Weekly Sermon Notes on LBC Family

1Corinthians 13:4-7 Status Update: Jesus, You're Killing Me!

2012-01-25T12:13:00.003-05:00

Proposition: God's love is not just in us to make us nicerbut to kill the person we used to be and make us a totally new person in Christ.

This text describes God's love as a nature within us(opposite of our sin nature) and how it manifests itself in everyday life. Paul described to the Corinthians ways God'slove is supposed to change believers. Socorrectly viewing this passage means asking, “What part of me is God trying to kill?”

So what’s the deal with ‘Envy’? Envy is desire that’s gone bad. There’s nothing wrong with desire until youboil with anger wanting what others have. This is human 101...we want to do/have something else, somewhereelse, with someone else. James3:16 says “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evilwork”.

Ever read the verse “God is jealous” in Exodus 20? Why is that OK? Because God's love looks outfor the ultimate good of creation. Humanjealousy is often directed toward what does not glorify God and is notgood for people. The opposite of envywould be contentment...trusting that God's plan and gifts for you are perfect.

Humans generally love in a self-seeking way. Literallywe place self first and others second. God'slove seeks and finds joy in the good of others. We simply should not seek personal, private benefit without consideringthe good of others. So in any situation weshould ask: is this beneficial to everyone or just me? Of course, we should not ignore the legitimateneeds of ourselves and our family for that would go against I Timothy 5:8 but God'slove teaches us to lay down our supposed rights if it is best for others (Phil.2:4-8).

As unnatural and unjustified as it may seem, true loveoffers forgiveness over and overagain. Bitterness is the opposite of love. Bitterness literally means to keep a record or account of wickedness. Keeping records really only stresses youout...it’s much healthier to forgive.

Forgiveness is NOT “Letting people off the hook”. (Matt. 6:12; 18:21-35) God hasn’t let anyone off the hook. Either we pay for our sins in hell or Christpaid for them on the cross. God’s forgivenessallowed Him to come inside us to help us change.

Forgiveness is NOT “forgetting”. (Ps. 103:12) God chooses not to remember oursin. We are not called to ‘forgive andforget’. We can’t truly help each otherif we ‘forget’ what the problem is. Forgivenesssimply says, “I am no longer going to allow your sin to separate you from myhelp”.

Here are 3 steps to true contentment, self-less love andforgiveness...
1 Trust the work Jesus already did...Believe the Gospel/HolySpirit
2 Read and pray over Scriptures which deal with these traits– renew mind
3 Get help from the church body - accountability
Utilizing the above steps will help you change from theinside out (heart change) rather than just incorporating another layer of moral(“good”) behavior.

CHALLENGE

What quality is God developing in you?
Envious or Content?
Self-seeking or selfless?
Grudge Holding or Forgiving?
In what ways are these qualities important to church unity?Why?

Songs With This Text
You Never Let Go
Your Great Name
Jesus Paid It All
Beneath The Cross
In Christ Alone

1Corinthians 13:4 Status Update: Jesus, You're Killing Me!

2012-01-17T12:08:00.002-05:00

Proposition: God's love is not just in us to make us nicerbut to kill the person we used to be and make us a totally new person in Christ.

“4Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity brags notitself, is not puffed up, 5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own,is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; 6 Rejoices not in iniquity, butrejoices in the truth; 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes allthings, endures all things.”

It is hard to read this text without thinking of “beingloving” but that's not the point. Herelove is a noun representing God's nature in us...THINK “the opposite of our sinnature”. This passage likely broughtshame to the Corinthians because they realized their behavior had been just theopposite. Each of the qualities listedwere indictments on a particular way they had lived as a church. Would you want to be told you were just going thru religious motionswhich in essence amounted to NOTHING?

To be patient literally means “long suffering” or “to have along fuse”. Patiently endure themisfortunes, troubles, offenses and injuries of others without losing heart,being slow in avenging yourself, slow to anger, slow to punish or repayoffenses. Patience is a challenge becausewe all strongly desire to have a trouble-free life.

How do we view patiencein God? (Ps. 86:15) It is God's right andduty to punish sin immediately...and yet, He does not. Without being unjust or ignoring sin, Godforbears sin on the basis of Christ's work. Instead of punishing His creation for their sin, God remarkably punishedHimself.

So what does this teach usabout patience? We often view patienceas if it is for “self”... “Lord give me patience”...BUT it's not aboutyou! Patiencehelps you get over yourself so you can see past your own nose. Patience helps you position yourself insomeone's life so you can help them change. A patient person finds ways to deal with sin which allow God lots oftime to change hearts and bring about such things as repentance, forgivenessand reconciliation. Exercising patienceshows we trust God's control rather than our own. Exercising patience shows we are grateful Goddidn't immediately wipe us out for our sin.

Kindness means“mild” and is all about how we treat others. It is a mild, pleasant, concerned disposition which produces good andcharitable behavior. People more oftenview kindness as self-interested politeness. Being nice to manipulate others into giving you what you want or lettingyou control them. Many pretend to benice while hiding hatred, anger or frustration. Some even view people pleasing as a form of kindness...just give in, notrock the boat, fear. BUT, kindness isfirst a heart attitude before it ever becomes an action. What do we learn about kindness from God? (Eph. 2:1-7)

We need to learn to point out what is sin while kindlypointing people to God's solution...JESUS. So what does this teach us about kindness? In Romans 2:4 we see that kindness has apurpose or goal...repentance (A changed mind that agrees with God). It is God's goodness or kindness whichsoftens hearts and brings repentance.

It is important to remember God's truthis always involved...kindness never leaves out truth. Kindness is something which sinful hearts donot expect. Jesus often surprised peopleby responding kindly and gracefully toward them. God uses kindness to soften stony hearts (2Tim. 2:24-26).

So how does God deal with our impatience and harshness? The answer is not try harder. Here are some ways we can pursue repentanceover our failures.

1. Trust the work Jesus already did...Believe theGospel/Holy Spirit

2. Read and pray over Scriptures which deal with thesetraits – renew mind

3. Get help from the church body – accountability

You'll never change until you allowChrist's church to do life with you every day!

I Corinthians 13:1-3 Status Update: Good Deeds - Jesus = ZERO

2012-01-13T13:32:00.001-05:00

Proposition: Because God calls us to more than BEING andDOING good, we must see Jesus as the POWER SOURCE of all we are and all we do.

“1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, Iam become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I havethe gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; andthough I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity,I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, andthough I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits menothing.”

Just knowing “What Would Jesus Do” is not enough. Paul used hyperbole (exaggerated statementsto create emphasis) to make his point in these verses. IF I could speak every language, IF I had theprophetic gift to know every secret God knows, IF I give everything to the pooror give my body to be burned…all these things are not enough by themselves.

Paul wanted to shock the Corinthians. Can you imagine the shock and horror of theCorinthians upon opening & hearing this letter? They thought they had their religious “ducksin a row”, however, they lacked one essential thing….LOVE! Their'tongues' neither edified the church or allowed pagans to respond to the word(14:1-25). Their 'knowledge' led topride and the 'destruction of a brother for whom Christ died' (8:2, 11). Their 'wisdom' led to quarrels and rivalry(1:10; 3:4). What the Corinthians called“spirituality” lacked the primary evidence of the Spirit.

To Paul, love was more than merely doing loving or kinddeeds. Paul was not saying, “Be moreloving” or “Add love to your gifts...be more patient, kind...” This love Paul was speaking of is about an identity. It’s God’s love inside the believer soyou either have it or you don’t. It’snot a feeling or some things you do necessarily it'smore about how God’s love flows from us in everyday life. This is a process of growth that will takeplace throughout our lifetime.

Why is this important to understand? Because acts devoid of Godlylove fall short of God's righteous laws and God's glory. Humans, on their own, cannot measureup to God's standards or earn God's approval even by doing seemingly “loving”things. The only one who does live up to God's standard is Jesusand He must empower every act we do in order for it to qualify as worthy. Fulfilling God's law requires being indweltby the nature of Jesus, the law keeper (Jn 15:5).

So love is NOT “A” behavior, it “IS the SOURCE of”behavior (I John 4:7-16). Those inChrist bear fruit which flow out of the new nature of love. Over time...Scripture, prayer, the HolySpirit and the body make us more loving. Love is the natural fruit of the Spirit which flows into and out ofbelievers (Galatians 5:22). Love is aheart attitude which constrains your life (II Cor. 5:14). Love is something from which you CANNOT beseparated (Rom 8:38-39).

So Paul point? God islove and God is the source of love.

CHALLEGE

Is God making you more loving or areyou just trying harder to be religious or spiritual?
Has anything become more importantto you than loving God and neighbor?
In what ways is God's love beingpoured into you? How are you pouring it out?

Songs With This Sermon
Blessed Be Your Name
You Alone
Beneath The Cross
How Great Is Our God
Are You Washed

1Corinthians 13; 2Corinthians 5:14-18 Status Update: The Old is Gone; The New has Come

2012-01-04T12:55:00.004-05:00

Proposition: Since we have been made new creatures, it istime to view things through the lens of redemption rather than seeing andliving in the same old ways.

We've been studying God's love nature within us. Let's look ahead to see Paul's perspective forthis nature and God’s goal for us.

