Paul’s counsel to the Corinthian believers is “remain in the condition in which you were called.” Whether you are married or single, slave or free, Jew or Gentile, serve Christ in that condition. But where can believers receive the strength to be content in their present circumstances. The Word of God gives us answers to that question from this passage.
Read More...Sermon Series: New Testament Book
Paul’s Counsel To The Unmarried
What should unmarried people seriously consider before deciding to get married? Paul gives counsel considering this very issue in this passage. He says they need to consider the present distress, the fact that the time has been shortened, the truth that marriage will bring new distractions, and the fact that marriage is permanent until your spouse dies.
Read More...Loving Others More Than Your Liberty
The 1st century church in Corinth had questions for Paul related to whether it was all right to eat meat sacrificed to idols or not. Today we might ask whether it is all right to get a tattoo, listen to secular music, drink alcohol, or send our children to a public school. The apostle Paul gives us principles by which we may discern God’s will in whether we ought to engage in these “gray” issues.
Read More...Paul’s Use Of His Rights
1 Corinthians 8-10 comprise a single section in which Paul is teaching the Corinthians to be willing to yield their rights for the sake their brothers. In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul refers to his own example to be willing to give up his right to refrain from secular work as an apostle so that the gospel will not be hindered. This section touches on whether it is the will of God for those who labor to proclaim the gospel today to receive their living from the gospel.
Read More...All Things To All Men To Save Some
What did Paul mean that he had become all things to all men? How should we apply this principle in our own lives? Does it mean watering down the message or compromising with sin?
Read More...The Christian Life As A Race
Our Christian life can be compared to race. What is at stake in this race? How must we run this race? Join in this study to find out.
Read More...Flee Demonized Idolatry!
The Corinthians were wanting the “freedom” to eat the idol feasts at the pagan temples. Paul tells them to flee idolatry because they become sharers in demons.
Read More...Take Heed Lest You Fall!
God has given us the examples of the children of Israel to demonstrate His judgment upon willful sin. In this passage Paul urges the Corinthians not to become self-confident and cocky simply because they were baptized and observed the Lord’s Supper. The Israelites had their own form of baptism and a sacred meal, yet they were laid low in the wilderness.
Read More...Seeking The Good Of Others And The Glory Of God
Paul brings his teaching on meat sacrificed to idols to a close in this passage. He concludes the whole thing with 3 important commands. Also, listen for the 7 bonus questions at the end of the message which will really help when you are trying to decide whether you should engage in a particular activity or not!
Read More...Why Head Coverings?
Have you ever wondered about whether a woman should wear a head covering? This study focuses on this issue. Admittedly, this is a touchy issue, and comes from a confusing and obscure passage. Hopefully, our study will throw some light on this subject for those who are seeking to know what Paul was teaching on this subject.
Read More...The Lord’s Supper
Jesus gave His disciples 2 ordinances: one to celebrate a disciple’s entrance into the New Covenant community (baptism), and one to commemorate the basis for a disciple’s inclusion in the New Covenant community (the Lord’s Supper). We believe there has been much misunderstanding concerning the section dealing with “examining yourselves” before observing the Lord’s Supper. We hope that this message will bring light and clarity to this subject!
Read More...The Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
In 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul launches into a 3-chapter discussion of spiritual gifts. In this message we are going to survey 9 different manifestations of the Spirit. We are continuationists who do believe that these manifestations of the Spirit are still available to the church today. However, we are Charismatics with a seatbelt! We hope you gain spiritual blessing from this study.
Read More...The Unity Of The Body
In this section, we find Paul’s extended teaching on the Body of Christ, especially the unity of that body. How does a person get into this body? What enemies did the Corinthians face regarding this unity? How should we live in the body so that we actively promote this unity? These are some of the questions that we seek to answer from this message.
Read More...The Greatest Of These Is Love
1 Corinthians 13 is arguably the best known chapter in the entire Bible – the famous Love Chapter. But how does this chapter “fit” in the context of spiritual gifts in chapters 12-14? What does this chapter teach us about the importance and definition of love? More importantly, what does it teach us about the duration of spiritual gifts? Are they still available to the church today?
Read More...Tongues and Prophecy
There are few subjects more controversial than the role of tongues and prophecy in the church today. But that is exactly the theme of 1 Corinthians 14. In this study we seek to learn the comparative value of tongues and prophecy in the public meetings of the church, and the regulations the apostle Paul placed upon the exercise of each. Listen in!
Read More...Women Keeping Silent In The Churches
Women are to keep silent in the churches! What in the world did Paul mean by that? In this message, we survey several different possible interpretations of this thorny passage, and decide which one makes the most sense from its context. If you’ve ever wondered what this passage means, this message is for you!
