We must repent of false religion that delights in ritual and tradition and turn to true faith which brings love and compassion.

Because Christ has defeated death and secured our resurrection, we can stand firm in truth and abound in the work of the Lord, knowing nothing we do for Him is in vain.

In this message, we see that the resurrection is not only the foundation of our faith but the lens through which we understand our future and live our present. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15, Paul answers doubts about how the dead are raised by pointing to God’s power in creation—showing that just as a seed is transformed into something greater, so our perishable, weak, and dishonorable bodies will be raised imperishable, powerful, and glorious. We are reminded that to deny the resurrection is to live foolishly, ignoring the power and promises of God, but to believe it is to live with hope, purpose, and eternal perspective. Because we are destined to bear the image of Christ, the man of heaven, we are called to live now in light of that future—sacrificially, boldly, and with our eyes fixed not on this fading world, but on the glory that is to come.

* The Resurrection Gives Meaning to Our SacrificeIf Christ is not raised, suffering for the faith makes no sense—but because He is alive, every sacrifice for Him is worth it.

* Our Hope in the Resurrection Calls Us to Bold LivingBelievers throughout history have risked everything because they know death is not the end—so we too can live courageously for Christ.

* Wake Up and Live Like Jesus Is AliveReject the lie that this life is all there is, turn from sin, and fully follow Christ with urgency, purpose, and eternal perspective.

Key Takeaways

* Christ’s Resurrection Is Our Only Hope in a Broken WorldEven in the weight of sin, suffering, and death, the good news remains: Jesus is alive, and death does not have the final word.

* Jesus Is the Firstfruits—Our Future Is SecureBecause Christ rose from the dead, all who belong to Him are guaranteed new life—His resurrection is the promise of ours.

* Jesus Has Already Won the VictoryEvery enemy—sin, Satan, and even death itself—will be put under His feet, and we are called to live now in the power of that victory.

* The Gospel Is of First ImportanceChrist’s death for our sins is not one truth among many—it is the foundation of our faith and the center of our hope.

* Holy Week Fulfilled God’s PlanEvery moment leading to the cross was not accidental but accomplished exactly as the Scriptures foretold.

* The Gospel Must Be Remembered and ReceivedThrough the Lord’s Supper, we continually remember, proclaim, and personally respond to what Christ has done for us.

* Pursue love first — before gifts, before preferences, before anything else.

* Use your words to build up others — not to impress, but to encourage and strengthen.

* Clarity matters in worship — everything we do should help people understand and respond to God.

Biblical love is defined by character, not feelings. True love is patient, kind, humble, truthful, enduring, and self-sacrificing—perfectly demonstrated in Jesus Christ and meant to be reflected in the life of believers.

Love is the greatest and most lasting gift of God. Spiritual gifts, knowledge, and miraculous experiences will pass away, but love is eternal and is the clearest evidence of the transforming power of the gospel.

Heaven will be the full realization of love. In this life we experience God’s love only partially, but in eternity believers will fully know God and live forever in a perfect “world of love” with Him and His people.

Spiritual gifts are gifts of grace from God, not roles we earn or choose. They are given by the Holy Spirit out of the Father’s love and ultimately exist to honor Jesus and build up the church.

Every believer has a spiritual gift and every gift matters. Just as the body has many parts, the church needs every member working together; no role is unimportant.

The purpose of spiritual gifts is the good of the whole body. Ministry, discipleship, and even someone coming to faith usually involve many people serving in different ways within the church.

The simplest way to discover your gifts is to serve and love people. Say yes to opportunities to serve and intentionally love others in the body of Christ—God will reveal and develop your gifts through that process.

Your public life either honors or contradicts the name of Jesus you carry.

The Lord’s Supper exposes whether the church is truly united or quietly divided.

Communion is more than remembrance — it calls us to examine our hearts, love one another, and participate seriously in Christ’s work.

Authority Flows from ChristChrist is the head of every person. Marriage reflects that order—not as domination, but as loving, sacrificial leadership and willing honor. Submission in Scripture is about unity and design, not inequality.

Glory, Honor, and Distinction MatterIn Corinth, head coverings symbolized rebellion or self-exaltation. The deeper principle: don’t dishonor your spouse or blur God-given distinctions. Men and women are equal in worth, distinct in role, and meant to reflect God together.

