Chris responds to questions from the congregation which have arisen from our teaching on the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.
Chris responds to questions from the congregation which have arisen from our teaching on the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.
The Apostle Paul closes His first letter to Corinth with practical instructions and plans which echo his priorities throughout the letter. These include a desire to unity factions within the church, make clear the gospel and show how to apply it to practical situations. Chris explores what this can teach us about apply the gospel to our planning and priorities.
Continuing the theme of the importance of the resurrection in forming our vision, Chris deepens our understanding of the seeds of resurrection being formed by our choices now.
Chris explains why we should eagerly desire the gift of prophecy and how to go about uses this gift based on 1 Cor 14.
The apostle Paul highlights three ways in which the interdependence of believers is undermined. Failure to acknowledge variety, inferiority and
superiority. Chris challenges us to overcome these tendencies and to opt to commit to interdependence.
Chris sketches out the general vision of where God seems to be leading us and briefly shares his hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Using 1 Corinthians 12 he then challenges us to eagerly desire the spiritual gifts and to excel in exercising the gifts God has given us, in the service He has called us to, and in the way He chooses to work in us.
Chris examines the Apostle Paul’s call for interdependence between men and women and the ways in which we might express this in our worship today. The passage also highlights the differing ways in which the genders showed respect for God in Corinthian culture which prompts questions as to how we should respond to our changing culture today.
Chris continues the series in 1 Corinthians 11, looking at what Paul has to say about the communion meal and the way that it was being observed in the church in Corinth – particularly the need to bring God’s Agape love to the meal; to recognise others as part of the body; and hence to be in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Continuing the study of 1 Corinthians in Chapter 13, Chris looks at God’s unconditional, undeserved, ‘Agape’ love for us and reminds us that it is our duty as Christians to show this ‘Agape’ love of God to others in the way we love them.
Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. In the final verses of 1 Cor 10 the Apostle Paul draws together his arguments in three powerful sound-bites: Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive. No one should seek his own good but the good of others. Whatever you do, do for the glory of God. Chris applies this advice to our worship and work today and invites us consider the coming week.