BEING STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 31

In our message, BEING STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE… (1 Cor. 16:1-12), we looked at additional questions the church had for Paul (1 Cor. 16:1, 12). The first one deals with stewardship. In view of our certain future of being glorified and reigning with the Lord (1 Cor. 15:51-52, 58), we are called to also excel in the grace of giving (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-8, etc.).

While this question from Corinth to Paul (i.e.… Continue reading

THE FINAL VICTORY

In our message, THE FINAL VICTORY (1 Cor. 15:42-58), we continued our series in the book of First Corinthians looking at the Gospel and specifically the time when Jesus will return for the church and Christians will be glorified in Him (Rom. 8:30, 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Cor. 5:9-10, etc.).

Paul continued to explain what would happen to a Christian who had died before Jesus’ return (1 Cor. 15:42-49) and then transitioned to what would happen bodily to those of us who are alive when Jesus returns for the church (1 Cor.… Continue reading

THE GLORIFIED BODY

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 29

In our message, THE GLORIFIED BODY (1 Cor. 15:29-41), we looked at two additional arguments for the glorification of the body of Christians followed by some discussion on what that body would look like…

There is a conversation we are not privy to between the apostle Paul and the church in Corinth, and we see this here as Paul brings forward an argument based upon a practice that had crept into the church in Corinth at that time (i.e.… Continue reading

THE DEATH OF DEATH

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 28

In our sermon, THE DEATH OF DEATH (1 Cor. 15:12-28), Paul continued his discussion on the Gospel and specifically the resurrection.

He first used the hypothetical of what it would mean if Christ had not risen from the dead (1 Cor. 15:12-19). Paul explains that if the resurrection of the body is impossible, then the resurrection of Christ is also fiction because Jesus rose bodily (i.e. was resurrected) from the dead (1 Cor.… Continue reading

THE BEST NEWS EVER

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 27

In our sermon, THE BEST NEWS EVER (1 Cor. 15:1-11), Paul defines the Gospel which is the most important message in all of the Bible. “Gospel” means good news and truly it is THE BEST NEWS EVER! (1 Cor. 15:1, 3-4, etc.). Jesus is the hero (the Messiah) of the story as He rescues humanity from a plight we could not deliver ourselves from (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23; 5:8; 2 Cor.… Continue reading

GOD, THE AUTHOR OF PEACE

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 26

In our message, “GOD, THE AUTHOR OF PEACE” (1 Cor. 14:20-40), the Lord concludes His discussion on spiritual gifts and order in church worship services.

Continuing from last week to discuss two spiritual gifts that some in the church in Corinth were misusing and acting in childish ways with (1 Cor. 14:20, 23), God explains “tongues are… a sign… for unbelievers” quoting Isaiah 28:11-12 (1 Cor. 14:21-22).… Continue reading

REGULATING SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 25

In our message, REGULATING SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN LOVE (1 Cor. 14:1-19), the Holy Spirit continued to answer the Corinthian question on how to use spiritual gifts in corporate worship. After describing the nature and purpose of these special endowments from God- given to each of His children as He decides (chapter 12), and the superiority of love (i.e. becoming more like Jesus) which is what the gifts are to be used for (chapter 13), the Lord then begins to discuss how some of these specific gifts used by the Corinthian church in that day should be administered in love (chapter 14).… Continue reading

THE WAY

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 24

In our message, THE WAY (1 Cor. 13:1-13), we looked at the desire of every human heart. All people regardless their belief system or ethnic background are made in the image of God and can only be filled and made whole by Him- their Creator. “God is love,” and only He can bring healing to the broken human heart as well as this world (John 3:16; 1 John 4:16, etc.).… Continue reading

DESIRING GOD

Problems Plaguing a Local Church, Part 23

In our message, DESIRING GOD (1 Cor. 12:12-31), we continued to look at a question about the use of spiritual gifts in corporate worship. At the end of this chapter some will argue we are to desire the spiritual gifts we deem are the “best,” but that is NOT what the Bible is saying! (1 Cor. 12:31). We are to desire God (Matt. 6:33; James 1:17, etc.). The whole focus of the discussion on spiritual gifts from chapters 12 through 14 is to use them to build one another up in love (1 Cor.… Continue reading