Read More...The Gospel Of Grace
The Gospel is the most wonderful news in all the world! In this passage, the apostle Paul gives an extended teaching on both the Content and the Power of the Gospel.
Read More...What If Jesus Didn’t Rise?
What difference does it really make whether Jesus rose from the dead or not? Find out as we examine the apostle Paul’s masterful teaching on the implications of Christ’s resurrection.
Read More...The Inevitable Results of Christ’s Resurrection
When Jesus rose from the dead, God set in motion certain things that must take place: the resurrection of His people, the destruction of His enemies, and the handing over of His kingdom. In this message we discuss the age to come in terms of resurrected bodies. May God whet your appetite for that day!
Read More...What Difference Does The Resurrection Make?
What is “baptism for the dead”? What does Paul’s reference to bad company corrupting good morals have to do with his discussion of the resurrection? This paragraph has many puzzling enigmas in it that we seek to sort out and see in its original context.
Read More...Our Resurrection Bodies
What will our resurrection bodies be like? In this passage the apostle Paul gives us the most detailed information about this intriguing subject that we have in Scripture!
Read More...The Swallowing Up Of Death
How did Jesus Christ conquer death? What obstacles did He have to remove? What is God’s will for us in light of the certain resurrection of our bodies? These are some of the questions we address in this message.
Read More...Paul’s Final Instructions to the Corinthians
What should guide us as we give to poor believers around the world? What can we learn from specific 1st century believers about serving the Lord? What are the specific exhortations that were on Paul’s mind when he closed out this letter?
Read More...How Does Jesus Continue To Do And Teach?
In this message, we begin our study of the Book of Acts. Brian begins by giving an introduction and overview of the Book of Acts. This is followed by examining the first 8 verses of chapter 1, and asking the question, “What did the apostles need in order for the risen Christ to continue to do and teach through them?” In this study we conclude by examining the subject of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Read More...Prelude to Pentecost
What was taking place during the 10 days prior to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit?
Read More...The Power of Pentecost
On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit came with extraordinary power. What significance does Pentecost have for believers today?
Read More...Peter’s Pentecostal Preaching
In this message we examine Peter’s first recorded sermon on the day of Pentecost. What things was Peter anxious to communicate to these unbelieving Jews? How was his preaching different from our preaching today?
Read More...The Dynamic Life Of The Early Church
In this passage of Scripture, Luke gives us a glimpse into the life of the infant church – and what a glimpse it is! It makes us long to see those days again!
Read More...A Miracle and a Message
Peter heals a lame man, and then launches into a Christ-centered message that results in a multitude of conversions.
Read More...Persecution and Prayer
See the unstoppable march of the early church as they are victorious over persecution, leading to powerful prayer.
Read More...The Greatness Of The Early Church
What was the secret of the early church’s greatness? Great grace, great fear, and great power!
Read More...Preaching That Can’t Be Silenced!
In this passage we see the dogged tenacity of the apostles to continue to preach and teach about Jesus in spite of fierce persecution. What an incredible example for us today!
Read More...The Devil’s Distractions
The devil has tried many tactics to stop the advance of the church, including distracting them from their calling. In this message we examine his tactics and how the apostles overcame him by refusing to be sidelined from their primary calling to preach the word.
Read More...Stephen: The Life And Death of a Spirit-Filled Man – Pt.1
In this message we examine the progress of Stephen, a man full of the Holy Spirit, as he did wonders and preached the truth with a power and wisdom that his opponents could not withstand. After he was falsely accused and seized, Jesus gave him the privilege to preach the truth before the entire Sanhedrin, and die as the first martyr of the church.
Read More...Stephen: The Life And Death of a Spirit-Filled Man – Pt.2
In this message we behold the uncompromising power of Stephen’s sermon to the religious crowd that was about to murder him. Just before he dies, he witnesses about the glory of the risen Jesus whom he sees standing at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and like Jesus, he dies asking God to forgive those who are murdering him.
Read More...The Sovereignty Of God Over Evil
In this message we see an encouraging example of how God uses the evil actions of men for good. What God had decreed in eternity, men will demand in time.
Read More...The Samaritans Receive The Gospel
In this message we examine the mission of Philip the evangelist to the Samaritans, who were at mutual animosity with the Jews for over 700 years. As the Samaritans receive the gospel, we see how our God is a missionary God, going out to save all of the nations of the world, not only the Jews.
Read More...The Sovereignty of God and Evangelism
We must ask God to break our hearts so that those of us who are already saved will go after those who are dying.
Read More...Conquered By Christ – Pt. 1
In this study we see how the Lord Jesus conquers Saul’s stubborn and rebellious will by His grace. Behold the long suffering, revealing and subduing of Christ! What matchless mercy!