2Cor. 5:14-18 “For the love of Christconstrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were alldead: 15 And that he died for all, that from now on they which liveshould not live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again.16 Wherefore from now on know we no man after the flesh: yes, though wehave known Christ after the flesh, yet now from now on know we him no more. 17 Thereforeif any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hasreconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry ofreconciliation;”

2Cor. 6:11, 13 “Our heart is open wide to you...Now open wide your heart to us”

7:1“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves fromall filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear ofGod.” (2Co 7:1)

The Scripture tells us that God's love constrains us whichmeans it squeezes us like a ship into a narrow straight. Love is not merely an action but a drivingforce; it's our new nature squeezing us in a new direction. The new direction (nature) should feel lessand less optional for you as time goes on. God's love changes the way we view life. It causes us to no longer know (view/perceive) humans afterthe flesh. We stop evaluating othersfrom a human point of view. At one timewe thought of Christ merely from a human point of view but now because of God'slove in us, we view him entirely different!

We are new creations! We have been given FRESH EYES! The old way of viewing life is passed away andall things are becoming new to us. Maybeyou have lost hope that people or life can actually change. God's love fills us with hope! Instead of viewing things as hopeless, we nowview things though eyes of love. (1Cor 13:4-7)

3 Takeaways:

We accept that all things are of Godand we are to redeem all things (no secular/spiritual labeling)

We must open our hearts wide to oneanother (2Cor 6:11, 13) = no more riding the fence

We must allow the Spirit to make usholy (2Cor 7:1) = let go of old, unhelpful points of view

2012 will be a year of authentic discipleship for us (Livingin the New Nature) as we focus on building up each other and those whom Godgives us!

I Corinthians 13 Status Update: Jesus is God's Gift of Love to Us

2012-01-04T12:41:00.004-05:00

Proposition: IS GOD'S LOVE AROUND YOU OR IN YOU?

“1¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, Iam become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the giftof prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I haveall faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I amnothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I givemy body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. 4 ¶ Charitysuffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, isnot puffed up, 5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is noteasily provoked, thinks no evil; 6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices inthe truth; 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, enduresall things. 8 ¶ Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, theyshall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there beknowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy inpart. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in partshall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood asa child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childishthings. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now Iknow in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now staysfaith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1Co13:1-13 AKJV)

Has God Poured His Love Nature Into You?

God gave us Jesus because you and I have a problem we cannotfix by ourselves. We are nowhere near asloving as we think we are. Love is far more than a feeling or something we do. Love is first a nature which humans are notborn with. True Godly love does not comenaturally to us. All of us are born witha nature which keeps us from loving God and others as ourselves. We have a sin nature which falls way short ofGod's definition of love.

1John 4 tells us God is love...Love is God's nature. God poured love, His nature, into a human bodyand called it Jesus. Jesus came, lived,died and rose again so that we could also have God's new love nature. Having the new love nature does not cause usto love perfectly. Sadly, even believers (like the Corinthians and you and I)struggle to perfect the new love nature. We will continue to grow in our love until we see Jesus face-to-face (vs.9-13).

CHALLENGE

How loving toyou think you are? Ask those who are closest to you in order to receive anhonest look at your character.

SongsWith This Sermon

Emmanuel,Emmanuel
O Come, O ComeEmmanuel
Joyful Joyful WeAdore You
Joy To The World

I Corinthians 12:28-31 Status Update: Our Identity is in Christ not Gifts

2011-12-19T13:31:00.000-05:00

Proposition: A firm grasp of who we are in Christ helps us better understand thegift of the Holy Spirit and the variety of ways He works through us everyday.

Here's a problem we have:

We have a limited view of God's works because we typicallyreject what we don't see or understand. Most of us are only comfortable withthings we've experienced. We'll even come up with all kinds of reasons todiscredit whatever is outside our comfort zone. This just tells me we're toofocused on self and would rather have a God Who fits in a box.

“27Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God has setsome in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities oftongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are allworkers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak withtongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet showI to you a more excellent way.”

Our focus must be the Holy Spirit…not gifts! It canbe easy to overlook Paul's main point in this chapter and we often do. Why? Because most of the verses areillustrations of his point and discuss the various body parts.

Yet there's a far more crucial question at the root of thischapter. It is NOT... “Which gift do I have?” or “What is my role?” or “Whatshould I do?” In fact, this is often our struggle in Bible reading...we try toapply before we understand the point. Let’s keep a couple things in mind: The Bible is first about God before it's aboutanything else. The Bible is a revelation of HIM.

So what is the point of chapter 12? The real clue is foundin 12:7... “How is God's Spirit displaying himself?” Paul wants us to consider the manifestation of the Spirit, not themanifestation of the gifts. Therefore the “gifts” are not really our works,rather the “gift” is the Spiritof God (John 16:7-15). This gift ofGod's Spirit in us then manifests itself in all kinds of ways every single day.

Thinking about “What is my gift?” can cause us to missopportunities for God to work through us. If I think, “My gift is preaching tocrowds” then I'm relatively useless 6 days per week but if I think, “God willdisplay Himself through me every day” won't that make me more useful? (Rom12:1-2) I don't need a label I just need to serve…presenting myself daily God'sservice.

The whole point comes back to your identity (vs. 1-3). What you do is always rooted in who you areBECAUSE who you are in Christ neverchanges even if your role/gift does. Themore we're sure of who we are, the more open to the Spirit we can be. This can also help prevent having anidentity crisis regardless of how things change.

Challenges:

Am I defining myself by my role orby my relationship with Christ?
Is my focus on MY works or on GOD'S“gift/work” within me?
How is God's Spirit displayingHimself through me at this moment?
Do I see myself as part of the wholebody & responsible to build it?

Songs With This Sermon:

First Noel
Hark The Herald
What Child
Son of God Came Down
Emmanuel

I Corinthians 12:27-31 Status Update: We Should Want to be Effective Parts of Jesus

2011-12-12T12:41:00.005-05:00

Proposition: The better we understand God's true design forHis church body, the more effective parts of Christ's body we can be.

There are 4 keys to understanding spiritual gifts.

First, there’s our new identity in Christ. There’s a difference between your identityand your spiritual gifts. Paul told theCorinthians they were the body of Christ, one team with many parts. We are first children of God andrepresentatives of Him. Our gifts flow fromthat. The gifts we have depend on whatGod needs done at the time so it is possible to have certain gifts now anddifferent gifts later. However, if youallow your gifts to equal your identity, you may feel like less of a Christianwhen your role changes. A better outlook would be to take what you’ve beengiven and use it for right worship.

Secondly, there’s design. God gives Christ body the parts/gifts itneeds to accomplish His plan. Becausewe are chosen and placed by God, the body would be incomplete if some parts weremissing. This would weaken the overalleffectiveness of the body.

Thirdly, there difference. Paul asked someseemingly silly questions… “Do we all have the exact same gifts?” Obviously nobut the Corinthians were fixated on the gift of tongues and wanted everyone tohave that particular gift. How effectivewould they be if they all had only that one gift? Would God have given them all the same gift? Is this happening in churches today?

God has designed a diverse body but so often we seediversity as “dis-unity”. We have toremember we have unity because of our oneness in Christ. Our diversity is a blessing from God toaccomplish the plan He’s set in motion.

Folks also struggle with seeing their “everyday” gifts ASgifts. We tend to think of “church” onlyas the weekly Sunday gathering so some gifts are more evident in that contextbut what about Monday gifts? Tuesday gifts? Wed...? Small groups, outreaches and everyday life providea wonderful landscape to showcase the different gifts (hospitality, counseling,empathy, repairing a house, fixing a car, etc…). (Romans 12:1-2)

Fourth, God chooses what gifts we have so we can be most effective. Paul said we should earnestly covet/desirethe most useful gifts but sadly,some Christians covet the more attractive/popular gifts which could bethe least useful in the church. There issomething more excellent to consider…not more excellent than gifts but a moreexcellent way to carry them out. Weshould always consider others first, thinking less about our needs/wants andpaying more attention to those around us. Read ahead through chapter 13 to get a jumpstart on next week’s message.

CHALLENGE

How can you share the gift withinyou in a new or bolder way this Christmas season?

Songs With This Set
Be Glorified
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Angels We Have Heard On High
How Sweet The Day

II Corinthians 12:21-26 Status Update: Grace Causes us to Care for Every Church Member

2011-12-08T15:14:00.001-05:00

Proposition: Just as the human body naturally cares for all its parts, gracecauses Christ's body to have equal care for its members.

In chapter 12 Paul was attempting to clear up confusionregarding spiritual gifts. As areminder, this chapter is about the Holy Spirit and His gifts…not us. Everymember of Christ's body is designed to uniquely manifest the Spirit like no oneelse can and all the parts are designed to function as a team. There are many people who feel they are'useless' and many who feel they are sufficient making others not asneeded. However, this text teaches usthat there are no unnecessary parts! We are all needed (the body would beincomplete if parts were missing) and we were all wanted (the parts are chosen andplaced by God Himself).

