1 Corinthians - Sierra Bible Church

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - Gifted Children of God: Part 2

November 17, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

This week, Pastor Jesse explores the role of spiritual gifts in a believer's life, emphasizing that the true gift is the Holy Spirit empowering us to fulfill God's will. He advises against focusing on specific gifts, instead highlighting the importance of using the Holy Spirit's empowerment to serve others and glorify God in everyday tasks. He encourages us to recognize our unique God-given abilities, understand our importance in the body of Christ, and engage actively in our spiritual growth and community service.

1 Corinthians 12:1-7 - Gifted Children of God

Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 12:1–7

This week, Pastor Jesse emphasizes the crucial role of spiritual gifts within the Christian faith, urging us to acknowledge and harness the empowerment provided by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the church community and beyond. He points out the parallel between Jesus's empowerment through the Holy Spirit and the empowerment available to all believers today, encouraging them to put their unique gifts to work in a way that honors God and serves others. Pastor Jesse’s message pushes us to engage actively with our spiritual gifts, thus fulfilling our divine mandate to impact the world positively through the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 - We Dine Together

November 3, 2024 • Brad Beers • 1 Corinthians 11:17–34

This week, Pastor Brad delivers a message on how the Corinthian church was incorrectly practicing communion, focusing on their divisions and selfish behaviors during their gatherings. He emphasizes that communion is a celebratory thing meant to unite us as a family under Jesus, encouraging the us all not only to receive, but to give within this community-focused event. Pastor Brad highlights the importance of waiting for one another as a family, engaging with each other in genuine fellowship, and aligning our gatherings with Jesus' teachings, ensuring we're not merely spectators but active participants in embodying the unity and love Jesus exemplifies.

1 Corinthians 11:2 - Divinely Designed Order: Understanding Our Place Under Christ - Part 2

October 27, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 11:2–15

Expanding on the passage from last Sunday, Pastor Jesse emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Biblical instructions regarding gender roles and appearance, as outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. He highlights the historical and cultural context of the Corinthian church, noting that confusion regarding gender roles, influenced by cultural and pagan practices, was being addressed through these instructions - which aims to align the church's practices with creation’s order and God's authority. Pastor Jesse urges us to respect and embody these distinctions for clarity within the church and to outwardly reflect the inward truth of the Gospel, promoting a cohesive testimony to the surrounding world.

1 Corinthians 11:2 - Divinely Designed Order: Understanding Our Place Under Christ - Part 1

October 20, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson

This week, Pastor Jesse discusses the biblical perspective on divine authority and gender roles. He underscores the necessity of recognizing and upholding the scriptural hierarchy of authority within church and familial settings. Pastor Jesse points out that according to the Bible, men and women are designed with specific roles that complement each other, contributing to human flourishing. Additionally, he touches upon the impact of the fall on gender dynamics, stressing that adherence to biblical teachings on authority and roles is essential for the well-being of communities and relationships.

1 Corinthians 10:15-11:1 - Dining and Dividing with Demons; or The Unifying Power of Communion?

Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 10:15—11:1

Pastor Jesse continues in 1 Corinthians 10, teaching about navigating personal freedom in faith, especially pointing to the topic discussed in 1 Corinthians about meat sacrificed to idols. He brings up Paul's insights on balancing Christian liberties with the potential impact on the faith journey of others, touching on modern dilemmas like alcohol consumption or indulging in various lifestyle choices. Jesse emphasizes making choices that prioritize the spiritual health of the community over individual rights, encouraging a shift towards actions motivated by love, instilling a sense of gratitude, and aiming to honor God in all we do.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13: The Rock that Follows: Christ in Our Wildnerness

September 29, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 10:1–13

This week, Pastor Jesse begins chapter 10, where we see that Christianity is all about understanding Jesus and His sacrifice for us. We are encouraged to align our lives with our identity in Christ, staying away from behaviors that make us blend in with the crowd. He draws lessons from the Corinthians and the Israelites, reminding us that even with God's support, it's easy to slip up. Pastor Jesse highlights that, similar to the Israelites wandering in the desert, we face our own challenges today, but God provides guidance, provision, and escape routes. We cannot misuse God's grace as an excuse for poor choices, but must leverage it to live according to our true identity in Christ. It's about being authentic in our faith, resisting the urge to conform, and truly living out the Christian walk in today's world.

