Everything in Love

I Corinthians 16:10-24

Today we wrap up the second of our two series in 1 Corinthians. We began back in May of last year with our first series entitled “Broken but Indispensable,” a theme that highlights God’s redemptive work and beautiful purposes for us as believers living by his grace. Love has been our theme in the second series, starting with chapter 13, the famous chapter defining and describing love. Love was the matter of first importance that Paul has highlighted for these believers – and for our benefit, all these hundreds of years later. We’ve looked at how the theme of love has been woven through the second part of this book. The final section of this last chapter concerns information and commands about miscellaneous people, along with greetings, and a brief benediction at the very end. Some of these details may seem mundane, but even here we see the practical application of the godly, agape love that Paul wants to be a part of their lives. He even makes it completely explicit in verse 14: “Do everything in love.”

Collections & Open Doors

 I Corinthians 16:1-9

Good morning!  I have had a distinct privilege these last three weeks since I had the opportunity to give a Sunday morning message.  I have been teaching one of our Sunday school classes, and it has been a real treat.  I’ve enjoyed the worship time with all the kids before we go to separate classes.  I’ve enjoyed learning and studying the Bible together.  It has been an honor to pray together with my class.  The faith of youngsters is always a joy to experience.

Bearing A New Image

I Corinthians 15:35-58

Welcome! Today we continue our exploration of the book of I Corinthians, finishing Chapter 15. This entire wonderful chapter focuses on resurrection. Today we will look at verses 35 to 58, but I want to first review the earlier part of the chapter.

Before I do this, though, I want to talk in some depth about Gnosticism. We have touched on Gnosticism at various times while going through I Corinthians and in other series, but I think a deeper treatment will help us in appreciating some of today’s passage.

Firstfruits

I Corinthians 15:12-34

The theme of our series here in the latter part of 1 Corinthians is “Of First Importance.” Paul has several very important truths that he wants to make sure the Corinthian believers understand. We have love at the center of what it means to be a Christian: the love of God personified in Jesus, our response of love for Him and love for each other. This is what chapter 13 is all about. Then in chapter 14 we are to “follow the way of love” as we seek and apply the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Last Sunday, Fred started us off on chapter 15 by bringing us back to the centrality of the cross. Why did Jesus have to die? What does it mean that he was a sacrifice for sin? And today, in the next part of that chapter, we home in on the resurrection of Jesus. We can accept that He died – even unbelievers do that – why is it important that He rose again? This is certainly a matter of first importance. This chapter tells us that it is essential to our faith. Paul asserts that if there is no resurrection we are of all people most to be pitied. Why does he get so intense about this topic? Why is it so important? Let’s begin reading at verse 12.

Died, Buried, & Raised

I Corinthians 15:1-11

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.  Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.—I Corinthians 15:1-11

When You Come Together

I Corinthians 14:26-40

Good morning and welcome!  It is a blessing to be together as a body of believers.  God has been gracious to us in so many ways that it is difficult to properly understand and express gratitude for all He’s done for us.

I am thankful to God for you His saints, His holy ones.  I am thankful for the opportunity to gather together.  We have the means to gather.  We have safety when gathered.  We have a place to gather.  We have abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.  Sometimes, I wonder what the saints of the first century church would think if they could see us now.  The chairs you sit on are comfortable.  Just the fact that you have chairs at all is a luxury even today.  Our stomachs are filled.  If there is anyone here who didn’t eat breakfast, it was because you chose not to, not because you didn’t have something to eat.  We have musical instruments and musicians to play them.  We have more Bibles here than there are people.  Everyone here can read.  Everyone can hear and see.  I fail to be properly grateful most of the time.  May we make time to be thankful each day.  Let’s give thanks now as we come together …

Signs & Secrets

1 Corinthians 14:6-25

Welcome! Today, as promised last week, we will really delve into the main body of I Corinthians Chapter 14 and explore the meaning of the gifts, especially prophecy and speaking in tongues. I’ve got a huge amount of ground to cover today. It is critical that we see the passage in context, so I am going to go back to I Cor. 12:7, going through to today’s passage, with brief comments as we go.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines. – I Cor. 12:7-11

The Way of Love

 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Welcome! Today we continue on in our series of I Corinthians. For the next two weeks we will discuss I Corinthians Chapter 14 which primarily deals with the gifts of tongues and prophecy. At the outset, let me say that Christians, mature believers, have had a pretty wide spectrum of beliefs about how to properly understand and interpret this chapter. My approach this week and next will be, as best I can, while giving an overview of this range of interpretations, to really try to look at this chapter in the context of the rest of I Corinthians and in context with the rest of Scripture.