Read More...Conquered By Christ – Pt. 2
In this study we see the Lord Jesus, commissioning, healing, and empowering Saul. Although we are not apostles like Paul, there is a tremendous spiritual lesson for all of us here.
Read More...Peter’s Miraculous Ministry
In this message, we learn about how two great miracles that were done through the Apostle Peter point to the example, glory, kingdom, and salvation of Jesus.
Read More...Gentiles Cleansed By Faith
In this message we see that all people, whatever race or culture they are, whether they live sinful or religious lives, are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Read More...The Grace of God in Antioch
In this message we see how the spiritual gifts that God has given to his saints are used in the planting, growth, and bearing fruit of the church of Antioch.
Read More...You Can’t Fight God And Win
It is madness to fight with God, because He always wins. See how this truth is played out in Acts 12 as Herod fights with God.
Read More...The Making of a Missionary – Pt. 1
God is on mission to save sinners who are doomed to everlasting punishment. As his church, we get to announce the good news of his salvation to all men – to be on mission with him. In this teaching, we see some of the characteristics of the missionaries in the early church.
Read More...The Making of a Missionary – Pt. 2
Every Christian is a missionary – either a local or trans-local missionary. We don’t get to choose whether we are going to be missionaries – just if we are going to be good or bad missionaries. Check out the message on what makes a great missionary!
Read More...Grace Alone!
God accepts everyone on the same basis – by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Therefore, in this message we see the apostles and elders of the early church rejecting the teaching that Gentiles need to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be saved, and affirming that salvation is purely by grace!
Read More...Effective Missional Communities
A missional community is a group of believers who are on mission in a particular community to make disciples for Jesus. Today, as we read about the apostle Paul setting out on his second missionary journey, we will look at some of great characteristics of an effective missionary team.
Read More...Jesus Calls Out His People in Philippi
As Jesus uses his missionaries in Philippi to build his church, he uses both their personal witnessing to various people, the casting out of a demon from a fortune-telling slave girl, as well as an unjust imprisonment of Paul and Silas brought about by the angry owners of the slave girl, to make a church in Philippi consisting of people from very different backgrounds, including even the very jailor that was charged to watch over Paul and Silas as they were imprisoned.
Read More...People That Turn The World Right Side Up
Although God created our world perfect, sin has turned it on its head. As Paul and his team go about confronting sin and preaching the gospel of grace, their enemies say they are turning the world upside down, although they are really turning it rightside up! In this message we examine 4 marks of the kind of person who turns the world rightside up.
Read More...Who Is The Only True God?
Today, as in Athens 2000 years ago, we are tempted every day to worship idols, or false gods – by putting our hope and seeking our joy in created things, such as technology, entertainment, other people, etc. – rather than the one true God who created all things. When we put all our hope in created things, we will sooner or later be completely disappointed. Let’s listen as Paul brings us to the only true God, who is worthy of our worship.
Read More...Jesus The Risen Judge
Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and he will judge the world on a day that God has appointed. How will you respond to this knowledge? Derision (laugh it off), delay (I’ll think about it later), or decision to repent and believe in Jesus?
Read More...The Lord’s Encouragement to Paul in Vanity Fair
The city of Corinth that Paul came to on his second missionary journey was like Vanity Fair in the book Pilgrim’s Progress: it was full of immorality and wickedness. Upon coming to Corinth, Paul was alone and prone to discouragement from of all of the persecution that he had suffered from city to city. In this message, we see how the Lord encouraged him by giving him friends, converts, and promises.
Read More...Transitioning From Judaism To Christianity
In the book of Acts, we see a time of transition for the Jews from the Old Covenant ways to the New Covenant. In this study we focus on Paul, Apollos and the 12 Ephesian Men as they transition from Judaism to Christianity.
Read More...Jesus Triumphs Over Satan’s Stronghold
Many years ago Hal Lindsay wrote a book entitled, “Satan Is Alive And Well On Planet Earth.” And, you know what – he was right. Satan is alive and well on Planet Earth. But you know what – Jesus is More Alive and He’s More Well on Planet Earth! We’re going to see that truth as we come to Acts 19 today.
Read More...A Glimpse Into A First Century Church Meeting
In Acts 20 we have the only description of a New Testament church gathering. In this study we examine the time, location, purpose and activities of this meeting in order to see some very valuable principles that should guide us as we meet together in the name of our great Redeemer.
Read More...Paul Reminds The Elders Of His Ministry Among Them
As Paul recounts his ministry among the Ephesian Elders, he instructs them as to what a faithful ministry to God, the Church, and the Lost looks like.
Read More...Paul Teaches The Elders About Faithfulness to God’s Call
Paul teaches the Ephesian Elders that faithfulness to God’s Call requires a willingness to embrace His sufferings, esteem His ministry, and express His truth.