The Gospel Restores What We’ve DistortedWe often fail in marriage and in reflecting God’s image. But Christ—the perfect Head—laid down His life to redeem us. Repent, believe, and let the Gospel reshape your identity, your marriage, and your witness.

* Christian freedom is real—but not everything that is lawful is helpful or edifying. Paul teaches that believers should evaluate their choices not just by “Is it a sin?” but also by “Does this build me up and help others?”

* The earth belongs to the Lord, and God’s gifts are meant to be received with gratitude and wisdom. Whether eating, drinking, or enjoying God’s blessings, the issue is not permission alone, but purpose and stewardship.

* Our love for others should shape how we use our freedom. We are called to avoid unnecessary offense, to live winsomely among unbelievers, and to keep the gospel—not personal preferences—at the center.

* The ultimate guiding principle is simple: do everything for the glory of God. From daily habits to major decisions, the Christian life is about glorifying Christ and seeking the salvation and good of others.

Flee from idolatry—don’t divide your worship or compromise your faith.

Trust in Christ—He provides a way out of temptation and gives living water to the spiritually thirsty.

Paul addresses both errors by showing that knowledge alone isn’t the goal. Knowledge can puff us up with pride, but love builds others up. True knowledge isn’t just factual or intellectual—it’s relational. Knowing God rightly leads us to love Him more deeply and to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Using the issue of food offered to idols, Paul teaches that while idols are nothing and Christians have real freedom, not everyone shares the same maturity or conscience. Exercising freedom without love can harm weaker believers and even become sin against Christ. The goal, then, is not to demand our rights, but to gladly lay them down for the sake of others.

My prayer is that we would seek deeper relationship with God—through Scripture and prayer—so our knowledge leads to humility, love, and a willingness to build one another up for God’s glory.

Joshua gathers the people and reminds them of one thing over and over again: God is the one who acted. God chose Abraham. God delivered them from Egypt. God brought them through the wilderness. God gave them a land they didn’t earn, cities they didn’t build, and vineyards they didn’t plant. Before Joshua ever calls them to choose, he reminds them of grace. Their obedience was never meant to be an attempt to earn God’s favor—it was always meant to be a response to what God had already done.

That’s where the new year meets us. Before I start making resolutions or plans, I need to remember what is already true. My salvation was not my doing. My calling was not my initiative. Every blessing I enjoy in Christ is something I received, not something I achieved. When I forget that, obedience becomes burdensome. When I remember it, obedience becomes an act of gratitude.

Joshua’s words still cut straight to the heart: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” He doesn’t allow room for half-hearted faith or divided loyalty. God will not share His throne with idols, even respectable ones. The question isn’t whether serving the Lord is good—it clearly is. The real question is whether I’m willing to give Him everything or whether I’m still trying to keep certain doors closed.

The new year invites that kind of examination. Am I trusting God with my family? With my words? With my time, my money, my relationships? Am I giving Him access to every part of my life, or only the parts that feel safe?

Joshua ends with a declaration that still challenges me: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That’s not just personal devotion—it’s generational faithfulness. It’s a commitment to lead, to model, and to point everyone within my sphere of influence toward the Lord.

As this year begins, my prayer is simple: that I would choose again—deliberately and joyfully—to serve the Lord, not out of fear, but out of love, remembering all that He has already done.

Jesus, the Branch, embodies the Spirit of the Lord—full of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and delight in God’s will. He judges with righteousness, speaks words of life, and brings salvation, overturning sin and death. His righteousness, closest to Him, enables ours to be covered by His sacrifice on the cross.

Isaiah 11 also paints a picture of the new creation: predators and prey living in harmony, children playing safely among once-dangerous animals, and all creation restored. It’s a vision of death destroyed, peace secured, and joy perfected—an eternal kingdom where Christ reigns and all nations will see His glory.

As the church, we live as citizens of that kingdom now, an embassy of God’s reign on earth. We gather, we are renewed, and then we go, advancing His kingdom through worship, giving, and sharing the gospel. The stump was not the end—Jesus brings life, hope, and restoration. One day, His kingdom will cover the whole earth, and all who trust Him will rejoice in the new heaven and new earth.

Amen.

