Tag: Paul

Freedom in Christ changes relationships to others

As well as writing letters to churches, Paul wrote to a few individuals. We have three examples in Scripture, though I’m sure he wrote more.  He writes to his co-workers Timothy and Titus giving them instructions about how to pastor the churches within their care.  The third example, to Philemon is even more personal. Paul… Continue reading Freedom in Christ changes relationships to others

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)

A discerning Church ( 1 Corinthians 4 )

Discernment is about making judgements about people and plans.  How we do it?  Well, contemporary society tells us that “the consumer is king.” It’s for us as customers to decide what is best for us, what we are worth, whether that’s about objects (cars, houses, TVs. Tablets etc), relationships or entertainment.  Saturday night TV invites… Continue reading A discerning Church ( 1 Corinthians 4 )

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 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)

This is Paul signing off

We are coming to the end of Paul’s letter. If he had leapt quite abruptly into the challenging stuff at the beginning without the extended prayers, thanksgiving and commendations we get used to with his other letters, it also finishes fairly abruptly without the personal greetings we find in other letters such as in Romans… Continue reading This is Paul signing off

Reaping what you sow

This next section reinforces the point that we’ve seen developed through chapter 5-6, we cannot fix our lives and our relationship to God by making external adjustments to our behaviour through rule keeping and rituals.  Instead, our lives will bear fruit in accordance with the roots. A look at the text (Read Galatians 6:7-10) An… Continue reading Reaping what you sow

Filled with the Spirit

Paul’s solution to the question of Christian obedience and holiness is not to impose laws and rituals (legalism), nor to say that grace means we can do what we please. Instead, he sees our true hope being the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:2-23, he says that the result or fruit of receiving the Holy Spirit… Continue reading Filled with the Spirit