if you wake up with fleas.

 

Truth #3: In order to act right, we must BELIEVE right. Coming back to our senses requires us to cling to sound doctrine (v. 34). There is a direct correlation between bad beliefs and bad morals. Bad morals arise from unbelieving hearts that don’t believe in God or fear Judgment Day.

 

But if you follow Jesus Christ, you know the truth: His resurrection guarantees YOUR resurrection. And His eternal life guarantees YOUR eternal life. And you know that you will have to give an account of your life on Judgment Day.

 

One day you will stand before Jesus, and your entire life will be fed through the flames of testing. Only what you’ve done for Jesus, and in Jesus’ name, will survive the flames. So, your words and deeds matter. Your priorities matter. Most of all, your beliefs matter … both now and in eternity.

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

What If There Was No Resurrection?

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” – I Corinthians 15:12

 

From what Paul writes in the first 11 verses of 1 Corinthians 15, it’s clear that the Corinthian Christians believed in Jesus’ resurrection. But some of them weren’t so sure about their own.

 

Many Corinthian Christians were still clinging to their Greek culture’s belief in dualism. They’d been taught that human beings are made of two basic parts. The first part, the physical body, is intrinsically evil; the second part, the spirit, is intrinsically good. So the Greeks believed that if there is an afterlife, the spirit will shed the wicked corpse it’s shackled to here on earth, becoming pure spirit.

 

In other words, some Corinthians still believed that – aside from Jesus – there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul’s response? “My dear brothers in Christ … you’re talking NONSENSE!”

 

Paul explained that it is illogical to believe Jesus is the ONLY man who will ever rise from dead. There are only two logical options: Either EVERYONE is resurrected, or NO ONE is resurrected.

 

And in verses 13-19, Paul plays devil’s advocate: What if there is NO bodily resurrection? Well …

 

If there is no resurrection, Jesus Christ would still be dead (v. 13). In that case, our preaching is pointless (v. 14). After all, If Jesus wasn’t resurrected, then what’s the point of listening to someone blather on about some ancient dead guy who lived halfway around the world?

 

Without the resurrection, our faith would be a sham (vs. 14 & 17) – and we would be liars (v. 15). If there is no resurrection, we’re still under God’s condemnation because of our sins (v. 17). Our faith in Jesus would make no difference on Judgment Day. And if there is no resurrection, our Christian family members who have died in Christ are lost forever (v. 18).

 

Finally, without the resurrection, we should be the most pitied people on earth (v. 19). If there’s no hope beyond the grave, we Christians are a pretty sorry lot. ALL of our preaching, ALL of our praying, our trusting, our hoping, our sacrificing … ALL of it would be … for nothing.

 

Fortunately, here are 3 things that the resurrection proves:

 

#1: The resurrection proves that good is stronger than evil. In this life, evil might win a battle or two, but the goodness of God will always win the war.

 

#2: The resurrection proves that God’s “agape” love is stronger than hatred. The religious leaders hated Jesus, and today Satan continues to fuel hatred against Christians around the world.

But Christian haters can only kill our bodies once … which leads us straight into Jesus’ eternal arms of agape love.

 

#3: The resurrection proves that life is stronger than death. As Paul writes in verse 54: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” The gospel is truly good news!

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

The Power of a Mother’s Faith

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” – 2 Timothy 1:5

 

It’s been said, “An ounce of mother is worth a pound of preacher.”

 

Every child needs to have a good Bible-packing preacher in his or her life. But a good preacher can’t impact a young child’s life as much as a good mother who points her kids to Christ and shows them every day how to trust Him, love Him and serve Him.

 

In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul recognizes the importance of a godly upbringing. He writes to his young disciple, Timothy: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (v. 5). Paul makes it clear that before TIMOTHY was saved, his mom and grandmother were saved.

