1 Corinthians 1.18-31

This coming Sunday the text that we will be focusing on is 1 Corinthians 1.18-31. Much of these verses are dealing with wisdom. Paul is highlighting that wisdom of the world is different than God's wisdom. For the Lord's great power is shown in the cross of Christ. In the cross we can boast because the Lord has made us new creatures. One interesting string of verses is found in in chapter 1 verses 27-29. One part says: "God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." In your own life ----- have you had experiences where the weak things of life have shamed the strong? I immediately think of back pain or a penetrating question from a child. I remember when I hurt my back so bad I could not even stand up. That was a humbling experience. Or when a question from a little child, would cause me to have to change behavior. Have you all had experiences like that?

Ohio State Football Fan and Legos Fan?

I was listening to a story on National Public Radio yesterday afternoon about a professor who had built the replica of the Ohio State Football Stadium. I thought that the story was a little hard to believe ----- so I checked it out myself. And I thought I would share with you what he created. It is all out of legos and it took him 5 years to plan, buy, implement and build this replica. It is unbelievable. You can read more on ESPN: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6037754 or listen to it on NPR: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=133058130&m=133058791

1 Corinthians 1.10-18

This coming Sunday I will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 1.10-18. In this group of verses the Apostle Paul brings up the division that is going on in the church of Corinth. Apparently, Chloe still had some inside information about the quarrels that are going on in Corinth (verse 11). Paul feels like these quarrels need to be addressed because it is an error for the church to be operating this way. There were divisions about who was more important because of their baptisms. Paul confronts this error and advises the church to cling to the initial message he shared. Now this message is foolishness to some. But, to those who are being saved it is the power of God (verse 18). This message is is found in the cross of Christ. The cross of Christ is the power of God revealed to all the world. But, I would like to hear from you ---- how do you think the cross of Christ is the very power of God in your life?

1 Corinthians

This coming Sunday I am going to begin a sermon series on 1 Corinthians. This will go till Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent). This Sunday I will start with 1 Corinthians 1.1-9. For the most part this is the Apostle Paul's preliminary comments to the church in Corinth. But he also says something very intriguing. It is found in verse 9. It says: "God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." Those words ---- the fellowship of his Son ---- have really stuck out to me. What is the fellowship of his Son? What does this have to do with the God who is faithful? Does this have anything to do with the relationship of the Trinity? What does this have to do with our fellowship as believers? Interestingly, if you go to the next few verses the Apostle Paul begins addressing the division that is found in Corinth. I think there is an important point to understanding this verse by looking at the division. I would love to hear what you all think. Look it over and comment back.

Bible Translation in Indonesia

Kimyal New Testament launch in Indonesia from United Bible Societies on Vimeo.