God's Grace for an Imperfect Church (Page 2)
A Study of 1 Corinthians
This series is an exploration of the Apostle Paul’s letter that we know as 1 Corinthians. Ranging through a wild ride of various challenges, this epistle brings the gospel into connection with topics which are part of our everyday life with God: power, legal disputes, unity, sex, marriage, divorce, singleness, freedom, worship, money, idolatry, our bodies, and so much more.
Marriage, Divorce, and Singleness (Part 1)
Paul explores how our relationships are part of our discipleship by exploring marriage and divorce. (1 Corinthians 7:1-16) Sermon Outline “Each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:17) When we have our eyes on Jesus’ self-giving love, it shapes our discipleship in our interpersonal relationships, right down into marriage. The Gospel and…
Honoring God with our Bodies
Freedom in Christ is not permission to do whatever we want. Instead, we are called to flee sexual immorality and honor God with our bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) Sermon Outline “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) God cares about the relationship you have…
A House Divided
The Corinthians have such great divisions that they cannot solve them apart from going to court. Paul says they have already been overcome by their own divided ways. (1 Corinthians 6:1-11) Sermon Outline …but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Since the Church has been set apart from the world through its union with Christ, we must live…
Living Alive and Free in Christ
Using the startling example of sexual incest occurring within the Corinthian church, Paul calls the believing community into discernment about what holiness means in our sexuality, as well as how to live holy as God’s chosen people in every area of our lives. Sermon Outline “Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:8) Living as a Community of Christ’s Life…
Fools for Christ
The Apostle Paul unpacks what it means to be an apostle for Jesus and why servant leadership is what is most needed in the church and beyond. (1 Corinthians 4:1-21) Sermon Outline “We are fools for Christ.” (1 Corinthians 4:10) Living with God and Entrusting Ourselves to God (1 Corinthians 4:1-5) The calling and identity of Paul and the apostles Not being controlled by others’ opinions But not thinking too highly of oneself The opinion, and judgment, of God Living…
Leaders in the Church
Leaders have a place in the church but what is that place? What happens when we get too attached to a leader or teacher? (1 Corinthians 3:1-23) Sermon Outline “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) The mark of the “worldly” Church (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) Not living by the Spirit of God. Worldly. Mere infants. Not growing in faith. Not accepting the spiritual food/milk given to them.…
The Holy Spirit and the Deep Things of God
The Holy Spirit is a gift from God who also reveals the wisdom and deep things of God. Who is the Holy Spirit and what does it mean to live with the Holy Spirit? (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) Sermon Outline “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:11) God’s Powerful Wisdom and the Waning Wisdom of this Age…
The Message of the Cross
Paul explores the apparent foolishness and weakness of the Cross as a revelation of the wisdom and power of God. It shaped his life and ministry, and it should shape the life of all Christians, both individually and as a community. (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5) Sermon Outline “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) The Cross Proclaimed (1 Corinthians…
A Unified Church in Divided Days
This sermon gives background on 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul, the Corinthian community, and why this letter might be what we need to look at right now. We also explore what happens when the church is only unified by being divided against itself, and what it means to truly stand in unity. (1 Corinthians 1:1-17) Sermon Outline “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all…
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