1 Corinthians 7:1-9
Sex is Good! SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 DATE: February 25, 2001 Introduction: This week we return to our regularly scheduled study of 1 Corinthians. We will be looking at chapter 7, verses 1 through 9. Last week Pastor Mike took us through a study of David’s life and mentioned that my sermon title was apparently a cheap attempt to cash in on the momentum of our recent study on sexual morality. Frankly, I just thought the research would be more interesting.…
1 Cor. 7:10-17
For Better or Worse, Unless … SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 7:10-17 Introduction: The best-known futurist of our generation, Alvin Toffler, has described contemporary America as the “throw-away society.” Whereas Americans once held on to their possessions as long as possible, now the abundance of goods and rapidly changing fashions mean that things like clothes, kitchens, and cars have a built-in obsolescence, to say nothing of electronics. Things are kept only a short time and then thrown away. This attitude has even extended to personal relationships,…
1 Cor. 7:17-40
Stay Where You Are! SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 7:17-40 Introduction: Nearly all of you are familiar with 2 Cor. 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” This verse tells us that old habits, attitudes, priorities, and relationships become new, or at least should, when a person meets Christ and receives the new birth. In fact, so crucial is this concept that Christian theology has always questioned whether a genuine conversion has even…
1 Cor. 8:1‑13
Freedom Has Its Limits SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 8:1‑13DATE: March 25, 2001 Introduction: Fifty years ago last month my father accepted a pastorate in the Old Orchard area of Webster Groves. This delightful little church was my home from age 7 to 17. There are a number of individuals here this morning who were part of that congregation–wonderful people who have built significantly into my life. There were in that church, however, some people who had quite a long laundry list of issues by which…
1 Corinthians 9:1‑18
He Practiced What He Preached SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9:1‑18 Introduction: The topic of our text today is one I do not relish. It deals in part with the question of whether pastors should be paid. This topic, however, is really only used by the Apostle Paul as an illustration of a broader theme which he began in chapter 8 and continues through chapter 10, namely the theme of Christian liberty and the need to limit that liberty by love for one another. If you were…
1 Cor. 9:19-23
Friendship Evangelism SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 9:19-23 Introduction: It is not a matter of significant debate that the church at large is not fulfilling Christ’s commands in the area of either evangelism or discipleship with any great degree of effectiveness. While some Christians are regularly engaged in sharing their faith, many go through the average week, or even month, without a single verbal witness regarding their faith in Christ. All of us acknowledge that witnessing is important; we know that God says that “he who…
1 Cor. 9:24‑27
Spiritual Olympics SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 9:24‑27 Introduction: I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy the Olympics when they come around every four years. I am in awe of the incredible physical ability, stamina, and commitment to training exhibited by world-class athletes. And thanks to the marvels of modern technology, nearly every event in every sport is available around the clock on TV or on the Internet. I heard about a guy who said his son was already in training for the…
1 Cor. 10:1-13
The Peril of Overconfidence SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 10:1-13 Introduction: Someone has said that if history teaches us anything, it is that history teaches us nothing. In other words, those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeat its mistakes. In 1 Corinthians 10 the Apostle Paul gives us a major history lesson, with the express purpose of getting us to learn from the past. In chapter 9 he told us that he kept his body in top shape spiritually because…
1 Cor. 10:13
The Trial of Your Faith SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 10:13 Introduction: For our special Fifth Sunday Worship experience I want to speak to you briefly on the subject of temptations and trials. They have so much in common that the Greek language uses the exact same word to describe both. One has to determine which is being referred to from the context. Last Lord’s Day we examined one of the great verses of Scripture on temptation in 1 Cor. 10:13: “No temptation has seized…
1 Cor. 10:14-22
The Danger of Mixed Drinks SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 10:14-22 DATE: May 6, 2001 Introduction: What’s the highest virtue in America today? Is it honesty, integrity, morality, or sanctity of life? I would say none of these. I think it’s tolerance. Tolerance is so highly valued that it may be the only absolute virtue many Americans recognize. On the university campus just about the only thing that is not tolerated is intolerance, especially on the part of those upholding traditional standards or biblical truth. I say that as a…
1 Cor. 10:23-11:1
Using Freedom Rightly SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 10:23-11:1 Introduction: You know friends, I really look forward to our times together here at First Free. Sunday is the high point of my week. But it hasn’t always been. It wasn’t my favorite time when I was growing up. I was always in church, and I never really rebelled against going (it wouldn’t have done much good–my dad was the pastor), but neither did I enjoy it very much. Why the difference today? Well, there are probably a lot of…
1 Cor. 11:2-16
The Gender Minefield: Male/Female Roles in the Home and Church SCRIPTURE: 1 Cor. 11:2-16 Note: This sermon was preached long before the gender controversy of the 2020’s. “Gender” here is being used as synonymous with “sex,” that is, male/female. A sermon entitled “The Gender Minefield” would probably be on a completely different topic if preached in 2023 or beyond. Nevertheless, I believe the principles laid out here are valid. Introduction: The topic of gender roles is a minefield many pastors consider too risky to cross, and…