I Corinthians
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Provoking God? Introduction The apostle Paul faces here a dispute in the Corinthian church over the eating of meat which has been used in idolatrous worship. To the strong believers who understood that the meat in itself was not polluted, Paul has said be humble, and defer to your brethren
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Resisting Temptation Introduction In this passage Paul still has the issue of food offered to idols in the back of his mind. If we look ahead to verse 20 we see that the Apostle is still dealing with the whole subject of the eating of meat which has been used
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Sovereign or Servant? Introduction The general discussion in this part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians revolves around the question of eating meat, bought in the market place, but previously used in idolatrous worship. Since some Christians saw no problem in this and others were offended by it, the question
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Series on I Corinthians Title: How to Build in Love Introduction In our last discussion we saw how knowledge by itself puffs up, but knowledge combined with love is the true wisdom from above which is peaceable and does not slander or gossip about our brother in Christ. When knowledge is combined with love, it
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Series on I Corinthians Title: What Do You Know? Introduction The Corinthian correspondence with Paul raised several issues. Paul answered their questions about marriage in chapter 7, and now in chapters 8-11 he answers questions about idolatry and Christian liberty. He begins with the heart of the dispute. Can Christians eat meat that has previously
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Married to Christ Introduction Let’s clear up any possible confusion first by referring to verse 40 where the New International Version has the words, And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. Perhaps it would be slightly clearer if it was translated “I think I also have
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Mixed or Mixed Up? Introduction The Apostle has reflected on the importance of the institution of marriage as God’s ordinary provision for mankind. Now he deals with a specific problem in Corinth. Today Christians frequently end up married to non-Christians because they have made an unfortunate choice. We are to
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Series on I Corinthians Title: To Marry or Not to Marry Introduction The apostle Paul probably teaches us more about the marriage relationship than anyone else in the Bible. The women’s liberation movement when it pays any attention to the Bible, which is rare, likes to paint a picture of Paul as a cranky old
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Honoring God with Your Body Introduction In this section of his letter the apostle Paul is dealing with sins in the lives of Christians. The distinctive characteristic of these sins is how flagrant they are. In the first instance they were proudly tolerating an incestuous relationship. In the second instance
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Condemnation through Litigation Introduction This section of Paul’s letter deals with significant moral lapses on the part of the Christians at Corinth. In the first part Paul dealt with condoning immorality in the church. They needed to purify the fellowship of the church. In our text today he is talking
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Expelled Introduction This passage of Scripture is difficult, not only to hear, but to obey. Although it is needed more than ever, in our litigious society the lawsuits and publicity surrounding cases of church discipline complicate the situation. When I was a boy expulsion from school was a threat spoken
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Series on I Corinthians Title: A Final Plea for Unity Introduction This is the conclusion of Paul’s teaching about the divisions in the church at Corinth. All of the first four chapters have been devoted to this deep concern. Paul places it first and deals with it at length because whether then or now, if
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Proud Fools Introduction In this passage Paul continues to confront the divisions in the church at Corinth. The extent of his concern over this problem is clear from his reluctance to stop talking about it. This problem is not limited to the Corinthian Christians. It characterizes the whole history of
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Building the Church Introduction How shall we build the Church? “Focus on the Family” magazine did a survey of churches and told us that baby boomers are looking for six things in a church: good music, social groups, big meeting rooms, a quality kitchen, ample parking and clean restrooms. And
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Series on I Corinthians Title: Field of Dreams Introduction It is certainly appropriate for us to ask who were the Christians in the church in Corinth following? They were not following Jesus who said, If any man will come after me let him deny himself take up his cross and follow me, and who said
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