In order to get that context, I want to go back to Chapters 12 and 13, because there is some key content in these chapters that will really help us as we seek to understand Chapter 14. Going to verse 4 of Chapter 12,

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. – I Cor. 12:4-6

This is one of what I think are the two main themes of Chapter 12 – there are lots of ways God supernaturally equips and empowers believers, but they are all given by the one and only true God. This is also the primary point in the following verses:

The Persistence of Love

I Corinthians 13:7-13

Good morning!  It is so wonderful to gather and praise God together, isn’t it?  He is worthy of praise. 

Why is God worthy of praise? 

2 Samuel 22:4 says He is worthy because He saves us. Psalm 48:1 says He is worthy because of the good things He has done. Psalm 96:4 says He is worthy because He is real, He made the heavens and the earth, He is holy, He reigns. Psalm 145:3 says He is worthy because of His greatness which no one can fathom.

Of course, there are lots of reasons to praise God, not least of which is God’s persistence.

True Love

1 Corinthians 13:5-6

I would like to open to the book of Dabo chapter 35 verse 31. And Dabo saith, “Let the light inside of you shine brighter than the light shining on you.”

Now for our real passage, I Corinthians 13:5-6:

[Love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Paul isn’t saying that we need to follow these rules in order to complete the task of loving others. He’s just showing that the foundational reason for exercising spiritual gifts is to love others. Love is more difficult and less “shiny” than the brand new spiritual gifts that the Corinthian believers were experiencing. I don’t think the list in 1 Corinthians 13 is an exhaustive list of what love is. Paul is listing qualities of love that were in contrast to the way the church in Corinth was exercising their spiritual gifts. Apparently, they had been rude, self-seeking, easily angered, etc.

The Most Excellent Way

1 Corinthians 13:1-4

Welcome! Today we are beginning our series entitled Of First Importance which, over the next few months, takes us through I Corinthians 13-16. Viewed another way, this is the conclusion of our earlier series Broken but Indispensable which took us through the first 12 chapters; this series took place last year from May through early October. With the Christmas season approaching, we chose to do a shorter series on worship and then pick up I Corinthians this year so that we wouldn’t feel rushed through the incredibly rich and dense material that we see in the latter part of I Corinthians. We wanted to take our time so that the content would really sink in, so that we would have time to really explore the practical applications of the material.

Indispensable and...

I Corinthians 12:12-31

We’re finishing our series titled Broken and Indispensable today.  We’re going to take a pause at this point in the book of I Corinthians, and we will come back to the last four chapters as a separate series starting in January.

Our passage for today is the second part of chapter 12.  Last week, Tim shared on that first portion regarding spiritual gifts.  The closing thought from last week’s passage was that different spiritual gifts are given to different individuals as determined by the Holy Spirit.  And so, we are each uniquely equipped for works of service.  Verse 7 said these gifts are “given for the common good.”  In other words, we should not use our gifts for our own benefit, but rather to benefit others. 

Today, we’re going to see that idea reinforced and talk about how God intends the body of Christ to fit together like a physical body.  These themes will also lead us to speak of the unity within the Body of Christ.

Different Kinds of Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

In our study of 1 Corinthians we have come across several issues where Paul has needed to correct the understanding or practices of the believers in Corinth. In the last chapter he addressed head coverings and the Lord’s Supper; in our passage for today he wants to teach the Corinthians more about the role of the Holy Spirit. Their understanding was limited to some degree. What does the Holy Spirit do? What is His job description? They probably knew God the Father as the Creator and Jesus as the Savior. It’s harder to identify the Holy Spirit with one main role.

If you look through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, you can actually find more than 50 types of things that the Holy Spirit does. He is instrumental in drawing us to God, in convicting us of sin, in regenerating us into new people, and in comforting, encouraging, directing, teaching, and empowering us day by day. In a couple of weeks we will be starting a new sermon series on worship, and one of the things we will talk about for sure is the essential role of the Holy Spirit in true worship.

The Lord's Supper

I Corinthians 11:17-34

Good morning and welcome!

We are continuing on in our series on the book of I Corinthians.  Last week, Carl covered the first portion of chapter 11.  Now, we’ll pick up there and finish the chapter with the subject of the Lord’s Supper. 

This whole chapter is best understood in the context of actions done in public gatherings, rather than what goes on in the privacy of one’s own home.  And, these themes continue through the remainder of the entire book of I Corinthians.

Let’s pray before we start into today’s verses.

