Have you ever walking into a restaurant and been offered a steak that was sacrificed on the altar to Zeus? Me neither. But believe it, the question of whether the Corinthian Christians should eat food sacrificed to idols touches a critical issue for believers: What is the line between personal freedom and corporate responsibility?
From 1 Corinthians 8. Originally prepared for February 25, 2024,
Should I marry this person or that person? Should I take this job or that one? Did I make a mistake and am I useless to God? The Apostle Paul lays a foundation that can help us reframe these questions and be free, and feel free, to honor God in all things.
From 1 Corinthians 7. Originally prepared for February 18, 2024.
Paul's letter now turns to questions the Corinthians have asked him: "Should married believers, you know, keep away from each other? Should they just divorce? Should widows remarry?" And other great stuff!
From 1 Corinthians 7. Originally prepared for February 11, 2024.
Paul has the "sex talk" with the Corinthians, reminding them that morality is not about following rules, but about dedicating every square inch of our bodies and minds to Christ.
From 1 Corinthians 6. Originally prepared for February 4, 2024.
Taken from the slogan-response of 1 Corinthians 6:12-13, a conversation there the pastor responds to those who say "I'm Free!" with reckless abandon. From 1 Corinthians 6. Originally prepared for January 28, 2024.
It seems folks in the church in Corinth were letting outside courts settle their disputes, even to the point of using the courts to defraud each other. The Apostle Paul commands a different approach - a different attitude - toward earthly disagreements.
From 1 Corinthians 6. Originally prepared for January 21, 2024.
"I appeal to you brothers, agree..." A church was fighting - no surprise there! Its founder, the Apostle Paul, wanted them to stop dividing in selfishness, but to unite around a single priority: Jesus Christ.
From 1 Corinthians 1. Originally prepared for Big Springs Baptist Church, for January 14, 2024.
What is the most important thing? After all the, dead ends, wrong turns, and collected wisdom of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher concludes abruptly: "Here's the most important thing; Fear God, and keep His commands." From Ecclesiastes 11 & 12; originally prepared for July 9, 2023.
Rounding the final turn, the Preacher has a collection of thoughts about wisdom and priorities. How do you keep the rain out? By attending to the building within. From Ecclesiastes 9 & 10; originally prepared for July 2, 2023.
Knowledge does not have to make us grumps. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes sure seems sour - except for a few gems, where it seems like he glimpses the joy of wisdom. From Ecclesiastes 7 & 8; originally prepared for June 25, 2023.
We see what is, and we know what we hope for, but we wrestle with whether it's Godly hope or just discontent. Today we look at the Real and the Ideal, from Ecclesiastes 5 & 6. Originally prepared for June 12, 2023.
"To everything, there is a season"... this poem in Ecclesiastes 3 feels like an interlude - an opening for the second chapter of The Preacher's review of pointlessness. But when he stumbles into hope - "God sees and will judge" - he inadvertently reminds us that there is a Godly path away from despair. From Ecclesiastes 3 & 4, originally prepared for June 11, 2023
We begin a study of Ecclesiastes with a jolt: Everything is pointless. No matter what he tried, the "Preacher" of Ecclesiastes just couldn't grasp any meaning in life. But there's good news: that's not the only way we can look at things... From Ecclesiastes 1 & 2, originally prepared for June 4, 2023.
Simon Peter is just as perplexed as we are over what to do after Easter... so he goes fishing. When Jesus stops by and brings up Peter's recent failure, He gives Peter not a scolding, but a mission... From John 21; originally prepared for May 14, 2023.
During the last and most important meal Jesus would share with His disciples, He did something highly unusual: He grabbed a towel and washed their feet. Serving others could seem unusual - but being served might be much harder. From John 13: originally prepared for May 7, 2023.
When authorities ask John the Baptist who he is, he tells them who he's not... "I am not the Christ." Fundamental to John's understanding of himself was that his job was to get people to meet Jesus: "He must increase, and I must decrease." From John 3. Originally produced for April 30, 2023.
"In the beginning..." There are no more stirring words in the Bible than those that begin the creation story. John, to begin his gospel of Jesus, grabs their echo and insists: "Jesus - He was there. He was the One. We'd heard about the Lord... then we walked with Him. And He was full of light and life, grace and truth." From John 1; originally prepared for April 23, 2023.