In this passage, Paul gives multiple reasons full-time ministers should be supported. Then he declares he is free to deny himself that privilege. Paul did not want anything to interfere with the message of the gospel, so he poured himself out into teaching and working for the sake of the Corinthians. His zeal challenges us to give our all and to let no personal freedom interfere with communicating the message of salvation and growing in Christ.

In this chapter, Paul instructs us that knowledge without love can be harmful to weaker believers. We need to set aside our freedoms to not offend our weaker brothers and sisters. Paul went to a great extent to not stumble those who were weak in the faith because of his concern for their eternal souls. If we stumble them because of our "knowledge" we can destroy someone for whom Jesus died!

In this passage, Paul addresses a question the church had about sexuality. Should people marry or remain single? What about a couple who is betrothed? As Paul often does, he gets down to the heart of the issue, but he also addresses the fact that the current situation is a major factor in our choices.

New believers in Corinth wanted to change their employment because of the persecution they would face, but Paul encourages them to stay and be a witness. God has sovereignly assigned us our lot in life. He has us where we are to be a witness. This sermon shows the need for Christians to be in every part of society.

In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul teaches on God's plan for sexuality in marriage. Unlike those who were teaching abstinence, Paul taught that regular sex with the bounds of married life helped both partners avoid temptation. He also teaches on being single, and under what conditions it is permissible to separate.

When the Scriptures declare those who are in Christ are free, what does that mean? The church of Corinth took it to include acting outside of the boundaries found in other passages. Paul brings it back to the fact that our bodies belong to God. He purchased us with His body and blood. Our freedom is from the enslavement of sin, to glorify God, and lead others to that same freedom.

The first half of 1 Corinthians 6 deals with the Corinthian church's bad example of taking their differences to civil court. Paul tells them the humblest person in the church could decide the issue better than the local magistrate. Anyone with the Spirit of God should be able to arbitrate more fairly than an unbeliever. It presented a poor example to the city.

The church in Corinth thought grace was a license to sin. But God did not save us so we could stay in sin, but that we might forsake sin. If we love one another, and if we realize the damage sin does in our lives, we will lovingly and gently dissuade one another from sinful behavior. Instead, we will encourage one another to pursue holiness.

Our passage for this sermon is a warning to believers to live up to what they know. Head knowledge needs to become heart and body action or it means little. Paul encouraged them to imitate his way of life. Would we ask fellow Christians the same? If not, what needs to change in our daily lives?

In the passage we cover in the sermon, Paul reminds us that we have no reason to be proud or to boast in men. Everything we have comes from God and He is the One in whom we should boast. We should never go beyond what is written in God's Word if we want to be truly blessed.