I Corinthians
I Corinthians
It would be hard to make up a church that had more issues in it than the church of first century Corinth. In I Corinthians Paul addresses topics like church divisions, lawsuits, sexual deviency, divorce, spiritual arrogance, idolaty, marriage issues, drunkenness at communion and the misunderstanding of the resurrection of Jesus, among others. One, or perhaps two, of those issues would cause anyone to question the health of a church. And yet, Paul never fails to highlight the evidence of God’s grace in the Corinthian Church while never hesitating to call out its sin and waywardness.
In this year-long – or more – series we are going to walk verse by verse through this great letter. Over that time we are going to address a variety of relevant, and sometimes very controversial subjects, while also being reminded of the grace of God in the midst of their imperfection and ours. The church of Corinth was far from perfect but it was a church that testified to the glorious and finished work of Jesus at the same time.
Ep. 01
Ep. 01
I Corinthians 1:1-9
September 18, 2022
In this message we start a new series on I Corinthians. In spite of what you may have heard, and many think, the church in Corinth may have been the healthiest church in the New Testament. It was also an extremely messy church but in this message we'll notice what Paul saw in the Corinthians greater than their messiness.
Ep. 02
Ep. 02
I Corinthians 1:10-17
September 25, 2022
As North American Christians we live lives of relative safety, ease, and even some cultural approval from non-Christians. Therefore, we often think that the greatest threats to the Church will be either physical persecution—that is being arrested for our faith or killed—or cultural persecution—that is us losing our jobs and social standing because our Christian views are incompatible with our culture’s. But a look at the Bible and church history would suggest that there is a far greater threat. Do you know what group of people has destroyed more churches than any other throughout history? It’s not the Roman Empire, ISIS, or even the Communist regimes of the 20th century. The correct answer—is professing Christians. Professing Christians have done more to damage to the spread of the true Gospel than anyone else. Whether this is the medieval Church that launched the Crusades, or entire denominations that have gone liberal and don’t believe in the authority of the Scriptures, or even church pastors who have abused their congregants—false teachers and false followers of Christ. Therefore, one of the greatest threats to the church today is the danger that lies within. The apostle Paul understood this and addresses here in 1 Cor 1:10-17, 1) the deadly danger of division, 2) what division looks like, and 3) how we can defeat it.
Ep. 03
Ep. 03
I Corinthians 1:18-31
October 2, 2022
Descriptors like “Gospel-Centered” and “Christ-Centered” became buzzwords in the early 2000’s as a way to describe churches and ministries and movements. A proliferation of books filled the market expounding everything from “Gospel-Centered living,” to the “Gospel-Centered family,” to “Gospel-Centered” ministry. But, what does it actually mean to say that a church is “Gospel-Centered” or Shaped by the Gospel? Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 help us answer that question.
Ep. 04
Ep. 04
I Corinthians 2:1-5
October 9, 2022
The message of the gospel is simple, Jesus, who he is, and Jesus, what he has done. We can be tempted to think that if we add style, or flare, it will be better received, and more fruit produced. Our text from I Corinthians 2:1-5 reminds us that the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, alone has the power to transform lives.
Ep. 05
Ep. 05
I Corinthians 2:6-16
October 16, 2022
In this week's text Paul continues addressing the wisdom and power of God which is Jesus crucified but he focuses most of his attention on the role of the Holy Spirit in relation to the wisdom and power of God. In this message we consider the origin, the means, the recipients and finally the outcome of the wisdom and power of God in the life of the believer.
Ep. 06
Ep. 06
I Corinthians 3:1-9
October 23, 2022
In this text Paul returns to the topic of jealousy and strife taking place in the Corinthian church. The cause for these issues was people in the church walking according to the flesh and thinking like mere humans. The cure? A greater understanding of the gospel, which brings unity and peace and places us all on the same footing.
Ep. 07
Ep. 07
I Corinthians 3:10-23
November 6, 2022
People will often say that the church isn't a building, it's a people. Yes and no. In this passage Paul writes that the church, metaphorically and spiritually speaking, is a building. And what he says is that what we build the building on matters. And the type of building we build matters. And how we treat the building matters too.
Ep. 08
Ep. 08
I Corinthians 4:1-7
November 13, 2022
How are we to think of those God has called to be leaders in the Church? Paul tells the Corinthians that we are to regard them as faithful servants of Christ, entrusted with the gospel, who will one day stand before the Lord and receive his commendation.
Ep. 09
Ep. 09
I Corinthians 4:8-21
November 20, 2022
Is there a sin that God hates more than others? We consider that question in this message by looking at the pride of the Corinthians. We also look at the response of Paul to their pride and how it all points to Jesus.
Ep. 10
Ep. 10
I Corinthians 5:1-13 (Part 1)
November 27, 2022
In this message we consider two questions: what is sexual immorality and how should we, the church, respond to it in a way that models Jesus?
