1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Churches today have lots of moving parts. So many that it's easy to drown out the most important thing. No matter how many good things are going on, it's important to keep the main thing, the main thing. Paul communicated as of first importance the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and so should we.

1 Corinthians 12:4-12

The church is a body, made up of many parts. Christ is the head, while the Spirit organizes and directs the function of this body. But this truth is difficult to understand and live up to in the church, because it means we all have value and purpose in the body.

1 Corinthians 9:13-18

There is a very clear case in the Bible for evangelists receiving pay from the local church. Paul makes this point, but continues on to claim that the gospel is better served by him when he preaches without pay. It was true 2,000 years ago, and it is especially true today.

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

Believers have a sexual ethic, but as Paul begins to engage the church on this, he really has to address a bigger underlying issue: pride.  Pride, in it's essence, cannot acknowledge wrongdoing.  Pride even keeps us from seeing our own sin.

1 Corinthians 2:10-13

Ancient Greek philosophers spent a tremendous amount of self reflection. The axiom know thyself is ancient, and yet it still sways over philosophers as both a warning and a mission. Paul says that the reason Christians are a mystery to others is that they can never truly understand what motivates us - our life, our code of ethics, and even our reward. This is because we are not only moved by our own spirit, but by the spirit of God.

Hebrews 12:5-11

If you've been at home on Wednesdays, you've missed some great classes! Our parenting class has spent a good amount of time discussing how discipline is a much broader idea than just bad consequences. This morning we will explore this idea - that God uses adversity, to create in us, children of greater discipline and character. We’ll even have some suggestions about how to develop discipline inside your own children and your own life.

Deuteronomy 4:6-10

Parenting with purpose is hard. We have lists, really life hacks, about how to be a good parent. We troubleshoot sleeping issues, bullying, body image, discipline, etc... and yet, most parenting material doesn't actually deal with the core issues that matter most. Parenting without a purpose (a goal) is honestly a pointless thing. Biblical parenting, at it's core, is not about discipline, sleep schedules, food sensitivities, or any other nonsense the bestseller's list will tell you. Biblical parenting begins and ends with instructing our children to honor and revere God.

This belongs to a bigger question that I often get asked - the process of canonization. Which books belong in the "New Testament Canon." Sometimes it's asked, "How do we know which books are inspired?" Tonight we will spend some time unpacking the idea of canonization. And Revelation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Today words mean less than they ever have. Last week's lesson on silence provides some ancient wisdom for the modern world, but Scripture is clear that God's people must speak about some things. We are to stand up for justice and we are to proclaim the truth of Christ. Speak less. Speak what matters.