Thirty years ago, finding a church meant opening a phone book; today, it involves a Google search and a live stream. But while our methods of "checking out" a church have changed, the internal struggles of the local body often remain the same. In this episode, Pastor Matt walks us through the conclusion of 1 Corinthians 14, where the Apostle Paul provides a "live stream" into the chaotic and pride-driven worship of the Corinthian church.

Discover how Paul addresses the misuse of spiritual gifts—specifically tongues and prophecy—to move the church away from self-centered display and toward collective edification. This message tackles the controversial and "un-skippable" instructions of the passage, reminding us that because God is a God of peace and not confusion, our worship should reflect His orderly and loving character. Join us as we explore how to ensure that every hymn, lesson, and revelation serves one ultimate purpose: the building up of the body of Christ.

Key Topics:

• Phone Books to Live Streams: A reflection on 30 years of ministry and how the signals we send in worship have shifted over time.

• The Problem of Pride: How the Corinthians were using gifts to show off rather than to edify, leading to distraction and disorder.

• Guidelines for Clarity: Paul’s specific boundaries for tongues and prophecy to ensure that every word spoken is intelligible and beneficial to the hearers.

• God’s Character in Worship: Why the structure and flow of a church service are not just about logistics, but about reflecting the nature of a God who brings peace out of chaos.

• Approaching Difficult Texts: A commitment to preaching the "hard passages" of Scripture with grace and historical context, including Paul's instructions on order and decorum.

In this episode, we explore 1 Corinthians 14, where the Apostle Paul addresses a modern-sounding problem in an ancient church: the desire to build a personal "platform" . Just as today’s social media culture encourages us to monetize our lives and seek "eyeballs" on ourselves, some believers in Corinth were using spectacular spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues to elevate their own status rather than to serve others.

The message unpacks the crucial distinction between gifts that build up the self and gifts that build up the church . We dive into Paul’s teaching on prophecy and tongues, learning why clear, intelligible communication is an act of love. Whether you are serving in the church or the workplace, this episode will challenge you to ask: "If the applause stopped, would my service stop?". Join us as we learn how to pursue love by using our unique gifts to strengthen the entire body of Christ.

Key Topics:

• The Platform Trap: Why using spiritual gifts for self-recognition is a 2,000-year-old version of social media fame.

• Prophecy vs. Tongues: Understanding how prophecy provides "upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation" that others can actually understand.

• The "Indistinct Bugle": Why gifts used without interpretation or clarity are like instruments playing random notes—they don't help anyone.

• Pursuing Love: Why love is not a passive feeling but a language we must fumbled through and practice until we are fluent.

• The "Barbaros" Effect: How uninterpreted speech turns fellow believers into foreigners to one another instead of one unified body.

In this episode, Pastor Matt walks us through 1 Corinthians 13—perhaps the most famous chapter in the entire book. Often relegated to wedding ceremonies, this "Love Chapter" was originally written as a corrective for a messy, divided, and prideful church. Pastor Matt explains that while spiritual gifts are important, they are ultimately temporary and hollow if they are not exercised through the "more excellent way" of love.

The message dives deep into the specific, active definitions of agape love. From the "Eraser" of forgiveness that keeps no record of wrongs to the "Magnifying Glass" that celebrates the wins of others, we are challenged to move beyond sentimental feelings and toward a love that is patient, kind, and enduring. Discover why love is the only thing that truly lasts and how the sacrifice of Jesus provides both the model and the power for us to love others well.

Key Topics:

• Gifts vs. Love: Why the greatest abilities are "nothing" without love.

• The Definition of Love: Exploring the 15 verbs Paul uses to describe what love does rather than how it feels.

• The Eraser and the Magnifying Glass: Learning to delete past offenses and zoom in on the successes of others.

• Temporary vs. Eternal: Why tongues and prophecy will pass away, but love remains.

• The Greatest of These: Understanding the supremacy of love in the Christian life.

In this episode, Pastor Tyler takes us into 1 Corinthians 12, where the Apostle Paul addresses a sensitive and often misunderstood topic: spiritual gifts. Just as a dentist probes for sensitive spots to prevent further decay, Paul identifies the pride and division in the Corinthian church that arose from members "flaunting" their gifts. Tyler explores how this created a "varsity and JV" mentality, where those with prominent gifts were elevated while others felt unnecessary or "ungifted".

The message clarifies that there is no "Gifted and Talented" program in the family of God—every believer is supernaturally gifted by the Spirit for the "common good" of the body. Using the powerful illustration of the human body and its interdependent parts, we learn why diversity is not just a preference but a divine necessity for the church to function. Discover how your unique contribution is essential and why the body of Christ is most beautiful when all its varied parts are working together for His glory.

Key Topics:

• The Distinguishing Mark: Why the conviction that "Jesus is Lord" is the primary evidence of the Spirit's work, far more than any specific ability.

• Talents vs. Spiritual Gifts: Understanding the difference between natural abilities from birth and the supernatural gifts received at "new birth".

• The Body Metaphor: A deep dive into Paul’s illustration of hands, eyes, and feet to explain why every member is indispensable.

• The Purpose of Giftings: Why the Holy Spirit apportions gifts to individuals not for personal boasting, but to build up the entire community.

• The Beauty of Variety: How a "castle" built of many different blocks (rather than identical ones) reflects the dynamic nature of the church.

