5/22/2020 21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for…
Category: 1 Corinthians
Childishness – 1 Corinthians 14:20
5/12/2020 Paul will quickly return to his instruction on the role of spiritual gifts in the gatherings of the church. Before he does that, he pauses to present a principle that is applicable to all situations. He compares three levels of maturity. Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants,…
Speaking in Tongues – 1 Corinthians 14:2-19
5/4/2020 1 Corinthians 14:2-19 Paul continues his comments on what should be happening when the church gathers. This is a long section of his letter that specifically addresses the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. I can not imagine what the Corinthian gatherings were like given the apparent desire of everyone to speak in tongues….
Desire – 1 Corinthians 14:1
4/18/2020 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV) I have heard many sermons on how to follow the way of love. I cannot remember a single sermon encouraging me to desire the spiritual gift of prophecy. Desire is powerful. My desires determine my actions….
1 Corinthians 13
This is being written from China during the COVID-19 pandemic. While China is in the beginning stages of recovering from the virus, there have been many opportunities to see where love has been stretched during the past three months. My thoughts will be affected by my experiences. Big Idea: Love is essential, and spiritual gifts…
1 Corinthians 12
Big Idea: One Holy Spirit and many different gifts. 1 Corinithians 12:1-6 The question Paul addresses over the next three chapters remains an issue in the church today. I believe that our unwillingness to accept and apply what Paul says here has a devastating impact on local congregations everywhere. It also has a negative impact…
1 Corinthians 11
Big Idea: What we do when we’re together should help people see Jesus. 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 There has been much written on this passage, especially in recent years. It will help us to remember the general concern that Paul is responding to. He is concerned that the behavior of the church, the body of Christ,…
1 Corinthians 8
Big Idea: Love may require you to limit your freedom. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 Are we allowed to eat meat sacrificed to idols? That’s the question and Paul begins his answer by addressing the attitude problem that seems to infect everything in the Corinthian church. It seems that there were some in the congregation who were…
Mission and Marriage
The Corinthian church was a mess. At least, that’s the common view. They were a church full of issues, including an issue of church discipline that they needed to deal with. After studying through 1 Corinthians 7 I give them credit for one thing. They had the courage to ask challenging questions. If they applied…
1 Corinthians 7
Big Idea: Time is short and serving God must be the highest priority. There are several things to keep in mind as you study through this chapter. Paul was writing to people who lived in a city where sexual immorality was celebrated. Also, Paul was convinced that Jesus would soon return, and this gave him…