I explore how this prophecy points to Galilee, one of the darkest regions of Israel and the very place where Jesus would begin His ministry. The message is clear: God doesn’t avoid dark places—He enters them. In Christ, the yoke of sin is broken, the enemy is defeated, and true freedom begins.

At the heart of the passage is the hope of Christmas: a child is born, and a Son is given. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. His kingdom has no end, His victory is secure, and His light continues to shine.

This sermon calls us to trust in Christ, lay down our burdens, and live in the hope that the darkness does not have the final word.

In today’s sermon, I talked about how the holiday season often amplifies everything we feel—joy, grief, worry, or stress. Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but God remains faithful. We looked at Isaiah 7, where God spoke to King Ahaz, a king who feared and doubted, and reminded him that His promises stand firm. Even amid failure, sin, and uncertainty, God’s plan continues. Isaiah’s son, Shear-Jashub, whose name means “a remnant will return,” pointed forward to Jesus—Emmanuel, God with us. The message is clear: when life’s pressures turn up the volume, stand firm in faith and trust God’s unshakable promises.

This Christmas, I’m reflecting on the wonder of God’s salvation. Isaiah 40 reminds us: “Comfort, comfort my people,” for God’s glory will be revealed, iniquity pardoned, and warfare ended. John the Baptist prepared the way, and Jesus came—both Creator and Shepherd, King of kings and tender Savior. As we behold Him in the manger, on the cross, and in His resurrection, we see the eternal God who renews our strength. This Christmas, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the One whose Word stands forever, bringing hope, comfort, and everlasting peace.

Whether we’re free or bound, wealthy or struggling, God uses our position for His purpose. He lifts the humble and humbles the proud. Your life is not an accident—your gifts, background, and struggles are part of God’s sovereign design.

So, whatever your situation, love God, keep His commandments, and trust that He has you exactly where you need to be. Amen.

In this week’s message, I walk through 1 Corinthians 7, one of the most practical and often misunderstood passages in Paul’s letters. In it, Paul answers honest questions from a confused church—questions about marriage, singleness, and sexuality—and he points them, and us, back to God’s design.

I talk about how Paul shepherded a broken culture with truth and grace, and how that still speaks to ours today. We look at what mutual love and respect look like in marriage, why singleness is a true gift from God, and how believers can honor Christ even when married to an unbelieving spouse. I also share what it means that our children are called “holy”—set apart under God’s gracious care.

For anyone who’s married, single, widowed, or waiting, my prayer is that this message reminds you that God has given your current season as a gift, and He’s called you to peace and purpose in it.

Key Verse:

“The unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband… but as it is, they are holy.” — 1 Corinthians 7:14 (ESV)

I hope you’ll listen in and be encouraged to see your relationships—whatever they look like—as opportunities to reflect the gospel and glorify God.

I explained the passage’s “vice list”—sins like sexual immorality, idolatry, greed, drunkenness, and reviling—as evidence of self-worship and idolatry. Many in today’s culture, even within the church, normalize these sins or hide them behind religiosity. True salvation brings repentance and transformation: “Such were some of you.”

I also addressed the misuse of Christian liberty, warning against the mindset of “I can do whatever I want because Jesus will forgive me.” Instead, believers are called to holiness, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit—bought with a price and meant for God’s glory.

The message closed with an image of a cleansed cup—once defiled, now remade for holy use—illustrating our redemption in Christ. I urged listeners to repent of any sin that dominates their lives, to seek freedom through Jesus, and to weep and pray for the lost with renewed urgency.

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Paul’s concern isn’t only the immorality itself but the church’s arrogance in ignoring it. When sin enters the body of Christ, our response should be mourning and repentance, not pride or indifference.

True salvation produces a heart change—believers are transformed by the Holy Spirit and no longer live in unrepentant sin. As members of one body, the church shares responsibility for one another’s spiritual health. Church discipline, when done biblically, is an act of love meant to restore, not condemn.

The message closes with a reminder that genuine love calls people back from destruction and toward holiness in Christ.

Key Themes:

* God’s Word defines truth and holiness

* Salvation brings transformation and repentance

* Church discipline is restorative, not punitive

* The church must lovingly guard one another’s souls

Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 5:1–5; Ezekiel 36:26–27; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 18:15–20

If you have your Bible, will you open with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 4?

