I suspect that many of the questions and concerns from the Corinthian church came from a good place. We can easily write them off as the bad guys but they weren’t. Paul is not addressing apostates or false teachers but a real, young., alive, messy church that shows signs of having the Holy Spirit’s presence… Continue reading A glorifying church (1 Corinthians 10:18-33)
Tag: 1 Corinthians
When the car crash has happened – guilt and shame revisited
In our look at 1 Corinthians 10, I used the example of someone pushing the boundaries, taking risks with their faith being like a driver taking corners at speed close to the cliff edge. They risk plunging off of the edge into a deep ravine. 1 Corinthians 10 offers a warning against taking risks, falling… Continue reading When the car crash has happened – guilt and shame revisited
What kind of church? A free church (1 Corinthians 9)
We sometimes get into disputes about how Christians are to relate to “The Law”. Are we under Law or under grace? Now, for obvious reasons, there doesn’t tend to be much discussion or debate about whether or not we are under any requirement to not murder or steal. So, the focus when it comes to… Continue reading What kind of church? A free church (1 Corinthians 9)
What kind of Church? A caring church (1 Corinthians 8)
How does what I do, say, prioritise affect other believers -especially those who are younger/more immature/struggling? The next big question the Corinthians had was about food sacrificed to idols. The issue was that the pagan temples functioned as the slaughter house or butchers, providing meat which was then sold in the market meaning you were… Continue reading What kind of Church? A caring church (1 Corinthians 8)
What Kind of Church? A Pure Church ( 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
In the 1990’s sitcom “Goodnight sweetheart”, Nicholas Lyndhurst stars as a Gary Sparrow who has found a time portal to the 1940s and ends up living a double life between his wife Yvonne in the late 20th century and Phoebe a barmaid in the blitz. We can so easily live compartmentalised lives separating out church,… Continue reading What Kind of Church? A Pure Church ( 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
What kind of church? A forgiven Church (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)
Introduction – “See you in court” Imagine two Christians falling out maybe over something petty – and taking it to court. We would be shocked. That’s the sense of what is happening here (v 1). The sense is “How dare you?” The correct response is disgust, disgrace, shame. This is the second time that Paul… Continue reading What kind of church? A forgiven Church (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)
What kind of Church? A holy church (1 Corinthians 5)
The church is made up of imperfect people, simultaneously saints and sinners. We have a constant responsibility to challenge and encourage one another about sin. But what happens when things become more serious? Don’t get caught in the headlights (v1 -5) Have you heard the expression “a rabbit caught in the headlights?” It refers to… Continue reading What kind of Church? A holy church (1 Corinthians 5)
What Kind of Church? – A humble Church (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)
Remember when those rich and powerful Premier League football teams were outmanoeuvred and outplayed. Who’d have thought that a team costing just £50 million – the sort of money the big boys pay for one player these days could win the title. That’s what Leicester City achieved only a few years ago. It’s almost as… Continue reading What Kind of Church? – A humble Church (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)
What kind of church? – A united church ( 1 Corinthians 1:10-17)
Jesus calls us to be one. Our love for each other is meant to be a witness to others but so often we fail in this. Churches end up being characterised by division, factions & tribalism. Christians create their own heroes. These might be national/international celebrity Christians or the go to people in the local… Continue reading What kind of church? – A united church ( 1 Corinthians 1:10-17)
What kind of Church? A gifted Church (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)
Introduction Packing for a journey – Who packs early? Who throws everything in the car at the last minute? Who just sets off thinking “it’ll all work out somehow?” Who is planning and checking to the last minute -double check the suitcase, making sure doors and windows are locked? Who is asking. “Will I have… Continue reading What kind of Church? A gifted Church (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)
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