Sermon Central
-
Popping The Questions Of The Church
Contributed by Guy Glass on Jan 26, 2005 (message contributor)
-
1. Popping The Questions Of The Church
Contributed on Jan 26, 2005
This is the first sermon of the series, and looks at the Paul’s focus and concern regarding the Corinthian Church
POPPING THE QUESTIONS OF THE CHURCH 1 Corinthians 1:1-19 Introduction: As we begin a study in First Corinthians, we need to lay a little groundwork so to speak. Paul founded the Corinthian Church during his second missionary journey … Acts 18:1-18 records the founding of the church Acts ...read more
-
2. Foolish Communication
Contributed on Feb 6, 2005
the apostle Paul wants us to understand that human wisdom is not the answer to the needs of the church, the cross of Christ is the answer to the needs of the church
FOOLISH COMMUNICATION 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-31 INTRODUCTION: As we continue our study in the book of First Corinthians, we approach a fundamental tenet of Paul’s’ writing, namely the inability to comprehend the wisdom of God through the wisdom of man. Aptly applied to the church, the apostle ...read more
-
3. Homiletics 101 -- "What Preaching Should Be”
Contributed on Feb 17, 2005
Paul wants us to understand that preaching is not based on the contribution of the preacher, but on the message being communicated. Preaching, in the mind of Paul is to be valued in the core truth, not in the charisma of the speaker!
Homiletics 101 “What Preaching Should Be” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 INTRODUCTION: As we approach this passage of Scripture, and in doing so leave the first chapter of the letter, it is important that we understand what it is we are leaving behind. Chapter 1 has Paul laying foundation concerning ...read more
-
4. God's Message To Us
Contributed on Mar 4, 2005
Without the divine intervention of God in the death of Christ, and His resurrection, man would be destitute spiritually, and following Christ would be little more than a glorified Boy Scout Troop. So here in these verses, Paul seeks to explain what it is
GOD’S MESSAGE TO US 1 Corinthians 2:6-13 INTRODUCTION: As we have previously discussed, the Apostle Paul is concerned about one thing and one thing only – the gospel of Christ portrayed out in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This pervasive biblical truth is central to ...read more
-
5. Will The Real Man Please Stand Up!
Contributed on Mar 15, 2005
This message looks at three typoes of people described by Paul, and their standing before God
WILL THE REAL MAN PLEASE STAND UP! 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4 INTRODUCTION: the apostle Paul has spent the beginning of his letter laying down his foundational thinking regarding the necessity and priority of the message of the cross. He has declared that divisions in the church were a result of ...read more
-
6. Union Workers In The Temple Of God
Contributed on Apr 21, 2005
This message deals with the position and responsibility of leaders in the church. We must be carful not to elevate them to the level that they can do no wrong.
UNION WORKERS IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-17 INTRODUCTION: Bob Deffinbaugh writes, “Christianity has had its share of “Pied Pipers,” those charismatic (in personality) individuals who seem to be able to lead a group of followers anywhere they wish. We are all too familiar with the ...read more
-
7. Avoiding Self-Deception
Contributed on Apr 27, 2005
Self-Deception is rooted in our thinking, and visible in our activities. Or, if we look at it in reverse – what we do, or how we act is in reality a product of our belief system – ie: what we believe. So, if our believing is wrong then our acting will b
AVOIDING SELF-DECEPTION 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 INTRODUCTION: Just recently, our area has been exposed to an unusual sight – a beluga whale. He has been meandering up and down the river, between Burlington and Trenton. Lots of people have gone to the river’s edge in hopes of catching a glimpse ...read more
-
8. Avoiding The Bandwagon
Contributed on Apr 27, 2005
Ed Howe said, “The average man’s judgment is so poor, he runs a risk every time he uses it.” Tainted by a sin nature, our judgments can often by skewed in a direction favoring ourselves, and detrimental or vindictive of others. Paul, in this passage re
AVOIDING THE BANDWAGON 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 INTRODUCTION: Ed Howe said, “The average man’s judgment is so poor, he runs a risk every time he uses it.” Tainted by a sin nature, our judgments can often by skewed in a direction favoring ourselves, and detrimental or vindictive of others. Paul, ...read more
-
9. Applying Servanthood To Our Lives
Contributed on May 3, 2005
Servanthood is realized in our understanding that to be in debt to Christ is to conquer pride in our lives, to understand the source of our individuality, and to embrace the uniqueness of being a servant for Jesus.
APPLYING SERVANTHOOD TO OUR LIVES 1 Corinthians 4:6-13 INTRODUCTION: According to the dictionary, a servant is one who, “One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another”. Here in this text, Paul, seeks to see this definition of servanthood realized in our understanding that to ...read more
-
10. Understanding The Passion And Plight Of Pastors
Contributed on Jul 6, 2005
Pastor are not perfect, yet they are often expected to walk a thin line between love and conviction, heart and mind, between right and wrong. This places pastor firmly between the title of today’s message. Pastoring is then either a plight or a passion.
