As Paul continues to order and inform the church to live in the Future Present, he uses a familiar-to-us and briliant metaphor of the church being the Body of Christ, showing how each person is important, each gift is essential, and the diversity amongst the unity of the Body is necessary for living on mission.

The common meal among the family of God is extremely important, and many of the Corinthians were taking advantage of it at the expense of others. In his longest teaching on the Eucarist, Paul instructs them how to rightly order their time for communion and remember Christ’s sacrificial death. We see that communion is our regular communal and mystical reminder of the gospel.

Throughout the letter Paul has addressed how men and women are to live in the church. Here, Paul speaks to a cultural expression of head coverings to speak to the the relationship between genders in a gathered setting. We see how we are distinct, equal, and ordered.

What does it mean to live on mission? How can we do that in a divisive and polarized culture? Paul gives us insights how we can become all things to all people through self-sacrifice and self-discipline.

We live in a day where individual freedom is the highest value. But does that line up with Scripture? Paul, while addressing eating food sacrifieced to idols, being the establish them to understand how they are to use their personal freedom for the sake of others. At the end of the day, it’s all for the Glory of God.

Paul uses his personal example to show how the disciples are to, at times, forgo their personal freedoms for the sake of others. In this, Paul gives us insight into how leaders of the church are to be cared for.

For many, shame is a constant way of life. The fear of being found as a fraud, or not being enough. What does the Gospel say to fear? Being known and loved by God is the source of true, faithful living.

For many, the goal is marriage and children. But are there are there other ways to be faithful to Jesus? Paul calls some in the church to the high and holy calling of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom.

This letter is not the first time Paul and the Corinthians have written back and forth regarding how to live. Paul now begins to address their specific concerns. He begins with their marriage and sexual relationships, calling them to live in obedience to what God has revealed and to do it wisely in their cultural moment.

Actions speak louder than words. As we celebrate, we see the with act of the resurrection God is saying, "I'm Here", "We won", and "I Love You"