“21And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: noragain the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 No, muchmore those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, arenecessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be lesshonorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely partshave more abundant comeliness.“

Those who believe they don’t need others and venture out independentlyare working against God’s plan. God createdand placed the parts in an organized manner to best fulfill His eternal,secret, master plans. It’s simply nottrue to believe someone else isn’t as needed as you. We must resist the lie that we are betterwithout other (presumably less gifted) members. Grace shows us we are allincomplete. If you were good on yourown, you wouldn't need grace. We never shake our need for Jesus AND Hisbody; working together causes the church to get things done moreexcellently/efficiently while God gets more of the glory!

“24 For our comely parts have no need: but Godhas tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that partwhich lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that themembers should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one membersuffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all themembers rejoice with it.”

Our old nature causes us to make wrong value judgments ofthings but God's grace helps us value things the way God does. The Corinthians had division amongstthemselves and caused others to feel alienated because of their seemingly lessimportant gifts. This they were doingwhile having the Lord’s Supper…a complete irony since the Lord’s Support isabout unity in Christ and His body. We allhave blind spots though, don’t we?!?!

While it may seem unrealistic, God wants His body tofunction in such unity that when one suffers we all suffer, when one rejoiceswe all rejoice. This may go against thenatural inclinations of a human but it is possible because of the Spirit wholives within us.

CHALLENGE

Do you see any gifts of the body as less important? How can you show others they are needed,appreciated and just as important as you are?

Songs With This Sermon

Holy Is The Lord
Give Us Clean Hands
How Great Is Our God
Emmanuel, Emmanuel

I Corinthians 12:14-20 Status Update: Christ's Body Contains No Unnecessary Parts

2011-11-30T15:56:00.001-05:00

Proposition: We will gain a sense of usefulness & purpose as we understandevery part of Christ's body is necessary in fulfilling the church's mission torepresent God.

“14For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because Iam not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 Andif the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is ittherefore not of the body?”

As a believer, have you ever felt useless, unneeded,dissatisfied or jealous? It’s notnecessarily wrong to desire other gifts (12:31) butit is wrong to think your gift isn’t needed. For a body part to say I AM NOT a body part is just NOT TRUTH!

“17 If the whole body were an eye, where werethe hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”

What part(s) of the human body can you live without…kidney,part of liver, gall bladder...? The bodyof Christ is different...It is incorrect to think, “Christ's body can functionwithout me”. Would it survive? Sure! Even a human body survives with a fewparts missing, BUT would it be fully functional? No! It would NOT shine asbrightly as it could. God designed the body to run as a whole unit and He wantsthe church body to do more than just “survive”.

“18But now has God set the members every oneof them in the body, as it has pleased him.”

Christ's body is for God's pleasure, not ours. He decides what's needed...it's His reputation.We should find pleasure in it for the reasons God does, not make it what wewant. We should not compare our function to other believers or churches.

Challenge:
We need to assess the gifts God gave us and be therepresentation God designed us to be. Accepting your place in the body is anissue of “Do you trust God's design and His wisdom?” To call yourself uselessis to deny God created you to be useful & is to question God's wisdom.

“19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they manymembers, yet one body.”

Each member represents something not so well represented inthe others. If the whole body was one part (eye, ear), then it ceases to be abody...it's a monstrosity! It always helps to keep the goal in mind...chapter 9states we’re to be all things to all men so we might save some.

The Corinthians needed this lesson because they fixatedprimarily on one gift (tongues) to the neglect of most others. What gift(s) do you hold in high regard? In order to see other parts as valuable, ithelps to view the church as a body in many contexts…not just a Sundaygathering. In small groups we get tosee gifts of hospitality, mercy, empathy, comfort, laughter, etc. Different gifts shine in different contexts. It is your shepherds' (elders) job to leadyou to various fields of discovery. Youwon't discover your gifts in isolation but rather as we serve together.

Takeaways:

1 As a believer you are needed ANDresponsible
2 It’s all about Jesus' reputation, not yours
3 Your identity = one part of the whole
4 Christ's body should move together as one unit in one direction

Songs With This Sermon:
There Is Power
How Deep The Fathers Love For Us
Your Mercy
O Come O Come Emmanuel

I Corinthians 12:12-13 Status Update: Church Unity Comes from the Holy Spirit

2011-11-30T15:28:00.001-05:00

Proposition: Because the Holy Spirit is the one who unites us to Christ's body weshould look to Him as the source and sustainerof our church unity rather than trying to manufacture unity

Paul was attempting to clear up confusion regardingspiritual gifts. As a recap, we shouldview anything from the Spirit as spiritual, our Spiritual gifts as grace gifts andthe purpose is to manifest God the Spirit. It’s all for His glory, not ours! Also remember, the HOLY SPIRIT is thesubject of chapter 12...not gifts or people.

“12For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that onebody, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are weall baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bondor free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

After explaining the term “spiritual” and how the Spiritgives diverse gifts according to His will, Paul revealed some things aboutChrist's body by likening it to the human body. The body, both physical and spiritual, is one single unit but with manymembers. A dismembered body part is nota body itself but part of a body. A body with missing parts is incomplete.

How did this happen? By one Spirit who made them onebody through a spiritual “baptism”. It’s called a baptism because the Spirit is poured out & recipientsare immersed in Him. This is not water baptism...water baptism is a picture ofthe spiritual baptism. (Acts 1:5) Waterbaptism is a physical, outward display of this internal, spiritual reality (Rom6). Spiritual regeneration/baptismmakes us one in Christ NOT our water baptism. It makes NO Biblical sense tomake salvation/unity dependant on where or how one is water baptized.

It’s important to know that God the Father placed us in thebody of His Son by the Holy Ghost, that we're not a bunch of little, spirit-filledbodIES...but ONE BODY (could reference chapter 3) and that our church unityis about the Holy Spirit not sameness of role/function.

Too often churches strive for sameness and conformity becausethey think they can create unity. Whatmight it look like if every person in the church were a preacher, teacher,singer or missionary? I think we wouldget a VERY LIMITED view of God. In avery special and unique way, God uses each person and their gifts to revealsomething about His multi-faceted self.

Things To Ponder:

1. To be part of the true church, a person must first bebaptized by the Holy Spirit.
2. If the Spirit does not baptize a person, they are NOTpart of Christ's body.
(Regardless of church membership, birth rights, “gifts”displayed, etc (John 3:1-8). It isPOSSIBLE to have members of Landmark who are not members of Christ's body (Mt25).)
3. We get what is spiritual from the Holy Spirit.
4. The Holy Spirit gives us our affirmation/assurance (Rom 8:14-17)
5. Ignorance (misunderstanding) of the gospel preventsenjoyment of church unity (1:10)

Songs With This Sermon:
Are You Washed/Nothing But The Blood
Holy And Anointed One
Alas
You Never Let Go

I Cor. 12:2-11 Status Update: Don't Squander God in Your Own Little Box

2011-11-15T10:49:00.001-05:00

Proposition: Rather than consume spiritual gifts for selfishdesires, we should embrace the diversity of God's Spirit in Christ's body soGod becomes well known to us & the world.

The context for this text starts with Paul telling them he did not want them to be ignorant. He wanted to attempt to clear up any confusion about spiritual gifts. We should also note that the Holy Spirit is the "subject" of this chapter...not gifts or people.

Verse 2 “You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, even as youwere led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by theSpirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is theLord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

We all have what the Scripture calls "a sin nature" and this part of us hasn't been killed yet. We struggle each and every day with fighting it and identifying more with the person we used to be rather than the person Jesus is making us to be. Paul was helping them understand that they were being carried away with sinful passions which is the opposite of being led by the Spirit. Wise people learn and remember where they are weak and seek help to fight those areas (porn, overeating, drugs, etc...). True spirituality comes when the Spirit changes our hearts toward Jesus to view Him as Lord and over time, our hearts will naturally want to fall in line with Jesus' desires rather than our own sinful ones.

“4 Now there are diversities ofgifts, but the same Spirit. 5 Andthere are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities ofoperations, but it is the same Godwhich works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is givento every man to profit with. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word ofwisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the sameSpirit; 9 To another faith by the sameSpirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to anotherprophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues;to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these works that one andthe selfsame Spirit, dividing to everyman severally as he will.”

Notice the working of the "Same Spirit". It is God who works in us and gives each of us differing gifts all designed to show His amazing diversity. Sadly, many believers consider "sameness" as honoring God rather than distinction of gifts (while completely ignoring or mis-interpreting texts such as chapter 12). We can have unity with diversity just as God does. The Father plays a role, the Son plays a role and the Holy Spirit plays a role but they are all completely unified. Spiritual gifts are just another manifestation of our multi-faceted God and God gives the gifts as He sees fit.

Take Aways:

The Spirit causes us to know God then gives us gifts to help others know Him.

The Spirit's gifts are not to draw attention to ourselves but to point people to Him.

Our gifts are to profit and edify the whole body of Christ.

Challenge:

Why should we be jealous of someone's elses gift? Why is it so hard to be thankful for who God made us to be?

Songs With This Sermon:

Forever

Blessed Redeemer

Give Us Clean Hands

Wonderful Merciful Savior

You Never Let Go

I Corinthians 12:1-3 Status Update: We Need a Better Understanding of the Holy Spirit

2011-11-10T08:55:00.003-05:00

Proposition: Because the Holy Spirit is far more than a mereinfluence to make us feel good, it is important to know Him and His role as the3rd person of the Godhead.

