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Living a Cross Shaped Life (1 Corinthians 4:1-21) | Imperfect

In this chapter, Paul asks the Corinthians, “What do you have that you did not receive?” This question encapsulates Paul’s theology of grace, which holds that everything we have is a gift from God. In order to encourage the Corinthians to live a life shaped by God’s grace, and the sacrifice and surrender the cross calls us to, Paul employs a combination of irony, sarcasm, and tender love to guide them. However, he recognizes that mere teachings are not enough; the Corinthians need an embodied example to follow. As such, he sends them Timothy, a living embodiment of humility and grace, to model for them what it means to live a life in accordance with the gospel.

Sermon Notes:

  • How we view influence matters.
  • Who is influencing you?
  • Is scripture your standard?
  • Gospel centred influencers don’t reach for power.
  • Instead gospel-centred influencers humbly serve.
  • Gospel centred influencers don’t strike back.
  • Instead, gospel centred influencers surrender.
  • Gospel centred influencers doesn’t shame.
  • Instead gospel centred influence care.
  • Are we are following whose lives reflect the way of Jesus? 

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Babies, Plants, Buildings, and the Growth God Brings (1 Corinthians 3:1-23) | Imperfect

“Despite their self-perception as wise, mature, and sophisticated, Paul makes it clear to the Corinthians that they still have much growing to do. Their tendency towards quarrelling and jealousy is a sign of their immaturity. There is no place for such behavior in the body of Christ. When we allow ourselves to be divided by boasting, factions, or allegiance to specific leaders or teachers, it demonstrates that we have not fully understood the core principles of the gospel. When we view other churches as competition rather than as fellow laborers, we risk dividing the body of Christ and facing God’s judgement and punishment in our own lives.”

Sermon Notes:

  • God is even more serious about the place He dwells in than you are about your home. (vs. 16-17)
  • Division, rivalry, and conflict damage God’s dwelling place. (vs. 1-4)
  • “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)
  • You will build God’s temple when you live like other Christians are coworkers in the same mission. (vs. 5-9)
  • You will build God’s temple when Jesus is your life. You are hurting God’s temple when Jesus is secondary. (vs. 10-15)
  • Self deception is the root problem we all need to be rescued from. (vs. 18-23)

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Babies, Plants, Buildings, and the Growth God Brings (1 Corinthians 3:1-23) | Imperfect (K)

“Despite their self-perception as wise, mature, and sophisticated, Paul makes it clear to the Corinthians that they still have much growing to do. Their tendency towards quarrelling and jealousy is a sign of their immaturity. There is no place for such behavior in the body of Christ. When we allow ourselves to be divided by boasting, factions, or allegiance to specific leaders or teachers, it demonstrates that we have not fully understood the core principles of the gospel. When we view other churches as competition rather than as fellow laborers, we risk dividing the body of Christ and facing God’s judgement and punishment in our own lives.”

Sermon Notes:

  • God is even more serious about the place He dwells in than you are about your home. (vs. 16-17)
  • Division, rivalry, and conflict damage God’s dwelling place. (vs. 1-4)
  • “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)
  • You will build God’s temple when you live like other Christians are coworkers in the same mission. (vs. 5-9)
  • You will build God’s temple when Jesus is your life. You are hurting God’s temple when Jesus is secondary. (vs. 10-15)
  • Self deception is the root problem we all need to be rescued from. (vs. 18-23)

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The Source of True Wisdom | IMPERFECT

As Paul has previously stated, wisdom is the understanding of the gospel message of Christ’s death and resurrection. Those who are mature in their faith are those who have fully embraced this message. It is only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we can come to a true understanding of this wisdom. Logical arguments or persuasion will never be enough to fully convince others to believe the gospel; it is a message that must be revealed to us by the Spirit. In addition to belief in Christ, this wisdom also encompasses the practical implications of that belief and how we should live as a community of believers, following in the footsteps of a crucified Christ. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit grants us the wisdom not only to come to a knowledge of salvation, but also to live as those who have been saved.

