For our final session we end with one of my favorite passages, 1 Corinthians 15.1-11. There are two things that stand out to me in this chapter: Paul's profession of faith and his honest self assessment. Paul's profession is especially noteworthy because it's our profession, and his honest look at himself serves as a reminder of our own need for the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Materials can be found below. Please let me know if you have any questions.

In Jesus,




Pastor Richard

1 Corinthians 15.3a: "I passed on to you what was most important, and which I too had received, that Christ died for our sins."

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1 Corinthians 15.1-11

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul speaks of love. Verses 4-8 have become synonymous with marriage ceremonies, though Paul's context was very different, as he was writing to a divided church. As you read the words of verses 4-8, pay special attention to the fact that Paul is not telling us what love is but rather what love does. As you consider this fact, remember that Jesus alone can perfectly love in this way. The love we express is but a poor reflection of His far greater love for us.

Pay special attention to the Love as a Verb Handout, which is linked below. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Easter Blessings,

Pastor Richard

1 Corinthians 13.4-8a: Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it is not self-seeking; it is not provoked, it does not keep a record of being wronged. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never falters.

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Handout: Love as a Verb

 

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Paul's message to the Christians in Corinth, as found in chapter 12, is that together they make up the body of Christ Jesus. Paul goes on to reveal that each individual is uniquely gifted and that no one gift is greater than another.

Like those Christians in Corinth, we as followers of Jesus are both uniquely gifted AND members of the body of Christ Jesus. No one part is greater than another, and all parts are necessary, important, needed, and loved.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Easter Blessings!


Pastor Richard

1 Corinthians 12.12: The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. (NLT)

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Ancient Gospel Fragment

 

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During this four-week series we will look at selected readings from 1 Corinthians and explore what it means for the church to live as Christ's body in the world.

The topic and reading schedule for our study is as follows:

4/18/18: The gifted body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12.1-11

4/25/18: The gift of the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12.12-31

5/2/18: Shaped by the gift of love - 1 Corinthians 13.1-1

5/9/18: Giving what we were given - 1 Corinthians 15.1-11

Please feel free to contact me with your questions.

Easter Blessings!


Pastor Richard

1 Corinthians 12.1: 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual things, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware.

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I wanted to remind you of our upcoming schedule, which is as follows:

+Wednesday, April 4 – No Class

+Wednesday, April 11 – No Class

+Wednesday, April 18 – *New Study* Being the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians)

Class materials can be found below.

Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!

Pastor Richard

Luke 15.32: "But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found." (NRSV)

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Week 6 Handout

Week 6 Discussion Video

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Thanks again for participating in this look at one of Jesus' most famous and important stories.

The upcoming class schedule is as follows:

+Wednesday, March 28 – The Prodigal God (Final Session)

+Wednesday, April 4 – No Class

+Wednesday, April 11 – No Class

+Wednesday, April 18 – *New Study* Being the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians)

Class materials can be found below.

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Richard

Luke 15.31: Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

(NRSV)

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Fragments of Truth Trailer

Week 5 Discussion Video

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This week we looked at the elder brother in Jesus’ story. It’s easy to overlook the fact that he was just as wrong and just as lost as his younger brother. But a closer look reveals the wedge that his self-righteous attitude drove between himself and his father. Something to think about: have you ever been like the older brother, imagining that you have done everything right in God’s sight? Jesus’ story is a reminder that only God can make us righteous.

Below you will find class materials.

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Richard

Luke 15.28-30: “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.  Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ (NLT)

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Week 4 Discussion Video

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You don’t have to look very hard or long at the two sons in Jesus story to realize that they were both lost. Both were lost in the wrong idea that possessions could somehow bring them happiness, joy, and contentment.

It’s all too easy to look to the ’stuff’ around us and imagine that it can make our lives feel complete. The reality is that Jesus is the one and only source that can provide us with real and lasting peace, joy, and happiness. He alone can give us the comfort and purpose we so desperately seek.

Links to class materials are below. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Richard

Luke 15.23b-24: (The father said) “Let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. (NRSV)

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Week 3 Discussion Video

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This week we look at the people around Jesus. Those who’d come to hear Jesus could be broadly divided into two groups: insiders and outsiders. The insiders were the Pharisees and the Scribes (the scribes were religious teachers). The outsiders were the tax-collectors and sinners. These two groups correspond to the two sons in Jesus’ story. The greater point that Jesus is making is that apart from Him we are outsiders. We desperately need Jesus to seek us out, find us, and bring us home and into a relationship with God.

Links to class materials are below. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Richard

Luke 15.1-2: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (NRSV)

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Week 2 Discussion Video

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This week we look at the people around Jesus. Those who’d come to hear Jesus could be broadly divided into two groups: insiders and outsiders. The insiders were the Pharisees and the Scribes (the scribes were religious teachers). The outsiders were the tax-collectors and sinners. These two groups correspond to the two sons in Jesus’ story. The greater point that Jesus is making is that apart from Him we are outsiders. We desperately need Jesus to seek us out, find us, and bring us home and into a relationship with God.

Links to class materials are below. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a blessed day!

Pastor Richard

Luke 15.1-2: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (NRSV)

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Week 2 Discussion Video

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