*The Bible Defines what IS & IS NOT “Spiritual”

“1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Youknow that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, even as you wereled. 3 Why I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of Godcalls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but bythe Holy Ghost.”

-He wanted his brothers (family) to be have full& correct understanding of spiritual gifts.

- Being spiritual is NOT a disconnect from reality but Godlyempowerment for the present (Ch 7). The goal of spirituality is to bring about redemption.

- The HOLY SPIRIT is the subject of Ch 12...Not gifts orpeople but the 3rd person of the Godhead. The better we understand Him, the more open we will be toexperiencing His amazing fullness.

*God's Spirit is Given forGod's Purposes

- We were spiritually immersed or baptized into the one body by the one Spirit of God. Not by works, merit or bringing special ability to the table.

- We notice the gifts credited to the Spirit in Ch 12 arecredited to God, the Father. Whatever the Father does is through Jesus & the HolySpirit.

- He is manifest/displayed to make God known & NOT tobring glory or attention to self.

- The Holy Spirit is a spirit who displays Himself throughpeople & their various giftings.

- He is thereforegiven to us to enable a relationship with God. A huge part ofthat relationship is communication with God...prayer.

CHALLENGE

Would you walkdown the street & never talk to your the friend walking beside you? We need to be alot more conversational with God's Spirit to stay in tune with His purposes.

Songs With This Sermon

Beautiful One

Word of God Speak

Worthy Is The Lamb

You Never Let Go

Review of I Corinthians chapters 8-10 Status Update: Christians Need to Care

2011-11-01T13:07:00.008-04:00

Key Verses: “22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all thingsto all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for thegospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 26 I so run, not asuncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under mybody, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I havepreached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1Co 9:22-23. 26-27)

Chapter8 Limiting our Behaviorshows Maturity & Care

Ch 8:1-8 Proposition:A Christian's first consideration in ethical behavior is not knowledge orrights but how a decision impacts others for the sake of the gospel. WhileBible knowledge is important, it matters very little what you know if it doesnot cause you to love God & neighbor & proclaim the gospel to others.

Chapter9 Caring for Ministers Shows how we Value the Gospel

Ch 9 Proposition: God's ministers have the right to be supportedby the fruit of their labors.

Chapter10 Our Lives Should Display the Value of God's Grace

Ch 10:1-5 Proposition:Because Christ has set us free from sin's bondage, believers must learn frombiblical history & help each other flee from what does not promote theGospel.

10:6-14 Proposition:God's people should not presume upon God's grace by giving into evil desiresbut rather should trust God's faithfulness to help us through anything.

10:15-22 Proposition:Because believers are prone to forgetting who we are & giving worship tocreation rather than Creator, Jesus gave us a meal to be our visible reminderof who we are.

Review of Chapters 5-7 Status Update: What we do is rooted in who we are

2011-10-26T11:04:00.004-04:00

*Believers should helpeach other deal with sin“9Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be notdeceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, butyou are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”(1Cor 6:9-11)

Ch 5 Proposition:Believers are not to celebrate or ignore sin but rather mourn it and help eachother deal with recurring sin struggles (5:1-2)

*Jesuscares how His people live

Ch 6 Proposition:Since Jesus fully purchased us inside and out, we are to use spirit and body toreceive, enjoy and proclaim His glorious kingdom & fight for each otherrather than with each other.

*We should live for Christin our current circumstance

Ch 7 Proposition:Living in Christ is not about creating or waiting for better circumstances butembracing your new identity & learning to be faithfully obedient in allsituations.

CHALLENGE
Our new identity changes who & what we serve...internallyfreed from sin's bondage (6:9-11). This gives us the ability to change & pursue holiness

1. So am I doing what is expedient/helpful?

Jesus freed usfrom focus on self & rights so we would care about God & others

Are your actionshelping to bring the church body closer together?

Believers have aunique obligation to care for the church body (12:25-26; Gal 6:10).

2. Are created things ruling me less? "I will notbe brought under the power of any"

Does God want Hispeople to give sin back the power it once had over us?

Does the way youutilize creation express worship of God or creation? (Rom. 1:25)

Songs With This Sermon

To Be Like Jesus

Here I Am To Worship

Jesus Thank You

For Your Goodness Lord

He Reigns

Review of Chapters 1-10 Status Update: Becoming Who God Says We Are in Christ

2011-10-17T12:54:00.000-04:00

Proposition: God in Christredefines who we are and our greatest joy will come as we believe, embrace& live out who God says we are.

Many believe 1:10 is the proposition of the wholeletter...issue=UNITY...

*1:1-10 Proposition:Since God has made us one people under one King, then we should use His giftsto confirm our unity in His one message (gospel) of one kingdom (not ourkingdoms/agendas). Paul opened with questions to drive us back to Jesus, ourcentral issue/focus: (1:13).

“Now I beseech you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Cor 1:10)

*1:17-25 Proposition:The cross of the crucified God must become our new & only lens for viewingthe world or else we treat the gospel as just another philosophy...rendering ituseless & powerless. (vs 25)The cross is how God outsmarted & overpowered human reasoning...it revealsGod's power.

*Ch 2 Proposition:Because human wisdom is such a part of us, we must take extra care to ensurewe're rooting people's hope in Jesus. Gospel = The good news of what Christ has done + nothing...life,death, burial, resurrection, return.

*Ch 3 Proposition: Godgave church leaders to ensure the church is built upon Christ.

3:5-9 = A field whereeverything in it belongs to God (leaders are necessary but are not saviors)

3:9-15 = A buildingwhere leaders are architects who must use the right foundation & materials. Paul called church leaders “wise master builders” (skilledarchitect/superintendent/overseer). One duty of Pastors/Elders is oversight/superintending (agrace gift given by God).

(vs 11) Pastors help ensure Jesus, the foundation, is not takenfor granted

(vs 12) God cares about the materials used to build (2groups-enduring & non). We're trying toproduce a church which bears the image of Jesus. We don't want apowerless (4:19), saviorless church with potentially unsaved “converts”.

3:16-23 = A united,Spirit-filled temple where God's Spirit dwells & all parts belong to eachother. Some plant, some water & if we use the right materials GODgives the increase. God will do the internal, Spiritual work of bringing peopleto faith in Christ.

Ch 4 Proposition: Weare to be stewards of God's Gospel who realize we have nothing to boast inbecause all of our work is done with the life, breath, abilities &materials God gives us.

(vs 4:7) Any understanding of the gospel/Bible & any gifts wehave come from God.

Ch 5 Proposition:Believers are not to celebrate or ignore sin but rather mourn it and help eachother deal with recurring sin struggle. What we do is rooted in who we are:

“9 Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Cor 6:9-11)

Ch 6 Proposition:Since Jesus has completely purchased us inside and out, we are to use spiritand body to receive, enjoy and proclaim His glorious kingdom & fight foreach other (not with each other).

First, your body does matter (6:13, 20) = it is supposed toreflect the glory of Christ (new identity).

Second, Our new identity changes who & what we serve(6:12)

Ch 7 Proposition:Living in Christ is not about creating or waiting for better circumstances butembracing your new identity & gifting to remain faithfully obedient in allsituations

(vs 7:8, 20, 24, 40) Bloom where God plants you...don't seek changedcircumstances.

Ch 8:1-8 Proposition:While Bible knowledge is important, it matters very little what you know if itdoes not cause you to love God & neighbor & proclaim the gospel toothers. A Christian's first consideration in ethical behavior is not knowledgeor rights but how a decision impacts others for the sake of the gospel.

“22 To the weak became I as weak, that Imight gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all meanssave some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partakerthereof with you. 24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, butone receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. 25 And every man thatstrives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain acorruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not asuncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under mybody, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preachedto others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1Co 9:22-27)

Ch 9 Proposition: Theway a church cares for ministers shows the world our value of the Gospel.

(vs 4-5) Gospel ministers have the right to support a familywith gospel income (Wife; Peter)

(vs 6-7) Gospel ministers have the right to not labor inother ways (forbear working)

(vs 8-9) Gospel ministers should be treated as well asanimals

(vs 12) Bottom line: Gospel ministers have the right to receivecompensation from the flock they serve. Yet they might refuse it depending on circumstances or ifthey have other means of income.

9:15-23 Proposition: Though we have God-given rights & freedoms, we shouldbe willing to adapt them for the Gospel's sake if it helps bring others toGospel understanding.

(20) Don't fight over things that have no moral value

(21) Don't become immoral (Gal 5:13-misuse liberty)

(22) Be graceful to those who are “too bound up over rules”

Ch 9:24-27 Proposition:If the gospel is really at the center of our lives, then we will run the raceof life with self-control, intent and discipline while not taking God's gracefor granted. Watch your life so you support & proclaim the Gospel(9:27)

Ch 10:1-5 Proposition:Because Christ has set us free from sin's bondage, believers must learn frombiblical history & help each other flee from what does not promote theGospel.

10:6-14 Proposition:God's people should not presume upon God's grace by giving into evil desiresbut rather should trust God's faithfulness to help us through anything.

