Our God is a God of order not chaos. He instructs us in clarity and not confusion. One of the biggest problems in America today is that individuals and families are leading extremely chaotic and confusing lives causing them to battle anxiety and depression on a regular basis.

1st Corinthians 14:26-40 the apostle Paul addressed the problem of chaos in the church.

Lou Hileman

Chapters 11-14 concern “Disorders in Public Worship.” Paul wrote this section of his letter to the church in Corinth to correct their chaotic assemblies and their carnal attitudes. Much of the problem centered on their confusion about spiritual gifts. Some believe that all of the spiritual gifts in their fullness are in operation today. We have consistently taught that some of the gifts in all their fullness were temporary. We see these as sign gifts that authenticated the apostolic ministry and the Gospel of Christ. These gifts were foundational to the beginning of the church, 2 Corinthians 12:12. The gift of Apostle ended with Paul. The gift of immediate, absolute and undeniable healing as exercised by Peter in Acts 3 is not in evidence today. Paul who had the gift of healings did not exercise it toward the end of his ministry, 2 Timothy 4:20.

Love is indispensable to the body of Christ.  This is the love that describes God.

The word for “love” is agape. This is God’s own description of Himself, 1 John 4:16, “God is love. This is a self-sacrificing love modeled by God Himself, John 3:16. This is primarily a love of volition rather than emotion.

The Corinthian Christians were not displaying this love. This love is a servant of our will not a victim of our emotions, Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies.” Jesus is not commanding emotion but action. Spiritual gifts were present in the Corinthian congregation, but true spiritual love was absent.

A spiritual gift is not a natural talent but one’s gift works in concert with one’s talents. The ability to sing on key is not a spiritual gift but a natural talent. The ministry of the Holy Spirit brings unity to the body of Christ. The Corinthians were mistaking uniformity for unity.

Diversity is essential to unity in a local congregation of believers.

Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate this truth to the Christians at Corinth (12). Many different parts make up a human body, but they do not diminish the body’s basic unity. It is clear that Paul is not giving an anatomy lesson.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Main Idea: God's Spirit shows up through all of God's people for the good of God's Church

Teacher: Bryan Kurty

Is it possible to do the right thing the wrong way? Absolutely 100% YES As a matter of fact we do it more often than we think.

Since the beginning of the church, it was customary for believers to eat together (Acts 2:42, 46) It was an opportunity for fellowship and for sharing with those who were less privileged. No doubt they culminated this meal by observing the Lord’s Supper. They called this meal “the love feast” since its main emphasis was showing love for the saints by sharing with one another. Paul was telling the church at Corinth that they were taking a beautiful ordinance of the church and turning it into a horrible occasion.

Lou Hileman

The interpretive key to unlock this passage concerning Christian worship is the Gospel of Christ.

Paul has been applying the Gospel to the issues in Corinth throughout this letter. He has brought the Gospel to bear on their divisiveness, their sexual immorality, their marriages, Christian freedom etc. Now he deals with a specific issue of impropriety in the Corinthian assembly.

Paul begins by establishing the principle of authority and submission

Scripture: 10:14 - 11:1

It is important that we remind ourselves of a very important reality. It is not that you as a congregation are under the scriptures proclaimed by a man. Rather the man and the congregation are under the scriptures proclaimed by God. 

Daren Ritchey

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Teacher: Daren Ritchey

Main Idea: External privileges don't exempt us from condemnation if we are choosing to follow sin rather than Jesus.

Intro: Is it possible to learn a good lesson from a bad example? We have been learning that chapters 8-10 are about Christian freedom. Pastor Lou has shown in chapter 8 that the exercise of my Christian freedom must always be determined by brotherly love. Paul then showed the application of that principle with his own example in chapter 9. Last Sunday Pastor Bryan presented the principle in chapter 9 that Christian freedom enables us to prioritize the gospel for the spiritual good of others. Now Paul is going to focus on how the exercise of Christian freedom impacts our own lives. Paul gives the example of the children of Israel in the Exodus and wilderness wandering. The last verse of chapter 9 is the connecting link to what Paul is about to focus on. Bible scholars and pastors take two views on what Paul means by “disqualified.” One view says that Paul is talking about service not salvation. The context shows that Paul is warning against apostasy. Apostasy involves knowing the truth, appearing to live the truth but turning away from it. Paul uses the same word in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6.

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Main Idea: Christian freedom enables us to prioritize the gospel for the spiritual good of others.

Bryan Kurty