1 Corinthians 9 - Voluntary Slavery

September 22, 2024 • Brad Beers • 1 Corinthians 9

This week, Pastor Brad brings us through 1 Corinthians 9, where Paul dives into the perks of being an apostle, and talks about the right to receive support for his work in sharing the Gospel. Yet, he’s all about giving the Gospel free of charge, sidestepping any barriers to reaching people with the message. He gets on the same wavelength as different groups to spread the word more effectively, comparing his commitment to a hardcore athlete prepping for the win, but his eye is on a prize that lasts forever.

1 Corinthians 8 - A Community-Centric Life: Part 2

September 15, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 8

This week Pastor Jesse continues in Part 2 of "A Community-Centric Life". Paul talks about whether it's okay to eat food that's been part of a religious ceremony for a different religion, explaining that while some people get that these rituals don't mean anything, not everyone's on the same page. He points out that if knowing this makes you eat without care, it could mess with the beliefs of others who aren't there yet. Essentially, Paul's saying it's cool to know you're free to do things, but don't be that person who flaunts it if it's going to confuse or hurt someone else's faith.

1 Corinthians 8 - A Community-Centric Life

September 8, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 8

This week, Pastor Jesse dives into the topic of eating food sacrificed to idols in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians, highlighting the knowledge that idols represent nothing in the world and that there is only one God. However, Paul cautions that this knowledge must be tempered with love to avoid causing weaker believers, who may not understand this freedom, to stumble in their faith.

1 Corinthians 7:10-40 - Paul's Thoughts on Marriage

September 1, 2024 • Brad Beers • 1 Corinthians 7:10–40

This week, Pastor Brad Beers teaches from Paul's address to the questions about marriage and celibacy, advising believers on how to lead a life that's faithful to God's teachings in these areas. Paul suggests that marriage is good for preventing sexual immorality, but both marriage and celibacy are gifts from God, and one should live according to the gift they have received, and not be eager to change their station in life.

1 Corinthians 7:1-11 - Don't Burn, Get Married: Principles on Marriage

Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 7:1–11

*WARNING - As we continue in 1 Corinthians, the topic again adresses some adult concepts, so please be advised if listening with your kids* This week, Pastor Jesse dives into chapter 7, where Paul addresses questions about marriage and celibacy, advising believers on how to lead a life that's faithful to God's teachings. Paul suggests that marriage is good for preventing sexual immorality, but both marriage and celibacy are gifts from God, and one should live according to the gift they have received.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 - All of Me is His

August 18, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 6:12–20

*Warning - today's message out of 1 Corinthians discusses adult material, if you are listening with the family, please be advised* This week, Pastor Jesse discusses the concept of freedom in Christ laid out by Paul. He cautions believers in Corinth that not all permissible actions are beneficial, and warns against behaviors that can dominate or harm them, specifically sexual immorality. Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, purchased by God, and therefore should be honored and used for God's glory.

1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Gospel-Centered Relationships

July 21, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 6:1–11

This week, Pastor Jesse teaches out of 1 Corinthians 6, where Paul advises Christians against taking their disputes with other Christians to secular courts, suggesting they should rather resolve their differences within the church community. It emphasizes the importance of not wronging or defrauding each other, reminding believers of their transformation and inheritance of God's kingdom as they turn away from sinful behaviors. The passage encourages believers to live righteously, making amends and seeking justice through the wisdom and guidance of their faith community rather than relying on outside authorities.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 - A Little Goes a Long Way: Lessons From Leaven

July 14, 2024 • Pastor Jesse Richardson • 1 Corinthians 5

This week, Pastor Jesse picks it back up in 1 Corinthians 5, where Paul is addressing the issue of immorality within the church, specifically focusing on a case of sexual immorality that was being tolerated among its members. There is an emphasis on the importance of church discipline and the need for purity within the Christian community, urging the church to take action against the immoral behavior. We see the metaphor of leaven, suggesting that just a little sin, if unaddressed, can affect the whole Church Body, and teaches the principle of not associating with those who blatantly sin, to preserve the integrity of the church.