 

It’s apparent that these two godly women, since they were absolutely sincere in their faith, prioritized weekly worship and taught Timothy the Word of God. By the time Paul writes his second letter to Timothy, he is convinced that Timothy’s faith is sincere as well – the spitting image of his mother’s and grandmother’s faith. Warren Wiersbe writes, “Timothy’s heritage was a great one, for he was reared in a godly home, trained by a wonderful apostle, and given marvelous opportunities for serving the Lord.”

 

Parents, are you making sure that your children’s heritage is a great one? Are you making sure your faith in Christ is sincere, to increase the chances that your kids’ faith in Christ will be sincere?

 

If you’re just going through the motions of your faith, they’ll pick up on that and likely follow in your footsteps. Research consistently shows that our children are more likely to own their faith as independent adults IF we lead them to Christ and to church consistently while they are still dependent on us.

 

And one reason that moms have such an impact on their children is because in most families, kids spend more time with their moms than with anyone else, especially when they’re young. A 2021 survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that during their waking hours, moms spend, on average, 7 ½ hours a day with their kids under the age of 6; more than 5 ½ hours a day with their kids between the ages of 6 and 12; and more than 3 ½ hours with their teenagers.

 

When moms are spending several hours every day with their kids, you KNOW they’re going to be a big influence on their young lives. And when that influence is Christ-centered and consistent from day to day, we can say with confidence: “An ounce of mother IS worth a pound of preacher.”

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

Was Jesus REALLY Resurrected?

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that he was raised on the third day.”
– I Corinthians 15:3-4

Back in the First Century, some of the Greek Christians struggled to believe in their own future resurrection.

 

They were confused because most Greek scholars taught that the doctrine of the resurrection was ridiculous. None of their major philosophers believed in the resurrection of the dead: Not Plato, not Socrates, not Aristotle. These days, we have a similar problem: Many American scientists, doctors and philosophers believe the doctrine of the resurrection is ludicrous.

 

But make no mistake. Jesus’ resurrection is a historical fact that makes everything in a Christian’s life matter. Everything we believe, teach and do in Christ’s Church hinges on this core belief: the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ. Without this essential belief, we cannot be called “Christians.”

 

In the first 11 verses of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul offers these 3 proofs of Jesus’ resurrection:

 

Proof #1: Our SALVATION (vs. 1-2). How does our salvation prove that Jesus rose from the grave? Pastor Warren Wiersbe writes: “An integral part of the gospel message was the fact of Christ’s resurrection. After all, a dead Savior cannot save anybody…. The fact that they were standing firm [in their salvation] was proof that their faith was genuine and not empty.” John MacArthur puts it this way: “Our holding onto Him is evidence that He is holding onto us.” If you’re a Christian, you are a walking miracle! You are living proof that Jesus is alive.

 

Proof #2: The Old Testament SCRIPTURES (vs. 3-4). The Old Testament provides further proof that Jesus conquered death. Here are just a couple of examples from the Old Testament: “You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (Psalm 16:10). “After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied, by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many and he will bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11).

 

Proof #3: Multiple EYEWITNESS testimonies (vs. 5-11). In these verses, Paul lists six times Jesus appeared to His followers after his resurrection. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s compelling evidence that Jesus was very much alive in the days following His crucifixion. Paul lists Jesus’ appearances to Cephas and Peter; the twelve apostles; more than 500 brothers at the same time; the Apostles; and to Paul on the road to Damascus.

 

Many respected historians and investigators have said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has more proof to support it than any other fact in human history. And because of His resurrection, you and I can enjoy a beautiful, personal relationship with Jesus today. It is a relationship that matters more than any other relationship in the world.

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

Preventing Helter-Skelter Worship

“God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.”
– 1 Corinthians 14:33

Church services in the early Christian church looked a bit different from our services today.

 

1 Corinthians 14:26-33 gives us the earliest written record of what a Christian worship service was like in New Testament times. In verse 26, Paul writes: “Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or an interpretation.”

 

Did you notice that there’s no mention of a pastor? Most of those early services were led by regular, everyday Christians. And because there was no New Testament yet, the Holy Spirit blessed ordinary Christians with extraordinary gifts, so that they all could contribute to the worship service.

