1 Corinthians

Passage: Esther 5-6

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on Esther 5-6.

In Esther 5–6, God’s hand is at work even when He seems absent. We see his hand as Esther risks her life to approach the king, Haman’s pride sets the stage for his downfall, a sleepless night changes the fate of God’s people, and the one plotting destruction faces his own ruin. Through each of these events, we can see God’s hand of providence at work:

Providential Audience with the King (5:1-8)

Providential Construction Project (5:9-14)

Providential Royal Insomnia (6:1-3)

Providential Reversal of Fortune (6:4-14)

Passage: Esther 3-4

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on Esther 3-4.

In Esther chapters 3 and 4, we see God’s people face a deadly threat when Haman plots to destroy the Jews, forcing Esther to decide whether to risk her life by identifying with them. Though God’s name is never mentioned, His hidden hand is seen orchestrating every detail—even the casting of lots (pur) to accomplish His plan. The sermon explores how trusting in God’s sovereignty gives us courage to stand firm when our faith is threatened, reminding us that true safety is found not in blending in with the world but in boldly belonging to the people of God. Like Esther, we’re called to act in faith, knowing that God is always working behind the scenes for His glory and our good. Ultimately, our confidence rests in Jesus—the One who identifies with us, intercedes for us, and secures our salvation forever.

Threat to God’s People (3:1-15)

Response of God’s People (4:1-3)

Identification with God’s People (4:4-17)

Passage: Esther 2

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on Esther 2.

Esther 2 teaches how God’s hidden, sovereign hand works through even the most wicked and broken circumstances. It reveals the truth of Proverbs 21:1, showing how God steers the heart of King Ahasuerus—an impulsive, easily manipulated, and deeply immoral ruler—to bring about His redemptive purposes through Esther and Mordecai. Just like in the stories of Joseph and ultimately at the cross of Jesus, God took what others meant for evil and used it for good and His glory. It’s a reminder that even when the world feels out of control and evil seems to win, God is always at work in ways we can’t yet see.

The Power of the Evil Empire (1-4)

The Guiding Hand of God’s Providence (5-11)

The Power of the Evil Empire (12-14)

The Guiding Hand of God’s Providence (15-23)

Passage: Esther 1

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on Esther 1.

Esther 1 shows us how God is always at work, even when He seems hidden or silent. While the pieces of our lives might look confusing up close, God sees and shapes the beautiful bigger picture. Esther 1 shows us the vast power and wealth of King Ahasuerus, and yet how, behind the scenes, God quietly moves events, like removing Queen Vashti, to prepare for Esther to save her people. Instead of focusing on flawed human characters, Esther is meant to show us God’s sovereign hand guiding history for His glory and our good. If you’ve ever wondered where God is in hard times, this message will encourage you to trust His unseen work. Come and see how the story of Esther points us to the hidden King who still reigns today.

The Expanse of the Empire’s Power (1-3)

The Display of the Empire’s Wealth (3-9)

The Hidden King Reigns (10-22)

Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:12-24

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on 1 Corinthians 16:12-24.

In 1 Corinthians 16:12-24, Paul’s goal isn’t just to get the Corinthians to obey a list of commands, but to change the culture of the church so that they live by a different set of values all together. With Paul’s final words he’s seeking to give one final push of culture change to the church as a whole.

There are no throw away words in the Bible. Every word of this letter matters - even these final words that seem to be very personal and concluding remarks. Paper wasn’t cheap in Paul’s day - so they didn’t write without purpose. Furthermore, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 tells us that all of Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, and correction. All of it. Even these final personal words of Paul’s letter. Paul wants to use these final words to remind the Corinthians of the culture changes they needed to make for the glory of Christ and the endurance of their church. With that in mind, there are 5 principles Paul weaves into the fabric of these final personal words:

Own Your Faith (12-14)

Follow Leaders That Serve Others (15-16)

Honor Those Who Refresh Your Spirit (17-18)

Love the Church (19-22)

Long for Christ to Return (22-24)

Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:1-11

Join us as our associate pastor, Nathaniel Miller, teaches on 1 Corinthians 16:1-11.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-11, Paul addresses the collection for the saints in Jerusalem and how the Corinthians were to practically contribute to it. He shares his travel plans as well as his desire to spend significant time with them. In the meantime, he would send Timothy, his co-worker for the Lord, and he gives instructions on how to properly receive him.

