Sermon20120408

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;
14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;
17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

The Order of Resurrection

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

Introduction:
Example One
The Titanic
Example Two
Adolph Hitler

Review:

Theme: Six unbearable consequences you must face if Jesus is not risen from the dead, lest you disbelieve or devalue the resurrection of Christ in your mind.

1. The apostolic preaching is vain vs. 14
2. The Christian’s faith is vain vs. 14
3. The apostles are false witnesses of God vs. 15
4. The Christian remains in his sins vs. 17
5. Christians who have died have perished vs. 18
6. Christians are to be pitied above all men vs. 19

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Sermon20120401

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

CHAPTER 15

The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection

1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Introduction:

Theme: Three reasons why we believe the gospel so you can rejoice with confidence in its truth and share it with others.

I. The gospel is good news to be proclaimed and responded to vv.1-2
A. Belief in Christ means you received and you stand in the gospel.
B. Belief in Christ leads to salvation

II. The gospel is grounded in the promises of the O.T. vv. 3-4
Three components of the gospel.
A. Christ died for our sins
B. Christ was buried
C. Christ was raised on the third day

III. The gospel is guaranteed by the proof of His resurrection vv. 5-11
A. His early appearances to His followers
1. to Cephas
2. to the twelve
3. to more than 500 hundred brethren
4. to James
5. to all the apostles
B. His later appearance to Paul.

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Sermon20120318

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Sermon20120311

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Theme: Three directives for Biblical worship to ensure edification of the church vv.26-40

Initial Concluding Exhortation vs.26
Sample ministries in the worship service at Corinth

I. Biblical worship must be orderly vv.27-33; cf. vs. 40
Key point: God requires a properly conducted worship service
A. The mandatory regulation of tongues vv. 27-28
B. The mandatory regulation of prophecy vv. 29-33

II. Biblical worship must be gender appropriate vv.33-36
Key point: Men and women have different roles in the worship service

III. Biblical Worship must be grounded in God”s Word vv 37-38
Key point: The Christian’s source of is the Bible, directing the worship service.

Final Exhortations vv.39-40
A Major on instruction, but allow for all ministry vs.39
B.Maintain order in worship vs.40

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Sermon20120226

1 Corinthians 14:23-40

23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;
25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Theme 3: Three directives for Biblical worship to ensure edification of the church vv.26-40

Initial Concluding Exhortation vs. 26

I. Biblical worship must be orderly vv.27-33; cf vs 40
Key Point : God requires a properly conducted worship service.
A. The mandatory regulation of tongues vv. 27-28
B. The mandatory regulation of prophesy vv. 29-33

II. Biblical Worship must be gender appropriate vv37-38.
Key Point: Men and women have different in the worship service.

III. Biblical Worship must be grounded In God’s Word. vv. 37-38
Key Point: The Christian’s source of is the Bible, directing the worship service .

Final Exhortations vv.39-40
A: Major on instructions, but allow for all ministry. Vs 39
B: Maintain order in worship vs.40

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Sermon20120219

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Sermon20120212

1 Corinthians 14:1-19

CHAPTER 14

Prophecy a Superior Gift

1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?
7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.
11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.
18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Theme:
Two non-negotiable principles for local church worship so you will emphasize understanding God’s revelation over your own personal experience.

I. Your ministry must build up the church, not only yourself vv.1-5
A. Prophecy built up

others

while tongues built up

one self

vv.2-4
B. Prophecy was more

desirable

than tongues vs. 5

II. Your personal experience in ministry is secondary to instructing the body vv.6-19
A. Tongues was of

lesser value

than other modes of edification vs.6
B. Tongues was

dependent

upon interpretation for its benefits vv.7-13
1. Three interpretations which demonstrate this vv.7-11
a. flute or harp
b. bugle
c. foreign languages
2. Reaffirming edification through interpretation vv.12-13
C. Tongues potentially

_

the worship of God vv.14-16
1. It prohibited the speaker from worship with his mind vv.14-15
2. It prohibited the ungifted from joining in worship vs.16
D. Tongues prevented the

_

from being built up vs. 17
E. Tongues were of

_ _

in the church vv.18-19

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Sermon20120205

1Corinthians 13:1-13

The Excellence of Love

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

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Sermon20120129

1Corinthians 13:1-13

The Excellence of Love

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Theme: three reasons why spiritual gifts are inferior to Christian love so you will never lose sight of keeping it in the center of your ministries.

I. The gifts are temporary in their duration vv.8-10
(11) THE MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS
a. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts; and, that he gifts of evangelists, pastors and teachers are sufficient for the perfecting of the saints today; and, that speaking tongues and the working of sign miracles gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established ( 1Cor 12:4-11; 2Cor 12:12; Eph4:7-12).

A. Gifts were intended to be temporary in the life of the church vs.8
B. Gifts were partial in their contribution to the life of the church vs.9
C. Gifts would be done away with at the arrival of the perfectvs.10

II. The gifts belong to a less developed stage of church history vv.11-12
A. The illustration of childhood progressing to adult confirms this vs.11
B. The completion of knowledge confirms this v.12
1. The mirror analogy
2. Full knowledge

III. The gifts do not continue into eternity vs. 13

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Sermon20120122

CHAPTER 13

The Excellence of Love

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

“…love (agape) denotes above all a stance or attitude which shows itself in acts of will as regard, respect, and concern for the welfare of the other .” ( Anthony Thisselton: The First Epistle to the Corinthians, 1035)

Review:
1. Some ministries take priority in the church vv. 27-28
2. All ministries are limited in the church vv. 29-30
3. Love must accompany all ministries in the church vv. 31-13:3

A. the Corinthians needed to be shown the more excellent way vs. 31
B. the more excellent way is the presence of love in the exercise of the gifts vv.1-3
1. In speaking foreign languages
2. In prophesy, knowledge and faith
3. In sacrificial giving

The Sixteen Qualities of Love:
Two virtues love is
Patient
Kind

Eight sins love avoids
Being jealous
Bragging
Being arrogant
Acting unbecomingly
Seeking its own
Being provoked
Taking into account a wrong
Rejoicing in unrighteousness

Five Actions love takes
Rejoices with the truth
Bears all things
Believes all things
Hopes all things
Endures all things

One final word on love
It never fails.

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