Paul continues this same theme of our hope and resurrection as we continue our study.

I wanted to take this Sunday being the eve of the new year to talk about how we interact with God in prayer, in study and in overall relationship. In our church culture today there has been such a focus on blessings from God, but did you know that we can bless God as well? This is seen in scripture and in some older worship hymns and songs but not really talked about in church circles. So, this morning, I want to talk about it. I want us to think about our relationship with God and how our praise and thanksgiving blesses Him.

Every year we come together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now as we know this was not actually Jesus’ birthday. Based on history and the fact that the journey Joseph and Mary were on, it is likely it wasn’t in the winter but probably spring or early summer. But it has been a tradition for many years to celebrate this extremely extraordinary event on the 25th of December. Jesus was born of a woman but not conceived by a man. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

We will see that Paul now changes direction. First, he recaps the gospel message and then leads into the primary topic of the resurrection and the importance of what this means to us as believers.

In this study we are going to focus on the two verbal gifts, prophecy and tongues. We will see that they are not to be silenced, but there is an order in the church service that Paul lays out for us. I personally believe the reason Paul takes the time to address these two gifts specifically in this part of his letter is because even in the early church, they allowed these gifts to become a focus and even a distraction much like some in the Pentecostal or Charismatic movement have done today. Paul is not writing a rebuke here but more of a realignment and correction of how these two gifts should be used in the church.

In this study will will see Paul teaching us "A More Excellent Way".

"But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way." 1 Cor. 13:31

In this we are going to see how the gifts should work in the body in unity with each other. If one or more gifts dominate or rule over the others, it will always bring unbalance and ultimately division.

In this study we will look at spiritual gifts, who gives them and the importance of discernment and wisdom regarding them.

Paul goes into a different direction speaking of traditions in the church but more importantly the order that God has put into place from the beginning. The one thing we must understand in scripture, particularly in Paul’s writings, he speaks of things in their culture that may or may not apply in our culture today, but at the same time, there are biblical principles that do not change across all cultures and time.

A cry for what is coming for Israel. To lament is to have a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.