Paul continues to focus on unity in the gospel. He now points to the existence of the Corinth church and how God’s calling and choosing of its people further reveals “the foolishness of God.” He doesn’t chase down superstars; he most often chooses and uses the weak and lowly. In all of this, God receives the most glory.

Paul continues to address division in the church by focusing on two different types of response to the cross of Christ. Some see it as foolish and weak, while others find in it the power & wisdom of God. How ones responds to this message makes all the difference in the world.

There are many things Christians will not agree on, but there are some major things a church must agree on to be unified, pure, and active in God’s work. After his rich greeting, Paul begins to address the division and discord in the Corinthian church.

The first words of a letter often come in the form of a greeting. This is no different in the many letters, or epistles, of the New Testament writers. The letter of 1 Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. Though we tend to overlook opening words of greeting, these first words are significant to the hearers, which includes us.

Before we can live up to our theme, Always Abounding in the Work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58), we need the Lord to first do a heart work in us. Therefore, we begin this new year by hearing the call of Jesus to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3.

In this final week and chapter of The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian finishes his journey and arrives at the Celestial City.

After leaving the Delectable Mountains, Christian & Hopeful are not far from the gates of the Celestial City. There are a few more characters to meet and a few more important lessons to be learned before they reach their destination.

After losing his traveling companion Faithful, Christian is joined by a new friend named Hopeful. Though the Delectable Mountains are not far off, they stray from the path and end up in Doubting Castle.

After enduring the valleys, Christian is joined by new companion, Faithful. They encounter two others before heading to the Godless City, Vanity Fair.