As I was preparing for this message, we are going to talk a little bit about stewardship. I remembered back when I lived in Headland, Alabama. One of my best friends there was a Taekwondo instructor who also taught Spanish and history at Northside Methodist in Dothan, Alabama.

One Sunday he came to me and said, “Hey, I’m looking for a substitute teacher. Would you be interested in subbing for me?”

I said, “Sure.” We had some students in our youth group who went to that school, and I thought it would be a great opportunity. So I signed up, got on their roster, and he would call me about four or five times a year to fill in for him.

Now, I know a lot about history, but I don’t know anything about Spanish. I can maybe count to ten, but that’s about it. So when I showed up, my job as a substitute teacher was simply to make sure that the plans given to me were carried out. If they had assignments to do, I stood up and said, “Hey, you know what you’re supposed to be doing—get to work.” That was my responsibility. I wasn’t supposed to create my own lesson plan.

Thankfully, it was a Christian school, and my friend told me, “Hey, go share the gospel. Talk about Jesus as often as you want.” So I would always take time to share the gospel with the kids. I’d get into gospel conversations with them. Sometimes I would do something fun where I’d write John 3:16 in Spanish on the board (I had to look it up online since I didn’t have it memorized) and then have the students translate it. That gave me an opportunity to talk about the gospel.

Even though I didn’t know Spanish, I was still a steward of that classroom time. My responsibility was to make sure the students stayed on task and that the assignment was completed.

In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul describes himself in the same way—as a steward who has been given a task.

So look with me at 1 Corinthians 4. We’ll read through the whole chapter together and then break it down as we go.

1 Corinthians, chapter 4, beginning in verse 1:

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.

To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?”

Guardians of the Gospel

Paul is concluding his discussion about the pride and division within the Corinthian church. In chapters 1 through 3, factions were forming: some claimed to follow Paul, others Apollos, others Peter, and some claimed Christ. They were boasting in themselves and puffing themselves up. Now Paul lands the final blow. He tells them, “This is how you are to regard us.”

Paul does not align with the “Paul faction.” Instead, he says, “This is how you should think about me. This is how you should think about Apollos. This is how you should think about any teacher of God’s Word: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

The word for steward in the Greek is oikonomos—the manager of a household. In those days, the steward was often the head servant in a Roman household. When the master was away, the steward was responsible for ensuring that everything was carried out according to the master’s wishes. If the steward began to boast in himself or create his own agenda, he was neglecting his duty.

In the same way, preachers, teachers, and apostles are stewards of the mysteries of God. We are servants of Christ with one Master and one Lord. We are not called to draw attention to ourselves or form factions, but to carry out the message entrusted to us.

Paul calls this message “the mysteries of God.” It is not some hidden magic, but truths that were once concealed and are now revealed in Christ. In the Old Testament, these mysteries were foreshadowed: the promise that the offspring of Eve would crush the serpent, the prophecy to Judah that the scepter would not depart until the ruler came, the covenant with David that one of his descendants would reign forever, and Isaiah’s vision of the suffering servant who would bear the sins of the people. All of these pointed to Christ. What was once hidden has now been made fully known in him.

As Christians, we are stewards of this revealed message. We cannot hold it back, nor can we alter it to suit ourselves. A steward is required to be faithful. Sometimes that means delivering a message people will not want to hear.

When I served as a substitute teacher, there was always one student who tried to take advantage, saying, “Our teacher lets us use our phones,” or “We don’t have to do that assignment.” But my job was not to create my own rules. My job was to follow the instructions I had been given. Likewise, as Christians, we are not free to create our own message or say only what people want to hear. We are entrusted with the gospel—the good news that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.

This message will offend some, because it confronts human pride, sin, and rebellion. But our task is not to please people. Our task is to be faithful to the Master. My prayer is not to build the biggest church or attract the largest crowds. My prayer is that at the end of my life, when I stand before Christ, he will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That is the longing and desire of every true steward of the mysteries of God.

The Ultimate Judge: God Sees the Heart

Paul continues, and here he begins to get a bit sarcastic with the Corinthians. He says, “But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.”

