Sermons and Biblical Studies

COLOSSIANS 1:9–18 And He is head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have preeminence (Cor. 1:18). The church is a living organism that possesses authority structures designed for the nurture and growth of every individual in the body. As Christians, we … Continue reading “MEMBERS OF A BODY”

ACTS 20:17–38 … shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). First Corinthians gives us a broad look at the inner workings of the church. From this epistle, we find that the church is diverse in its many gifts, that it is composed of various offices, that it functions … Continue reading “THE CHURCH OF GOD”

1 CORINTHIANS 12:27–31 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers … (1 Cor. 12:28). God has appointed individuals in His church to hold certain offices. The gifts He has given determines the office. Paul reminds the Corinthians of this fact and emphasizes that not everyone holds the same … Continue reading “GIFTED FOR OFFICE”

1 CORINTHIANS 12:14–26 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body (1 Cor. 12:20). When Paul compares the church to the body, he brings out four very important points. First, God has lovingly and graciously given us gifts for the edification of the whole body. No matter what that gift may be, we … Continue reading “A UNIFIED BODY”

1 CORINTHIANS 12:10–13 … to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10). The nature of the gift of prophecy is clearly exhibited in the 14th chapter: “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” “It consisted in occasional inspiration and revelations, not … Continue reading “DISCERNING THE GIFTS”

1 CORINTHIANS 12:7–9 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all (1 Cor. 12:7). The various gifts given to the church by the Spirit are bestowed not for individual gratification but for the edification of the church. In making this list, Paul shows that not everyone possesses … Continue reading “A VARIETY OF GIFTS”

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4–6 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4). The second point the apostle seeks to impress upon the minds of the Corinthians is that spiritual gifts are diverse, and their diversity of character are connected, are unified, in their source and purpose. Paul is not dividing the gifts … Continue reading “UNITY AMID DIVERSITY”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:27–34 For he who eats and drinks in any unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body (1 Cor. 11:29). Those, like the Corinthians, who treat the symbols of Christ’s body and blood irreverently are guilty of irreverence toward Christ Himself. The result is God’s judgment in the … Continue reading “PARTAKING UNWORTHILY”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:25–26 “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:25). This second part of the service begins like the first, with Christ offering a blessing connected with thanksgiving. We should always come to the Lord’s Supper with thanksgiving … Continue reading “CUP OF THE NEW COVENANT”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17–22 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk (1 Cor. 11:21). The rest of chapter 11 relates to the disorders connected with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. From what Paul has written, its seems to have been the custom … Continue reading “DIVISIONS AT THE TABLE”