Read More...Paul Charges The Elders To Shepherd The Flock
Paul charges the Ephesian Elders to shepherd the flock of God by leading, feeding, and protecting them.
Read More...Paul Instructs The Elders To Live For Eternity
In this closing portion of Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian Elders, he instructs them to live for eternity by pursuing the word of God, a sanctified life, and faithful stewardship.
Read More...Paul Sets His Face To Go To Jerusalem
As Paul courageously travels to Jerusalem, we see 5 Powerful Principles for our own lives: the priority of Christian fellowship, the nature of New Testament Prophecy, our need to respect those with whom we disagree, the need to follow our convictions, and our need to be all things to all men.
Read More...Sharing Your Faith
Paul’s testimony before the angry Jewish mob provides us with many powerful principles for sharing our faith: having an earnest desire for the lost, finding common ground, emphasizing the inability of religion to save, relying on the sovereign initiative of God, and not resting until we see evidence of the supernatural work of God in their heart!
Read More...Paul On Trial
In Acts chapters 23-26 we see several things about the apostle Paul while he is on trial: he is consumed with the hope of the resurrection, he is compelled to preach Christ fearlessly, he was commissioned to call men to repentance, and he was committed to seizing opportunities for the gospel.
Read More...God Is Sovereign Over The Storms
God is absolutely sovereign, not only over the storms of this present life, but even over the ultimate storm of the judgment to come!
Read More...The Lord And His Servant
In Acts 28 we have an illustration of Paul’s description of his relationship to God — “the God to whom I belong and whom I serve.” In the first half of the chapter we see the Lord’s commitment to His servants and in the second half we see the servant’s commitment to His Lord.
Read More...The Book of Romans – It’s All About The Gospel
We should glory in the gospel because it produces God’s salvation, manifests God’s power, benefits God’s people, and reveals God’s righteousness.
Read More...Our Desperate Need For The Gospel
The Heathen, the Hebrews, and the Whole World are condemned – only the Gospel can rescue us from wrath!
Read More...Sinners Made Right With God!
In Romans 3:21-26 it is our privilege to enter the Holy of Holies of the Bible to understand the glorious doctrine of Justification By Faith, and examine its meaning, reception, and cost.
Read More...Why Did Jesus Die?
Not only is true that Jesus died for sinners, but he also died for God – to appease His wrath, to demonstrate His righteousness, and to satisfy His justice.
Read More...Christ Our Representative
Just as sin, condemnation, and death come to us from Adam, so grace, justification and life flow to us from Christ. It’s ultimately a matter of who represents you. Are you united to Adam or Christ?
Read More...God’s Sovereign Choice
God applies the gospel according to His sovereign choice. Before the creation of the world, He chose particular individuals to eternal salvation, not based on foreseen faith, but based only on His good pleasure alone.
Read More...God’s Irresistible Call
How does God apply the gospel? Those whom He has chosen for salvation He irresistibly calls to Christ. In this message we focus on the Originator, Objects, Omnipotence, Outcome, and Order of this great and mighty call of God.
Read More...God’s Invincible Goal
Believers regenerated by the Spirit are absolutely secure in Christ’s love because of the Eternal Purpose of the Father, the Effective Payment of the Son, and the Empowering Presence of the Spirit.
Read More...Transformed By A New Joy
One of the marks of the believer’s life is Joy: rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God, rejoicing in our tribulations, and rejoicing in the God who has reconciled us to Himself.
Read More...Transformed By A New Union
We are transformed by our union to Christ in His death and resurrection, as we know this union, consider it, and act on it.
Read More...Transformed By A New Master
Not only is the believer transformed by a new Joy and a new Union, but also a new Master. Whereas Sin was a hard taskmaster paying only bondage, misery, and death, God is a loving and kind Master granting holiness and everlasting life!
Read More...Transformed By A New Husband
The believer is transformed by a new husband. He has died to his old husband, the Law, and been joined to his new husband, Jesus Christ, in His resurrection glory. This new marriage gives the believer an entirely new motivation and power for living the Christian life.
Read More...Transformed By A New Power – Pt. 1
By walking according to the Spirit, we are enabled to fulfill God’s Law and kill our sin!
Read More...Transformed By A New Power – Pt. 2
The believer is transformed by a new power – the power of the Holy Spirit, as He enables him to know his sonship and taste his inheritance. Biblical assurance includes experiencing these great spiritual realities.
Read More...Kindle Afresh the Gift of God
As we embark on an expository sermon series on 2 Timothy, we see Paul exhorting Timothy, his young friend and apprentice, to kindle afresh God’s gift to him, and serve the Lord with all his might, because there is a promise of life in Christ Jesus. Read More...
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