In Scripture, there is a tension in the word “judgment.” On one side, some people feel called to be judge, jury, and executioner over everyone they meet. They scrutinize others’ lives, assuming they know motives, intentions, and destinies, often acting like Pharisees. On the other side, some are tempted to take an overly lax approach, thinking, “We can’t judge anyone,” often stopping at verses like Matthew 7:1—“Judge not, lest you be judged”—without reading the rest of the chapter.

Paul is addressing neither extreme. He is not advocating that we avoid discernment or moral evaluation. In fact, as we will see in chapter 5 next week, he calls for judgment in matters like church discipline. What he is saying here is that our ultimate and final judge is not human—neither other Christians nor worldly courts. The final judge is Jesus Christ.

You may have seen tattoos or phrases that say, “Only God can judge me.” That is true, but it should also strike awe and reverence in our hearts. God is the ultimate judge. He is righteous and just, and one day, every person will give an account to Him. It does not matter what others in the congregation say. It does not matter what the courts decide. It does not even matter what we say about ourselves. What matters is what the Judge of all the earth says.

Paul emphasizes this: “I do not even judge myself.” Many of us can be our own harshest critics. We replay our failures, magnify our faults, and doubt our worthiness. Satan often whispers lies, telling us we are unlovable, unforgivable, and incapable of finding peace. But Paul reminds us that God is greater than our failures. God is good enough to love, forgive, and redeem us, no matter how many times we have fallen.

Paul is not saying we should avoid self-examination. In the same letter, he instructs us to examine ourselves. But he warns against taking judgment so far that we place ourselves outside God’s mercy. We are never beyond the reach of His grace. As he says in verse 4: “For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.” Paul recognizes that he is not perfect. He may be unaware of sin in his life, but ultimate judgment rests with the Lord.

Therefore, Paul warns: “Do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.” We can inspect fruit, but we cannot see the heart. There may be people whose lives appear godly on the surface—they attend church, serve on committees, and produce visible acts of service—but their hearts may not be aligned with God. On the day of judgment, God will reveal what is real and what is false. Every heart will be exposed, and each person will receive their commendation from God.

True Discipleship: Humility, Suffering, and the World’s Scorn

Verse 6: “I have applied these things to myself and to Apollos for your benefit, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.”

If Paul is a servant, we are all servants. If Apollos is a servant, we are all servants. If Paul is a steward, we are all stewards. The highest person in the church, the one who wrote thirteen letters of Scripture and founded the church in Corinth, is a servant—then every member of the Church of Corinth, and every follower of Jesus, has surrendered to the work of the Master, God. That is the humility we must embrace.

Verse 7: “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

Verse 8: Paul uses sarcasm here, an effective tool when used properly: “Already you have all you want, already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings.” He is not complimenting them; he is exposing their arrogance. They have exalted themselves, thinking that being a Christian guarantees wealth, status, and praise from everyone around them.

Verse 9: “For I think God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world.” Paul contrasts the apostles’ reality with the Corinthians’ illusions. “We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we are in disrepute.”

Verse 11: “To the present hour, we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed, buffeted, and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.” This is the Christian life. If you are never reviled, slandered, or persecuted, you are not fully following Jesus. True discipleship leads to conflict with the world, just as it did with Jesus, the apostles, and the early church.

Persecution today may look different: social isolation, losing friends or family, job loss, or other consequences. Around the world, Christians still face imprisonment, torture, and death for their faith. Real faith in Jesus Christ makes you an enemy of Satan and the world. Paul reminds them that true discipleship leads to suffering.

Yet even in suffering, the Christian responds differently: when reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we still speak truth and call others to Christ. Verse 13: “We have become and are still like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” The imagery is vivid. Imagine a dumpster just emptied—the residue, the film of scum, the stench that lingers. That is how the world sees Christians.

But in Christ, our identity is secure. We are victorious, loved, and cherished as children of the Most High God. The world may see us as refuse, but Jesus sees us as precious and exalts us. What the world thinks does not define us. In Christ, we have all things, and our ultimate victory is certain.

Discipleship, Examination, and the Call to Reconciliation

Verse 14: I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. Paul softens the message here. Though the Corinthians had many guides and teachers, they did not have many fathers—Paul had become their father in Christ Jesus.

He continues in verse 17: That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. Timothy had traveled with Paul since he was a teenager and had been spiritually discipled by him. Paul says, in essence, “I sent you Timothy so you could see someone living out the example I have set.”

