1 Corinthians

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Time to Celebrate

November 25, 2012 | 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 | discipleship

Pastor Gary Combs concludes the “Time to Thrive” series with this message from 1 Corinthians. The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that Christ’s victory over sin and death meant that they could live life to the full, knowing and celebrating that this victory was already theirs. And that everything they did for Christ would matter for eternity. Celebrating this victory that Christ has won, we can live life to the full, we can do more than just survive, we can thrive.

“Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies.” (1 Corinthians 15:43-44)

August 24, 2012

Paul teaches us about the resurrection body. He compares it to sewing a seed in the ground. The seed dies, but a new living plant sprouts from the earth. Jesus is the firstborn from among dead. His resurrection body is the prototype. Someday we will be like Him.

“If Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14)

August 23, 2012

At the core of the Christian faith is the message of Christ’s resurrection. If the tomb is not empty, there is no Christianity. Gospel preaching must include these historical facts: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he was buried, and three days later he was raised from the dead. This is the message we preach. This is the message we have received and believed.

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

August 19, 2012

The Holy Spirit comes to abide in us when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Living in us, He gives us spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. This gifting is not for our own edification. It is to be used to edify one another. As we exercise our spiritual gifting, we grow in their use, and the church is built up. Are you exercising your gifts in the church?

“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

August 17, 2012

Many parents teach their children: “Do as I say, not as I do.” But Paul teaches otherwise. He invites his spiritual children to follow him as he follows Christ. If you really want to influence others, let your walk match your talk.

“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)

August 15, 2012

Like Paul, we preach an unchanging message to an ever-changing world. The message must stay anchored in God’s Word, but the methods may adapt to be culturally relevant. We desire to never add our traditions to the gospel, nor in an attempt to make it more palatable, subtract from its power. We will continually evaluate our methods to make sure everything we do is to spread the Good News!

“I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)

August 11, 2012

To those who think that Jesus was permissive on divorce, Paul reminds us of His command: Don’t leave your spouse. If Christianity doesn’t have the power to bring peace to your home, how can it claim to offer peace to the world? Don’t give up! Trust Christ to heal your marriage.

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

August 10, 2012

Your body is by and for God. What do you put in your body? Where do you take it? How do you treat it? These things matter to God. Not because He wishes to limit you, but because He wants to set you free to be what He made you to be. Do you honor God with your body?

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

August 5, 2012

The message of the cross is spiritual wisdom. We are called to proclaim it to all, but not everyone will understand. God’s Spirit is the power that reveals the truth of the gospel. Explaining it with human wisdom falls short. Instead, we preach it, asking the Spirit to reveal the truth of it to human hearts. What happens when you survey the wondrous cross?

Single: Discovering True Fulfillment

July 1, 2012 | 1 Corinthians 7 | singleness

Pastor Gary Combs continues his “Family Feud” series with this message for singles. Taken from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, it offers some very specific instructions for singles and how they could live a fulfilled life by being devoted to God. Whether married or single, we can experience this life of fulfillment and devotion to God.