Believers today often live as though this life will never end. Paul's plea for the church of Corinth is to encourage the church to live as thought eternity is just around the corner. This life is fleeting, we are just passing through, and only what is done for eternity holds any ultimate value. Support the show
God saves people from all different backgrounds, from every ethnicity, social status and income level. Rather than complaining about our circumstances or using them as an excuse as to why we cannot serve God, Paul expects all believers to live out the gospel in whatever situation they find themselves in. Bloom where you are planted! Support the show
Paul turns his attention to a question that the Corinthians had posed to him regarding the proper etiquette between men and women in the church. He then addresses issues about singleness, marriage, marital responsibilities and divorce. In this counter-cultural chapter, Paul explains how believers ought to behave, whether they are married or not. Support the show
Love encourages, love, edifies, love sacrifices for, and sometimes, love sternly rebukes. In this text Paul's frustration with the Galatians is evident as he rebukes them harshly for their leaving of the gospel of faith for legalism. The Christian life is both entered and lived by faith; this truth, proclaimed by Paul, is seen in the conversion experience of the Galatians as well as the Father of Judaism, Abraham. Support the show
The believers in Corinth assumed their freedom afforded them the ability to satisfy their flesh without fear of repercussion. Unfortunately, they failed to understand that freedom is a gift from God given to believers so that they may in love serve one another and live to glorify God. Support the show
The law of God was never meant to justify; rather, the law reveals the holiness of God and the sinfulness of men. It is the law that informs mankind of their need of a Saviour outside of themselves. Paul makes it abundantly clear that any man who is justified (declared righteous) before a holy God is justified on the basis of their faith in Christ's finished work on the cross alone. Once we have been justified, we are now free from the bondage of the law and empowered to live a new life of obedi...
The Apostle Peter is known for wonderful acts of courage, and tremendous lapses of faith. As Paul continues to defend the Gospel to the churches of Galatia, he relays the story of Peter's failure as the fear of men causes him to break fellowship with the Gentile believers in Antioch and deny the truth of the gospel with his actions. Support the show
As Paul continues his defense of the gospel in his letter to the churches of Galatia, he helps them understand how they ought to view others. The leaders must be seen as under the authority of God, the poor as cared for by God and the individual as a servant of God in desperate need of His power. Support the show
God's law is good and is effectual in its purpose of both revealing the character and holiness of God as well as diagnosing the sinfulness of man. In this text, Paul is fighting against the notion that the keeping of the law is a necessary part of salvation for the Gentile. Paul was willing to fight against the false teachers and the bondage their message would bring. The message he defended is that the gospel is by grace through faith alone; so should we! Support the show...
Christianity is unique because it is the only faith that teaches that God stepped in to rescue humanity when we were hopeless and helpless ourselves. Those who have been rescued must now live like it. Jesus saves us as we are, but He does not intend to leave us that way. Sinners must come to Christ for new life and then live that new life in a way that is completely different than their old lives. Support the show
Paul provides very clear instruction regarding a specific problem that was faced by the church in Corinth; believers were bringing lawsuits against fellow believers and in doing so, bring shame to the church and to Christ. While this situation does not apply to everyone, the principle that believers ought to be willing to suffer the wrong because they know who they are in Christ and the eternal life they have waiting for them does. Support the show...
Paul begins his defense of the gospel and his apostleship by firmly stating that his desire is to please God and not men. The testimony of his life reveals a man who, in his former life, terrorized Christians; now, he has been saved by the grace of God and lives to share that grace with others. The end result of Paul's desire to please God is the glory of God as others see God's grace at work in Paul. Support the show
When believers live in unrepentant sin, it is the responsibility of the church to abstain from fellowship with them until their sin is confessed and forsaken. Believers are not commanded to separate themselves from the world, but they are expected to remain God's pure and holy people within the world they live. When sin comes into the church, it must be dealt with in a way that is ultimately restorative. Support the show
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pivotal point in all of history. If Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today, it changes everything for everyone. The message is a clear gospel presentation that shows why Jesus had to come and what his death means for the sinner. Salvation, forgiveness and redemption are offered as free gifts today because Jesus died and rose again. Support the show
On good Friday mankind tortured and murdered God incarnate in the flesh. How could anyone call this day good? On the most evil day in history, God poured out His wrath against all sin on the head of His Son Jesus. His death alone provides the only sacrifice for sins acceptable to a righteous and holy God. The death of Jesus is the only hope for sinners. That is why we call it good. Support the show
Tolerance is the cardinal virtue of Western society; unfortunately, this virtue has been altered in a way that is intolerant of anyone who believes in absolute truth. Jesus Christ made exclusive claims to truth and in the book of Galatians, Paul is arguing for the only gospel that is truly good news. Christians in our society must stand against cultural pressure and boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus as the only gospel that bring eternal salvation. Support the show...
