Author: goodshepherd

This Sunday we will be taking a break from our journey through 1 Corinthians. Dr. Brad Pribbenow, Dean of Lutheran Brethren Seminary, will be proclaiming God's Word from Psalm 8.

As Paul finishes talking about running our Christian race with discipline and self-control, he then immediately warns the Corinthians about being overconfident in their own strength. To illustrate, he points to Israel's journey through the desert, where they "were baptized" in the Red Sea crossing and "ate spiritual food and drink", but still fell into idolatry. In the same way, the Corinthians (and us) who have been baptized and take part in the Lord's Supper, still have to be on guard, lest we fall into the same trap of idolatry. The good news, however, is that God has provided a "way out" - and that way out is Christ himself.

As we finish chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians, Paul compares the Christian life and our Gospel mission to an athletic event. In order to race well and finish well, we are called to live disciplined lives. We are called to be willing to give up things that we are actually free to do. However, the beauty of this race is that as we sacrifice - and as we point people to the ultimate sacrifice - more and more people win.

As Christians, we have freedom and we have rights. As Americans, we have freedom and we have rights. In our text for this Sunday from 1 Corinthians, Paul is going to be talking about his rights. But as he does, he's going to let us know that sometimes the most important thing we can do is to give up our rights - both for the sake of our neighbor and for the sake of the Gospel.

There are a lot of things we know. Sometimes we encounter people that are not in on what we know. It can be challenging to know how to help these people. In our text for this Sunday from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, there was a lot of knowledge but not a lot of loving. They knew that God created all things and eating food sacrificed to idols is nothing. So they were free to eat without sin. But some didn’t know this, so when they ate, they were caused to sin. So, what is all this knowledge for? Is it for ourselves…or something more? Where does love fit into all this?

As we finish up the 7th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul continues to give practical and godly advice to the church concerning the Christian life. As we navigate all areas of life here on earth, Paul makes it clear that we need to do so with an eternal, heavenly perspective. As the old song says, "the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace." Come join us as we continue to turn our eyes upon Jesus!

In the beginning of 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, Paul made it clear that a person can live a God-honoring Christian life through either their singleness or their marriage. As we continue on in chapter 7 this week, Paul makes it clear that the same is true when it comes to our societal and economic status as well. Come and hear the good news that we don't need to change our circumstance in order to be right where God wants us.

Along with continuing in 1 Corinthians, this Sunday we will be commemorating Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Dr. Wes Borowski will be sharing on this important topic. We will then see how the Apostle Paul answers questions pertaining to singleness, marriage, and divorce, as we continue to rejoice in the truth that we are not our own. We were bought with a price.

There are many slogans that are popular in our culture. Slogans such as "If it feels good, do it!" and "You be you!". But this is nothing new. As Paul was writing to the Corinthian church, he was confronting very similar ideas. And these ideas from the culture had unfortunately made their way into the church. Come hear the good news about our bodies - and what those bodies are truly made for.

This Sunday as we resume our series in 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing more issues with the love and unity of the church in Corinth. Does how we treat others matter? Afterall does anything in this life really matter if one day we are going to heaven with God? If it does matter, what if I have messed things up? Join us and find out what God has to say to us in his word.