Puzzled about Spiritual Power?

May 1, 2022 • Brian Jones • 1 Corinthians 1:18–25

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Puzzled about Decision-Making in God's Will?

March 17, 2024 • Brian Jones • 1 Corinthians 7:36–40

1 Corinthians 7:36-40 36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. 39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Puzzled about the Object of Your Devotion?

February 18, 2024 • Brian Jones • 1 Corinthians 7:32–35

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.  33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—  34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.  35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

Puzzled about the Wisdom of Marriage?

February 11, 2024 • Brian Jones • 1 Corinthians 7:25–31

1 Corinthians 7:25-31 25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.  26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.  27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.  28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;  30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;  31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.