Wayside Bible Chapel

Chapter 14 of the first letter to the Corinthians is the most detailed account that we have of a worship service in the first century. Yet, churches today ignore many of the instructions we find there. Paul gives guidelines for the use of spiritual gifts and emphasizes that all that is done must be for the building up of the body of Christ, the believers. This sermon covers the first half of the chapter.

The conclusion of 1 Corinthians 13 stresses the temporary nature of our present spiritual gifts and the eternal quality of agape love. It concludes by telling us that of the things that will remain into the coming age, love is the greatest of all.

Verses four through seven of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians gives us a definition of what agape love is by defining its actions and also by what it does not do. It is a beautiful succinct definition that all can relate to. When we read it, we are struck with the reality that God's love is so much greater than our own and with how much the world needs us to demonstrate that love.

The importance of storing up the Word of God in a biblically illiterate and increasingly post-Christian society/culture. Allowing the Word of God to be our moral compass on every issue. Never straying away from the reliability, truth, and trustworthiness that the Bible affords. Cherishing the privilege and eternal priceless value of the Word of God, laying our treasure and hope in heaven.

After describing the gifts of the Spirit, Paul tells us of the most excellent way. He begins by telling us that no matter how special you think your gift is, if it is not expressed with agape love, you are meaningless. This sermon describes agape and how we can let it flow through our lives to others.

What happens if part of your body wont work with the rest of it? We are used to every part of the body obeying our brain and working together with all the other body parts. If we see a body part is disconnected from the body, we think some horrible accident has happened. Apostle Paul tells us the same is true for the church of Jesus, His body in the world. We all need one another and need to work together in obedience to the Head, Jesus, to faithfully represent Him in the world.

There is a lot of confusion about the gifts of the Spirit. In this message, the numerous uses of the word charismata are noted showing that the word has a much broader usage than most Christians understand. While this list of gifts is the focus of some Christians, Paul's point is not about the gifts, but rather the importance of each member of the local church. Paul was addressing the need to value one another and to be of service to all.

This passage covers two topics: division within the church and the seriousness of the communion celebration. We learn that there was an ungodly class distinction in the early church that distorted the message of the gospel. It was so serious that God was afflicting those who were guilty of this sin. The sermon also addresses the way in which the celebration of the communion meal goes all the way back to the covenant God made with Abram.

1 Corinthians 11 tells us of divine order, women covering their heads when they pray or prophesy, and angels watching our worship services. In this most difficult of texts, we find a lot of different interpretations. What does it say to us today and how are we to apply the eternal truths that underlie this passage? See what you think.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul explains how to live the law of love. We must set aside our freedoms to think of how we can connect with those engage and not stumble them. The purpose is to create a hunger in them to know our Savior. If we act selfishly and offend them we may lose that opportunity. Can we do everything for the glory of God? What would that look like? How is it possible?