Foods, Feuds, and Attitudes

A Meal of Life and Death

March 24, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, John 12:1–2, John 12:9–16

Centuries ago, one meal set off a series of events that changed the world. To this day, we continue to celebrate that same meal in remembrance, and Paul's letter to Corinth gives a specific vision for why this meal can bring both life and death. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, John 12:1-2a, 9-16

Men, Women, and Hats

March 17, 2024 • David Culbertson • Hebrews 12:14–15, 1 Corinthians 10:31–33, 1 Corinthians 11:2–26, Mark 7:6–8

Paul gave the Corinthian church some instructions of head coverings that, at face value, don't make much sense. But when we dig deeper into the context of this puzzling text, we find beautiful and timeless principles with enduring value for today.

This Is What We're Made For

March 10, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • 1 Corinthians 10:31—11:1

Money, family, career, pleasure. All of those things are good, but none of them can full satisfy the purpose for which human beings were designed. Accordingly to the Apostle Paul, our entire purpose for existence boils down to one simple thing. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1, Psalm 19:1-4, Revelation 5:13, Romans 11:36, Psalm 34:3, Colossians 3:17

What To Do with Marshmallows

February 25, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • 1 Corinthians 10:23–30, Matthew 22:37–40

"Where's the line?" "How close can I get?" These are common questions that we use to test the boundaries of our freedom, but Paul's letter to Corinth illustrates a better question for us to evaluate the choices in life - even down to the smallest marshmallow.

Idols: Flee to Be Free

February 18, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • 1 Corinthians 10:14–22

Idolatry is slavery - a bondage to the counterfeit of the true worth found only in Christ. But we can be free from our idols just as soon as we choose to flee from them.

Defeat Your Temptations

February 11, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • 1 Corinthians 10:11–13, James 1:2–4, James 1:13–15, Proverbs 16:18, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

The trap of temptation always overpromises and underdelivers. Fortunately, we're not victims to the trap; God always provides a way out that we have the ability to choose.

How to Align Your Affection

February 4, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • Colossians 3:1–3, 1 Corinthians 10:1–10

Our affections often drift toward things less worthy than Christ, but we don’t have to fall in that trap. A harrowing Old Testament narrative instructs us with specific actions we can take to keep our hearts centered on what matters most.

Share the Cure, Win the Prize

January 28, 2024 • Anna McGrew • 1 Corinthians 9:19–27, Matthew 9:35–38

There's a remedy and a reward that transcends everything else in our lives. When we understand the weight of sin and the wonder of salvation, there's nothing we won't sacrifice in order to share the cure and win the prize. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, Matthew 9:35-38

Laying Down What You Deserve

January 21, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • 1 Corinthians 9:1–18, 2 Corinthians 3:2–3, Matthew 10:7–10, Jeremiah 20:9, James 3:1

Just because we can have something doesn't mean we should. The apostle Paul's example leaves us with a profound new paradigm for living: that our entitlements are worth sacrificing for the greater worth of God's kingdom.

The Weak and the Strong

January 14, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8:9–13

It's often assumed we have to either adopt others' personal convictions, or dismiss them entirely. But what if there's a third option - a way of understanding others' different convictions in a way that doesn't sacrifice the conscience or the relationship?

My Rights or What's Right

January 7, 2024 • Aaron Schaut • 1 Corinthians 8, Galatians 5:13

What's best for me isn't always what's best. The gospel invites us to a countercultural way of living in freedom - one where doing what's right sometimes means laying down our rights.

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1 Corinthians: Season Three