UNDERSTANDING THE PASSION AND PLIGHT OF PASTORS 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 INTRODUCTION: Pastoral ministry is often a precarious ministry. Many times pastors walk into or are called to situations, which are delicate and or sensitive in nature. Often, pastor are misconstrued, misquoted, and ...read more
-
11. What's The Big Deal About Purity In The Church?
Contributed on Jul 6, 2005
we come to this passage where Paul has to deal with questions arising from an outrageous sin in the midst of the church. Paul directs his response to how the church should deal with the sin itself, and how the church should deal with sin in its midst
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT PURITY IN THE CHURCH? 1 CORINTHIANS 5:1-13 INTRODUCTION: Whenever I think of the value of the church, one verse comes to mind. Now it may not be the verse that comes to mind when you think about the church, but it is the verse that comes to mind when I think about the ...read more
-
12. Courting Danger
Contributed on Jul 6, 2005
Ultimately the biblical issue is Church division. Just as there can be internal actions that divide the church, there can also be external actions that divide the church. Paul hopes to set a biblical standard here for believers to follow.
COURTING DANGER 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 INTRODUCTION: When I hear the word courting, my mind immediately goes to thoughts of dating, courtship and marriage. So, it was not so much of a jump to remember this story about marriage,: A wife was sitting at the breakfast table and asked her husband, ...read more
-
13. Beyond The Sandbars Of Liberty
Contributed on Jul 13, 2005
Liberty provides us freedom. Freedom allows us to excel, to take risks, to achieve great things for God. Often though, we want to try and extend the reach of our liberty in Christ, and in doing so, we actually lose liberty and place our self in the cont
BEYOND THE SANDBARS OF LIBERTY 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12-20 INTRODUCTION: Not too long ago there were several newspaper and television accounts of shark attacks, two in Florida, and one here in New Jersey. One of the reasons sighted for one of the attacks is that the victim was out too far – ie; they ...read more
-
14. The Issues Of Marriage Part 1
Contributed on Aug 5, 2005
This message is the first of three or four from the 1 Cor., and is inteded to be part of the series. This message looks at some of the pressure on marriage and the high view Scripture has of marriage.
THE ISSUES OF MARRIAGE Part 1 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 I THE DANGER BEFORE MARRIAGE – 7:1 Our society is inundated from so many directions with sights, sounds, and activities, destined to fracture the bulwark of marriage. From attempts to redefine what constitutes a marriage, to shows bent on ...read more
-
15. Single – Right And Wrong
Contributed on Aug 5, 2005
2nd in the embedded series on marriage. This message looks at "singleness" from the biblical perspective of those who are single, and those who want to become single.
SINGLE – RIGHT AND WRONG 1 CORINTHIANS 7:8-16 INTRODUCTION: The Christian should be a model of integrity and morality in whatever situation he or she find themselves in. Friday, I did a quick web based search, and I was surprised by what I found. I answered four questions: 1. Do you and ...read more
-
16. Being Content As A Status Quo Christian
Contributed on Aug 5, 2005
This message, though, not part of the mini-series on marriage builds from a principle revealed in that series - "We do not know what God is going to do". Hence, we need to look at where we are as an opportunity, not a stepping stone
Being Content as a Status Quo Christian 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 1 Corinthians 7:16-24 (NIV) 1Co 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord ...read more
-
17. Value Judgments Or Judging With Value
Contributed on Sep 13, 2005
Each judgment we make, though, says far more about us than it does about the issue under judgment. Paul brings this into clarity for the believer, as judgments were being made over the significance of eating meat that had been offered to idols. The resp
VALUE JUDGMENTS OR JUDGING WITH VALUE 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 INTRODUCTION: The dictionary defines a value judgment as, ¡§an assessment that reveals more about the values of the person making the assessment than about the reality of what is assessed.¡¨ In reality, we all make judgments all the ...read more
-
18. Willing To Sacrifice
Contributed on Oct 5, 2005
This message brings an interesting question regarding what is ours and what we are willing to sacrifice. It seems that the level of commitment and outreach for Christ is related to what we perceive as our rights against what we sacrifice as God.
WILLING TO SACRIFICE 1 CORINTHIANS9:1-15 INTRODUCTION: In this chapter, Paul makes some statements concerning his apostleship. He takes the time to describe his rights as an apostle and minister, and also his sacrifice as that same apostle and minister. In essence, Paul embraces his rights, ...read more
-
19. Compelled Towards Ministry
Contributed on Oct 5, 2005
This message explores the importance of taking our ministry for Christ seriously.
COMPELLED TOWARDS MINISTRY 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-27 INTRODUCTION: As Paul opens up this section of Scripture, what we see here is Paul’s seriousness about serving Jesus. From the very beginning we see such powerful words as “compelled”, “belonging to Jesus”, “by all possible means”, “strict ...read more
-
20. Faithfulness Is Diligence, Not Indulgence
Contributed on Oct 5, 2005
This is a passage that challenges the reality of our Christian faith, the diligence of our walk with Christ, and the error we may harbor in our minds concerning our security in Christ, and His blessings towards us.
