Sermons

Pastor George Moore from Legacy Reentry Foundation joined us this Sunday as he shared from 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 as part of our series, A Church Worth Becoming. The resurrection of Jesus Christ should make believers relentless in their faith and service to others. Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 15:58 provide the blueprint: be steadfast, immovable, and always excelling in the Lord's work. This doesn't mean being perfect, but refusing to give up when facing opposition or challenges. The resurrection power isn't just for our own benefit - it's meant to reach those who are lost and broken. Too many believers treat faith like punching a time clock, showing up on Sunday but lacking the fire that should characterize resurrection-powered living. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain because Christ is alive and working through us.

Pastor Dell walked through 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 as he looked at how the resurrection is the foundation of Christianity and not just a holiday to be celebrated once a year. Without it, our faith would be completely worthless and we would still be trapped in our sins. Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15 shows that if Christ didn't rise from the dead, Christianity crumbles entirely. However, because Jesus did conquer death as the first fruits, our future is completely secure. This truth should transform how we live daily, giving us courage to face challenges, proper priorities for our time, and freedom from the fear of death.

Pastor Santiago continued our series "A Church Worth Becoming" sharing a message from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith, not just another doctrine but the foundation upon which everything else rests. Paul addressed the Corinthian church, which was being influenced by Greek philosophy that undermined belief in bodily resurrection. He emphasized that the resurrection must be proclaimed as good news, is anchored in scriptural prophecy and eyewitness testimony, and has the power to transform lives completely. Without the resurrection, our faith becomes meaningless, our preaching useless, and we remain trapped in sin. The resurrection proves that Christ conquered death and paid our debt in full, calling us to live as evangelists who share this victory with others.

Pastor Dell finished up 1 Corinthians 14 this week. God desires order in worship because He is a God of peace, not confusion. The Corinthian church was passionate but chaotic, teaching us that even good gifts can become harmful without proper structure. Every expression in worship should build up the body of Christ rather than serve as mere self-expression. True spirituality isn't measured by intensity but by alignment with God's truth and obedience to His Word. Biblical submission involves mutual surrender within the body of Christ, with all believers submitting to God's Word as ultimate authority. Parents must actively counter secular influences by prioritizing intentional discipleship at home and ensuring faith takes precedence over worldly values.

Pastor Dell continued his sermon, "The Key To Body Building" from last week where he was walking us through 1 Corinthians 14:1-25. Worship is designed to strengthen the entire church community, not just provide a personal experience with God. Paul teaches that our communication in worship should bring understanding and unity, using gifts like teaching and words of knowledge to build up others. When we worship with intentionality and engage wholeheartedly, it creates an atmosphere where God's presence becomes evident even to outsiders. True worship is both vertical toward God and missional as a witness to others. We should consider how our worship affects those around us, engaging with humility while inviting others into God's presence.

Pastor Dell got us back into our series, "A Church Worth Becoming" this morning, sharing from 1 Corinthians 14. We are all spiritual bodybuilders, called to strengthen the body of Christ through proper use of our gifts. True worship extends beyond singing to encompass how we use our time, talents, and treasures for others' benefit. Rather than approaching church with a consumer mentality asking what we can receive, we should focus on what we can contribute. Spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues are meant for corporate strengthening, not personal promotion. When we shift from self-focus to building up others, we participate in God's work of strengthening His church and often find ourselves blessed in the process.

Pastor Dell shared a special message this Easter as we celebrate Christ's resurrection. Easter reveals the greatest paradox in history: God's ultimate victory came through apparent defeat at the cross. When Jesus told His disciples about His coming suffering and death, Peter resisted with good intentions but wrong understanding. God's kingdom operates on upside-down principles where the first are last, the weak become strong, and victory comes through surrender. The resurrection proves that what appears to be loss can become triumph when viewed through God's eternal plan. This Easter challenges us to examine whether we're following the authentic Jesus of Scripture or a version we've created to match our preferences. The choice is ours: respond with worry and resistance like Peter, or with worship and surrender like the women at the tomb.

Pastor Dell shared from Luke 19:28–44 this Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday reveals a profound tension between the Savior we want and the Savior we need. The crowds enthusiastically praised Jesus, shouting Hosanna and laying down their cloaks, but they wanted a political deliverer who would overthrow Rome and restore their national power. Instead, Jesus came riding on a donkey as a symbol of peace, offering spiritual salvation rather than political revolution. When He didn't meet their expectations, the same crowd that praised Him would soon cry for His crucifixion. This teaches us that accepting Jesus as Savior is easier than accepting Him as Lord, requiring us to surrender our expectations and follow Him on His terms rather than our own. 

Pastor Dell continued through 1 Corinthians 13 as he shared about the 15 facets of 'Agape' love found in verses 4-7. Agape love is more than emotion - it's the essence of who God is. The early Christians discovered this revolutionary, unconditional love through Jesus Christ that reaches the undeserving and sacrifices for others. First Corinthians 13 reveals that even the most impressive spiritual gifts are worthless without love. The passage outlines 15 characteristics of true love, including patience, kindness, forgiveness, and endurance. This kind of love is impossible in human strength and only comes through the Holy Spirit working in us. While spiritual gifts will cease, love is eternal because God is love.

Pastor Dell led us through a familiar passage as we continued our series on 1st Corinthians. Paul's message in First Corinthians 13 reveals a startling truth: without agape love, even our greatest spiritual gifts and sacrifices are worthless. Agape is God's sacrificial, unconditional love - different from romantic, family, or friendship love. This divine love is perfectly demonstrated in John 3:16 and Jesus' ministry to outcasts and sinners. The danger lies in serving without this love, making our efforts like noisy gongs rather than beautiful music. To truly love others with agape love, we must first know and experience God's love personally, not just know about Him intellectually.