1 Corinthians 1:4–9 “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

The Corinthian church certainly had many problems including (but not limited to) unspeakable sexual immorality, lawsuits between brothers, ego-driven misuse of the spiritual gifts, and factions and divisions based on their favorite preachers. And yet Paul begins his letter to them giving thanks for them and pointing out the grace of God at work in their midst. He says they have been blessed with every spiritual gift and enriched in all speech and knowledge. The reason why Paul can sincerely praise God is because he has a divine perspective of the Corinthian church. He knows they are the “called” of God (v.2,9), that they are recipients of divine grace (v.4), and that God will be faithful to sustain them to the end guiltless (v.8-9). So before Paul gets to correcting the church (which they certainly needed) he sincerely encourages them by identifying evidences of God’s grace at work. 

From this, I believe we can learn an important lesson. God wants us to have a divine perspective of one another and His church like Paul had of the Corinthians. And when we do, we will focus more on identifying evidences of God’s grace and the Spirit’s fruit in others, instead of complaining or criticizing their deficiencies. When we encourage each other by pointing out where we see God’s Spirit at work, we “impart grace to those who hear” resulting in their being “built up” (Eph 4:29).

To appreciate and encourage you, I’d like to share a small sampling of where I see God’s grace and Spirit at work at Wellspring:

• As I write, many volunteers are sacrificing their time for the Missions Yard Sale, evidence of their passion to see the whole world hear about Jesus. 
• Saints are singing loudly and passionately as evidence of their love for God and joy in Him.
• Saints are devoting themselves to prayer as evidence of Holy Spirit-inspired faith in God.
• Saints are hungry for expositional preaching and the distinct sense that they are hearing God speak through His Word. They are not content with fluff, eisegesis, or man’s opinions!
• Saints are desiring the manifest presence of God and understand that church is about the vertical pursuit of knowing and being known by God.
• Mothers are sacrificing with joy to homeschool their children in the ways of the Lord. 
• Fathers are working hard with joy to provide for their families and lead them spiritually to be growing as disciples.
• Parents are making huge sacrifices so their children can attend a Christian school and many grandparents are generously helping their grandchildren in this pursuit. 
• Men and women are stepping up to serve in many different capacities: Sunday school classes, office work, evangelism, potlucks, cleaning, transportation, quilting, Awana, Oasis, tech, grounds, facilities, prison ministry, etc.  
• Saints are eagerly preparing devotionals for Samaritans Inn, retirement homes, the local jail, and their families.
• The lay elders are leading joyfully and sacrificially to care for this flock while they also work full-time jobs. 
• Saints are committed to studying theology together, evidence of the Spirit renewing their minds through the knowledge of God.
• Saints are boldly and compassionately sharing Christ with the lost and finding new ways to open doors for more gospel conversations. 
• Saints are standing up for the unborn and against the evils of our day with compassion and courage to speak the truth.
• Saints are controlling their tongues and refusing to engage in gossip, slander, reviling, retaliation, or unnecessary controversy. 
• Saints are using their gifts to bless and build up the body: musical, administrative, leadership, mercy, teaching, helping, giving, fundraising, graphic design, website design, accounting, cooking, wisdom, discernment, counseling, encouragement, prayer, etc. 
• Saints are demonstrating Christ-like attributes in a myriad of situations: courage, love, humility, self-control, patience, comfort, peace, gentleness, boldness, conviction, faith, righteousness, integrity, honesty, faithfulness, compassion, respectfulness, etc. 
• Some saints are dealing with terminal illnesses with faith and joy, smiling and staying positive while encouraging others in the midst of their own trials. 
• Saints are giving cheerfully and generously to the Lord to care for the needs of this body and to reach the lost. 
• Saints are committed to fellowship and deep Christ-centered relationships in home groups, Bible studies, events, and by showing hospitality to one another. 
• Saints are willing to endure persecution for their faith, rejoicing that their reward in heaven is great.
• Families are focusing on Christ together through daily worship, prayer, and Bible reading. 
• Saints are practicing forgiveness and a love that covers a multitude of sins in an effort to stay united and not run away from hurt or offense. 
• Saints are actively encouraging each other with Scriptures, words of comfort, and prayers.
• Saints are persevering through many difficult times in the life of our church; some 5 years, some 20 years, and some more than 30 years. Their amazing resilience is evidence of God’s strength and endurance and hope and commitment and faithfulness. 
• Saints are demonstrating tangible love and care for one another, giving evidence that we are truly Christ’s disciples (John 13:35).

What’s the point of mentioning these things? The point is that these things are not to be attributed to ourselves or our flesh. The reason for these things is the work of God within you. These are evidences of God’s grace, because flesh only produces the works of the flesh, and it is the Spirit who produces the fruits of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, Christ-like attributes, and Christ-exalting good works. The only explanation for these things is the reality of the Holy Spirit in your lives and in our church body. We truly belong to Him! All glory to God! 

Be encouraged Wellspring at the overwhelming evidence of God’s supernatural grace at work in our midst, and at work IN YOU. I am so thankful to God for you. I am so thankful to pastor this flock. I am so thankful that God has blessed us so much as a body, and that He is so faithful to us and so active among us, continuing to sanctify and build up and bless and purify His Bride. I pray you too can have eyes to see His grace every which way you look in your church family, and in your own life. To God be all the glory! 

In the love of Christ,

Pastor Bryan