BBC Sermon Cast

In vv. 1–4, Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for behaving like as “mere humans” rather than those with the Spirit of God. In vv. 5–15, he reminds them that, even though they have the Spirit of God and are therefore more than “mere humans,” those who serve them nevertheless remain human.! That is, though they may be among the best of men, they are only men at best. The church must therefore focus on the Lord rather than on men who work for the Lord.

Even with a fully regenerate membership, it is possible for a church to, at times, behave in ways that belie its profession: for the regenerate to behave in ways that are unregenerate, displaying the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16–21). This will not be characteristic of the church, but it may be true occasionally and sinfully. As was the case in Corinth. The church had grown in a number of ways, but not in Christlike maturity. The church looked too much like the world in which it existed. It was tragic. It needed to change. Repentance was called for. We will consider Paul’s call for repentance under three broad headings:

1. A Disappointing Contrast (v. 1)

2. A Debilitating Condition (vv. 2–3a)

3. A Dominating Culture (vv. 3b–4)

One of the things we are learning in our series on hidden figures is that God doesn’t require a great following to use someone powerfully in his kingdom. We know very little of Tertius, Phoebe, Shiphrah, and Puah, but we have already seen the influence they had for God’s glory and the good of his people. In this study, we consider the impact of another influencer, who is not even named in the sacred text, but who influenced a powerful man for great good. We will consider:

1. Her Trauma

2. Her Training

3. Her Trust

4. Her Testimony

In the fourth session of World Outreach Celebration 2023, Harshit Singh shows that a gospel-centred church finds joy in pursuing spiritual maturity, and gospel partnerships and gospel-centred Christians find joy in spiritual maturity.

In the third session of World Outreach Celebration 2023, Harshit Singh shows that a gospel-centred church finds joy in Christ’s righteousness and longs for the day of resurrection and gospel-centred Christians find joy in Christ’s righteousness and long for the day of resurrection.

In the second session of World Outreach Celebration 2023, Harshit Singh shows that a gospel-centred church finds joy in emulating Christ in living other-centred life and gospel-centred Christians find joy in emulating Christ in living other-centred lives.

In the opening session of World Outreach Celebration 2023, Harshit Singh shows that a gospel-centred church finds joy in the advancement of the gospel and gospel-driven Christians find joy in the advancement of the gospel.

As Paul draws to the end of his letter, he doesn’t end abruptly but lets his thoughts run back over the letter. His final remarks were added to affirm the most important themes to his readers. These themes are all about spiritual relationship. These last verses contain two doxologies intertwined with a few brief words of greeting. Behind these words we see the importance of spiritual relationships with God, people, and Christ. We will consider this text under three broad headings:

1. Relationship to God (v. 20)

2. Relationship to Other Christians (4:21–22)

3. Relationship to Jesus Christ (vv. 21–22)

Paul was concerned about the condition of the local church in Corinth. All was not well, and Paul knew the solution: a proper appreciation for the message of the cross. Having addressed the message of the cross (1:18–31) and the messenger of the cross (2:1–5), Paul then wrote about the maturity of the cross (2:6–13). This maturity is inseparable from the mindset of the cross (2:14–16), that is the mind of Christ. Paul points to several characteristics of those with this mindset: (1) They Love God (vv. 6–10); (2) They Listen to God (vv. 11–13); (3) They Learn from God (vv. 14–15); and (4) They Live for God (v. 16).

In Romans 16 Paul sends greetings to 26 individuals and five households in Rome. It is a chapter filled with names, many of which we might call “hidden figures.” Each was significant in the eyes of God, and no doubt, to their local church. Whether others knew about them is irrelevant. The bearer of this letter, including the bearer of these greetings, was almost certainly Phoebe. In the two verses in which Paul writes of her, we learn that she was a sister in Christ, a servant, and a supplier of help.