Sermon Notes:

  • Gospel wisdom differs from worldly wisdom. (vs.6) 
  • Walking in wisdom will require you trusting God more than you trust yourself. (vs. 7-9) 
  • The source of God’s wisdom is God’s Spirit. (vs.10) 
  • James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” 
  • Wisdom from the Spirit is in line with God’s Word. (Titus 1:2) 
  • Wisdom from the Spirit will display God’s character. (Galatians 5:22-3) 
  • Wisdom = “What does Jesus want me to do in this situation?” (vs. 16)

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An Unbelievable Message you can Believe in | IMPERFECT (K)

2000 years ago, God in the ultimate act of love he ultimate act of love, became a human and lived among us. Born to an unwed peasant mother and raised by her carpenter husband, Jesus lived a perfect life, teaching about the kingdom of God and proclaiming his own divinity. Despite his innocence, he was arrested and sentenced to death by crucifixion at the hands of the religious and political leaders of the time. But Jesus didn’t stay dead. Three days after his burial, he rose again, victorious over sin and death. Now, he sits at the right hand of God, ruling over all things in heaven and preparing to return to earth one day to renew and restore the world and bring judgement upon all people. This may sound unbelievable, but it is the truth, and it is the only message that holds the power to save us from our sins.

Sermon Notes:

  • The story of Jesus is the one story that can give your life meaning and purpose that lasts forever.
  • The story of Jesus is good news – not good advice. (vs. 1 & 2)
  • “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12
  • “Nero fastened the guilt … on a class hated for their abomination, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of the procurator Pontius Pilate.” Tacitus
  • “About this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. He was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Accordingly, he was perhaps the Messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.” Josephus
  • Jesus is not only the answer for your eternal life; He is the answer for your daily life. (vs. 3-5)

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Wisdom Power and the Upside down Nature of the Kingdom | IMPERFECT

The gospel message may seem foolish or weak to those who hear it, but that’s how God often chooses to build his movement. Rather than seeking out the powerful or influential, he calls the weak, powerless, and foolish to proclaim the good news. In fact, the gospel was just as foolish to the people of Corinth as it may seem to those in Southern Ontario today. But despite its apparent foolishness, the gospel is just as powerful to save now as it was 2000 years ago. And he continues to spread His message and build His movement through unlikely individuals today. If we hope to faithfully proclaim the gospel, we must be willing to embrace this reality and not be discouraged by others’ perceived foolishness of our message.

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Wisdom Power and the Upside down Nature of the Kingdom | IMPERFECT (K)

The gospel message may seem foolish or weak to those who hear it, but that’s how God often chooses to build his movement. Rather than seeking out the powerful or influential, he calls the weak, powerless, and foolish to proclaim the good news. In fact, the gospel was just as foolish to the people of Corinth as it may seem to those in Southern Ontario today. But despite its apparent foolishness, the gospel is just as powerful to save now as it was 2000 years ago. And he continues to spread His message and build His movement through unlikely individuals today. If we hope to faithfully proclaim the gospel, we must be willing to embrace this reality and not be discouraged by others’ perceived foolishness of our message.

Sermon Notes

  • To be a Christian requires believing in what seems like folly and embracing our own lack of status and standing.
  • The Christian message seems foolish.
  • If you only follow Jesus when it makes sense, you won’t end up following Jesus.
  • God didn’t choose you because of what you have to offer.
  • God didn’t choose you because of what you have to offer and that’s good news!
  • The Gospel constantly reminds us we have nothing to be proud of only things to be grateful for.

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One Church Under Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-17) | IMPERFECT

The problems of division, factions, and idolizing church leaders are not unique to our time. From the earliest days of Christianity, believers have struggled with maintaining unity and avoiding the temptation to put leaders on pedestals. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul seeks to address these issues by reminding them that the church belongs solely to Jesus. It is through Jesus’ death and resurrection that we are saved, it’s his name we are baptized into, and it is only through his power that the church can thrive and move forward.

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One Church Under Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-17) | Imperfect (K)

The problems of division, factions, and idolizing church leaders are not unique to our time. From the earliest days of Christianity, believers have struggled with maintaining unity and avoiding the temptation to put leaders on pedestals. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul seeks to address these issues by reminding them that the church belongs solely to Jesus. It is through Jesus’ death and resurrection that we are saved, it’s his name we are baptized into, and it is only through his power that the church can thrive and move forward.

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Thank God for the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) | Imperfect

Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian church by expressing gratitude for the grace of God that has been bestowed upon them through Jesus. Similarly, we have much to be thankful for in the Corinthian church, as it serves as a reminder that if God can work through a community as flawed and in need of grace as the Corinthians, then there is hope for us as well. This Sunday, we will delve into the context and significance of Paul’s greeting to the Corinthian church, exploring both the city of Corinth and the motivations behind Paul’s writing of this influential and relevant letter.

 

1.       Thank God that He meets us in our mess.

1 Timothy 1:15: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”

2.       Center ourselves on Jesus

Take whatever is broken in your spiritual life and apply the gospel to it, because faith in the gospel is the cure, regardless of the sickness.

3.       Trust that God will be faithful to see us through.