In this episode, Director of Outreach and Discipleship Dalton Leslie walks us through 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, examining how the Corinthian church had turned a sacred meal of unity into a display of division. By favoring the social elite and disregarding the poor, the Corinthians were failing to "recognize the body" of believers, leading to a stern warning from the Apostle Paul.

Using the imagery of the classic song "Big House," Dalton reminds us that God’s table is not small or exclusive—it is "big, big" and intended for people from every demographic and background. This message explores the serious nature of the Lord's Supper, the beauty of the new covenant, and how we can protect our gospel witness by making reconciliation and humility our highest priorities.

Key Topics:

• Better or Worse? Why the way we gather as a church determines whether we are being built up or discouraged.

• The Divided Table: A look at the historical "triclinium" and how status and class divisions were infiltrating the early church.

• Symbol, Reminder, and Proclamation: Understanding the three primary functions of the Lord’s Supper.

• The Unworthy Manner: Identifying the sin of hypocrisy and failing to love fellow believers during communion.

• Discipline vs. Condemnation: Why God’s judgment on His children is a mercy intended to correct, not a sentence to destroy.

Does what you wear really matter in worship? In this episode, Pastor Rustin dives into 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, addressing one of the most culturally complex and debated passages in the New Testament. Using the illustration of modern "dress codes"—from military uniforms to wedding dresses—Pastor Rustin explains how our outward presentation sends a powerful signal about our hearts and our respect for God’s design.

The message unpacks the "headship" relationships described by Paul and explores the specific cultural "dress code violations" happening in the Corinthian church . While we no longer live in a first-century honor-shame culture involving veils, the underlying principles remain: our worship should glorify God by reflecting His intentional, complementary design for men and women. Join us as we explore how to live into the beauty and joy of being created in God's image and why we desperately need one another to reflect His glory to the world.

Key Topics:

• Cultural Coding: Understanding how clothing and appearance send signals of honor or shame.
• The Meaning of Headship: Exploring the Greek word kephalē and its implications for Christ, man, and woman .
• Creation Order: Why Paul points back to Genesis to explain the distinct but equal roles of men and women.
• Complementary Design: Celebrating the reality that men and women are not independent, but were built to function together for God's glory.
• Worship with Decorum: The importance of not allowing personal "expression" to distract from the glory of God during worship.

In this sermon, Pastor Tyler concludes the study of 1 Corinthians 10 by addressing one of the most pervasive issues in the human experience: idolatry. While we may not bow down to physical statues today, Pastor Tyler explores how the human heart acts as an "idol factory," constantly elevating good gifts—like careers, relationships, or reputations—into "bad gods" that demand our ultimate devotion.

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 10:14–11:1, this message provides practical wisdom for navigating the "gray areas" of life while keeping a clear witness for the Gospel. You will be challenged to examine your own life through six diagnostic questions designed to reveal hidden idols and learn why the only way to truly flee from them is to be captivated by something—and someone—more beautiful: Jesus Christ.

Key Topics:

• Defining Modern Idolatry: Understanding idols as the structures and desires our lives orbit around.
• The Problem of the Heart: Why idolatry is an internal issue of significance and security rather than an external issue of wood and stone.
• Navigating Christian Freedom: Principles for living in a secular world without compromising your witness or your conscience.
• The "Expulsive Power of a New Affection": Replacing the hollow promises of idols with the living and true God.
• Doing All for God's Glory: Shifting our ultimate aim from personal legacy or comfort to the glory of God in everything we do.

In this message, Pastor Matt continues the series in 1 Corinthians, examining Paul’s stern warning in chapter 10:1–13. Looking back at the history of Israel, we see that despite experiencing incredible spiritual privileges—walking under the cloud and passing through the sea—many failed to finish the race because their hearts craved evil things.

This episode unpacks four specific dangers that tripped up the Israelites and remain threats to us today: idolatry, sexual immorality, putting Christ to the test, and grumbling. While the warning is sober—"let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall"—the promise is sweet. Join us to discover how, in the midst of common temptations, God remains faithful to provide a way of escape so that we may endure.

Key Topics:

• Spiritual Privilege vs. Security: Why past spiritual experiences don't guarantee future faithfulness.
• The Four Pitfalls: Idolatry, immorality, testing God, and complaining.
• The Danger of Overconfidence: The importance of taking heed when we think we are standing strong.
• God’s Faithfulness: The promise that no temptation is unique and an escape is always available.

In this episode, Pastor Dalton Leslie explores 1 Corinthians 9:19–27, challenging believers to view their faith with the intensity and dedication of an Olympic athlete. Just as competitors sacrifice comfort and embrace strict discipline to win a perishable prize, Christians are called to sacrifice their rights and liberties to win an imperishable one: the salvation of others.

Discover what it means to become "all things to all people" without compromising the truth, and learn how to run your spiritual race with purpose, aim, and endurance. Whether you are new to the faith or a long-time believer, this message will encourage you to discipline your life for the sake of the Gospel and finish well.

Key Topics:

• Intentional Sacrifice: Giving up personal rights to remove stumbling blocks for the lost.
• Spiritual Discipline: "Buffeting the body" and bringing desires under strict control.
• The Heart of Evangelism: Meeting people where they are, just as Jesus did.
• The Imperishable Prize: Running for a reward that will never fade.