The gospel message is the good news that God justifies guilty sinners through faith in the sacrifcial work of Jesus Christ, reconciling us to Himself, while still being just and the Justifier at the same time (Rom. 3:25-26). And so important was this gospel message to the apostle Paul that it meant if he, as a Jew, would have to walk and talk like a Gentile in order to win Gentiles to Christ, he’d do it. It meant if he, as a strong-minded academic, would have to walk and talk like a weak-minded imbecile to win the weak to Christ, he’d do it. It meant if he, as a Christian apostle, would have to walk and talk like a ceremonial Jew to win the Jews to Christ, he’d do it. That’s how important the gospel message was to the apostle Paul. That’s how important the gospel message should be to us; to share it with to our friends and family, our colleagues and coworkers, and our relatives and relationships.
23 - The Pastor & The Gospel
1 Corinthians 9:15-27
September 12, 2021 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • 1 Corinthians 9:15–27
01 - Introduction: Pitfalls Of An Imperfect Church
January 31, 2021 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann
The one theme that drives everything Paul writes in 1 CORINTHIANS is the gospel. One way to define the gospel is that Jesus lived, died, and rose again for sinners and that, through Jesus Christ, God saves those who come to Him in repentance and faith. That's the gospel. That's the good news. And it permeates the entire letter. Christ crucified. Christ risen. Sinners forgiven. The gospel solves every issue Paul addresses in 1 CORINTHIANS.
02 - The Sainthood Of Believers
February 7, 2021 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann
As Christians, we are no longer condemned by God as sinners but are declared holy by God as saints. And since our new nature in Christ is holy, Scripture teaches, our living should be also be holy. That Paul referred to the carnal believers at Corinth as saints gives us hope (since they were anything but saintly in their conduct). It tells us that the title saint has nothing whatsoever to do with one’s spiritual maturity or deeds. Paul called them saints because that’s who the Corinthians were (as well as all believers) by calling and position.
03 - A Church Divided
February 14, 2021 • Pastor Ronald H. Gann • 1 Corinthians 1:10–17
The apostle Paul longed to see the practical outworking of Christian unity and spiritual oneness in the Corinthian church--a church plagued by division and dissention. Short of the salvation of all men, unity among the saints was his chief desire for all churches in all ages. We are to be of the same opinion with regards to the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, our standards as a local church, and our principles for Christian living. Short of that, petty fights and various disagreements are bound to occur from time-to-time, even among those with whom we are most united.