Real discipleship is not simply attending a Sunday school class or hearing a good sermon. Those are blessings and commanded in Scripture, but true discipleship comes from observing someone live faithfully and following their example. Paul had Timothy, Timothy trained others, and those who followed Timothy were following Paul as he followed Christ.

If we are going to raise the next generation—children, youth, young families—we must invest in their lives, show them what it looks like to follow Jesus faithfully, and model that through every season of life.

Paul closes with a warning in verse 21: What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? He is speaking as a father, urging them to correct their ways.

Church, this is what we are called to do each week: hear the Word of God, examine our hearts, and ask ourselves if we are faithful stewards of the Lord. Are we living truthfully even when it is unpopular? Are we sharing the gospel even when it offends?

As we prepare to partake in the Lord’s Supper, remember that only those who are believers in Jesus Christ should participate, and only those who have examined themselves and are in right standing with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul warns that partaking in the Supper while unrepentant brings judgment upon oneself.

Take this moment to examine your heart. Ask: Have I promoted unity? Have I loved my neighbors and fellow Christians, or have I slandered or hurt them? Is there conflict I need to address within my family, my church, or among friends? Use this opportunity to reconcile and set your heart in the right direction.

Look with me, verse 18, and we’ll read to the end of the chapter. It says this:

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God, for it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’ So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”

Paul has been dealing with an issue of pride within the church—an issue of division within the church. Pride and division and boasting all have a root cause. It is a cause both of thinking too much of yourself and of thinking too low of yourself. It is both thinking that you have this elevated status, but oftentimes it comes from a low view of self because you think yourself so low that you have to invent ways to lift yourself up and put yourself out where you are higher than you actually are.

Our boasting often comes from our insecurity because we believe that we have to say things about ourselves or align ourselves in certain ways to lift ourselves up. But in reality, we don’t need to lift ourselves up or cast ourselves down. We need to find what the Bible says about us and believe it. Amen.

We don’t need a lower view of self or a higher view of self—we need a biblical view of self. Amen. We need to view ourselves in light of what the Bible says.

I. The Root Problem: Self-Deception (v.18)

Verse 18 says this: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he might become wise.”

That phrase, “Let no one deceive himself,” appears a couple of times in First Corinthians.

* 1 Corinthians 6:9 – “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.”

* 1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.”

We can easily deceive ourselves in our own perspective, in our own worth, in our own value, in our own place, within the church, within society. But Paul repeatedly encourages the church and encourages us today not to deceive ourselves.

A lie is evil, but a lie to oneself can be even more dangerous because it is easier to believe a lie that you tell yourself than a lie that someone else tells you. We have to be on guard even against our own thoughts and minds because we can lie to ourselves so easily.

Paul says, “Do not deceive yourself. If anyone thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool.” Funny enough, the word fool is moros in the Greek. It’s where we get our word moron. Literally, Paul is saying, If anyone thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a moron so that he might actually be wise.

If anyone thinks he has all the wisdom and knowledge and understanding of this world and is relying on the wisdom of the age rather than the wisdom of the Scriptures, let him actually get a true biblical view of himself, a true biblical view of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and believe the truth that the world despises. By becoming a fool, you actually become wise. By turning away from the wisdom of this world—from the pride of this world, from the seeking of being in the inner circles of this world—you now become truly, biblically wise.

II. Becoming a Fool to Become Wise (vv.18–19)

Verse 19 says, “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God, for it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness.’ And again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and they are futile.’”

That phrase “He catches the wise in their craftiness” is interesting because Paul is quoting Job 5. If you read the book of Job, you know that Job’s friends often spoke wrongly, and God rebuked them for speaking wrongly. But even in their wrong statements, sometimes they spoke truth, and Paul quotes one of those truths: He catches the wise in their craftiness.

The wisdom of this age is a trap that Satan uses to lie, manipulate, and cause us to deceive ourselves. And Paul is saying that God catches the wise in their craftiness. The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise—that they are futile, that they are empty, that they amount to nothing in the end. The so-called “wise” of this world, the ones who think they have it all figured out, are ultimately outsmarted by God Himself. All of their plotting, all of their schemes, all of their philosophies and arguments that set themselves up against the knowledge of God—He sees through every one of them. He exposes their emptiness. He turns their own cleverness back on their heads.

