Central to the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus. Knowing the centrality of his work on the cross, Jesus established the practice of the Lord’s supper as a perpetual reminder of God’s love for us. In the Lord’s supper we celebrate, remember, affirm, and reflect on God’s kindness to us. In 1 Cor 11 the apostle Paul helps us focus on the significance of this sacred meal in the life of the Christian life.
Without the resurrection of Jesus there is no good news for the Christian. There is no future, no forgiveness, and no hope beyond the grave. The good news claim of Scripture, however, is that Jesus indeed did rise from the dead three days after his death. This changes everything. There is joyous security in the hope that comes as the result of Jesus’s resurrection for all those who trust in him.
Pastor Rob Abboud reminds us of the importance to pursue peace with one another. For unresolved conflict with each other, means conflict with Jesus himself.
The way Christ guards the holiness of the church is by the use of the neglected grace of Church Discipline. It is driven by salvation of the sinner and the holiness of the church.
When conflict ends up in peace then trust needs to be rebuilt with love.
Easter Sunday - Jesus’ resurrection is the greatest vindication in history!
| Everything about Christianity looks weak and foolish in the eyes of the world.
The message of the cross, we who believe it, and preach it appear foolish but it is we who are being saved.
Our work in the Lord is not a waste of time. The resurrection is the great game changer.
The good news of our Lord Jesus Christ is not what we do for God but what he has done for us. This gospel has five elements. 1. Christ died for our sins, 2. that he was buried. 3. that he rose on the 3rd day 4. according to the Scriptures and 5. he appeared to others. This alone is the good news which saves.
If Christ had come to live the perfect life, then taken full responsibility for our sins and rose again defeating death it would have been a complete and utter waste of time unless he poured out his Spirit on his. Without the Spirit the message of the cross would remain foolish. As it is, it has become for us wisdom from God.
Christianity has never been cool! The message of the cross is both weak and powerless in the eyes of the world. Those who received that message are viewed as foolish as are those who come preaching the message of Christ crucified. But in God's eyes that is where wisdom and real power are found.
Are we a church that’s willing to do whatever it takes to see as many as possible come to Jesus? We need to be ALL things to ALL people so that by ALL possible means God would save some! How can we use culture for Christ?
Ray speaking from 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. Every Perfectionist who trusts Jesus will achieve their deep longing for that perfect body. But where will we be 5 minutes after we die?
Ray speaking from 1 Corinthians 15: 20-49. The certain hope for the Christian is not just life after death. It's a full bodied resurrection fit for a new creation.
Dan speaking from 1 Corinthians 15:1-20. What if there was no resurrection of Jesus? Paul wants the church in Corinth to keep the main thing the main thing. And that involves siding with the Risen Lord Jesus because not only is the evidence clearly there, but everything we hold dear (preaching Jesus, sins forgiven, our faith and hope) goes out the window if Jesus did not rise from the dead.
Ray speaking from 1 Corinthians 14:25-40. The challenge for every church is to balance freedom and order. For our God is not a God of disorder but peace. And where there is no order there is no love.
The way of love applied to the church means that prophecy outranks tongues. And for one reason-unless Gods word is understood, there can be no comfort and no encouragement.
Heroic gifts without love = nothing. Once we become Christians the greatest matter we need to come to terms with is Love. The apostle Paul does not define it but describes it. And he reminds us that faith, hope and love are eternal and love outranks them all.