Walking by the Spirit is God's only plan of growth and fruitfulness for every Christian. Apart from the power of the indwelling Spirit, mankind is powerless to overcome sin and bring about the transformation of character that the Bible expects of God's people. The good news: when believers walk by the Spirit, these attributes will flow from their lives naturally. Support the show
As Paul tackles the problem with spiritual gifts in Corinth, he begins by reminding them that the church is one body made up of many parts. Each part is significant, and each part should be actively using their personalities, resources, talents, and gifts for the benefit of the whole body. Support the show
Patience, kindness, and goodness are three characteristics that ought to mark the life of every believer; however, if we are honest, very rarely do these attributes flow from our lives like they ought to. Once again, Paul encourages the Galatians and us to walk by the Spirit so that we might be enabled and empowered to bear Christ-like fruit in our lives. Support the show
The Church in Corinth believed themselves to be spiritual based on the existence of spiritual gifts in their lives. As Paul explains, this could not be further from the truth. Spiritual gifts are to be exercised for the good of the whole body, never to lift oneself up or to gauge one's level of spirituality. Support the show
In this difficult passage of Scripture, Paul is teaching the Corinthian believers, a group of people living a midst a confused and immoral culture, about the importance of gender distinctions, roles, and equality. Men and women are created equal and in the image of God; yet they were created different to compliment one another. When men and women embrace their gender distinctions and roles, they will find the freedom and purpose that God created them for. Support the show...
Love, joy and peace are three wonderful and powerful characteristics that we all desire to have in our lives. Unfortunately, Satan has worked hard to convince us that those attributes can be attained in temporal programs and pleasure, apart from God. The truth is, it is only in walking by the Spirit that the Spirit will produce His fruit in our lives. When believers walk by the Spirit, they will experience true love, eternal joy, and inexplicable peace that only the Gospel can bring. Support the...
The Bible often refers to the "flesh" as the selfish desires that man has that are contrary to the will and the timing of God. It is the old nature within all of us that ultimately results in our constant battle against sin and evil. However, those who are born-again in Christ have a new nature - the Spirit of God within them that battles against the flesh. This message will discuss the works of the flesh, and how believers can experience victory when they walk daily with the Spirit. Support the...
The Lord's Supper is one of two ordinances that Christ gave the church. Celebrating it together as a church family reminds us of the love of our Saviour, our equality as children of God, and our unity in the cause of Christ. Support the show
Freedom! What a wonderful thought!! Unfortunately, our flesh will constantly lead us back into one form of bondage or another, even with the best intentions to by love serve one another. Paul's solution for this problem and the key to victorious Christian living is found in this one statement: Walk by the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Support the show
This sermon addresses a controversial text in 1 Corinthians wherein Paul speaks about issues of authority and submission. Paul's words are counter-cultural in this day in age, and can certainly be abused; nevertheless, Paul's complementarian perspective on men and women is needful for the church today, a church in great need of clarity. Support the show
Freedom is glorious gift of God made possible by the sending of His Son to take the penalty of sin upon himself at the cross. That freedom can be used by the believer to love and serve others and ultimately to glorify God; or we can use it to pursue sin and selfish endeavors. In this text, Paul encourages believers to love their neighbours as themselves. Support the show
Paul's balanced perspective on Christian Freedom is explained to the Corinthians who have misunderstood freedom to mean license. Rather than being legalistic, Paul explains that our freedom should be used to edify others, to glorify God, and to share the gospel so that others can be saved. Support the show
This message is a break from the series in Corinthians to address a problematic pattern that occurs in the lives of far too many believers in North America. Rather than desiring to truly know God and to meet with Him, we are content to show up, "do church" and then live our lives as we please. Support the show
This text provides one of the most shocking and rude statements made by the Apostle Paul in all of his writings. His attack on the false teachers who are adding works to faith for salvation is explicit as he fears for the flock in Galatia. His warning is especially relevant in an era of political correctness where false teachers are rarely condemned as they should be. Support the show
The Communion service is a time for the believer to publically participate in a symbolic representation of a spiritual reality. Christians are in union with the body and blood of Christ. This truth ought to help us choose wisely what other things we choose to join ourselves to. Yes, Christians have freedom, but that freedom should be used to glorify God rather than misused for our own pleasure. Support the show
After four chapters of making his case for justification by faith alone, Paul boldly commands the Galatians to Stand fast in the freedom Christ has given them. The only way that Christians today can live in the freedom that Christ's death has gifted to us is to live by faith in the grace that we have been offered. This posture will keep the believer humble, grateful, assured of their future righteousness, and living by a faith that is manifest by love. Support the show...
