In this Resurrection Sunday message, we continue with Paul’s letter of 1 Corinthians as he reminds them of the gospel he had previously preached to them. The gospel is *central* to our faith. It is foundational, it is factual, and it is transformational. Hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ!

For Ruth and Naomi to have any hope of redemption, it meant that Ruth needed to be willing to completely surrender. She had to give up, in order to gain. So do we. Surrender yourself to Jesus and receive His redemption!

As they were blessed with an abundance of spiritual gifts, the Corinthians were still to avoid confusion, avoid interruption, and avoid anarchy. How could they do it? By using their God-given gifts decently and in order.

What is it we most need in life? Grace. We need the grace of God in this life and in eternity – we need grace all day, every day. That grace is found in Jesus. In Ruth 2, we see the need for grace, the experience of grace, and the news of grace.

For all the controversy that surrounds the gifts of tongues, a simple question is why God might give them? Paul answers the question and shows a simple principle. Whatever God gives us, Christians are to use the things God gives according to God’s purposes for God’s glory.

The book of Ruth begins with terrible tragedy, due to sin among a family of Israelites. Eventually, the surviving mother turned back, with her loving daughter-in-law right beside her. God gives us the opportunity to turn back to Him…don’t waste it!

For all the confusion that exists regarding the gifts of prophecy and tongues, the apostle Paul gave the Corinthian church a simple principle for practice: seek the things that edify. The gifts are properly used when the gifts are used to build up the church.

Two wrongs don’t make a right, and neither can multiple sins bring about righteousness. What we need to solve our problems is not the unrighteous wisdom of men but the true wisdom of God.

Love is foundational to the gospel and essential for the Christian. It is perfectly demonstrated in the life of Jesus. Is it demonstrated in yours?

It is not always easy to deal with sin in our lives, but when we do the tough things God’s way, God will give us the grace we need to get it done.