Tapestry Community Church

In a world filled with distractions, we need to be careful to not be led astray from the gospel and from God's Word by the things of this world, through bad teaching, or because of difficult circumstances. We need to be careful to live in such a way so as not to place a stumbling block before the gospel. This is what we talk about from 2 Corinthians 6:1-10.

In the previous passage, we talked about the fact that God took the initiative to bring about reconciliation between himself and sinners. In this message we talk about how he did that. What had to happen in order for God to reconcile sinners to himself? And why does it matter in our day-to-day lives that we know and understand this?

When Adam and Eve sinned, they radically damaged the relationship between mankind and God, to the extent that there was and is nothing humans can do to repair that damage. Yet, God was not content to allow the relationship to remain that way. Thus, God takes the initiative to mend the relationship. This is what Paul discusses from 2 Corinthians 5:16-19.

The resurrection does not just prove that Jesus was who he claimed to be. It proves everything we believe and understand about God, about scripture, and about redemption. The resurrection proves everything.

On Thursday night, Jesus instituted the sign and seal of the new covenant—the Lord's Supper—but on Friday night, he inaugurates the new covenant with the shedding of his blood. On Friday night Christ fulfills and brings about what the OT Passover meal only foreshadowed.

The Lord's Supper was a foreshadowing of what Christ would accomplish for his people the very next day, and was instituted and given by Christ, and commanded to be observed regularly, to be a means of grace to the church.

Why did Christ die on the cross? Was it just to save us from hell? Was it just so our sins could be forgiven? Was it just so that we might be justified in the eyes of a holy God? Was it to bring us into a covenant relationship with himself? Yes! Yes! Yes! And yes! All that and so much more. Listen to what scripture says about this from 2 Corinthians 5:11-15.

Today in the medical world, tests can be run to find out what is wrong or if a particular growth is malignant or benign. This is important because the results will tell us whether we should be concerned or not. But what about our relationship with Christ? How can we be certain that we truly do have a saving relationship with Christ? The Bible provides us with a way to test our Christianity to tell us how we're doing or if we should be concerned. This message is from 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.

How can we be sure God is really working all things for our good? How can we be sure God will keep his promises he has made to believers regarding our future destiny? How can we be certain that through our suffering God "is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17)? What assurance do we have that these things are true? These are the questions the apostle Paul deals with in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.

In this passage, Paul helps us understand more clearly how, as believers, "we do not lose heart" in the face of suffering. He will do this by helping us understand that, in many ways, suffering is a blessing and a means of grace from God.

Ever wonder how the apostle Paul was able to endure all that he suffered without losing his mind or his faith? It's not because Paul was just tougher than most of us nor because he was just wired differently. What was it about Paul that enabled him to persevere in the face of tremendous suffering? In this passage, Paul more specifically details how he was able to endure suffering without giving up.

In this passage, Paul tells us that despite the struggles he goes through in life, the trials, tribulations, false accusations, rejection of the gospel message by most, he does not become discouraged, will not resort to worldly tactics, and will continue to preach the truth of God's word because the fact that most reject his message is not a reflection on himself, but on Satan who has blinded their minds. Secondly, he does this not for himself but for Jesus' glory and to serve the church. And finally, he does what he does out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for him.

In the previous passage (3:12-16), Paul discussed how the glory of the new covenant surpasses the glory of the old covenant, the Mosaic Law. Now, from vv.16-18, he points out two major benefits of being in the new covenant community, of beholding the glory of Christ as it is revealed in the new covenant; namely, regeneration and sanctification.

Why is it that some people can read the Bible or hear the gospel and immediately believe and understand, while others just never seem to get it? What makes the difference? Listen and find out.

This passage discusses the surpassing glory and splendor of the new covenant inaugurated by Christ over and against the covenant of law implemented by Moses. This text is arguing against Judaizers who have gone into Corinth and are encouraging Christians that they still need to keep the law of Moses. But the new covenant far surpasses the Mosaic covenant which has been "brought to an end."

Are you tired of trying to earn favor with God? Stop trying, and find your rest in Christ.

Paul shares where he gets his confidence from and what makes him think he is sufficient to be a minister of the gospel. There is lots here to be encouraged by. If you have ever struggled with believing you are insufficient in your role as a husband or wife, or that you are insufficient and lacking as a parent, or that God could never use you for his glory, feeling like a failure, then you will want to listen to this message.

Paul defends his apostolic ministry, specifically addressing the Corinthians' concern that he did not present them with a letter of recommendation from the apostles in Jerusalem, nor did he ask the Corinthians for a letter of recommendation to continue his ministry. However, in doing so, Paul conveys some very important and encouraging truths regarding the fulfillment of the promise of the new covenant, and the evidence in the believer's life of God's saving grace.

Paul describes his derailed plans and how he was not able to stay in Troas, despite there being an opportunity for the gospel. Yet, Paul was not discouraged by his plans being derailed. Paul was able to see the silver lining in his plans going sideways. If you feel like your plans in life are constantly being derailed, like life is not going the way you had hoped, this message should prove to be encouraging.

Within a local church, and within the life of the believer, unforgiveness is a weak point in our defensive line against our enemy, the devil. If and when he notices that weak point, that chink in our armor, within the church or within our heart, he will exploit it for all he can.

This Sunday, we continue in our Advent worship services, continuing the theme "The Jesus We Celebrate." This Sunday, the Advent reading comes from Matthew 1:18-25, and we will be focusing on the name Immanuel, and lighting two of the Advent candles.