10:15-22 Proposition:Because believers are prone to forgetting who we are & giving worship tocreation rather than Creator, Jesus gave us a meal to be our visible reminderof who we are.

I Corinthians 11:23-34 Status Update: The Lord's Supper is no Ordinary Meal

2011-10-10T15:55:00.003-04:00

“27 Wherefore whoever shall eat thisbread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty ofthe body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 Forhe that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation tohimself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weakand sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, mybrothers, when you come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 Andif any man hunger, let him eat at home; that you come not together tocondemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.”

Communion places the focus on our unity in Christ

- Vs. 27 Notice to eat/drink unworthily makes one guiltyof body/blood of the Lord. It violates the Supper's central purpose = Jesus gave Hislife for every member of His church.
- vs. 22 Remember Corinthians despised/dishonored eachother (Christ's church) & shamed the poor. A love of“attending church” does not automatically = “loving the church”.

What is the meaning of unworthily?

- vs. 29 clarifies unworthily = Not discerning Lord'sbody (most translations sub this for unworthy). Unworthily does not describe the sinner but rather the manner ofpartaking.
- I was taught this meant I gotta clean myself up or confessevery sin (known/secret), BUT...Can I cleanmyself up? Am I ever “worthy” from this perspective? NO! ONLY JESUS isworthy & we're ONLY EVER worthy through faith connection with Christ! So I take the Supperwhenever it's offered to remind me of the One Who makes me worthy.
- Can ALL sins be fully dealt with by simply praying alone in achurch service? (Matt. 5:23-24) We cannot twistthe chapter context from church disunity to individual/personal sins.
- vs. 28 So what are we supposed to examine about self? What's been the point of the entire chapter? Ourrelationship to THE BODY (11:22).
- vs. 30-31 If we don't correct our actions toward the body, Godwill...he corrects so we're not condemned. Despising & shaming the body of Christ is condemnablebehavior...it's what the world does.
- vs. 32 God's correction is always restorative &not meant to drive us from the Lord's table.

CHALLENGE
The remedy is simple (and it's not “pray real hard”)...receiveeach other & take the Lord's supper. The supper should be done often to remind us of our unity. vs. 33 says When we come together, tarry for/welcomeone another (receive/take each other by hand). vs 34 If we wantto pig out and be selfish, Paul said “eat at home”.

Songs With This Sermon
To Be Like Jesus
Blessed Be Your Name
I Love Your Presence
In Christ Alone

I Corinthians 11:23-34 Status Update: The Lord's Supper is no Ordinary Meal

2011-10-03T16:49:00.000-04:00

Proposition: The Lord's Supper is the centerpiece of our gatherings and is atradition we should celebrate often to ensure we are constantly reminded of ourgospel unity.

*Itis a tradition we should regularly keep

“23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I deliveredto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is mybody, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25a After the samemanner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the newtestament in my blood:...”

How do we know this?

- vs. 23 This tradition was passed from Jesus to Paul & deliveredto the Corinthians. While many create& pass on religious traditions, only those recieved from Jesus should be passed down. The main churchtraditions/ordinances are Baptism=repeated 1x & Lord's Supper=repeatedoften.

- vs. 24 Jesus said bread = His body broken for us = Not His actual body b/c He was still in it! Remember nobodyactually “broke” Jesus' body = He symbolically broke it Himself. Paul said it wasthe church/body of Christ (10:17)

- vs. 25 Jesus said cup = NT/covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-23) of His blood

- vs. 25a notice Paul wrote, when he supped...Lord's Supperwas part of a larger meal in early church

*It is a meal with a gospel purpose

“25b This do, as oft as you drink it, in remembrance of me.26 For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show theLord’s death till he come.”

- vs. 25b It is to be doneoften to help us remember the One who brought us together

- vs. 26 We eat/drink toshow (proclaim/announce/make known) Lord's death until He comes. The phrase the Lord's deathrefers to the entire gospel (1:17-18; Gal 2:21; Eph 2:16). Celebrating it makes the gospelknown audibly & visibly. Celebrating it draws attentionto the centrality of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection & return. Celebrating it does not createunity but rather acknowledges it.

*It places focus on our unity in Christ

“27 Wherefore whoever shall eat this bread, and drink thiscup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drinkof that cup. 29 For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinksdamnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many areweak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves,we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of theLord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, mybrothers, when you come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if anyman hunger, let him eat at home; that you come not together to condemnation.And the rest will I set in order when I come.”

- vs. 27 Notice to eat/drinkunworthily makes one guilty of body/blood of the Lord. It violates theSupper's central purpose = Jesus gave His life for every member of His church.

- vs. 22 RememberCorinthians despised/dishonored each other (Christ's church) & shamed thepoor. A love of “attending church”does not automatically = “loving the church”. A true believer is not just onewho partakes in the sacred meal (or whatever religious service). A true believer is one whopartakes in the sacred duties/life which the meal represents.

What is the meaningof unworthily?

- vs. 29 clarifies unworthily= Not discerning Lord's body (most xlations sub this for unworthy). The Action of HE is eating,drinking & discerning...The Manner of HE is unworthily. Unworthy does not describe thesinner but rather the manner of partaking.

Paul told us what toexamine about ourselves & the purpose of such examination...

- vs. 28 Paul said examineself in relation to the body & then eat/drink (Did not say abstain fromtable).

- vs. 30-31 The purpose? We either correct our actionstoward the body or God will (either way solution is not to abstain).

- vs. 32 = Why does God judge/chastenus? Not to condemn us but “keeps us pure” (Rom 8:1).

- vs. 33 When we cometogether to eat, tarry for one another (receive/take each other by hand).

- vs. 34 Notice Paul'sadvice for preventing unworthy eating, judgment & being like the dividedworld. He did not say “confess theirsin” or “believe Jesus is present in the bread & cup”. He said, “wait for one another”& “eat at home” (keep selfishness away from the body).

CHALLENGE

What have you always believed about communion? Does this text line up with your thought process?

Songs With This Sermon

To Be Like Jesus

Be Glorified

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed

Sing to The King

You Are In Control

I Corinthians 11:17-22, 33-34 Status Update: Are We Really Together When We're Together?

2011-09-26T16:32:00.002-04:00

Proposition: Since the Lord's Supper is the centerpiece of our gatherings thenour gatherings should represent the work of the gospel.

ChurchGatherings Should Reflect the Gospel's Purpose

“17Now in this that I declare to you I praise younot, that you come together notfor the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you cometogether in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you;and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you,that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When you come together therefore into oneplace, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every onetakes before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.22 What? have you not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise you the churchof God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praiseyou in this? I praise you not. 33Wherefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, tarry one foranother. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that you comenot together to condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when Icome.”

- Paul had a huge problem with the Corinthian gatherings...nopraise when they came together. (17) Why? They forgot the very reason they came together...forthe better (useful/advantageous). The Corinthiansended up gathering for the worse (destructive).

- (18) Paul pointed out there were divisions amongthem. What kind?

- (19) First notice, the church is NOT always a happy placewhere everyone agrees. Paul saidlegitimate & illegitimate factions must exist in order to prove who isgenuine.

- (20) The Corinthian gatherings were not representative/essenceof the Lord's Supper.

- (21) Notice how Paul exaggerated the meal elements (hunger& drunkenness)...made a point. When theCorinthians gathered with other believers, they only cared about themselves.

- (22) The Corinthians despised/dishonored each other(Christ's church) & shamed the poor. In 1:25-31 we learned the Corinthians had issues with God includingpeople of lesser status.

Challenge:

What was Paul's problem with the Corinthian church? (11:29) TheCorinthians failed to discern the Lord's body (10:17=bread=body=church). They failed to see an abuse of Christ's body = an abuse ofJesus, the head of the body (Acts 9:5). What was Paul's solution? (11:33) = tarry/wait for/share with those in the body. In all their discussion & division, the CorinthiansTOTALLY missed relationships (John 13:35)

Isn't it our love & care for one another which proveswhether spiritual union has truly taken place?

Songs With This Sermon:

My Hope Is Built

Lifesong

I Will Glory In My Redeemer

Are You Washed

Glorious Day

I Corinthians 11:7-16 Status Update: Honoring Gender Differences Promotes Our Creator's Glory

2011-09-21T11:01:00.004-04:00

Proposition: Believers should not attempt to live as if theopposite gender is unnecessary because God's glory is more greatly displayedwhen we serve together

Today we'll consider the fact men & women areinterdependent. Humans say, “I don't need others” or “The other gender isinferior/unnecessary”. The Creator says both genders need each other to fulfill Hisintentions on Earth.

*God is Glorified Through Gender Distinctions

“7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is theimage and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man isnot of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created forthe woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to havepower on her head because of the angels. 13 Judge in yourselves: is itcomely that a woman pray to God uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teachyou, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame to him? 15 But if a womanhave long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither thechurches of God.”

- So what's with the head coverings? Why (7) NOT on men &(10) YES on women in Corinth? First, nobody is totally certain what specifically was goingon in Corinth. In the Corinthianworship setting, apparently some women were arguing for the right to pray or prophesy withoutsome kind of customary head covering or hairstyle (not sure which).

