CCF Sunday Messages

As we set our hearts and minds on a new year starting in just a few days, and possibly resolve to work off the extra poundage we have gained over the last week, 1st Corinthians 10 is a perfect passage for the occasion. How so, you might ask?

Maybe you know that the month of January derives its name from the mythological god Janus. This was the “two-faced” god, with one face looking back at the past and one face looking ahead to the future. Well, that is what Paul does in chapter 10 — he looks back to look ahead.

Having spoken to the church about the challenges of freedom and the need for discipline and the reality of disqualification, Paul takes them on a journey into the past. This journey is useful because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We might be entering into a new year, but God is the same. He never ages, never gets tired, and never randomly acts on emotional whims. His unchanging nature makes Him predictable. If He did it in the past, He will do it in the future. This is why the past is important.

So how does that relate to the Corinthians and to us? It seems that pride is a big issue for the people in Corinth. In their pride, they thought they could abuse their freedom by engaging in risky behavior and having no consequences. This passage serves as a warning. There were consequences in the past and the Corinthians might expect similar consequences if they don’t smarten up! The Corinthians were doing the same things God’s people did in the Old Testament. What results did they get?

This may be the New Years sermon that nobody wants but everybody needs. But take heart, the section ends with a strong message of God’s faithfulness to us when we find ourselves in a season or place of temptation.

As we set our hearts and minds on a new year starting in just a few days, and possibly resolve to work off the extra poundage we have gained over the last week, 1st Corinthians 10 is a perfect passage for the occasion. How so, you might ask?

Maybe you know that the month of January derives its name from the mythological god Janus. This was the “two-faced” god, with one face looking back at the past and one face looking ahead to the future. Well, that is what Paul does in chapter 10 — he looks back to look ahead.

Having spoken to the church about the challenges of freedom and the need for discipline and the reality of disqualification, Paul takes them on a journey into the past. This journey is useful because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We might be entering into a new year, but God is the same. He never ages, never gets tired, and never randomly acts on emotional whims. His unchanging nature makes Him predictable. If He did it in the past, He will do it in the future. This is why the past is important.

So how does that relate to the Corinthians and to us? It seems that pride is a big issue for the people in Corinth. In their pride, they thought they could abuse their freedom by engaging in risky behavior and having no consequences. This passage serves as a warning. There were consequences in the past and the Corinthians might expect similar consequences if they don’t smarten up! The Corinthians were doing the same things God’s people did in the Old Testament. What results did they get?

This may be the New Years sermon that nobody wants but everybody needs. But take heart, the section ends with a strong message of God’s faithfulness to us when we find ourselves in a season or place of temptation.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is on the defensive with the unreasonable, stubborn, and proud Corinthians! Paul has just challenged them that love is more important than knowledge, and that more knowledge leads to a greater and more Godly love. It seems that they have challenged Paul and his authority to even tell them what to do!

Now Paul takes a whole chapter to show them that he is not asking them to do something he is not willing to do himself. But first, he establishes certain rights he has as an apostle, and that he is (in fact) an apostle. Then he shows them how he has given up his rights.

With nineteen rhetorical questions and an amazing array of support from the Old Testament and from common sense, Paul argues for his rights. But in an interesting turn of discussion, he argues for his rights so that he can demonstrate his willingness to give them up and not so he can enforce them.

In the midst of the chapter, we have a great encouragement for evangelism and a great example of athletic competition! This has long been one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament.

Listen in to this masterful argument from the apostle Paul through the power of the Spirit and the word of God!

In 1 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is on the defensive with the unreasonable, stubborn, and proud Corinthians! Paul has just challenged them that love is more important than knowledge, and that more knowledge leads to a greater and more Godly love. It seems that they have challenged Paul and his authority to even tell them what to do!

Now Paul takes a whole chapter to show them that he is not asking them to do something he is not willing to do himself. But first, he establishes certain rights he has as an apostle, and that he is (in fact) an apostle. Then he shows them how he has given up his rights.

With nineteen rhetorical questions and an amazing array of support from the Old Testament and from common sense, Paul argues for his rights. But in an interesting turn of discussion, he argues for his rights so that he can demonstrate his willingness to give them up and not so he can enforce them.

In the midst of the chapter, we have a great encouragement for evangelism and a great example of athletic competition! This has long been one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament.

Listen in to this masterful argument from the apostle Paul through the power of the Spirit and the word of God!

As we enter 1st Corinthians chapter 8, Paul is trying his best to get the Corinthians on the same page about a variety of issues from resurrection to spiritual gifts! In the past few weeks we have hammered out chapter 7 (via a mini-study we titled "Questions about Marriage"). Now we come to a new section and another conflicting issue for those Corinthians believers.