This is why Paul is warning us not to get swept up in the wisdom of the age. What the world calls brilliance, God calls foolishness. What the world prizes as insight, God exposes as vanity. And if we are not careful, we will be tempted to measure our lives, our ministries, and even our faith by standards that God Himself has already declared futile.

III. Gifts and Inheritance (Expanded Treatment)

Paul then shifts from warning us against worldly wisdom to reminding us of our inheritance. He says, “Let no one boast in men. For all things are yours…”

All things. Everything. This includes teachers: Paul, Apollos, Cephas. The wisdom of these men, their writings, their sermons, their lives—all of it belongs to you to study, enjoy, and learn from. Every good biblical teacher throughout history belongs to you: Augustine, Calvin, the Puritans, Edwards, Spurgeon, modern teachers—if their teaching aligns with Scripture, it is yours to benefit from.

It also includes Scripture itself—the Law, the Prophets, the Gospels, the Epistles. Old and New Testament, every translation, every passage—yours to read, meditate on, and let God speak through. And it goes further: the world itself belongs to you. Every river, mountain, ocean, galaxy, star, and logical truth. Nature, math, science, music, art—God has gifted these for your enjoyment and growth in wisdom.

I think of my son Knox? Something as simple as watching him laugh, seeing how he notices small wonders in the world, reminded me that the simplest gifts—the sunshine, the birdsong, a splash of water—belong to us in Christ. Even the mundane is sacred, a taste of God’s generosity.

IV. Life, Death, Present, and Future (Expanded Treatment)

Paul expands the inventory: “life or death…present or future.”

* Life: Every heartbeat, every joy, every friendship, every challenge, every ordinary moment is a gift. Life is a divine gift, sacred and precious.

* Death: Though painful and feared, death is a passage to eternity. For believers, it is not the end, but a doorway to joy and completeness with Christ. Like the seed that dies to grow, death ushers us into everlasting life.

* Present: C.S. Lewis writes that the present is the point at which time touches eternity. God is here, now, in the moment, even in mundane routines. Satan would distract us with guilt over the past or fear of the future, but the present is a gift from God to be enjoyed, stewarded, and lived in worship.

* Future: Every detail, trial, blessing, and joy is already under God’s sovereign control. The future is secure because we belong to Christ. Nothing is outside His plan, nothing escapes His hand.

All these gifts—teachers, Scripture, creation, life, death, the present, and the future—are yours because of Christ. “You are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” Without Him, the gifts are meaningless. With Him, they are yours to steward, enjoy, and let draw you closer to the Giver.

V. Application and Invitation: Living as Children of the King

All things are yours because you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. This is not just a theological concept—it is a daily reality. It should shape the way we live, worship, relate to others, and see ourselves.

Boasting in men, wealth, or connections is unnecessary. All things already belong to you. You don’t need to lift yourself up. You don’t need to compare yourself. You are secure. You are loved. You are a child of the King.

Let these gifts draw you closer to God. Let the teachers, Scriptures, creation, life, death, present, and future point you to the Giver. Let them humble you, teach you, and glorify God in your heart. Do not allow division, pride, or envy to rob you of your inheritance.

For those who may not yet know Christ personally, the only way to truly access these gifts is through a living relationship with Jesus. Without Him, the gifts are meaningless. But when you belong to Him, all things become yours—and most importantly, the Giver Himself becomes yours.

The altar is open this morning. If you have never committed your life to Jesus, or if you need to renew your trust in Him, come forward. Pray, talk with someone, and take hold of the greatest inheritance: the love of God, the salvation of your soul, and the promise of eternal life.

If you are already a believer, let these truths humble you and fill you with gratitude. Let the divine inventory—the gifts of God—draw you closer to the King of Kings. Live as a child who knows the Father owns all things, and let that assurance shape your life, your decisions, and your worship.

Amen.

We’ll also look at the metaphors of farming and building, discovering how God calls each of us to participate in His work—planting, watering, and building His temple—while He alone gives the growth. This message reminds us that our labor in the Lord is never in vain and that our ultimate reward comes from Christ alone.

Join us as we reflect on how to humble ourselves before the cross, pursue obedience, and build up the body of Christ together.