Ep. 11
Ep. 11
I Corinthians 5:1-13 (Part 2)
January 15, 2023
In this message we get down in the weeds on the topic of church discipline. What is it? Why is it? And what is the end game of it? Those questions and others are addressed in this message.
Ep. 12
Ep. 12
I Corinthians 6:1-11
January 22, 2023
This passage deals with legal cases between Christians in the church. What should we do, what is OK and most importantly, how is Jesus most glorified in the messiness of legal-wrangling? Lots of questions that this passage seeks to answer.
Ep. 13
Ep. 13
I Corinthians 6:12-20
January 29, 2023
One of the debates of the early church and continues through the centuries has been the debate over law and freedom. "All things are lawful," Paul writes. But what does that mean and how are we to see the freedom that is ours in Christ? Are we free to do whatever we want with our bodies sexually and otherwise? This message addresses those all-important questions.
Ep. 14
Ep. 14
I Corinthians 7:1-9
February 5, 2023
The very first command in the Bible is to be fruitful and multiply. The very first union in the Bible is a marriage. But does the kingdom of God have any room for singleness and celibacy? Paul addresses the topic in our passage and says that singleness and celibacy is a good choice for the right reasons but that celibacy has no role in a marriage.
Ep. 15
Ep. 15
I Corinthians 7:10-16
February 12, 2023
In last week's message we spent the time talking about celibacy and singleness, in this week we talk about marriage. In this week's passage Paul addresses three groups: married Christians, Christians married to non Christians who want to stay married and Christians married to non Christians who want to leave the marriage. This message looks at Paul's counsel to each.
Ep. 16
Ep. 16
I Corinthians 7:17-24
February 19, 2023
We might assume that a group of verses written in the First Century about circumcision and slavery have almost no relevance to our lives in the 21st Century, but, on closer examination, that assumption proves wrong. These verses get to the heart of several issues facing us today: identity, purpose, and contentment. When we begin to understand that the most important thing about us is not our cultural identity (circumcised or uncircumcised), nor our status (bondservant or free), but our identity as those called by God and purchased by Christ, we will begin to live differently.
Ep. 17
Ep. 17
I Corinthians 7:25-40
February 26, 2023
Marriage is to be held in honor by all, Hebrews 13:4 says, Marriage is the first institution God designed and chose to build the nations on. However, marriage is not for all. In this passage Paul lays out the reasons why single people should consider remaining single. However, it's a passage with huge implications for everyone regardless of their relationship status.
Ep. 18
Ep. 18
I Corinthians 15:1-2
March 5, 2023
We're moving ahead in our series on I Corinthians and in the lead up to Easter teaching a series on chapter 15, what is commonly referred to as "The resurrection chapter." In today's message we are only looking at 2 verses where Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, they received, they stand in, and are being saved by. We end with a warning and encouragement that also comes with the gospel.
Ep. 19
Ep. 19
I Corinthians 15:3-11
March 12, 2023
The good news story of the gospel is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. But what if you only had 30 seconds with someone? What would you tell them about the gospel and what evidence would you point to that bore witness to the gospel. Those are the questions this message addresses.
Ep. 20
Ep. 20
I Corinthians 15:12-19
March 19, 2023
What if there is no such thing as a resurrection? There are always cultural pressures that challenge the truth claims of Christianity. As Paul addresses the pushback around the resurrection he demonstrates how foundational the resurrection is to Christian faith. If its absence makes such a difference in our lives, how much more should its reality.
Ep. 21
Ep. 21
I Corinthians 15:20-28
March 26, 2023
Last week's passage was all about the negatives attached to the belief that those in Christ aren't physically resurrected. This week we move onto the positives and look at how the resurrection of Jesus serves as a firstfruit and how our resurrection serves to usher in the end.
Ep. 22
Ep. 22
I Corinthians 15:29-34
April 2, 2023
In this passage Paul continues his defense of the resurrection of Jesus and does so by asking three questions: if the dead aren't raised then, 1, why are you getting baptized on behalf of the dead, 2, why are willing to be in danger every hour, and, 3, why are you believing the ideas of those who have no knowledge of God?
Ep. 23
Ep. 23
I Corinthians 15:35-49
April 7, 2023
In this Good Friday message we look at the resurrection bodies received by those in Christ at the return of Jesus. Paul addresses two questions in this text: how are the dead raised and what will our resurrection bodies be like. The message ends with a reminder of what our new bodies cost and what, in turn, makes Friday so good.
Ep. 24
Ep. 24
I Corinthians 15:50-58
April 9, 2023
This message ends a series on I Corinthians 15 with an Easter Sunday message that wraps up Paul's teaching on the resurrected bodies that those in Christ can expect at the return of Jesus. Why are they necessary, when will they be received and what should we be about in the time in between?
