Paul concludes his letter to the Corinthians by speaking to them about money, ministry, leadership and community. He ends with a personal note to them.

Christ’s resurrection assures us of the following things: we will be changed to glory, acknowledged by Jesus, acquitted by Jesus, and made completely happy. We do not hope in this life alone, but we must acknowledge Jesus’ resurrection now. Because of his resurrection, we are called to walk in a newness of life, to wage war against our sin, and to hope in our future glory.

We must respond to Jesus’ resurrection in one of two ways: either you must believe in it and recognize Jesus as the King of kings and who he claimed to be, or you must reject Jesus and his resurrection as perhaps the greatest hoax ever. With all the evidence supporting Jesus’ resurrection, it seems unlikely and difficult to reject its validity. As Christians, because of Christ’s resurrection, we have hope and assurance in our regeneration, justification and even our own resurrection.

Please forgive the technical difficulties affecting the sermon audio. We are given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good, but like this church in Corinth, we quickly use what was given to serve others and glorify Jesus to serve and exalt ourselves. We must allow the Holy Spirit to be our model for our use of spiritual gifts in order to grow spiritual fruit in others.

We continue to look at spiritual gifts, with a special focus on tongues and prophecy.

This passage from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is more than just some verses to be read at a wedding. They are a call to a higher standard of holy living. They are a personification of Love, and a detailing of the God we worship. Paul charges the Corinthians that though they may do the most spiritual thing they can think of, it means nothing if it is done without love. Have you really encountered the love of Jesus, that you can do good work for him out of that love?

We, like the Corinthians, often struggle to understand the gifts of the Spirit. In this chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul explains how in Christ, we have the same Spirit but many gifts. The first thing we must remember when talking about spiritual gifts is that they must start with God. Next, through scripture and conversation with others, we must discern what our gifts are and how they work in service. Finally, Paul concludes that though they are many diverse gifts, they all work together for the unification of the body.

Communion. The Lord’s Supper. Eucharist. There are many names for this one sacred meal. The Corinthians abused the body and blood of Christ when they partook in communion. Paul calls them to really consider their consciences before taking part in the meal.

Paul talks in this text about headship, authority and submission. We see that within the Trinity there are distinct roles of submission. Likewise, by submitting to each other in our relationships we are more fully able to understand the characteristics of God. These roles are not be thought of or carried out in terms of who is greater or less, but rather by mutual respect and concern.

In this part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian believers, he continues to talk about their liberty in Christ. We have a freedom in Christ because we are not made holy by the law. But, we must evaluate the motives our hearts and really consider if something is bringing glory to God. But how do we figure out what it means to glorify God? We look at the person of Jesus, who gave us a route to God, and also showed us what it means to live a God-glorifying life.