- What are these gender distinctions/what do we need todisplay?

- (7) Man is the image of & glory of God =created first from the dust to reflect God's image.

- (7) Woman is the glory of the man & (8) is ofthe man = she is a reflection of man's glory. Not that mancreated her but rather God created her from man's side.

- (9) The woman was created for the man; man was NOTcreated for the woman... This is simply araw creation fact, not implications...don't read more into it than intended.

*Honoring Created Differences Promotes the Gospel

“11Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman withoutthe man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is theman also by the woman; but all things of God.”

- (11) Man is not (independent of) the woman& the woman is not (independent of) the man. Neither gender is independent, self-sufficient or superiorto the other.

- (12) Woman is of the man & man is also born ofwoman & all created things are of God. While the first woman was created from man, everyoneis now born of women. And regardless ofcreated order or how we are born, we all come from God.

THIS IS THE POINT...Our redemptive role is to point humanityback up the chain to our source. As we recognize& appreciate God-given order, differences & authority we promote thegospel.

Songs With This Text

Almighty Creator

I Will Glory In My Redeemer

By His Wounds

Grace Like Rain

Taste and See

11:1-6 Status Update: Our Differences Help Others See God's Various Traits

2011-09-14T14:44:00.000-04:00

Proposition: Believers should not attempt to minimize ourGod-given differences because our distinct differences reflect the multifacetedglory of our infinite Creator

*Believers should celebrate differences

“1Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brothers,that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I deliveredthem to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”

- The gospel does not magically make us all the same. While humans tryto minimize differences, differences reflect various things of God's character. We're not all thesame and that is perfectly fine...it's what makes life interesting.

- Gal. 3:28 is about equal access TO Christ NOT same functions in Christ...i.e. chapter 12

- Notice some distinctions Paul mentioned

- The head of every man is Christ (John 1:1-3)

- The head of the woman is the man (Gen 2:22)

- The head of Christ is God(John 1:14)

- Let's be carefulhere...In Scripture “head” either means source or authority (context specific). This text is acreation argument (theology) not an implication argument (systematics).

- Many will misswhat this text actually says by reading other things into it

- This is not a“who's the boss” text...that is nowhere in this text

- As we willsee...Paul's issue was Corinthians were blurring God-given male/femaledifferences.

Learning Points:

- First we see the trinity (Father, Son, Spirit) is equal & yet hasdistinct functions (Phil 2)

- You do NOT have tofunction the same to be equal. We can see believers are equal in Christ buthave distinct roles/functions (Rom 8:17).

*Ourdifferences display the glory of our multifaceted God

“4Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.5 But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonorsher head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman benot covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to beshorn or shaven, let her be covered.”

- Praying/Prophecy shows Paul was focused on their gatheredworship time (not everyday living). Apparently, theywanted to abandon some kind of tradition in order to minimize gender difference.

- Both the men &the women deliberately acted in a way which brought shame on their “head”.

- This was a Corinthian tradition to show distinction &not a tradition we're expected to follow.

- Bottom line...Paul told them NOT to minimize genderdifferences b/c it ultimately dishonors God. The distinct, different glories of men & of womenreflect the multifaceted glory of the Creator.

Learning Points:

- Men and women have different roles & yet areequal in dignity, value and essence

- Women can certainly be active in gathered worship settings (prayer; prophecy)

- Prophecy - speechdirected toward the congregation which edifies, exhorts & comforts (14:1-5)

- Informalforms of speaking, singing the Word, sharing Scripture, sharing testimonies

- The only role distinctly reserved for men in the church ispastors/elders (1Tim 2:11-12) Why? So simply soGod's created order is always on display.

Songs With This Sermon:

Word of God Speak

We Fall Down

I Will Glory In My Redeemer

Open The Eyes Of My Heart Lord

I Corinthians 10:23-33 - Hedge Presentation

2011-08-31T18:16:00.001-04:00

What is the Hedge?

The Hedge exists as a safe, redemptive venue where we acknowledge God as the giver of musical gifts & develop those gifts.

Luke 14:23 “And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

History

God has given us many amazing musically gifted people

We feel a responsibility to help the use that gift for Christ & His work

What is the mission of the Hedge? *The mission of Hedge should be the mission of the church

“Transforming our community one band at a time”

“Jesus said, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

How do we accomplish this mission?

Provide a venue

Create a safe place for kids to play music

Create musical outlets for our local students

Offer “open gym” time after The Hedge

Create venues in local schools

Build Relationships

Reach the hearts of local bands & develop them as positive role models for their fans

Provide small group relational opportunities for the bands

Build a network of support in the community

Network with adult bands for fund raising and support

Invest in people

Book bands who will allow us to invest in them

Provide free or low cost professional training & other services

Serve our community with high quality, positive music

What has changed this year?

New stage design? (mention building being used more)

New genres (styles of music)

Renewed focus on discipleship

JSL connections

Repair corner (Dave)

When is The Hedge?

Every other Friday = Setup 6-8pm & tear down around 11 = 3 bands each night

Check the web/announcements; occasional Saturdays

What about the work in local schools?

Working with business classes at Milford & Batavia

Setup battle of bands in each school, winners play Hedge and those winner play the Taste

Roles – with more help, more relationship building is possible

● Fundraising ● Marketing & Booking

● Setup/tear down ● Sound techs

● Security ● Concessions

● Video & Web Team ● Disciple makers (relationships; sm grps; etc...)

● Prayer Warriors (in crowd) ● Relationship Builders (in crowd)

I Cor. 10:15-22 Status Update: The Lord's Supper is our Visible Gospel

2011-08-22T11:53:00.000-04:00

Proposition: Because believers are prone to giving worship to creation rather than Creator, Jesus gave us a meal to be our visible reminder of who we are.

*Human hearts can easily give away God's worship

“19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?”

    - While an idol is nothing 20 Idol sacrifices = devil sacrifices...all the sudden IT IS something (vs. 19-20).
     - Satan can use perfectly good things to trick us into wrong worship...steal God's worship.
     - Paul wanted the Corinthians to acknowledge participating in both suppers did not make sense.
     - Certain activities can lead you to worship CREATION rather than CREATOR.
     - Do we provoke Lord? Are we stronger than Him? (vs. 22)
When we give more value (worship) to creation than Creator we provoke God to jealousy.

*Our meal reminds us we are in communion with Jesus & His body.

“15 I speak as to wise men; judge you what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? ”

     - Jesus gave His people a meal to remind us of our identity & core allegiance each time we eat it.
     - Those who eat of the sacrifices partake/are in communion with the God of that altar. The Lord's Supper IS a visible picture/reminder of the Gospel! (vs. 18)
     - We share in the blood of Christ – WASHED AWAY SIN (1Cor 1:9; 1John 1:3, 6).
     - We share in the one bread, the body (parts) of Christ (Acts 2:42; 1John 1:7).

- So the Lord's Supper reminds us: 1. We're His Jesus' body parts 2. we're united with each other. We are alive in Jesus & have that life in common with one another (see Gal 2:20).

CHALLENGE

So how can we protect the throne of our hearts? Know what's good for us & Christ's body? Do you see why we need to gather often & DO LIFE TOGETHER? Remembering who you are helps you make more excellent choices.

Songs With This Sermon

Sing To The King

I Will Cast My Cares

Blessed Redeemer

Mighty To Save

I Cor. 10:6-14 Status Update: Don't take our Faithful God for Granted

2011-08-15T11:05:00.001-04:00

Proposition: God's people should not presume upon God's grace by giving into evil desires but rather should trust God's faithfulness to help us through anything.

*Don't take God's grace for Granted

“6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be you idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur you, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ”

     - Why should we pay attention to our historical ancestors?
     - (Vs.11) Ensamples (types, figures, patterns) for our admonition (exhortation, teaching, warning). God expects us to read & learn from them (Lk 24-speaks of Him & thus of us!)
     - (Vs. 12) Take heed if you think you stand – We're weak without God's help.
     - (Vs. 14) Flee from idolatry – We are to use God's power to run from what does not promote the gospel.
     - (Vs. 6) We are not to lust after evil things.
     - (Vs. 7) CREATION WORSHIP = Idolatry – not merely a statue of Buddha (Rom 1:25). God wants us to be totally satisfied in Him.
     - (Vs. 8) ABANDONING MARRIAGE Fornication (Pornea) Pornea is associated with worship of self & Satan – against God's design.

- (Vs. 9-10) DISCONTENT Challenging Jesus & Murmuring (Question God's power/character).

*Don't despair...God's grace is sufficient for any trouble

“13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”

- (Vs. 13) Trials/Temptations are common. We NEVER face anything our believing ancestors have not faced in some way, shape or form.
- God, Who is faithful, provides a way of escape (a means of egress or a way out of danger) so that we can bear it (stand up under it).

CHALLENGE
Why don't we run from evil things? Do you think you are powerful enough to resist temptation on your own? Do you believe God is always good, just & right...NO MATTER WHAT? Do you really believe God has the best perspective on how to be happy/full of joy?