Ep. 25
Ep. 25
I Corinthians 8:1-13
April 16, 2023
Christians are free to engage in activity that the bible does not clearly forbid. The Lord our God is Lord of heaven and earth, Creator of all that is, and all that exists… “For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (I Corinthians 10:26). In his/her eating and drinking… or whatever the Christian chooses to do, he/she ought to do it to the glory of God - I Corinthians 10:31. But what if the activity in question causes another Christian to fall into temptation… by luring him/her back into their former lifestyle with its beliefs and practices? Should a Christian curb his/her freedoms for the sake of those who may stumble? As the Apostle Paul tackles a question regarding “eating food offered to idols” in I Corinthians 8, he gives his audience guiding principles on how they are to handle their Christian liberties and freedoms. There is a lot we can learn from what Paul says to the Corinthian believers.
Ep. 26
Ep. 26
I Corinthians 9:1-23
April 23, 2023
In chapter 9 Paul carries on with the topic he introduced in the previous chapter: Christian liberty. In this week's text Paul uses himself as an example of a proper use of Christian liberty. Paul highlights that he had every right to be paid by the Corinthians but gave that right up for the sake of the gospel and the sake of the lost.
Ep. 27
Ep. 27
I Corinthians 9:19-23
April 30, 2023
Paul's passion, Paul's mission entrusted to him by God, was to see as many come to saving faith in Jesus as possible. In this passage we consider what this meant practically in Paul's life, what it means to us now and how Jesus is the ultimate example to imitate.
Ep. 28
Ep. 28
I Corinthians 9:24-27
May 7, 2023
Paul often usings sporting analogies when talking about the Christian life. In this passage he compares the Christian life to running a race and boxing an opponent. And what he says is that Christians are to run and fight with self-control, with purpose and with perseverance so as to not be disqualified from receiving the prize.
Ep. 29
Ep. 29
I Corinthians 10:1-13
May 14, 2023
This passage is a warning and calls us to learn from the calamity of the Israelites in their forty-year wilderness journey. God's chosen people then had so many privileges and advantages and yet, Paul writes that God was not pleased with most of them. Christians today have advantages that exceed the people then and yet, we too are in danger of great calamity if we don't learn from their tragic example.
Ep. 30
Ep. 30
I Corinthians 10:14-22
May 21, 2023
John Calvin once called the human heart an “idol factory.” But if we’ve put our trust in Jesus to forgive us our sins, what’s the problem with chasing a few earthly pleasures for ourselves? In 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 Paul helps us to see that idolatry simply makes no sense for the Christian given the reality of our salvation and in fact it exposes us to very real and powerful spiritual forces.
Ep. 31
Ep. 31
I Corinthians 10:23-11:1
May 28, 2023
This week's text ends Paul's three chapter teaching on Christian liberty - how should a Christian live, what choices should they make, when the Bible doesn’t speak specifically to a particular activity? Paul's fivefold answer: choose to build up not tear down, choose freedom over legalism, choose others over ourself, choose God's glory over our own, and choose Jesus above all else.
Ep. 32
Ep. 32
I Corinthians 11:2-16
June 4, 2023
In this week's passage we look at the call on men and women in the church and home and how God's timeless principles guide ever changing costumes and practices.
Ep. 33
Ep. 33
I Corinthians 11:17-34
June 11, 2023
In this message we look at the problem taking place in the Corinthian Church: The rich were hoarding their food and getting drunk at their Communion feasts. Paul responds with clarity on the pattern and purpose for Communion and the penalty for carrying on in the same way. He ends with what the plan should be going ahead.
Ep. 34
Ep. 34
Who is the Holy Spirit?
September 17, 2023
With this week's message we launch a series within our series on I Corinthians. Over the fall we will be looking at I Corinthians 12-14 and discovering what Paul writes about the gifts of the Spirit and how they are to be worked out in the life of the church. However, before getting to chapter 12 we are spending four weeks on the Holy Spirit specifically and beginning this week by asking, "Who is the Holy Spirit?"
Ep. 35
Ep. 35
The Day of Pentecost
September 24, 2023
In this message we look at one of the most significant days in the history of the church. On the day known as Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit comes upon those told to wait in Jerusalem. And with His coming three things take place: power is given, Babel is reversed and numbers are added.In this message we look at one of the most significant days in the history of the church. On the day known as Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit comes upon those told to wait in Jerusalem. And with His coming three things take place: power is given, Babel is reversed and numbers are added.
Ep. 36
Ep. 36
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
October 1, 2023
In this message we jump into a topic that, sadly, causes some controversy in the church - the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the baptist said that Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and Jesus said that's what took place on the day of Pentecost. What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, what are the controversies surrounding it and what are the marks of it?