FAITHFULNESS IS DILIGENCE, NOT INDULGENCE 1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-13 INTRODUCTION: The passage before us this morning is one to ponder. It is a passage that challenges the reality of our Christian faith, the diligence of our walk with Christ, and the error we may harbor in our minds concerning our ...read more
-
21. A Sensible Relationship With God
Contributed on Nov 30, 2005
This message is a continued thought of the previous message -- Faithfulness is Diligence, not Indulgence
A SENSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14 – 11:1 INTRODUCTION: Last week we looked at the sobering thought of our own relationship with Christ. We saw how passionate Paul was regarding his walk with Christ. Paul, the greatest missionary of all time was concerned that he might be ...read more
-
22. Irreverence In Worship
Contributed on Nov 30, 2005
Worship is all about God, not us! So, as Paul instructs the church concerning worship, he is in reality, instructing the church to be more God centered, and less self centered. To achieve worship that is God centered, we must deal with our own attitude,
IRREVERENCE IN WORSHIP 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 INTRODUCTION: Beginning here and continuing through Chapter 14, Paul deals with issues regarding public worship. This is an important point – what Paul has to say he says in the context of public worship. Simply put, worship is aligning ourselves ...read more
-
23. Seated At Christ's Table
Contributed on Nov 30, 2005
This message deals with the thought that Communio is all about God and not about us. Additionally, the Corinthians church was acting in such a way that communion was divisive and thus did more harm than good for the local church.
SEATED AT CHRIST’S TABLE 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34 INTRODUCTION: Last week we looked at the beginning of this chapter as an introduction to this section of 1 Corinthians, from chapter 11 through chapter 14. The major thought is that of public worship, and our propriety or activity in that ...read more
-
24. Gift Empowered Ministry, The Danger Of Spiritual Gifts
Contributed on Nov 30, 2005
This morning, we find ourselves beginning to look at spiritual gifts and how they apply to public worship.
GIFT EMPOWERED MINISTRY The Danger of Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 INTRODUCTION: This morning, we find ourselves beginning to look at spiritual gifts and how they apply to public worship. Let me remind you that worship is all about God. Every part of worship is all about God. No ...read more
-
25. Gift Empowered Ministry, The Application Of Spiritual Gifts
Contributed on Nov 30, 2005
The Scriptures list and speak regarding spiritual gifts. Here, Paul is teaching the Corinthian believers truth concerning spiritual gifts. From his manner of writing, it is easy to discern, that the Corinthian church was involved in dispute over the val
GIFT EMPOWERED MINISTRY The Application of Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 INTRODUCTION: A spiritual gift is, “the supernatural ability to carry out the work of Christ through his church.” Twice in this chapter, and in three other places, The Scriptures list and speak regarding ...read more
-
26. Gift Empowered Ministry, Part 3
Contributed on Nov 30, 2005
As we continue to look at this area of “gift empowered ministry”, we move ourselves in to the area of seeing our gifts with regard to the life and vitality of the local body the church. What becomes clearly evident, by the way Paul address the issue, is
GIFT EMPOWERED MINISTRY 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 INTRODUCTION: As we continue to look at this area of “gift empowered ministry”, we move ourselves in to the area of seeing our gifts with regard to the life and vitality of the local body the church. What becomes clearly evident, by the way Paul ...read more
-
27. Gift Empowered Ministry Part 4
Contributed on Jan 20, 2006
This sermon continues our look at Spiritual gifts and their value to the church
GIFT EMPOWERED MINISTRY Defining Our Ministry through Our Giftedness Part 2 INTRODUCTION: We want to pick up our lesson by continuing to define the Spiritual Gifts God has given us for our use in order to accomplish his purposes. You will remember that Spiritual Gifts are all about God, and ...read more
-
28. Gift Empowered Ministry Part 5
Contributed on Jan 20, 2006
Final message on spiritual gifts.
GIFT EMPOWERED MINISTRY Defining Our Ministry Through Our Giftedness INTRODUCTION: here we are once again, on the other side of the Christmas season, and back to the book of 1 Corinthians. Now, before we changed gears and went into the Christmas season, we were looking at our spiritual gifts, ...read more
-
29. What We Do Is Nothing Without Love
Contributed on Jun 9, 2006
. In order for us to succeed as believers we must have more than a desire, we need a burden. These two thoughts are essential for Christian living and activity. Today, I would like to introduce a third essential factor of our Christian living – “What W
WHAT WE DO IS NOTHING WITHOUT LOVE 1 CORINTHIANS 13 INTRODUCTION: You will remember that our overriding theme has been, “Its All About God”. As we have dealt with public worship, we have seen that every aspect of public worship is al about God, and not about us. Here at the beginning of a new ...read more
-
30. The Value Of Tongues, Keeping Perspective In The Church
Contributed on Jun 9, 2006
In the church today there is tremendous tension and polarization over the issue of sign gifts, particularly tongues. Divisions and church splits over the charismatic movement have become all too common. Conditions in some of the churches today hardly diff
THE VALUE OF TONGUES Keeping Perspective In The Church 1 Corinthians 14:1-20 INTRODUCTION: in the church today there is tremendous tension and polarization over the issue of sign gifts, particularly tongues. Divisions and church splits over the charismatic movement have become all too common. ...read more