Jan. 31, 2001

Thank you so much for the your financial partnership. "Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account" (Phil. 4:17).

In my study of I Corinthians recently, I titled chapters 1 – 4, "Unity Vision Overcomes Division." The world had seduced the Corinthian believers. They emphasized personalities and speakers: "I am of Paul" and "I of Apollos and "I of Cephas" and "I of Christ" (1:12).

Secular knowledge was paramount in Corinth. Paul told them that God’s wisdom was superior because it was "predestined before the ages for our glory" (2:7). The Corinthian believers made distinctions between occupations. Because Paul made tents and was poor, they viewed him as inferior.

Listen to what Paul says:

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor . . . and we toil, working with our own hands . . . we have become as the scum of the world" (I Cor. 4:10-13).

Then he exhorts them: "be imitators of me" (I Cor. 4:16).

Paul earlier outlined basic truths to the Corinthians. Without them we have no power or hope. Our foundation is the gospel of Christ (1:10-17). Our power is the cross of Christ (1:18-25). Our calling is the knowledge of Christ (1:26-2:5). Paul said, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (2:2). Each of us need to fully embrace the gospel into our lifestyle.

My desire is to see congregations come together weekly for united prayer, such as Fri. night. This could be rotated among congregations. Leaders are critical for unity. A leadership core of pastors need to embrace a kingdom agenda and pray together for the sake of the unsaved in all our communities. To communicate the gospel effectively, we must unite the whole church around the person of Jesus Christ.

Please pray for the following:
            1. Follow-up after Jan. 13^th Building Brothers Pursuit of God workshop. Pray that a leadership
core of men develop in each church whose only motivation is to know Christ and Him crucified.

1. Men’s Bible study beginning Tues, Jan. 23^rd, from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m., Roper & Sons, 43^rd &
   "O". I will lead an Old Testament Walk-Thru and Romans study. Pray that these men begin to love God with all their heart, mind and soul and their neighbor as themselves.
2. Karen and I will lead a marital intimacy class beginning in Feb. Please pray that these couples fall in love with God and one another as they grasp hold of the power of the gospel.
3. Pray that God provides the additional $1400 a month needed to meet our budget.

In Christ,

Mark Pomeroy