Lord Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your own body on the cross for us.  Thank you for the memorial of the Lord’s Supper.  Please sharpen and freshen our minds and our hearts regarding this special remembrance of You.  Teach us, we pray.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Coverings

(I Cor. 11:1-16)

Welcome! Today we continue our series into I Corinthians, coming to Chapter 11. Let me say this is a hotly debated and contested passage, one of the most debated passages in all of scripture. One key question is whether the specific practice, head covering, is applicable today. There is also a question about appropriate hair length. Another key question is what the passage has to say about men’s and women’s roles in general. We will talk about all these questions today. You could say we have a lot to “cover,” so let’s get right to the passage.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. – I Cor. 11:1

Running from Idolatry

1 Corinthians 10:14-33

On December 2nd, 2006 I made a choice.  I said “I do” to Miriam.  And that meant that I said “I don’t” to every other woman on the face of the Earth.  I’m glad I said “I do.”  Miriam actually said the words “I sure do.”  

When it comes to loving God, you say “no” to everyone else and every other thing that can come between you and God.  It doesn’t mean you can’t love a spouse.  We just can’t put the spouse before God.  It doesn’t mean that you can’t make money.  We just don’t want to serve money over God.  

So, Paul talks about this issue of idolatry in 1 Corinthians 10, which is putting something before Him.  I divided up this passage into two sections.  One is focused on clear issues of idolatry.  The other is focused on grey areas of the Christian life.

Running to Win

I Corinthians 9:24-10:13

Welcome! Today we continue our series into I Corinthians, finishing Chapter 9 and going on into Chapter 10. Although today’s passage starts with verse 24 of Chapter 9, I want to back up a little and go back to verses 19-23.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. – I Cor. 9:19-23

Self-Denial for the Gospel

I Corinthians 9:1-23

Praise God for the precious gift of His Son.

In the time we have remaining, let us continue with our study of I Corinthians.  We are going to read through a good portion of chapter 9 today.  The thoughts there stand by themselves, but it is helpful to consider where we finished up last week.

Tim shared on chapter 8, and the message there affirms our liberty in Christ.  We are free.  At the same time, we should take care with our liberty and how we express it.  We need to consider that our knowledge is limited.  And so, we need to think and act with humility.  But, we do not need to be afraid because God is more powerful than anything.  We can move forward with confidence.  And yet, we may need to choose to limit our freedom out of concern for our brother or sister. Our guiding principle must be love.  If taking advantage of our right to freedom would cause someone else to sin or even stumble, we should give up that freedom. (1 Corinthians 8:13)

In today’s passage, we are going to read about Paul’s example of his use of liberty.  I think what we will see is that he’s going to turn the reasonable and even Biblical course of action on its head.  While his course or direction may seem strange and certainly distinct, I think it is easier to understand by having just taken communion together.

Voluntary Limits to Freedom

I Corinthians 8:1-13

I want to begin by saying that I was really blessed by Scott Brittin’s message last Sunday. The phrase “reign in life” from Romans 5:17 caught my eye many years ago, and I have frequently pondered what it actually means. It’s clear that when sin reigns in us it leads to death: the deadening of our spiritual life and sensitivity; the death of our relationships with God and with other people. To be able to reign in life sounds like such a wonderful thing. How many people, including believers, just seem to be getting by, going through the motions, not failing but not really thriving either? I know I feel like this at times. 

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to live in the reality of Christ’s victory all the time, to reign in life consistently? The key, as we were reminded last week, is to receive grace – the abundance of grace that God offers. There is tremendous freedom and power in simply remembering and taking to heart how much God loves us: that He accepts us the way we are – while always desiring more for us. Reigning in life means experiencing true freedom from everything that would drag us down or hold us back.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.—Galatians 5:1

Live as God Has Called You

1 Corinthians 7:17-40

 

The message opened with the first 2 minutes of this clip…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFiljc9NVJs

Does anyone recognize which movie that clip comes from?  It’s from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  That clip came to mind yesterday when I was working on the message.  I had added this thought, “even though it is not a command what Paul has written is clearly a better course of action.”  I’m kind of weird, but I often see life as a big story.  I’m always looking for themes and seeing parallels in movies and other media.

That particular scene where the horse Philippe looks first down the dark path and then the cheerful path cracks me up.  He purses his lips, shakes his head, and then tries to go down the bright and safe path.  I like to think I’m like Philippe, always choosing the right path.

In reality, I’m afraid I’ve been a lot like Maurice the old man.  He comes to the sign post, but the signs are illegible or contradictory, kind of like the signs our world gives.  He looks at his map but he’s not reading it correctly.  Then, he chooses the wrong path and later blames his error on Philippe.  “Where have you taken us, Philippe?”