Life does not always go the way we think it will go. Things do not always turn out the way we may think they will turn out. This can sometimes lead to feelings of regret, thinking that where we are is solely the result of bad decisions. This can also lead others to think less of us, believing that our change of course is the result of character flaws or something that is lacking in us. If you have ever experienced this, you are not alone. The apostle Paul went through the same thing with the church in Corinth. Because he changed his travel plans, they thought he could no longer be trusted. He lacked integrity. So how does Paul respond to these accusations? This is what we look at in 2 Corinthians 1:15-22.

There will always be people who will misunderstand your best intentions, who will assume the worst in you, who will impute negative motives to your actions or to your decisions. When this happens, it can be difficult to endure, especially when you were honestly trying to do what was best for the other person. The apostle Paul went through a similar experience with the church in Corinth, and so in this passage we take a look at how he responded to them.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does it sometimes seem that no matter how hard we try to do the right thing, to please God, everything just seems to be falling apart all around us? Why does God allow suffering in the believer's life, and how can we make it through without losing our faith? These are the questions we will wrestle with from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, "The Blessings of Suffering."

Life is tough. Filled with trials, tribulations, and suffering. Sometimes this suffering is the natural consequence of our own actions, but often we suffer simply from living life in a fallen world. Often, we experience physical suffering, emotional suffering, and even spiritual suffering through no fault of our own (think Job). But how do we survive suffering without losing our minds, or worse, without losing our faith? This passage from 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, will give us the tools we need to avoid a crisis of faith when we walk through the fires of life.

Why does God allow suffering in the believer's life? The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of suffering and pain during his lifetime. Was there a purpose for it? Did God have a reason? If so, what are those reasons?

The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of suffering, both at the hands of unbelievers and fellow Christians. Paul writes 2 Corinthians in response to a painful visit he had with the church in Corinth where he was severely and personally attacked by the church he planted and ministered to. Thus, 2 Corinthians is a book about suffering, and how God comforts believers in the midst of that suffering.

Biblical, God-honoring, Christ-exalting, love is a love that is steadfast and immovable because this is the kind of love with which God loves his people. This is the kind of love with which Christ's loves the Church.

What does it mean that love "hopes all things" or that love is always hopeful? Does it mean that love always hopes for a good outcome in the way one hopes it will rain tomorrow? Hoping for good, but not certain it will happen. Or, does it mean something deeper, something more concrete, something more encouraging? Listen, as Pastor Hexon explains from 1 Corinthians 13:7.

What does it mean that love believes all things? It cannot mean that love is naive or gullible as there has never been anyone more loving than Christ, and he was neither naive nor gullible. Then what does it mean? Listen to find out.

Biblical, God-honoring, Christ-exalting love bears all things or always bears up. But what does that mean? And how is that different from endures all things? Listen as Pastor Hexon explains from 1 Corinthians 13:7

The fact that love is patient and kind, does that mean loving Christians should never offend? Should Christians just 'go along' in order 'to get along?' Listen as Pastor Hexon answers these questions.

It has been said that not forgiving others is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die. But scripture tells us that 'love is not resentful.' That is, love holds no record of wrong done to us. Love is willing to forgive. Listen, as Pastor Hexon explains from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

God is "slow to anger" because "God is love" (Ex 34:6; 1 Jn 4:8). And Christians are called to be imitators of God (Eph 5:1).

As we continue in this series on love, listen as Pastor Hexon explains what it means that love does not seek its own.

"Love does not elbow its way into conversations, worship services, or public institutions in a disruptive, discourteous, attention-seeking way."

In this message, we look at what it means for love to not be arrogant or prideful.

In this message we continue through our series, "Love: The Heart of the Gospel" from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and are looking at the fact that love does not boast. This is different from love not being arrogant, which is next week. But what does it mean that love does not boast, and why does it matter? Listen to find out.

As we continue walking through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in our series, "Love: The Heart of the Gospel," in this message Pastor Hexon talks about the fact that love does not envy. Love is not envious of what others have, just the opposite is true. But why is that? Why must this be true about love?

In this message, we will be looking at what it means for love to be kind. What does it mean that love is kind? True love, biblical love, God-honoring love, is not only patient, but kind.

As we continue our series through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love: The Heart of the Gospel," we will be talking about love as patience. What does it mean that love is patient? What is patience? What does it look like in the lives of believers?

This message introduces our series on love, titled "Love: The Heart of the Gospel" from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. We will spend 15 weeks walking through this passage in order to better understand what love is and how it should behave.

Paul ends this letter on a very sweet and loving note, a letter which at times has been harsh. But Paul wants to end by reminding the church of the driving theme throughout this epistle, that which truly unites the church-love.

Paul ends this letter on a very sweet and loving note, a letter which at times has been harsh. But Paul wants to end by reminding the church of the driving theme throughout this epistle, that which truly unites the church—love.

Paul encourages the church to submit to and honor those who labor for Christ and on behalf of the church. While all Christians are of equal value to God, not all positions hold equal status within the church.

Paul encourages the church to submit to and honor those who labor for Christ and on behalf of the church. While all Christians are of equal value to God, not all positions hold equal status within the church.

Paul offers the church in Corinth one last strong exhortation in the hopes of keeping them on track. Throughout the letter he has corrected many of the ways they have drifted from sound theology. Now that he's placed them back on track, he is hoping they'll stay the course.

Article 17 from the First London Baptist Confession of Faith -1646-

Article 17 from the First London Baptist Confession of Faith (1646)