Songs With This Sermon
Give Us Clean Hands
You Alone
I Will Cast My Cares
Arms of Love
How Great Is Our God

I Cor. 10:1-5 Status Update: Don't be ignorant...Grace is not a License to Sin

2011-08-10T10:03:00.000-04:00

Proposition: Because Christ has set us free from sin's bondage, believers must learn from biblical history & help each other flee from what does not promote the Gospel.

*OT Jews & the NT Church are one in Christ

“1 Moreover, brothers, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 11 Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?”

     - The Bible seems to teach one, true Israel of God in Christ (Rom. 2:28-29; Ch 9-11; Gal. 3:6-28; 6:15-16).
     - The Bible is NOT 2 completely different stories about 2 completely different groups.
     - ALL who were saved in the Bible were saved because of Jesus Christ (not works, not law).

*Do not take God's grace for granted

“1 Moreover, brothers, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.”

- Our ancestors took God's care & leadership for granted.

- What happened many OT people who God once blessed? God overthrew them.

- Of all who left Egypt, only Joshua, Caleb & those under 20 entered promised land. They had a huge God-experience crossing the Red Sea & become over-confidently secure.

- The God who lead, blessed & provided every need laid the rest dead across the wilderness. An entire generation took God's blessings for granted.

- This was the problem with discipleship in Israel, Corinth & still today...autonomy. We should not confuse God's care & blessings as a license to sin & ignore God's directions.

CHALLENGE

*Do you think salvation means you are “magically protected” from sin's consequences?

*Do you view God's blessings as license to sin?

*Does God care what sorts of things believers are involved in?

Songs With This Sermon

God of Wonders

Holy Holy Holy

Holy and Anointed One

I Will Cast My Cares

I Cor. 9:24-27 Status Update: Our lives will prove whether the Gospel is our main thing

2011-08-01T09:08:00.003-04:00

Proposition: If the gospel is really at the center of our lives, then we will run the race of life with self-control, intent and discipline while not taking God's grace for granted.

*Are you living as if Jesus' work means something?

“24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. 25B Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

- What is the gospel? Good NEWS of what's BEEN DONE...not by you, by JESUS!

- In Paul's mind, even though we have already won, believers should run like we're running for 1^st place.

- How does it motivate you knowing Jesus has already guaranteed you gold?

*What are some appropriate responses to Jesus' work?

“25a And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

- (vs. 25) Live with self-control - If you have no self-control then you are a slave to created things.

- (vs. 26) Live Intentionally – Are you living with purpose in every step (not aimlessly) or just shadowboxing?

- (vs. 27) Live with Discipline - discipline through hardships. What typically slows us down? Life's difficulties.

CHALLENGE

Genuine believers live life with a gospel purpose. In Christ, we have already won and therefore we should live lives which portray that truth. Paul adapted himself to every crowd, yet there was never a doubt that he was different. If we're still conformed to everything around us are we really changed? Has the gospel of Christ truly begun changing you yet?

Songs With This Sermon

Holy

We Fall Down

Your Great Name

The Love of God

Not To Us

I Corinthians 9:15-23 Status Update: We should care about those to whom we preach

2011-07-26T09:28:00.000-04:00

Proposition: Though we have God-given rights & freedoms, we should be willing to adapt them for the Gospel's sake if it helps bring others to Gospel understanding.

Ø     Do you view gospel proclamation as your main “job”?
“15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid on me; yes, woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me.”

     - (vs. 16) Paul viewed Gospel preaching as his life calling...(vs. 17) accountable if he did not proclaim gospel. It was his glory (grounds of rejoicing) and it was a reward in itself.
      - Paul would have JOY for DOING what God created him to do & GRIEF for NOT doing it. So it didn't matter if the Corinthians paid him or did not pay him.

Ø     Do you think sharing the Gospel is rewarding?
“18 What is my reward then? Truly that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more.”

     - (vs. 18) Paul saw great reward in preaching the gospel without charging. Paul didn't want Corinthian compensation to make his glorying void (nullified).
    - He didn't want a paycheck to tie him down to a certain group or to turn off another group. Those who paid Paul might have tried to control him like they did with Greek philosophers.
    - Paul placed his freedoms, rights & NEEDS second to the needs of others to become servant of all.

Ø     Do you adapt yourself so the gospel will be heard?
“20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”

     - Paul adapted his life based on his crowd - Adaptable (fitting adjustments) vs Flexible (easily bent). WHY? To gain/save them = win or bring to gospel point of view.
    - How does this look in your life?
           - (vs. 20) Don't fight over things that have no moral value.
           - (vs. 21) Don't become immoral (Gal 5:13-misuse liberty).
           - (vs. 22) Be graceful to those who are “too bound up over rules”.

CHALLENGE
Piper - Here is the sum of the matter: Christ died to set us free. Free from the wrath of God, and free from the loveless limits of the law. Free for love and eternal life. Are we using our freedom to make this good news plain? Or are we so separatistic that we have no connection with unbelievers; or are we so worldly they don't know we have anything radically different to offer?

Songs With This Sermon
Jesus Thank You
Worthy Is The Lamb
Sweetly Broken
Taste and See
Your Great Name

I Corinthians 9:1-14 Status Update: Gospel Preaching is a Real Job!

2011-07-19T09:50:00.001-04:00

Proposition: Because Gospel preaching is a real job, Paul declared it was worthy of compensation under the right circumstances.

“1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord. 3 My answer to them that do examine me is this,”

Ø Christians should not hate God's messenger.

- For some reason Paul felt the need to defend whether he was an authentic apostle.

- Corinthians boasted in status & gifts & questioned why Paul didn't “fully exercise his privileges”. This made them wonder if Paul was legitimate.

- Paul was affirmed by God's call upon his life, NOT by how he used his gospel privileges. Remember: Spiritual freedoms, rights, gifts & privileges are all subordinate to our calling. They serve our calling & they are for the benefit of others.

- If he wasn't real, then neither were they.

“4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goes a warfare any time at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or said not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn. Does God only care for oxen? 10 Or said he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that plows should plow in hope; and that he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

Ø Christians should support God's messenger.

- Though he refused $ support in Corinth, Paul defended his right to accept it.

- Gospel ministers have the right to support a family with gospel income.

- Gospel ministers have the right to not labor in other ways.

- Gospel ministers should be treated as well as animals.

- We should pay listen well when Jesus & NT writers interpret OT for us. All of God's Words always find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus & therefore find their end in the good of all Jews and Gentiles who are redeemed only in Christ.

- God cares for those who sow spiritual things by allowing them to reap of carnal things. According to God's Word, it is inhumane to forbid someone from sharing in what they produce.

- Gospel ministers have the right to receive compensation from the flock they serve. Yet they might refuse it depending on circumstances or if they have other means of income.

CHALLENGE

Do you appreciate the ministry of the gospel in your life? Do you support it financially? What difference has gospel ministry made to you?

SONGS WITH THIS SERMON

Almighty Creator

All Who Are Thirsty

From The Depths of Woe

Your Great Name

Ancient of Days

I Corinthians 8:8-13 Status Update: Are Your Freedoms Wounding your Brothers & Sisters?

2011-07-19T09:25:00.000-04:00

Proposition: A Christian's first consideration in ethical behavior is not knowledge or rights but how a decision impacts others for the sake of the gospel.

“8 But meat commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your’s become a stumbling block to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see you which have knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you sin so against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend.'

*There are times when exercising our freedoms can lead other believers to stumble (vs 9).

- Paul used the example of eating meat offered to idols in the idol's temple.

-Believers with “strong faith” knew idols were nothing.

- Paul's asked, “Hey stronger believers, why MUST you assert your rights if it hurts another?”

*How can it hurt? It can wound the conscience of our weaker brothers & sisters.

- The false idols they formerly worshiped still influenced their minds.

- This stirs up crippling anxiety & guilt over past sins which hinders their joy in Christ.

- Those who don't struggle in these ways often don't realize how this impacts some believers.

*Why is it wrong? Notice to sin against believers is to sin against Christ.

- So doing something your “allowed to do” can actually become a sinful activity.

- How can you really enjoy your knowledge/freedom when you know it's destroying others?

- Wouldn't we end up more joyful if we helped our church family avoid falling back into sin?

- The Corinthians incorrectly viewed Christ's forgiveness as a license to do whatever they please.

- Yet we're supposed to be more concerned about helping each other than doing whatever we want.

- Loving & protecting other believers takes precedence over exercising rights & privileges.

- Paul accommodated himself to their prejudices that he might win them over to gospel views. Paul wanted them to grow & mature but didn't try to push them.

CHALLENGE

How do I decide when NOT to exercise my privileges in Christ? Ask:

1) Will it build up the church?

2) Will it enslave me or others?

3) Will it be consistent with my new identity?

4) Will it lead to actual sin?

5) What do my elders have to say?

I Cor. 8:1-13 Status Update: Is Your Bible Knowledge Making You More Loving?

2011-07-07T10:20:00.000-04:00

Proposition: While Bible knowledge is important, it matters very little what you know if it does not cause you to love God & neighbor.

“1 Now as touching things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies. 2 And if any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 However, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol to this hour eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.”

*Paul explained some believers in their local church were NOT on the same knowledge page. They were “weaker” believers who did not fully believe in God's supremacy.

*We should be careful thinking we've got anything (especially God) all figured out.

