By what standard do we determine whether or not the Holy Spirit is a work in a given situation?  Prior to delving into specific gifts, Paul provides criteria for deciding, "Jesus is Lord."

What is the Lord's Supper and how should we participate?  As Paul continues to correct the Corinthians church in this area, we learn that God is serious about worship and also sets the parameters for it.

Though designed to be a picture of sacrifice and a moment of rememberance, the Corinthian church had turned the Lord's Supper into a practice of gluttony and drunkeness.  They called it the Lord's Supper, but it had nothing to do with the worship of Jesus Christ.  Paul points out the problems with their practice in this passage.

Due to a technical error, only part of this sermon was recorded.  How do we exercise the spiritual freedom we have in Christ outside of the church?  The heart of Paul's message continues: it's not about us, it is about God.  If it is about God, then it will lead us to love our neighbors well.

Is Paul calling all women to wear a head covering during worship?  Is this a cutural issue?  How do we tell?

This morning we look at a difficult passage, and look for items in the text to guide us as we seek understanding.

There is a spiritual reality to our physical life that we rarely acknowledge.  Using the prinicples for guarding against idolatry, Paul sets for two ideas to guide the Corinthians.  1) Does it use the language of worship? 2) Is it perceived as worship?  

With these two parameters, Paul warns the church to flee from idolatry.

Using an Old Testament illustration, Paul show the Corinthians what it is like to not run well.  One of the best ways to stand firm in the faith is to understand that you are capable of falling.  

It is easy to forget the context of Paul's illustarting.  What does it mean to run well? Though we do need to stay on guard agaisnt sin, when we run well, we love our neighbors well.

Paul's example of sacrificing his rights for the sake of the Gospel serves as a principle in his entire ministry.  The sacrifice of Christ's life for salvation is much less that most believers sacrifice to share the Gospel.

While addressing meat sacrificed to idols, it seems that Paul goes off track in chapter 9 & begins writing about finances.  However, Paul wanted them to see that the life he chose to live among the applied to the heart of the meat issue.