1 Corinthians 15:1‑11
What Difference Does It Make? SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15:1‑11 Introduction: Yesterday we received a letter from some close college friends of ours who spent three terms as missionaries to France. Diane wrote, “My brother Keith died on November 3 in Cape Coral, FL. I want to share an account of something wonderful that happened the night of Keith’s death. Around 3 A.M. his wife Linda, my sister Gail, and my brother Craig, were all gathered around Keith’s bed as he lay dying. He was sleeping…
1 Corinthians 15:12‑34
The Logic of the Resurrection SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15:12‑34 Introduction: How many of you here today have changed careers at some point? Believe it or not, I also had a former life before I became a pastor. After finishing graduate school at Southern Methodist University in 1969, I taught philosophy and logic for five years on the college level. I often used the Scripture passage before us this morning, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34, as a textbook example of logical reasoning. You see, the Apostle Paul…
1 Corinthians 15:35‑49
The Mechanics of the Resurrection: How Are Dead Bodies Raised? SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15:35‑49 Introduction: Some workmen were moving a little cemetery to make way for a new highway. One man, standing in a deep hole, held up a small zinc plate, and read to the others, “Jennie Stewart, 1905‑1908.” Then his shovel uncovered some moldy wood, a few bones and a blackened skull. “That’s all that’s left of little Jennie,” he said. Then he put her remains in a new box and moved on. Now you look…
1 Corinthians 15:50‑58
Some Will Never Die SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15:50‑58 Introduction: For the past two weeks we have been watching the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I’m just glad NBC had the broadcasting rights this year so ABC couldn’t show that pour guy who went off the side of the ski jump and nearly obliterated himself 30 or more years ago. If ABC paid him royalties for every time they showed that over the years, he’d be a rich man. It’s so much…
1 Corinthians 16:1‑9
Spreading the Flame by Giving and Going SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 16:1‑9 Introduction: An interesting thing has happened to me over the past six months. I find the new vision of our church everywhere I look in my study of Scripture, which is encouraging, because it reminds me of how biblically based it is. I also see the vision being lived out in the lives of many of my fellow believers, which also greatly encourages me. The vision, as you well know, is that “we…
1 Corinthians 16:10-24
Marks of a Community of Contagious Christians SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 16:10-24 Introduction: After an 18-month journey, we have arrived at the final section of the NT book of 1 Corinthians, where we find the Apostle Paul offering (as he almost always does at the end of his letters) personal encouragement to some real people he knew on a first name basis. We too readily forget that 1 Corinthians is primarily a letter, and only secondarily a theological treatise. Paul is writing to his…
Daniel 1
Accidental Tourists SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1 SPEAKER: Brad Harper Note: This manuscript has been edited, and information has been added, by Mike Andrus. Introduction: A couple of years ago a movie was released entitled “The Accidental Tourist.” The title was in reference to the main character who wrote a book for people forced to travel for their jobs. These people, in contrast to typical tourists, who are excited about their stay in a foreign land, despised the travel forced upon them and had no…
Daniel 2
The Dream That Became a NightmarE Note: This manuscript has been extensively rewritten by Mike Andrus. Introduction: Last week we began a chapter-by-chapter study of the book of Daniel, the story of the life of a godly Jewish man taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in the 6th century before Christ. It is a story which highlights the sovereignty of God over human history even in the midst of great disaster. Today we look at Daniel chapter two and the opening account…
Daniel 3
Flame Broiled Faith Note: This manuscript has been edited, and information has been added, by Mike Andrus. Introduction: I do not frequent Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, but I’ve heard a lot about it. It seems that the secret of their steaks, what really makes them a cut above the rest, is their process of quick flame broiling them over an open fire at 1800 degrees. This searing heat seals in the great flavor of truly fine beef. That is, as long as their chef, also…
Daniel 4
God Humbles the Proud Introduction: I heard a dumb joke the other day: “What do Atila the Hun, Catherine the Great, and Jack the Ripper have in common.” Answer: they all have the same middle name. Now don’t groan; I warned you it was dumb. The fact is all these individuals also share a much more important common characteristic: they were all cruel beyond imagination. Had you been alive when they were, these individuals would have been the last people on earth you would have expected to…
Daniel 5
Leadership Lite: The Handwriting on the Wall Introduction: Before we examine the fascinating story found in Daniel 5, I think it would help if we had a bit of a history lesson. We noted that there were about 30 years between chapters 3 & 4. But there are also approximately 30 years between chapters 4 & 5. Up through chapter 4 the King we have encountered in the book of Daniel is Nebuchadnezzar, the founder of the Babylonian Empire. He reigned for 42 years,…
Daniel 6, 1 Cor. 6:9-20
Flee Immorality Introduction: In Daniel 6 we were challenged to follow Daniel’s example of exceptional allegiance to duty in the face of temptation. We considered a number of crises facing us today (integrity, marriage, parenting), but time did not permit us to examine the crisis in sexual immorality. We return to that topic this morning. Pastors have been known to make sweeping statements, sometimes overstatements, to wake a congregation up, statements like: “Never before in the history of mankind has sin been darker,”…