Sermons

Pastor Dell took a look at 1 Corinthians 5 as he continued our series, "A Church Worth Becoming". Churches must have the courage to address sin within their congregations, just as Jewish families removed all leaven before Passover. When we tolerate unrepentant sin, we compromise our witness and wonder why our churches lack power. Biblical love includes confrontation when necessary - grace without truth is merely sentimental. Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 5 show that church discipline is restorative, not punitive, aimed at redemption and protecting the congregation's holiness. True spiritual maturity holds both love and discipline simultaneously, following the biblical pattern of private confrontation before involving the broader church community. 

Pastor Dell continued our series on 1st Corinthians this morning, looking at 1 Corinthians 4. True spiritual maturity isn't measured by status or success, but by faithful stewardship of what God has entrusted to us. Paul reminds us that as believers, we're managers of God's gifts, not owners, and our primary requirement is faithfulness rather than fame. Living for God's approval instead of people's applause requires humility and recognizing that God's kingdom operates on different principles than the world. The goal isn't just personal growth, but spiritual multiplication - becoming the kind of person others can imitate to grow closer to Jesus. This means being willing to receive correction, walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, and faithfully stewarding whatever God has given us in our specific circumstances.

Pastor Santiago looked at 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 as he continued our series, "A Church Worth Becoming". The church worth becoming is one that prioritizes service over status, builds exclusively on Christ, and focuses on Him rather than ourselves. Paul addressed the Corinthian church's immaturity, evidenced by their divisions and celebrity-pastor mentality. True spiritual maturity recognizes church leaders as servants, not celebrities. Paul warns that our work for the church must be built on the foundation of Christ alone and will eventually be tested by fire. A mature church redirects all glory to Jesus, stands unified against Satan's attempts to divide, and impacts communities by building bridges to people who need Christ.

Pastor Dell continued our series through 1st Corinthians this morning, looking at 1st Corinthians 1:18-2:16. The message of the cross seems foolish to the world but contains God's power and wisdom. In God's upside-down kingdom, the weak become strong, and the last become first. God deliberately chooses ordinary, imperfect people to display His power so that all glory goes to Him. The Holy Spirit empowers believers, just as Paul relied on spiritual power rather than eloquent words. By embracing our weaknesses, focusing on Christ crucified, and relying on the Spirit's guidance, we can experience God's transformative power in our lives.

God forms something beautiful from broken people through obedience and holiness, despite the church's inherent messiness. The church is designed as a diverse mosaic where different individuals come together to display God's glory. Biblical holiness means being set apart for God's purposes while engaging with the world but remaining distinct from it. Our identity is defined by God's calling, not our achievements, and His grace sustains us through our weaknesses. Unity in Christ, despite our differences, serves as a powerful witness to the world. The power of sharing the gospel lies in the message itself, not in our eloquence.

In times of tragedy and violence, Christians are called to respond from a perspective of Christ's ultimate victory, not from fear or anger. We must exercise Spirit-led discernment, knowing when to speak boldly, when to endure quietly, and when to take action. By remaining steadfast and immovable in our faith, we can navigate difficult circumstances with wisdom and peace. Our responses to adversity reveal what's truly in our hearts, and as believers, we're called to focus on eternal truths rather than temporary troubles, demonstrating to the world that our hope is anchored in Jesus' triumph over sin and death.

As believers, we are entrusted with the gospel and called to lay aside all sin that hinders our relationship with God. We must cultivate a hunger for God's Word, craving it like newborn infants desire milk, which leads to spiritual growth. Built upon Christ the cornerstone, we form a spiritual house as living stones aligned with Him. Our identity in Christ—as a chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, and God's own possession—exists for one purpose: to proclaim His excellencies to those still in darkness. We are living testimonies, called not to form a 'holy huddle' but to rescue others by sharing the good news.

Pastor Rob continued our Entrusted series by looking at how we are entrusted with the next generation. God has entrusted us with the responsibility of passing down faith to the next generation, much like a critical baton handoff in a relay race. This begins with our own commitment to listening to God's Word, as we cannot give what we don't possess. We must intentionally speak truth about God's character and works while ensuring our actions align with our words. The ultimate goal isn't raising merely successful or moral children, but disciples who place their confidence in God, remember His faithfulness, and follow His commands. Whether as parents, mentors, or church members, we all play vital roles in this spiritual relay race.

Pastor Dell started our new series, Entrusted, this week. God has entrusted us with everything we have - our treasure, talents, and time - making us stewards rather than owners. The parable of the talents teaches that we're expected to use what we've been given wisely. Our treasure should be given generously, not just when convenient or comfortable. Our talents are gifts meant to serve others and multiply kingdom impact. Time, our most valuable resource, should be spent intentionally on eternal priorities rather than wasted on distractions. As faithful stewards, we're called to reflect God's generosity in how we manage all three resources.

Pastor Dell concluded our series, "The Prayers Of The Psalms" by walking us through the Psalms of Ascent. The spiritual journey of a believer resembles a pilgrimage, beginning in life's valleys where God meets us in our distress. The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) illustrate this journey, starting with hardship, progressing through walking with God, and culminating in joyful worship. Our pilgrimage begins with honesty about our struggles, continues through daily dependence on God rather than self-reliance, and finds fulfillment in experiencing God's presence. While heaven is our ultimate destination, we're invited to experience the joy of God's presence now, living as citizens of heaven while journeying toward our eternal home.