1 Corinthians 6 – 4 Perspectives in Family Conflict
Looking for Answers in All the Wrong Places (1 Corinthians 6:1-13) – The disputes that the Corinthians were having with each other were getting so heated that some were taking others into the courts of law. This created a major problem because believers were allowing themselves to subjected and judged by the world’s standard. Here are some things we can …
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1 Corinthians 5 – Seven Ways to Uphold Truth in the Body
Seven Ways to Uphold Truth in the Body (1 Corinthians 5:1-13) – News had gotten back to Paul that someone in the Corinthian congregation was having sexual relations with his father’s wife (mother or step-mother). The church not only tolerated this behavior, but boasted about how gracious and loving and forgiving they were. Paul had some hard words for the …
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1 Corinthians 4 – 9 Marks of a Godly Leader
How to Identify a Godly Leader (1 Corinthians 4:1-20) – Paul confronted the Corinthians about their focus and perspective. In the process he gave us some amazing principles and characteristics about being and identifying a godly leader: Views Self as a Servant (1 Corinthians 4:1) 1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and …
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1 Corinthains 3 – 7 Ways to Build Up the Body
How to Build Up the Body (1 Corinthians 3:1-23) – Paul shifted his thought from how God used him in spite of his shortcomings and began to focus on the Corinthians and the fights they were having over the different teachers and leaders among them. Paul offered some great principles on how to build up the congregation and create community …
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1 Corinthians 2 – Seven Characteristics of God’s Mouthpiece
Characteristics of God’s Mouthpiece (1 Corinthians 2:1-16) – Paul took some time to remind the Corinthian believers of what he was like when he preached the gospel message. This was to remind them that the impact that was made was not based on him, but on God empowering His Word to change the hearts of people. Let us take a …
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1 Corinthians 1:1-9 – Five Ways to Set Up Saying Hard Things
Setting Up Saying Hard Things (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) – Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians might be the hardest and most pointed letter he wrote. There are a number of issues that they need to deal with (1 Corinthians 1-6) and a number of questions they are confused about (1 Corinthians 7-16). But, before Paul started to deal with all …
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Imagery and Background of 1, 2 Corinthians
Imagery of Corinth – There are dozens of images to explore in the letter that are overt references to the local scene in Corinth. The “bema seat” of Corinth was restored by archaeologists (1 Corinthians 3). The meat market (1 Corinthians 10:25) was likewise restored. The theatre language of 1 Corinthians 13 is another obvious image. The well-documented prostitution center …
Read MoreProphetic Voices: Amos 5:1-6:14 – Oracle 3 of 3
Oracle #3 (Amos 5:1-6:14) – The people of Israel continued to ignore the warning of God. They continued in their sins and stubborn ways. In this third oracle we see a number of principles of the purpose God has in judgment. Take a look at what He is trying to accomplish:#1 Removal of False Securities (Amos 5:1-5) 1 Hear this …
Read MoreProphetic Voices: Amos 4:1-13 – Oracle 2 of 3
Oracle #2 (Amos 4:1-13) – The second oracle of the prophecy of Amos continues to make clear the sins of the people of Israel. He started this oracle by addressing the wealthy women and their sinfulness. We see a short pattern of how sin can lead to consequence. Let us take a closer look:Oppression of the Needy for Sordid Gain …
Read MoreProphetic Voices: Amos 3:1-15 – Oracle 1 of 3
Oracle #1 (Amos 3:1-15) – This oracle is addressed to all of Israel (Amos 1:1). In the fist part of this passage God laid out a number of reasons that He was bringing judgment upon the people. When we look at these it will help us understand what we can avoid doing and keep away from breaking God’s heart. The …
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