- We become unteachable (8:2; 3:18) – All of us should remain teachable our entire lives. Some of us can't even be corrected BY THE BIBLE b/c we've always believed a certain way.

-We abuse & shame those who are not at our knowledge level. Ever been cornered by an “expert” on a subject? (Ex: politics, conspiracy, education, church)

-We become jerks when someone proposes a contrary idea or just isn't as certain as you (Prov. 17:27)

-We mistakenly equate Bible knowledge with encyclopedia knowledge – mere intellectual effort.

- We confuse knowledge with evidence of Salvation or maturity (here's the real crime). We end up measuring churches & relationships on everything but union with Christ. If you only make friends with people identical to you, you'll be very lonely.

*The proof of being truly mature/converted is if any man love God.

- We forget how miraculous it is for a fallen human who hates God to end up loving God & neighbor. That's how we know a person is known of God (saved).

CHALLENGE:

Are you more concerned about what you know/exercising your privileges and rights or the GOSPEL?

SONGS WITH THIS SERMON

Blessed Be Your Name

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed

Forever

Hallelujah

I Corinthians 7:25-28, 35-40 Status Update: A Christian's Identity is not Rooted in Earthly Status

2011-06-29T15:27:00.000-04:00

Proposition: Because this world is passing away, all earthly decisions should be based on Christ's coming kingdom so we remain focused on our true identity.

*Paul gave wisdom for virgins & those (vs 27) bound (engaged) to a wife (Deut. 22:23-24; Mt. 1:19)

- The present distress caused others to wonder about completing their engagement. Paul encouraged them to postpone rather than totally break off engagements.

- Singleness could lead to sin (fornication) if no self control (power over his own will).

*We are free to marry whomever we want but only in the Lord.

- Neither singleness or marriage was a sin.

*Your identity is NOT rooted in marital status but in Christ. No earthly status gives you better standing with God; you simply live for God in your status.

CHALLENGE:

What situation are you in that you don't think is ideal? Seeking change? While God may not want you there forever, how can you find contentment while you are there? What can you learn? Who can you serve? How can you be without anxiety & be devoted to receiving & proclaiming the gospel?

Songs With This Sermon:

Your Love Is Amazing

My Chains Are Gone

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed

You Are Worthy Of My Praise

I Corinthians 7:29-35 Status Update: To which Kingdom are you Really Devoted?

2011-06-22T16:07:00.002-04:00

Proposition: Embracing your new identity & gifting to remain faithfully obedient in all situations requires a Christ-centered kingdom perspective.

*Anchoring your hope in this world ties you down

“29 But this I say, brothers, the time is short: it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passes away.”

- The Corinthian's lived for personal spiritual status & being/having the best stuff/circumstances. They lived as if this world was their ultimate goal.

- Time is short...what really drives you? Is it earthly status or your status in Christ?

(31) God's Word gives us insight...this world is passing away (Jas 4:14).

-We should view this world like it's on loan to us & seek God's wisdom about how to use it. While devoting proper attention to things, we're careful not to love creation more than Creator.

*Anchoring hope in Christ's Kingdom releases this world's ropes.

“32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare on you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend on the Lord without distraction.”

- Paul is NOT saying singleness is always better & marriage is not (present distress-famine?) He's showing how all of us can care too much about whether we're in the perfect situation. How can we enjoy relationships when we're stressing over being in better ones?

- Paul's point? Be without anxiety; not be ensnared, attend on the Lord without distraction.

- So how does a proper kingdom perspective look? Colossians 3:1-7

- Christ's FUTURE kingdom is so real to you NOW you are willing to...
- Altar your view & use of created things (your behavior) for God's glory & the good of others.

- Stop abusing/consuming created things & start using them to express God's glory/serve others.

- Curb passions, not assert “rights”, move on after a tragedy, don't worship pleasure, share.

CHALLENGE

How do you typically live? Tied down to life or released? To which kingdom are you really devoted...Earth? Yours? God's?

SONGS WITH THIS SERMON

Better Is One Day

Your Love O Lord

Alas and Did My Savior Bleed

Jesus, Thank You

You Are So Good To Me

I Corinthians 7:1-16 Status Update: God Works in “Ideal” and “Unideal” Marital Circumstances

2011-06-15T11:07:00.002-04:00

Proposition: Living in Christ is not about creating or waiting for better circumstances but embracing your new identity & gifting to remain faithfully obedient in all situations.

*God gifts (or equips) some to grow and serve in healthy marriages.

“1 Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: “It is good for a man not to touch a woman”. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife to the husband. 4 The wife has not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband has not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.”

- No earthly relationships are “superior” or “inferior” when it comes to growth & serving God.

- God cares how we use our bodies & marriage can help us learn self-control.

- Marriage is one of God's greatest tools for growth & change (why so many divorce).

- In marriage, we learn the earthly impact of “You are not your own” (4; Cf. Phil 2:2-5)

- Careful: “Ownership” does NOT permit abusing another person; nor asserting “my rights”.

- In marriage, we learn to become generous givers rather than selfish takers.

- We take time to learn what pleases our spouse sexually, relationally, in our appearance, action...

- Satan uses sexual desire/loneliness to divide families & ruin the church 1 family at a time.

*God gifts some to grow & serve after divorce or being widowed

“7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”

- Paul was celibate due to either being divorced or widowed (Typically Pharisees were married).

- Paul stated the ability to be married or celibate is based on gifting from God.

- Paul encouraged the unmarried (divorced) & widows to abide as he did (remain celibate/single). Notice Paul said it is good...not “they must” (Cf. Gen 2:18 – Simply good wisdom for a situation).

*God gifts some to grow & serve in difficult marriages.

“10 And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which has an husband that believes not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace. 16 For what know you, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? or how know you, O man, whether you shall save your wife?”

- God wants believers to avoid divorce even in tough circumstances (note above).

Exceptions may be such things as abuse, adultery and desertion.
- If the unbeliever leaves, you are NOT bound to hold things together/fight for the marriage. Whether they stay or go, believers are called to live in peace.

CHALLENGE:

*Are you the person who always looks for greener grass? Easy way out?

*Do you trust God can work in your situation? Tough Marriage, divorce, widow, single?

*Life is about receiving and proclaiming the kingdom gospel in any circumstance we find ourselves.

Songs With This Sermon:

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed

Mighty To Save

I Stand Amazed In The Presence

Weekly Sermon Notes on LBC Family

1Corinthians 13:4-7 Status Update: Jesus, You're Killing Me!

1Corinthians 13:4 Status Update: Jesus, You're Killing Me!

I Corinthians 13:1-3 Status Update: Good Deeds - Jesus = ZERO

1Corinthians 13; 2Corinthians 5:14-18 Status Update: The Old is Gone; The New has Come

I Corinthians 13 Status Update: Jesus is God's Gift of Love to Us

I Corinthians 12:28-31 Status Update: Our Identity is in Christ not Gifts

I Corinthians 12:27-31 Status Update: We Should Want to be Effective Parts of Jesus

II Corinthians 12:21-26 Status Update: Grace Causes us to Care for Every Church Member

Further Reading on Spiritual Gifts

I Corinthians 12:14-20 Status Update: Christ's Body Contains No Unnecessary Parts

I Corinthians 12:12-13 Status Update: Church Unity Comes from the Holy Spirit

I Cor. 12:2-11 Status Update: Don't Squander God in Your Own Little Box

I Corinthians 12:1-3 Status Update: We Need a Better Understanding of the Holy Spirit

Review of I Corinthians chapters 8-10 Status Update: Christians Need to Care

Review of Chapters 5-7 Status Update: What we do is rooted in who we are

Review of Chapters 1-10 Status Update: Becoming Who God Says We Are in Christ

I Corinthians 11:23-34 Status Update: The Lord's Supper is no Ordinary Meal

I Corinthians 11:23-34 Status Update: The Lord's Supper is no Ordinary Meal

I Corinthians 11:17-22, 33-34 Status Update: Are We Really Together When We're Together?

I Corinthians 11:7-16 Status Update: Honoring Gender Differences Promotes Our Creator's Glory

11:1-6 Status Update: Our Differences Help Others See God's Various Traits

I Corinthians 10:23-33 - Hedge Presentation

I Cor. 10:15-22 Status Update: The Lord's Supper is our Visible Gospel

I Cor. 10:6-14 Status Update: Don't take our Faithful God for Granted

I Cor. 10:1-5 Status Update: Don't be ignorant...Grace is not a License to Sin

I Cor. 9:24-27 Status Update: Our lives will prove whether the Gospel is our main thing

I Corinthians 9:15-23 Status Update: We should care about those to whom we preach

I Corinthians 9:1-14 Status Update: Gospel Preaching is a Real Job!

I Corinthians 8:8-13 Status Update: Are Your Freedoms Wounding your Brothers & Sisters?

I Cor. 8:1-13 Status Update: Is Your Bible Knowledge Making You More Loving?

I Corinthians 7:25-28, 35-40 Status Update: A Christian's Identity is not Rooted in Earthly Status

I Corinthians 7:29-35 Status Update: To which Kingdom are you Really Devoted?

I Corinthians 7:1-16 Status Update: God Works in “Ideal” and “Unideal” Marital Circumstances