"The heart is an idol factory." These words written by John Calvin attest to the sinful tendency in all of our hearts to build up idols in our hearts that take the rightful place of God. As soon as a Christian makes good things ultimate things, they become idols. Thankfully, God will always provide His children with what they need to overcome the idols of our hearts. Support the show
Paul teaches the Corinthians the importance of continued vigilance in their Christian life by pointing to the example of Israel in the Old Testament. Story after story remind us that believers ought never to coast - they must live with continued purpose and direction. Support the show
Paul's doctrinal argument for justification by faith alone apart from the works of the law is illustrated in these verses by way of an allegorical presentation of Old Testament events. The covenant of the flesh by law is contrasted with the covenant of promise by faith; Paul asks the Galatians, "Are you children of Sarah (promise) or Hagar (flesh)?" Ultimately, flesh leads to bondage and promise to freedom; therefore, we must know who are spiritual mother is. Support the show...
Paul's love is clearly seen for the Galatian churches as he pours out his heart to them in an emotional plea for them to allow the image of Christ to be formed in them. This passage gives us insight into the relationship that pastors should have with their people and the attitudes that people should have toward their pastors. Support the show
Using athletic analogies, Paul explains that the Christian life should be lived with great purpose and determination. The calling of the Christian to live a life to please the Lord demands sacrifice and discipline, just like an athlete running in a race would discipline themselves to win the prize. Support the show
Paul continues his discussion with the Corinthians regarding the use of their freedom by providing them with himself as an example. Paul was willing to give up any and all freedoms and rights if it might remove barriers to the gospel going forth among different people groups. Christians today should maintain the same attitude as Paul with regard to our freedom. Support the show
Paul explains all the reasons that Paul was rightfully entitled to be reimbursed for his ministry to the Corinthians. He then explains that the reason that he did not accept payment was to ensure that the gospel was not hindered in Corinth. Paul's life is an example of an essential truth that every believer must understand: It is our duty to forego our rights and freedoms when they might hinder the progress of the gospel. Support the show...
Paul helps the Corinthians (and us) to understand how we should deal with matters of conviction and conscience. Support the show
God has welcomed those who put their faith in Christ into His family as adopted sons. As a result, believers are granted the Spirit of Christ, they are made heirs of God and they can approach the throne of Almighty God with the knowledge that He is also their "Abba" Father. With all of these benefits of Sonship, Paul cannot understand why anyone would be made a son and choose to live like a slave; yet we do it all the time. Support the show...
Liberty is one of the great blessing afforded to us by the gospel; however, our liberty should not be used selfishly, but rather to glorify God and edify others. Support the show
The Corinthian believers were convinced that their knowledge of right and wrong was all they needed when deciding what they should and should not do in their church. Paul corrects their thinking by introducing love as another essential component in their decision making. Christian freedom must be exercised within the boundaries of both knowledge and love. Support the show
Imagine your parents hired a person to shadow you all day long and punish you every time you did anything wrong. Paul explains that the law, as a "paidagogos" does just that - it condemns and punishes all people every time they break it. Thankfully, God has given us a promise received by faith that can bring freedom and adoption for every sinner. Support the show
Paul continues his pastoral tone with the church of Corinth as he explains to them the benefits of both the married and the single life. Support the show
Paul's love for the Corinthian believers is evident as he writes to help them understand how God would have them live in the situation they are in. Christians should live at the foot of the cross with eternity in mind. Support the show
