1-Christ is the Lord of the Church--2-Plurality of Elders is for Shared---Leadership--Responsibility--Authority--3- Shepherd God's Flock--4- Not Under Compulsion but willingly--5- Motivation- Christ's return--6- Mindset- Humility

1- A Christ Centered Message--2- A Christ-like Maturing--3- A Christ Empowered Toiling--May Christ be Continually Proclaimed in our Church-

1- A Secure Burial--2- A powerful display--3- A glorious announcement-----3 responses---1- Repentance - Faith--2- Joy---3- Worship

1- Rebuke -v18- - Humble yourself and align your life according to the Gospel.----2- Reason -vv19-20- - God declares the wisdom of the world bankrupt.----3- Repentance -v21a- - Stop boasting in your leaders.----4- Reality -vv21b-22- - In Christ, all things belong to you-----5- Right Perspective -v23- - The Lordship of Christ and the Glory of God

1- Paul's proclamation--2- Paul's posture--3- Paul's proof--4- Paul's purpose

Sermon - Amazed and Humbled by God-s Grace - 1 Corinthians 1-26-31----1-God-s Surprising Choice - v26----2-God-s Sovereign Purpose - vv27-29----3-God-s Saving Work - v30----4-God-s Deserving Glory - v31----Preparing your heart for the sermon----What qualities does the world value- How might these run counter to the Gospel and what God deems important------What does unconditional election mean- How does this truth humble us and highlight God-s grace------In what other things-people am I tempted to boast rather than the Lord------Other passages to consider- Deut 7-6-11- 10-12-22- 1 Sam 2-1-11- Jer 9-23-24- Matt 11-25-30- Eph 1-3-10- 4-1-7- James 3-13-4-10- 1 Pet 2-9-12----Digging Deeper----Why does God often save and work through the -nobodies- of this world------How did you come to be saved- Who should get all the credit for that------What does v30 teach you about your salvation------How can we boast in the Lord this coming week-

1-The Problem-Divisions - Broken Relationships-vv11-12.----2-The Plea - Restoration - Unity - v10.----3-The Prescription - Remember Jesus Christ - v13.--a.We display Christ--b.We depend on Christ--c.We follow Christ----4-Paul-s Priority - Proclaim the Gospel - vv14-17a.----Preparing your heart for the sermon----Where does the believers- unity come from------What are common sources of division within the church------What should unity look like in the church------Other passages to consider- Ps 133- Matt 5-21-24- 7-1-5- 18-15- John 17- Rom 13-8-15-7- 1 Cor 12-12-13-13- Eph 4-1-6- Philippians 2-1-11.----Digging Deeper----Why is unity important in the church- What is this unity centered on------What within Christendom can divert our focus away from Christ------How does the Gospel help us maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace------Are there any people within the Body of Christ that I need to be reconciled to-

1-Who we are by God-s calling - v2--2-What we have by God-s grace - vv4-7--3-What we will be by God-s faithfulness - vv8-9----Preparing your heart for the sermon----Compare 1-1-9 with the introductions to Paul-s other letters. What is similar and different about this one to the Corinthians----Three times in this passage, Paul speaks about -called by God-. What is significant about this verb----What do you learn about the church from this text----Other passages to consider- John 10-1-10- Acts 9-1-19- 18-1-17- Rom 8-29-30- Eph 1-1-14- 3-10, 21- 5-25-27- Phil 1-6----Digging Deeper----How does remembering God-s blessings help us not sin----To whom does the church belong- Why does the church exist----What does this passage teach us about what the Christian life entails----How do God-s blessings come to us- Explain.

Three gifts God gives every believer-----Gift -1 - Faith----Gift -2 - Power----Gift -3 - Promises

1-What was Promised - A son of David will reign forever----2-What was Needed - A faithful and obedient son who will live forever----3-How it-s been Fulfilled - Through the coming, person, and work of Christ.