Aurora Pastorealis

Christianity is built on faith in Jesus Christ. But many people believe faith has nothing to do with evidence, but that is not true. In fact, the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity are filled with evidence, from archeological, historical, ancient documents and many other things. In that list is an inclusion of eye witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. 

We are back in 1 Corinthians 15 and Paul is writing to them about the very foundation of the Gospel. In every age the church has battled false teaching and Paul lays down the simple truth of gospel. 

Spiritual gifts can be a tricky subject. If you didn't grow up around them, you may find them to be a bit 'weird.'  If you learned about them on social media, you have probably witnessed excesses and abuses and those things can turn you away. However, if you did grow up around them, you may have a level of comfortability and that is good. Either way, Paul says, 'eagerly desire' the gifts. They are good gifts, given by God, for His people. 

We are joined today with a special guest, Dean Hedlund!  Dean found the Lord at age 17 and the Holy Spirit put a vision and passion in his heart to share the gospel with a traveling band of local musicians. This was back in the early years of the Jesus movement, and they took that Spirit with them wherever they went. There are so many stories of God's love and provision and leading and guiding and today you get to hear just a few!  Dean is a gifted musician with a wonderful sense of humor and a great story teller, so sit back and enjoy this special episode!

On today's episode we discuss 1 Corinthians 13 - a passage often read and talked about for weddings. But we are reminded that Paul wrote this to the body of believers, so though it applies to marriages, it also applies to our attitude toward fellow believers. 

Today we are discussing spiritual gifts. Sometimes these things can be divisive, which is what Paul is dealing with, we desire them for unity, for building up the body, and for glorifying God. 

In Episode 32 we discuss the passage in 1 Corinthians 11 where Paul addresses the abuses taking place regarding the Lord's Supper. Communion is not a 'meal.' It is a sacred sharing of Christ's sacrifice. 

Are you a Christian man with long hair, or a Christian woman with short hair?  Doesn't matter now if that is true, but Paul addresses what has become an issue in Corinth - hair-length and head-coverings. Though this is not a contemporary issue, there are some timeless truths that apply to our modern day lives.  

We have a certain obligation toward others, to love them more than our own freedom in some things. We don't want to cause someone to stumble or judge others unnecessarily. To challenge all people, Paul simplifies it to this; which is simple, but it is also profound: "Whatever you do...do it all for the glory of God."

On today's episode, we are reflecting on Easter. God's eternally extravagant gift to us in His Son Jesus. Our lives should be a reflection of the reality of God's love, grace, and mercy. We should seek to respond in love to our marvelous wonderful Savior!