Ep. 37
Ep. 37
The Work of the Holy Spirit
October 8, 2023
There are a lot of ways you could answer the question, what is the Holy Spirit doing in the world today? This message answers by looking at the five metaphors used of the Holy Spirit where in them we discover what He does and what He's doing.
Ep. 38
Ep. 38
I Corinthians 12:1-11
October 15, 2023
In this week's message we finally get to I Corinthians 12 and address Paul's main concern of why the gifts of the Spirit were given to the church. But before we go there we lay some foundation by defining certain things connected to the gifts themselves. We end this message by being reminded of the greatest gift of them all.
Ep. 39
Ep. 39
I Corinthians 12:12-20
October 22, 2023
In this week's message we respond to the idea that some have that we can do the Christian life separate from the local church. But that can't be the case, Paul writes, because the gifts we've been given in the Spirit have been given for the common good. Additionally, Christians have been baptized by the Spirit into one body, the church - universal and local. What this means practically and how we are to view one another in the church are things this message also considers.
Ep. 40
Ep. 40
I Corinthians 12:21-26
October 29, 2023
Ep. 41
Ep. 41
I Corinthians 12:27-31
November 5, 2023
This week's passage is essentially a summary of chapter 12. There is nothing new but it's helpful and important because we've seen a lot so far and reminders are a good thing. In this week's message we use our passage to be reminded of six things related to the gifts of the Spirit setting things up for chapter 13 and the more excellent way.
Training Night - Part 01
Part 01
Training Night
November 8, 2023
Training Night - Part 02
Part 02
Training Night
November 8, 2023
Ep. 42
Ep. 42
I Corinthians 13:1-3
November 12, 2023
In this week's passage Paul says some of the most dramatic statements in the entire Bible: without love we are nothing and without love we gain nothing—regardless of what we say, give, know or do. In this message we dive deep to the extent this takes and why the way of love is the higher and more excellent way.
Ep. 43
Ep. 43
I Corinthians 13:4-13
November 19, 2023
In last week's passage - I Corinthians 13:1-3 - Paul wrote that nothing we say, nothing we have and nothing we do matters apart from love. Apart from love we are clanging gongs and we gain nothing and are nothing. The obvious question then is, “what is love?” In this week’s passage he answers but he doesn’t answer by defining love but describing it and tells us what love is, what love isn’t and why love is greatest.
Ep. 44
Ep. 44
I Corinthians 14:1-25 (Part 1)
November 26, 2023
The topic of Prophecy and Tongues excites some and confuses others, and entire denominations have been formed around where people land on this topic. In this message we will examine how Paul describes the gift of tongues and what instruction he provides on their use.
Ep. 45
Ep. 45
I Corinthians 14:1-25 (Part 2)
December 3, 2023
In last week's message we looked at the gift of tongues, this week we look at the gift of prophecy. After giving a definition of prophecy we will focus on how, 1, the NT spiritual gift of prophecy does not hold the same weight and authority as the OT prophets. 2, the role of the first generation/century prophet was unique and does not carry on today. And 3, the church should eagerly desire the gift of prophesy.
Ep. 46
Ep. 46
I Corinthians 14:20-25
January 7, 2024
After a Christmas break we come back to the final few weeks of our study of I Corinthians and specifically, the gift of tongues and prophecy. In this message we look at three things: 1, the call to continue growing in spiritual maturity. 2, why tongues, without interpretation, are a sign of judgment for the unbeliever. And 3, why the church should emphasize prophecy when it comes together.
Ep. 47
Ep. 47
I Corinthians 14:26-33a
January 14, 2024
As we near the end of this series on the spiritual gifts we ask what should mark the church when it comes together? Although Paul's main concern isn't to give a hard template to follow he does provide some clear guidelines while reminding us of what's most important, the mutual building up of the church.
Ep. 48
Ep. 48
I Corinthians 14:33b-40
January 21, 2024
We end our series on the Spiritual Gifts by looking at one of the most disagreed and disputed texts in the New Testament. In it, we will look at Paul's call to women, his call to men, the authority of Paul and the warning to all.
Ep. 49
Ep. 49
I Corinthians 16:1-4
January 28, 2024
Money, and our money personally, is one of those subjects that we would most like kept private. Paul, however, doesn't shy away from it. And in this week's message we consider the subject and learn what we can from Paul's call on the Corinthians to support the saints in Jerusalem.
Ep. 50
Ep. 50
I Corinthians 16:5-24
February 4, 2024
As we come to the end of a long letter like 1 Corinthians, we are sometimes tempted to think that the concluding remarks are sort of ‘filler material.’ Here we find mention of Paul’s travel plans, some personal greetings, and an exhortation or two. Since the travel plans have already taken place, and the people mentioned are unfamiliar to us, we might wonder what practical benefit a passage like this has for the church today. In reality, what Paul writes here has tremendous value in shaping our perspective and our practice.