Although our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, this does not mean that physical pleasure or marital union should be avoided. Remaining single for the purpose of serving God is good, but only if it can be done without stumbling in desire. God has provided marriage as a protection against sexual temptation. Those who are single and tempted should seek marriage, and those who are married should seek to regularly satisfy the sexual desires of their spouse.

Christ has forgiven, cleansed, and united us to himself so that we may be freed to worship Him. Therefore, all our actions are constrained to serving God and edifying ourselves and others. Gratifying the appetites of the flesh and the desires of the heart is 'lawful' only to the degree that it serves this purpose.

Since we have the mind of Christ, even the least among us is better equipped to resolve disputes between believers than the wisest judge of this world. Yet, the real injustice lies in how we often care more about our own interests than the reputation of Christ and the well-being of our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Passage Summary: Having established that the Corinthians were wrapped up in the kind of boastful comparisons that belong to God's judgment alone, Paul now exposes that they were failing to judge one another's unrepentant sin in the way that God instructed.

Sermon Summary: Believers are not to disassociate with non-Christians because of their sin, but they are to confront open sin within the church, even to the point of shunning and excommunicating those who persist in it.

Passage Summary: The Corinthians were considering themselves "spiritual giants" because of their success in worldly wisdom and status. Paul shows them that the blessed and faithful of God are those who are debased by this world's standards and he invites them to imitate him in following the humble way of the cross. He affirms his selfless love for them as opposed to those who would use them for their own ends, and warns the arrogant that he is willing to use apostolic authority to cut them down to size.

Sermon Summary: Though we are Kings, Priests, and co-heirs with Christ, we should not expect to experience the full honor and perfect joy of the New Heavens and Earth in the present age. This is a season of humble self-sacrifice and service to the people of God. Jesus' authority is active within the church today, healing us by humbling our worldly pride.

God alone has all the information required for judgment, and it is to God alone that we are accountable. Further, it is God alone who produces anything praiseworthy in us. Therefore, we should not be critical or proud of ourselves or others. Embracing this truth fosters greater love, unity, and peace of mind, leading to greater service and glory to God.

Satan seeks to tempt us to division, rivalry, and false worship by offering us "ownership" of a fraction of what God has already given us. When we set our identity, worth and security in Christ alone, and rest in the hope of being co-heirs of all things with him, we will rest from the competitive scramble and pride of this world.

Every Christian has their role in building the church, and will be tested and rewarded for their faithful service. Yet all fruit is solely of God, so we are not in competition with one another to build our own reputation, but simply to be commended for being faithful with the small assignment given to us.

Those who have been given the mind of Christ must stop thinking selfishly, stop judging by the world's value system, and begin to see and live through Christ's eyes.

Without the Holy Spirit, you and I would only know foolishness. With the Holy Spirit we know all the deep, eternal, wonderful wisdom of God.