Wayside Bible Chapel

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.

The Corinthians were divided over who was the best teacher, but in the passage today, Paul explains that all the teachers are their servants. Even more than that, all things are ours. That is because we belong to Christ, and He is God's. It is a concept that is difficult for us to believe, but if we do, it changes our whole outlook on life.

Our passage for this sermon describes those who build the temple of God made up of the living stones which are believers in Jesus. But it also warns of those who tear down the building through their false teaching and selfish agendas. We all have a part to play in building the temple of God and we must take great care in how we build. Our eternal condition is affected by it.