 

But there was a problem. When the Corinthian Christians came together to worship, the services were chaotic. The tongue-speakers were clogging the airwaves, speaking over each other, often without an interpreter. As a result, the Christians weren’t edified because they couldn’t understand anything the tongue-speakers were saying. So, at the end of verse 26, the Apostle Paul tells them: “Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”

 

To make sure all Christians are edified by the service, Paul lays out three basic rules for tongues and for prophecy. The first two rules were the same for each gift:

 

Rule #1: No more than two or three tongue-speakers / prophets are allowed to speak in a church service (vs. 27 & 29).

 

Rule #2: Tongue-speakers / Prophets must speak one at a time (vs. 27 & 30).

 

Rule #3 has slight variations for tongue-speakers and prophets:

 

Rule #3 for tongue-speakers: If there’s no interpreter, he must keep quiet (v. 28).

 

Rule #3 for prophets: Other prophets should use the established truth of Scripture to carefully judge what is prophesied (v. 29).

 

Since Paul has established that ALL church ministry must be edifying, understandable and orderly, these rules make complete sense. Without them, the service would turn into a jumbled mess. In verse 40, Paul summarizes the overriding principle of his message to the Church: “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

 

Whether it’s a Sunday morning service that is highly structured and led by a pastor, or if it’s a Bible study, a prayer meeting or another ministry that is less structured and is led by everyday Christians, ALL church ministry should be edifying, understandable and orderly. To God be the glory!

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

What Is the Gift of Prophecy?

“The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.”
– 1 Corinthians 14:3

There’s a lot of confusion in the Church today about the spiritual gift of prophecy. What is it, and are there prophets alive today?

 

The first man in the Bible to be called a prophet is Abraham. In Genesis 20:7, Abraham is described as a man who has a direct line of communication with God. And as the Old Testament unfolds, it becomes clear that Jewish priests spoke to God on behalf of the people, while prophets spoke to the people on behalf of God.

 

In the New Testament, the spiritual gift of prophecy is shown as the God-given ability to communicate divine revelations for the education, encouragement, and comfort of the Church. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul emphasizes prophecy because in his day — before the New Testament books had been written — God delivered His holy Word directly to prophets, and the prophets proclaimed it to the Church. Prophecy was the primary way for Jesus Christ to speak His word to His Church.

 

How about today? The primary way that Christ speaks to His Church is through preaching and teaching of the Bible … the written Word of God. So, as prophecy was to the church in Corinth, preaching and teaching God’s Word are to churches today. As a pastor, I’m a teacher of God’s Word as it’s revealed in Scripture — as opposed to a prophet, who receives fresh revelation from God.

 

So, is the spiritual gift of prophecy still active in the Church in 2026? Because God’s revelation to mankind was made complete in the New Testament, I believe the answer is “No.” It seems clear that the spiritual gift of prophecy was vital in the early years of the Christian Church, before the New Testament was assembled. But biblical and historical evidence indicates that this gift is not active in today’s Church — at least, not in the same way it was active in the early Church.

 

Since preaching and teaching are for Christians today what prophecy was to Christians in Paul’s day, it is the preaching and teaching of God’s Word that must be at the center of ALL ministry … both to Christians within the Church, and for the evangelism of unbelievers outside the Church. As the Bible tells us in Hebrews 4:12: “The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

 

Whether it was through gifted prophets in First Century Corinth, or through preachers, teachers and evangelists today, God’s #1 tool for building up Christians is the Word of God.

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

What Is Speaking in Tongues?

“For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God.” – 1 Corinthians 14:2

There’s a lot of confusion and disagreement about the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. So, just what is this gift?

 

As always, the best place to get answers about pressing spiritual questions is the Bible. In Acts 2, the Bible presents the gift of tongues as it happened on the Day of Pentacost, just 10 days after Jesus ascended into heaven. In this instance, the Christians were “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (v. 4). And when a crowd gathered to hear them, each person heard the Christians speaking in their own language (v.6).

