“What’d ya get?” (1 Cor. 12:1-11)
God can use anyone. When we come into a faith relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit enables each person to uniquely use their abilities to enhance the local church, the body of Christ. There was some confusion about this aspect of life in the Corinthian church and in many ways that hasn’t changed. We will seek to get a basic understanding of the scope and purpose of spiritual gifts today.WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jun 3, 2018“What’d ya get?” (1 Cor. 12:1-11)
“What’d ya get?” (1 Cor. 12:1-11)God can use anyone. When we come into a faith relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit enables each person to uniquely use their abilities to enhance the local church, the body of Christ. There was some confusion about this aspect of life in the Corinthian church and in many ways that hasn’t changed. We will seek to get a basic understanding of the scope and purpose of spiritual gifts today.
- May 27, 2018Course Correction (1 Cor. 11:17-34)
Course Correction (1 Cor. 11:17-34)
Have you ever felt left out? Have you ever experienced a time in which you knew that you were excluded due to your own social and economic status? While that reality exists in many places, it should never be experienced when we gather as a body of Christ followers. In Corinth, there was not level ground in the partaking of the Lord’s Supper and that needed serious correction. - May 20, 2018On Hats and Haircuts (1 Cor 11:2-16)
On Hats and Haircuts (1 Cor 11:2-16)
This is one of the most confusing passages in all of Scripture. And yet maybe if we look not at the details but at the overall context we can gain some understanding. We will consider how we show honor to God and to one another, as we maintain order and decorum and see if we can’t learn from this section of God’s Word. - May 13, 2018Walking a Fine Line (1 Cor 10:23-11:1)
Walking a Fine Line (1 Cor 10:23-11:1)
This section of 1 Corinthians wraps up the conversation on freedom. It leaves us with questions to answer: How sensitive am I to others? How do I adjust to help them see God? What would I sacrifice for the good of another? And finally do people really see God in me? Hard questions we each must address as we strive to follow Jesus. - May 6, 2018Let This Be A Lesson To You
Let This Be A Lesson To You
We all have examples in life. Some of our role models are very positive and the kind of people we want to emulate. But there are also people in our world of influence who are very negative and can lead us in a wrong direction. As Paul addresses the topic of freedom he is careful to make sure his readers understand and exercise their freedom with care and humility. We will see from some wrong examples that freedom is not the release from responsibility but is best exercised humbly within clear boundaries. - Apr 29, 2018“Freedom and Discipline” (1 Cor 9:19-27)
“Freedom and Discipline” (1 Cor 9:19-27)
If we are to exercise our freedom in Christ effectively, it will be from a standpoint of self-discipline. Many are familiar with this section because it is where Paul mentions his ability to connect with a variety of people at their level, that is freedom. However, he also uses an athletic analogy to talk about how he works to train himself to do nothing that would get in the way of the clear message of the gospel, that is discipline. We each need both in our lives. - Apr 22, 2018“Speaking of My Rights” (1 Cor 9:1-18)
“Speaking of My Rights” (1 Cor 9:1-18)
Ministering for the cause of Christ was not an easy task for the Apostle Paul. He put up with so many hardships and even false accusations. He also made some very clear and conscience choices that enabled him to freely teach about Christ and not feel beholden to anyone. Paul was willing to give up “rights” that were his by virtue of his position in order to freely preach the gospel. What “rights” could God be calling you and me to give up for his sake? - Apr 15, 2018“Are you going to eat that?” (1 Cor 8)
“Are you going to eat that?” (1 Cor 8)
What cultural practices are okay for a Christian and which one’s should we avoid? There are older members of our congregation who can remember when going to movies or any kind of dancing was considered sinful. For years retail establishments were not open on Sunday. What is right, what is wrong? How do we determine? In this chapter Paul sets up a larger conversation that the real issue is our sensitivity to others as they progress in their life with Jesus. - Apr 8, 2018“Wait…What?” (1 Cor 7:25-40)
“Wait…What?” (1 Cor 7:25-40)
Sometimes there are sections of the Bible that just seem confusing. This is one of those sections and it requires us to examine the overall context and cultural realities of the original readers. Paul has spoken about marriage and staying married and being content. Now he will talk about being single and it seems that he is saying it is best to stay single and not get married. What we will discover as we look at this section of his letter to the Corinthian church is that Paul’s message remains consistent. Single or married, we are to be first and foremost committed to serving God. - Apr 1, 2018He is Risen! Just at he said! (Matthew 28:1-15)
He is Risen! Just at he said! (Matthew 28:1-15)
Jesus Christ rose from the dead! We proclaim that amazing event with power and enthusiasm! This is the key to our faith the reality of our hope, the promise of the future. And yet, there have been many from the very beginning, who doubted and sought to disprove the resurrection. In this sermon Pastor Scott looks at resurrection from both sides as Matthew has presented it to us. - Mar 25, 2018Why are you crying Jesus? (Luke 19:41-44)
Why are you crying Jesus? (Luke 19:41-44)
In Luke’s gospel we have a detail about that celebratory ride into Jerusalem that should cause each of us to stop and think. As he looked out over the city Jesus wept. What would cause him to be sad on a day of joy and celebration? What was on Jesus’ mind that others missed? What can we learn? - Mar 18, 2018A Fresh View of My Circumstances (1 Cor 7:17-24)
A Fresh View of My Circumstances (1 Cor 7:17-24)
“If I just had a new job then…” “If I just could move away, then….” “If I just had better neighbors then…” “If my spouse would just understand me then…” One of the realities we need to be reminded of, is that a change of circumstances typically does not change who we are or what we really need in life. In this passage we find Paul shifting the focus from circumstances to heart realities. - Mar 11, 2018“Love and Marriage and stuff” (1 Cor 7:1-16)
“Love and Marriage and stuff” (1 Cor 7:1-16)
The Apostle Paul had received a letter asking him about many things that were troubling the church in Corinth. Trying to live for God in a city of ill-repute, with people from all backgrounds wanting to influence the believers was a difficult task. From Paul’s words in this chapter, we can glean some very clear principles as we seek to manage our lives and marriage relationships in God honoring ways, under sometimes trying circumstances. - Mar 4, 2018A Call to Purity (1 Cor. 6:12-20)
A Call to Purity (1 Cor. 6:12-20)
It is one thing to celebrate the fact that we are each created by God. That is truly an amazing reality. As creatures we were designed for a purpose and that is to bring glory to God as we build a culture that reflects who He truly is. As followers of Jesus we often use the metaphor of being the body of Christ. Paul’s challenge to his readers and to us, is to consider carefully how we are reflecting Jesus and the purity to which he calls all of us, in our daily lives. - Feb 25, 2018I’ll see you in court! (1 Cor. 6:1-11)
I’ll see you in court! (1 Cor. 6:1-11)
There are no two ways about it. The Corinthian church did some things that were messed up. This chapter may take the prize for being messed up. Paul’s corrective here is to separate from people who claim to follow Christ and yet blatantly live a life of sin. But to understand and engage our culture that does not yet know Christ. The Corinthian church seems to have mixed up this concept. Before I am too hard on the Corinthian church , I need to ask myself, “Where am I possibly living a double standard?”