The next few chapters begin with a discussion of “meat sacrificed to idols”. While this was a big issue for the Corinthians, I am certain it is not for us! I can’t imagine that, before sitting down for Thanksgiving turkey, any of you asked your host, “Hey, where did you get this meat? Was this sacrificed to an idol?” Have you ever felt weird about going out for Indian food — all of the statues and pictures of Hindu gods? (Especially the weird elephant-looking one, Ganesh to be exact). Probably not!

OK, so their specific issue was a little different than what we face today. But, while I will make sure to paint the cultural picture so we can all understand their issue, we will focus on the underlying principles that help Paul answer their dilemma. Those principles are ever so relevant to us today!

The reality is that in our lives as Christians we are so secure in a loving parent/child relationship with God. There is no judgement and no condemnation and no fear of God withholding love. So our decisions don’t affect that relationship at all. We do not talk in legal terms, but in loving terms! We want to please our father because we love him. We don’t obey because we are afraid of Him, but because of love.

But our actions affect the quality of our own lives and the ability of others to know the God who loves us. “All things are lawful, BUT NOT ALL THINGS ARE BENEFICIAL”. Step one in decision making: Is it good for me? Does it bring health and godliness to me? Does it draw me closer to God? A second question will arise in this chapter: Is it good for others! I may be free to do it, but what will it do to others? Will doing this thing help them draw closer to God? Will it bring benefit to their lives?

Listen in and see how a discussion of meat and idols leads to freedom and decisions!

As we enter 1st Corinthians chapter 8, Paul is trying his best to get the Corinthians on the same page about a variety of issues from resurrection to spiritual gifts! In the past few weeks we have hammered out chapter 7 (via a mini-study we titled "Questions about Marriage"). Now we come to a new section and another conflicting issue for those Corinthians believers.

The next few chapters begin with a discussion of “meat sacrificed to idols”. While this was a big issue for the Corinthians, I am certain it is not for us! I can’t imagine that, before sitting down for Thanksgiving turkey, any of you asked your host, “Hey, where did you get this meat? Was this sacrificed to an idol?” Have you ever felt weird about going out for Indian food — all of the statues and pictures of Hindu gods? (Especially the weird elephant-looking one, Ganesh to be exact). Probably not!

OK, so their specific issue was a little different than what we face today. But, while I will make sure to paint the cultural picture so we can all understand their issue, we will focus on the underlying principles that help Paul answer their dilemma. Those principles are ever so relevant to us today!

The reality is that in our lives as Christians we are so secure in a loving parent/child relationship with God. There is no judgement and no condemnation and no fear of God withholding love. So our decisions don’t affect that relationship at all. We do not talk in legal terms, but in loving terms! We want to please our father because we love him. We don’t obey because we are afraid of Him, but because of love.

But our actions affect the quality of our own lives and the ability of others to know the God who loves us. “All things are lawful, BUT NOT ALL THINGS ARE BENEFICIAL”. Step one in decision making: Is it good for me? Does it bring health and godliness to me? Does it draw me closer to God? A second question will arise in this chapter: Is it good for others! I may be free to do it, but what will it do to others? Will doing this thing help them draw closer to God? Will it bring benefit to their lives?

Listen in and see how a discussion of meat and idols leads to freedom and decisions!

As the final installment in our "miniseries" on marriage, we complete 1st Corinthians chapter seven, with Paul's answers to the Corinthian's questions about marriage. Next week chapter eight picks up with a new question and a new topic.

The last section of this chapter has some difficulties. The difficulties exist because Paul is addressing some very specific questions they had and we don’t know the questions! It’s like Corinthian Jeopardy — we have the answers but have to guess at the questions.

Another challenge is that we don’t fully understand the context — what was happening in Corinth at the time. In fact, Paul refers to a “present distress” and we can only guess as to what that distress might have been. But despite that, Paul's answers are based on some sound and insightful principles and truths that are clear and relevant to us today!

Paul has addressed two married believers, a believer married to an unbeliever, widows, and the previously married (now divorced). In the last section he discusses “virgins”, or those that have never been married — the single folks! He laid the foundation by saying that we can just live our Christian life right where we are. We must not imagine that some change in circumstance will open the door for us to be more Christian.

Now Paul applies that wisdom in comparing the single life to the married life. For Paul, the bottom line is our freedom and ability to serve the Lord. For the single person, there is one less potential distraction — marriage! Is Paul “anti-marriage”? Is marriage and family a “disability”? Maybe and maybe not. Has family life distracted you from serving the Lord? Listen in as Pastor Steve unpacks Paul's answers and opinions, as well as godly wisdom we find as we unfold this passage.

As the final installment in our "miniseries" on marriage, we complete 1st Corinthians chapter seven, with Paul's answers to the Corinthian's questions about marriage. Next week chapter eight picks up with a new question and a new topic.

The last section of this chapter has some difficulties. The difficulties exist because Paul is addressing some very specific questions they had and we don’t know the questions! It’s like Corinthian Jeopardy — we have the answers but have to guess at the questions.

