Rev. Paul Leonard

Paul pleads with the church as a Father; also says he will not submit to human judgement.
This is an important build up to the conflict of ch 5.

The fourth sermon in the 1st Corinthians series.

Focus: Most of the church is childish and Paul must make clear that someone needs to grow up! 

3rd sermon in the 1st Corinthians series

2nd sermon in the Corinthian series

Paul makes an appeal to the "foolishness of the cross" to end the debates over who is wise and powerful in the struggling Corinthian church

This is the first sermon in our new series on 1st Corinthians.

Paul's introduction calls the church to focus on unity in Christ to overcome its divisions based on human leadership

There's an aspect of faith that has to be public. And we are often quite concerned about our own public reputation. And while sometimes people think religion is all about God being ashamed of us... quite often it's actually the other way around.

Have you ever been ashamed of your faith? In today's message we get at the fact that people didn't like Jesus! And to be his disciple, we are going to have to accept that challenge.

In this scriptural exposition of 2 Corinthians, Rev. Paul approaches the wide theme of church conflict found throughout both letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians. With 80% of US churches in some stage of plateau or decline, its sadly very likely many Christians are all to familiar with such things.  

But the issue isn't impossible, and the solution isn't even to be found in some new program or technique. It's not about music, politics, style, or superficial things, but about being faithful to the reason why the church exist in the first place! [As explained in the first 4 sermons in the series (only 1 and 4 were recorded)] The congregation in Corinth was struggling with multiple issues, so this sermon treats the main faucets of the conflict.

But the key problem was, it was stuck. Does your Church or Christian walk seem stuck? Moving forward is actually quite easy as Rev. Leonard explains. It just takes being dissatisfied enough to actually leave Egypt! 

Rev. Leonard's primary thesis is the solution the Apostle Paul advocated was not dwelling on the existing conflict, but on moving forward with the church's true calling. The wisdom being to fold, as old conflict grow smaller in the rear view mirror, and a more broadly mature church of tomorrow can address issues that elude its maturity today.

In the first part, Rev. Paul looks at the Apostle's solution, sending Titus, and delves into the key instructions he gives Titus in Titus 3:7-10. Titus is instructed to remind the people to grow in good works, and to avoid being divisive. Often, churches are divided, but how exactly do we diagnose it? 

Second, the Church's commision is "as you go Make Disciples" (Matt), but sometimes the "going" part gets tough. This is a timely message for anyone who is eager to see their church move forward, is wondering why old problems linger, and wonders what attitudes we can take to do something about it. With examples from life, this message shows why this is vital.

It's been a long time since Rev. Leonard has clocked in a message over 20 minutes; this message is so relevant to today, to the majority of churches, that it is worth going into the issue at length. 

I apologize, but due to repainting the sanctuary, my mind was off and I failed to record parts 2 and 3. Today's message is, "What?" is the church? and the answer is its the body of Christ. That should not just unite us, but we can't be the body of Christ if we are not

Jesus tells Peter that he is going to build his church on the Rock. That is, the confession Jesus is Lord. As we explore what it means to be a church, the key of what sets us apart is the corner stone.

Jonah faces a tough reality, God often saves people we don't want him to!