 

The gift of tongues is mentioned two times later in the book of Acts, and again in 1 Corinthians 12-14, but the only clear description we’re given is in Acts 2. That’s why many conservative Christians today are skeptical of Christians who claim to have the gift of tongues but are not speaking a language that anyone understands.

 

Based on what we find in the Bible, I believe that the gift of tongues that Paul teaches about in 1 Corinthians is NOT the same gift of tongues that’s described in Acts 2. In 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul writes: “For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.” Unlike the tongues of Acts 2, which were heard as understandable human languages, the tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14 seem to be languages that NO human can understand.

 

So, is the spiritual gift of tongues still active in the church today? In light of the biblical record and the writings of church leaders in the first few centuries of Christianity, it appears that the gift of tongues wasn’t active in the church once the apostles died. And it remained inactive for the most part until the early part of the 20th Century, when the practice of tongues played a key role in the birth of the Pentacostal movement.

 

What do we do about an issue where many Christians disagree so sharply? Pastor Chuck Swindoll gives us 2 beautiful insights about the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues:

 

Insight #1: “Any authentic gift of the Spirit must conform to the Bible’s prescription for its use. Without dispute, every gift of the Spirit … was given for building up the church, not puffing up the one with the gift (14:12). The edification of the church is to result in unity and love, not disunity and conflict (Eph. 4:11-16).” If a Christian’s exercise of his/her spiritual gift leads to disunity and conflict, that’s a red flag. Either it’s a counterfeit gift, or it’s a real spiritual gift being used in an unloving way. So, when we exercise our spiritual gifts, let’s make sure to do it in love to unify and build up Christ’s Church.

 

Insight #2: “We don’t all need to AGREE on the issue of spiritual gifts…. Some believe speaking in tongues today is a valuable prayer language. Others think it passed away in the first century. Nevertheless, Christians can still enjoy unity and fellowship over the essentials of the faith without agreeing on all the details of disputed issues.” The Restoration Movement of the early 1800s had this motto: “In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, and in all things love.” In other words, Christians can disagree on nonessentials like speaking in tongues – and still remain completely unified in our faith and our mission to lead people to Christ.

 

Always remember that as Christians, we are united in our most important beliefs: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. And when we disagree on less vital doctrines, we must show each other grace. Above all, we must continue to love one another with God’s agape love.

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

Love Never Fails

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul shows us how beautifully Christ’s selfless “agape” love behaves. And in verse 8, Paul tells us in no uncertain terms that “agape” love NEVER fails.

 

To understand what Paul means, it’s important to look at this verse in several other good English translations: “Love never ends” (CSB, ESV & HCSB); and “Love will last forever” (NLT). It turns out that Paul is not saying that “agape” love is always successful. He’s saying that “agape” love never dies. Agape love is eternal.

 

In other words, agape love is not a magic key or spiritual formula that guarantees success. Like Jesus, if you love the people around you with an “agape” love, they may STILL spit in your face; they may STILL slander you; they may STILL crucify you and think they’re doing everybody a favor. But if you love those around you with an “agape” love, your love will outlast all of the world’s shenanigans.

 

Verse 13 puts a final bow on this beautiful chapter: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” In eternity, faith will become sight. So faith—at least in the sense of trusting in One who we cannot see—will become a thing of the past. And in eternity, all hope will be realized. In heaven, there will be nothing left to hope for. So, even faith and hope have an expiration date. But “agape” love doesn’t. Agape love is an integral part of the character of God. So, just like God Himself, agape love will last forever. Faith, hope and love will remain until this world passes away, but in eternity, only agape love will remain. Therefore, “the greatest of these is love.”

 

Pastor Chuck Swindoll suggests asking ourselves these 3 questions after studying this life-changing chapter:

 

Question 1: “Do you consider ‘agape’ love essential in your ministry? Is ‘agape’ love the single most important aspect in your relationship with others?” It’s easy for our love to grow cold when it’s not “agape” love. We start going through the motions. We put on a smiling face. We perform the tasks we’re supposed to do, but there’s very little love in it. You could be the most gifted and talented Christian in the church, but if you don’t have “agape” love, God’s Word says … it’s nothing. Why? Because EVERYTHING – LOVE = NOTHING.

