Churches can face trouble from outside (political or religious opposition) ... but worse still is the trouble from inside (division, pride, hypocrisy, etc). Acts 5 deals with both those troubles.

What stands at the hear of these 2 chapters of Acts is the name of Jesus. The disciples are at work ... but everthing that is happeneing is happeneing because of the name of Jesus.

Jesus had told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit is given to then. Then they will be empowered to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the eneds of the earth.

One of the paradoxes of the Christianity is the tension between faith and works. Failure to understand the tension can lead to some serious misunderstandings.

The resurrection of Jesus is the fact on which Christianity stands or falls. The hope of life after this life is only possible becuase Jesus rose from the dead.

There seems to have been a competitive spirit in the church in Corinth when it came to spiritual gifts. Some thought they were better or more important because of the gift they had. Paul wants to help them to understand the purpose of gifts.

The next 4 chapters of 1 Corinthians deal with the Corinthians and what happens when they meet together. He begins with men & women and the Lord's Supper.

We are introduced to two contrasting cities: Babylon and Jerusalem. One is destined for destruction and the other will stand forever. The call from heaven is for God's people to come out of Babylon.

Paul points the Corinthians back to the history of Israe to show that God takes seriously how it is that his people live.

At the heart of these two chapters are the issues of rights & freedom ... and how those are best used. Paul says it is not about our rights ... but about loving others and being committed to the Gospel.