Purpose statement: Paul corrects the Corinthians with how they are messing up the Lord’s Table. The early Church had a love feast (Agape feast) and ate a common meal together. At the end of the meal, they would have the common cup. Paul addressed their love feast as they were doing more harm than good. The people in Corinth were getting sloppy remembering and celebrating what Christ did on the Cross. They violated what they were celebrating. They needed better self-examination. How do we celebrate various holidays? They expressed selfish, unloving, and uncaring in their relationships in the body of Christ. What should we be mindful of? (vs. 23-25). The past: Do this in remembrance of me, that Jesus died on the cross. (Other Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-6; 1 Peter 2:24). Vs. 26. Be mindful. How?

Purpose statement: Paul moves through his own example as the right way to utilize Christian freedom. Paul emphasizes the rewards. He boasts in the Lord. Paul claims his freedom, in order to win people to Jesus and that he belongs to no one but Christ. He is a slave to none but Christ. He gives up his freedom. He addresses the Jews, those under the law, those not having the law, and the weak. These groups have different cultural norms of what is acceptable. How does Paul win people to Christ?

God calls people to toil in the mission fields so that

His name can be known, and His word heard. All are called at

some level and asked to fill God’s evangelistic plan…have you

heard the call and will you accept the charges?

Here we find that saying and doing are two different

things. We sing songs and cite verses about being on mission for

God, but do we live our lives in a state of readiness to “now

therefore go?” Today Jesus gives us a painful example of what

happens when we are not truly ready.

When we have been wronged, we all are faced

with a choice. We can demand justice, holding onto our

blame and demanding punishment and restitution from the

guilty party. Jesus says we need to choose mercy and the

path to forgiveness.

Can we know the heart of the Father? Why does it

matter? Because understanding what lies at God’s heart allows us

to move beyond blame and anger and doubt and mistrust. It

allows us to understand and trust Him—essentials in a

relationship

God wants to show us the reality that we can experience

together. Relationship is where and how we can realize the truth

and power and practicality of God’s promises to us. Relationship

is where we can move beyond “Why are you doing this to me?” In

the face of the brokenness that surrounds us, in spite of our pain

and suffering and problems, we can know God’s heart.

“How does God see me?” What kind of emotions

does that question stir up for you? Joy? Confusion? Doubt? Fear?

I’m afraid that for far too many of us, guilt and shame are strong

responses—even for those of us who know and follow God. When

we start thinking about God peering into our souls, we get a little

uneasy or downright paranoid.

It’s one of life’s biggest and hardest questions in

whatever form you ask it: Why does pain exist? Why does God let

bad things happen to good people? It can be the biggest hurdle

for some people to experience relationship with God, and it can

be the type of question that really rocks our faith.

James wants his people to see how valuable prayer

really is. To see clearly how indispensable it is. It’s not just a time

to log in a few moments and move on to the next task. It’s an

expression of our love and our dependence upon the God who

heals us. It’s the very essence of life as a Christian.