Sin must be dealt with within the church. Even in a sin-infested culture like Corinth, the church was to maintain a standard of holiness in the lives of its members. When believers failed to confess and repent of their sin, Paul advises the church to deal with that member by putting them out of the church for a time; however, his method was redemptive; his goal was to see the erring believer restored to fellowship. Support the show
The first sermon in the new series entitled, "Spying Out Our Liberty in Christ" focuses on Paul's introductory statements as he writes this letter to the church he started in Galatia. Paul writes with evident passion and anger as he has come to understand that the Galatians have added to the Gospel of Grace that he taught them. He establishes that the true gospel is given by the authority of God and for the glory of God. Support the show...
Paul understand that the only judge that mattered was the Lord. He lived his life in a way that would please Him and Him alone. The Corinthians, on the other hand, lived to be judged well by their peers and spent their time aligning themselves with the best preachers and orators. Paul's advice to them was simple: Follow me as I follow Christ. Support the show
Luke's record of the early church ends mid-stride as Paul is preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God and of things concerning Jesus. The world had attempted to silence Paul, but his chains only served to provide a new platform for his ministry. Now under house arrest and chained to a Roman guard, Paul is sharing the gospel "with all confidence and without hindrance". Believers today are called to that same ministry. Support the show...
Paul's turns his focus to the leadership of the church; those who teach and preach the Word. This passage is often used to portray carnal believers whose works are burned at the judgment seat of Christ; however, the context of these verses do not support this view. Instead, Paul is warning the Corinthians to ensure that their teaching and leadership is built on the foundation of Christ. Support the show
The New Testament is the very best book that was ever written. The printing press made it available for the common man; modern technology has served to place innumerable resources for the study of God's Word at our fingertips. Unfortunately, this unlimited access to the Bible has caused many to take it for granted. This must change. God's people must be grateful for the Scripture and give it the reverence and authority it deserves. Support the show...
The Gospel presentation meets two very different responses; belief or unbelief. In this passage, Paul explains that the reason for the unbelief of the majority of Jews is their spiritual blindness and deafness. The question this sermon deals with is, why were they deaf and blind (unwilling or unable), and what are we to do about it. Support the show
Now in Rome, Paul gathers all the Jewish leaders into his rented house and shares with them that it is for the Hope of Israel that he is bound in chains. Paul was devoted to the gospel above everything else in his life, and it is for that hope that he has hazarded his life. Yet as Paul's life was bound in chains, it is clear that Paul is the one who is truly free, and he is the one who has finally found the joy that we often seek. Support the show...
New converts are expected to be immature in their faith, but there is a problem when people have been saved for years and yet they are still in need of baby food and diapers. Paul challenges the church of Corinth (and us) to grow up; to examine their lives and allow the Word of God to grow them into the person God desires them to be. Support the show
The Book of Revelation was not written so that men and women in the 21st century could obsess and debate the interpretation of the where, when, and how. Revelation reveals the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, provided necessary strength and encouragement to persecuted believers and spurred nominal believers into action. Revelation is a tough book, but it must be approached with the glory of Christ in view and a desire to let it change our hearts rather then fulfill our curio...
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Paul was an amazing man, but what we must never forget about Paul, was that his strength did not only come from within. Paul was encouraged by God and he took courage when he was shown love, kindness and hospitality by other believers. We all need one another; that is God's design for the church - to be a unified body with each part doing its job for the good of all. Support the show
The Gospel is glorious, powerful and true, but to the secular world around us, it sounds a little crazy. God's plan is not for believers to be haughty in spirit or eloquent in speech, but to be faithful to the message of the cross. When we are, He uses foolish and imperfect people for eternal benefit. Support the show
Genuine faith is only meaningful if it is also accurate faith - that is, faith in the true gospel rather than in a perversion. Jude writes to charge believers to remain strong in the faith and to defend it against heresy and ungodliness to the end. Support the show