Another challenge is that we don’t fully understand the context — what was happening in Corinth at the time. In fact, Paul refers to a “present distress” and we can only guess as to what that distress might have been. But despite that, Paul's answers are based on some sound and insightful principles and truths that are clear and relevant to us today!

Paul has addressed two married believers, a believer married to an unbeliever, widows, and the previously married (now divorced). In the last section he discusses “virgins”, or those that have never been married — the single folks! He laid the foundation by saying that we can just live our Christian life right where we are. We must not imagine that some change in circumstance will open the door for us to be more Christian.

Now Paul applies that wisdom in comparing the single life to the married life. For Paul, the bottom line is our freedom and ability to serve the Lord. For the single person, there is one less potential distraction — marriage! Is Paul “anti-marriage”? Is marriage and family a “disability”? Maybe and maybe not. Has family life distracted you from serving the Lord? Listen in as Pastor Steve unpacks Paul's answers and opinions, as well as godly wisdom we find as we unfold this passage.

Continuing in First Corinthians chapter seven, we continue into the section from verse 10 through 24. In this section Paul will discuss marriage, separation, and divorce. His statements are simple and clear and so important to us today!

What if I told you that there is one area of focus and attention that, if improved, would positively affect national and state levels of crime, economic prosperity, and poverty related issues? What if I told you that addressing this area would even take a burden off the need for more and greater government involvement in social life? Well, there is such a thing, and the answer is not gun control or immigration, education, minimum wage, or healthcare! It is the health and stability of the family unit! This topic is very well documented and the verdict is clear: healthy families make healthy societies.

Divorce related issues plague us and influence our world in ways many do not understand. Divorce has social, emotional, economic, and even governmental impact. I would be surprised if there is anyone in the church whose life has not been directly impacted by divorce — for example, your parents may be divorced, you may have been divorced, or maybe grown kids that have been through a divorce. So I know I don’t have to tell you about the damage, confusion, and pain that divorce causes for spouses and for children! The family unit is still the basic building block of every society. Strong families make strong societies. The opposite and negative affect is also true.

I also know many may feel condemned about having been divorced! While Paul does not address all the "what if’s" of divorce and remarriage directly, we will take some time to imagine scenarios. What if I got divorced for the wrong reasons? What if I was the one who promoted it? Am I under God’s judgement for that? Can I be forgiven? Is there hope?

Paul also takes a few sentences to discuss mixed marriages. No, not mixed race, but mixed faith! What if you are married to someone who is not a believer and never comes to church? Maybe you think, as the Corinthians thought, that you could be so much more effective if you were out of that marriage! We will discuss those very issues.

But Paul summarizes this entire discussion by saying that following Jesus is not dependent on the outside circumstances of our life being just right. "If I only had the right job, or my spouse wasn’t so negative about Jesus, or I had a different situation, then I could really blossom and be an effective witness for Jesus." Have you ever felt like that??

Listen in and hear what God says about these things through Paul in this passage today!

Continuing in First Corinthians chapter seven, we continue into the section from verse 10 through 24. In this section Paul will discuss marriage, separation, and divorce. His statements are simple and clear and so important to us today!

What if I told you that there is one area of focus and attention that, if improved, would positively affect national and state levels of crime, economic prosperity, and poverty related issues? What if I told you that addressing this area would even take a burden off the need for more and greater government involvement in social life? Well, there is such a thing, and the answer is not gun control or immigration, education, minimum wage, or healthcare! It is the health and stability of the family unit! This topic is very well documented and the verdict is clear: healthy families make healthy societies.

Divorce related issues plague us and influence our world in ways many do not understand. Divorce has social, emotional, economic, and even governmental impact. I would be surprised if there is anyone in the church whose life has not been directly impacted by divorce — for example, your parents may be divorced, you may have been divorced, or maybe grown kids that have been through a divorce. So I know I don’t have to tell you about the damage, confusion, and pain that divorce causes for spouses and for children! The family unit is still the basic building block of every society. Strong families make strong societies. The opposite and negative affect is also true.

I also know many may feel condemned about having been divorced! While Paul does not address all the "what if’s" of divorce and remarriage directly, we will take some time to imagine scenarios. What if I got divorced for the wrong reasons? What if I was the one who promoted it? Am I under God’s judgement for that? Can I be forgiven? Is there hope?

Paul also takes a few sentences to discuss mixed marriages. No, not mixed race, but mixed faith! What if you are married to someone who is not a believer and never comes to church? Maybe you think, as the Corinthians thought, that you could be so much more effective if you were out of that marriage! We will discuss those very issues.

But Paul summarizes this entire discussion by saying that following Jesus is not dependent on the outside circumstances of our life being just right. "If I only had the right job, or my spouse wasn’t so negative about Jesus, or I had a different situation, then I could really blossom and be an effective witness for Jesus." Have you ever felt like that??

Listen in and hear what God says about these things through Paul in this passage today!