 

Question 2: “Does your love fade in and out? Is it fickle—hot and cold? Even though ‘agape’ loving isn’t safe or easy, it must be unconditional and consistent.” We might THINK we’re loving others with an agape love, but if your love fluctuates based on how other people respond to it, that’s not “agape” love. “Agape” love isn’t based on your feelings. Agape love is a verb, an action rooted in a conscious decision to love those around you. Our love must be like Christ’s love: selfless, unconditional and consistent. 

 

Question 3: “Does ‘agape’ love come to the surface of your life more than any other virtue? In Paul’s description of the fruit of the Spirit, love comes first (Gal. 5:22)…. If those around you were to identify one virtue to describe you, would it be LOVE?” Honestly, I don’t know the answer to this question. People who know me tend to describe me as dedicated and hard-working. But would “loving” be on the tip of their tongues? I’m not sure it would. So, the Holy Spirit and I have some work to do on me. And you and the Holy Spirit have some work to do on you.

 

It’s easy to talk to people about how much Jesus loves them. But we must roll up our sleeves and start showing them Jesus’ selfless, sacrificial, unconditional “agape” love.   

 

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville, or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.

Why Did You Come to Church on Easter?

"So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.” – Matthew 28:15

A week ago Sunday, most Christian churches saw their biggest attendance day of the year. People who rarely, if ever, attend showed up in droves. And we might ask ourselves … why?

Let’s take a look who came to Jesus’ grave that first Easter morning. Most of us think first of the group of women who went to Jesus’ tomb. They came to anoint Jesus’ grave cloths with spices and oils as a sign of respect and love.

But those devoted women were beaten to the tomb by about 24 hours – by Roman guards. Governor Pilate had ordered the tomb guarded to make sure Jesus’ disciples couldn’t steal the body and claim that he’d risen from the dead. So, when the women arrived, the guards were already there.

None of them knew yet that the tomb was empty – until an angel appeared, rolled back the stone and sat on it. The guards were so terrified that they were frozen in place—so scared they couldn’t even run away.

While the women left to share the good news with the disciples, the guards finally got moving as well. Some of them went to the city and told the Jewish leaders what had happened. The leaders hastily devised a plan. They gave the soldiers “a large sum of money”—likely a year’s wages—and ordered them to keep their mouths shut (v. 12). So, the soldiers took the money and obeyed their orders. That was their story, and they were paid well to stick to it.

But the soldiers knew the truth. And so did the women. And later that day, so did Jesus’ apostles. Within a few short years, Christianity swept across three continents, because the fact of the resurrection was plain to see.

Now, I want to ask you two very important questions:

Question #1: Did you go to an Easter service because you were somehow PAID to be there … or because you WANTED to be there? The soldiers were at the tomb because they were PAID to be there. The women were at the tomb because they WANTED to be there. Last week, many Americans came to church because a family member pretty much made them come. Others might have come because they were serving lunch afterward. Still others came for an Easter Egg Hunt, prize giveaways or free entertainment.

Question #2: Are you walking past a goldmine of eternal treasure for a few quick bucks? As the Roman guards left the temple with a bag of cash, they thought they’d struck it rich. They ran past a goldmine to pick up a few pennies. That’s how it is when we choose money over Jesus, when we choose goods over God, when we choose the temporary things of earth over the eternal things of heaven. We don’t go to church with our families each week because we don’t feel like it. We’ve got more important things to do.

Are you more like a paid soldier who was at the tomb for the money, or are you like one of Jesus’ followers who came because they truly loved Jesus? I pray that when you come to church, it’s because you WANT to be there. I pray that instead of toying with Jesus Christ, you come to trust in Him and follow Him.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church at 17746 George Blvd. in Victorville. Join us for Sunday services in person or online at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.