In all these instructions and plans, Paul demonstrates the Lord's generosity through the gospel of Jesus and how that generosity should flow through the Corinthians to others. Because we have been transformed by the generous grace of Jesus Christ, we must also live generously toward others, particularly the saints in need. Here is how we see these ideas fleshed out in this passage:

We should be generous with our finances (1-4)

We should be generous with our presence (5-9)

We should be generous with our humility (10-11)

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

In 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, Paul is confronting the fact that our bodies can’t inherit eternity. In fact, it seems this was the issue the Corinthians had with the concept of a resurrection. They denied the reality of the resurrection because they didn’t understand how our bodies, resurrected or not, could possibly be with Christ in eternity. So, in verse 50, Paul is telling them that they’re right about the problem, but they’re wrong about the nature of the resurrection.

They were wrong when they thought our resurrected bodies would be just like our current bodies. There’s more to the resurrection than just the reconstitution of our current bodies. There’s not just a resurrection in our future, there’s also a transformation! So, Paul has answers for the problem presented in verse 50. Yes - the perishable cannot inherit the imperishable. But there’s more to the story! So, Paul responds to the problem of our unfit bodies in three simple steps.

The Solution: We shall all be changed. (51-53)

The Outcome: Death will be defeated. (54-57)

The Response: We can abound in the work of the Lord. (58)

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on 1 Corinthians 15:35-49.

Often our doubts and objections to biblical truth are rooted in a misunderstanding of the power and sovereignty of God. Or, to put it another way, we often go wrong theologically when we have a small view of God; when we place limitations on him.

In 1 Corinthians 15:34-49, the Corinthians are allowing their small view of God to create doubts about the resurrection. Paul corrects their small God theology, by reminding them of God’s sovereignty and power in creation. Ultimately, he provides a detailed response by answering their two questions one at a time. How are the dead raised? And, with what kind of body do they come? But, before he answers those two questions, Paul provides a brief illustration or analogy from nature. He wants to give them something they know and experience to help them understand the spiritual truths he wants to teach them. We’ll first look at the God-given illustration in nature and then hear Paul’s answers to the two questions they asked.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on 1 Corinthians 15:20-34.

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-34, Paul wants us to see the glorious implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The Corinthians needed this reminder because they were flirting with the concept that there would be no future resurrection for God’s people. Paul shifts his strategy from 15:1-19, and in this passage, he seeks to remind them that Christ has been raised and show them why that must be true if Christ is to accomplish all that the Father sent him to accomplish. Paul wants us to grasp the full implications of the resurrection of Jesus; not just so that we won’t doubt it or question it - but, so that we will embrace it, rejoice in it, and order our lives by it!

So, let’s look at the three implications Paul gives us of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ has been raised from the dead, therefore:

You will be raised. (20-23)

Death will be defeated. (24-28)

Our lives will be vindicated. (29-34)

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.

In 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Paul is addressing the false teaching that had spread among the Corinthians that there is no resurrection of the dead. He's saying to them: "If you go around claiming that there is no resurrection of the dead, then you also have to reject the resurrection of Jesus himself because he was a man who died." Therefore, if the Corinthians continue to insist on taking the position that there isn’t a resurrection, he wants to show them the terrible consequences. Paul’s goal is to motivate them to reject the false assumptions of their worldview by demonstrating the devastating consequences for Christians if Christ was never raised from the dead. If that were true, then our faith is left with two fatal consequences.

If there is no resurrection we’re left with an empty faith. (14-16)

If there is no resurrection we’re left with a useless faith. (17-19)