Podcasts about Corinth

   Have you ever found yourself in a situation where conflicting priorities or values in your life caused you to feel you were in a ‘no win’ situation? If so, what did you do to resolve the conflict in your soul? In our study of 1 Corinthians 7 today let’s look at what Paul wrote to some Christians in Corinth who were facing that situation. (Click here to see full text, images and links)    Pastor Doug Anderson    “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)Have a comment or question about today's chapter? I'm ready to hear from you, contact me here. Interested in helping "Walking with Jesus" financially? Click here

Wednesday, 2 September 2026   saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Matthew 22:24   “...saying, ‘Teacher, Moses, he said if anyone, he should die not having children, he will affinitize the ‘brother, his, the wife, his', and he will raise seed – the ‘brother, his'.'” (CG)   In the previous verse, the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus to query Him, “saying, ‘Teacher, Moses, he said if anyone, he should die not having children, he will affinitize the ‘brother, his, the wife, his'.'”   A new word is seen here, epigambreuó, to affinity with. It is from epi, upon, and gamos, a marriage or wedding. This is its only use in the New Testament. Of this word, Vincent's Word Studies says –   “From γαμβρός [gambros], a word used in classical Greek to denote any one connected by marriage' a brother-in-law, father-in-law, even a bridegroom. The word is appropriate here because it refers to marriage between marriage-relatives.”   The matter brought by the Sadducees refers especially to a levirate type of marriage. That is described in Deuteronomy 25 –   “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband's brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. 6 And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. 7 But if the man does not want to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband's brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.' 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,' 9 then his brother's wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother's house.' 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.'” Deuteronomy 25:5-10   An example of such a marriage is found in the account of Tamar and the sons of Judah in Genesis 38. Of the Sadducees' question, they continue their words to Jesus, saying, “and he will raise seed – the ‘brother, his'.” This is just what was described by Moses in Deuteronomy 25.   Based on this mandate, the Sadducees will propose a question to Jesus.   Life application: The Unwilling Brother. Why was this ancient rite included in the Law of Moses? As noted, the precept predates the law. A brother was to step in and perform the duty of the brother-in-law. The account in Deuteronomy provides a short review of the inability of the law to bring forth children.   Man, once connected to God, is the dead husband, typified by Adam. The woman represents humanity. A son, in this scenario, would indicate a spiritual reconnection to God. Adam, the man who was once spiritually alive, died and left her no such children.   The purpose of Genesis 38 was to set that idea as a precedent. The story there is one that anticipates the restoration of this spiritual connection to God. To understand that passage, refer to the Genesis 38 sermons from the Superior Word. A full typological explanation is provided there.   Life under the Law of Moses is typologically given as the brother. It is, ostensibly, available to give children to the woman as a brother-in-law. As it says in Leviticus 18 –   “And you will guard My enactments and My verdicts, which he will do them, the man, and he will live in them. I, Yehovah.” Leviticus 18:5 (CG)   However, “being under law” does not delight in the woman, and is – in fact – in a state that is at enmity with her. Paul states that explicitly in Ephesians 2 –   “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.” Ephesians 2:14, 15   In typology, life under the law will not perform the duty to give the woman a son. Hence, she performs the rite of disgracing him and stripping him of any authority to ever have any right to her again. However, Christ is of the woman, meaning humanity. And of Him, it says in the law itself –   “Then I said, ‘Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight [khapets] to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.'” Psalm 40:7, 8   Because life under the law would not perform the duty, as is evidenced in the 1400+ years of it bringing no one to restoration with God, Christ came to do it. He delighted to do the will of God, and He performs what life under the law was unwilling to perform.   In this, He – as a member of humanity – took away the authority of the law and brought it to its end. Thus, life under the law is “The house of him who had his sandal removed.”   This is indicated in Paul's words to those at Corinth, saying, “And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.' The last Adam became a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). God in Christ is the nearer brother who could, and who did, give a Son, His Firstborn, to the barren woman. From there, life is restored to any who come to Him.   The lesson: There are no born-again children in humanity through life under the law, not before, nor will there ever be. Only in Christ is there a delight in bringing children to God through humanity. In this Son comes a new family, among whom Christ Jesus is the Firstborn.   Deuteronomy 25 is a beautiful passage, found in the law, that conveys to us the truth that life under law is insufficient to save anyone. Only in Christ's fulfillment of the law is there any hope for fallen man. That thought is perfectly expressed by Paul in Romans 3 –   “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” Romans 3:21, 22   The law itself witnesses to what God was going to do in Christ. Righteousness is imputed to those who simply reach out to God through Him, by faith, and accept what He has done.   If you have friends or family stuck in some law-observant church, keep pecking away at them. Their time is short, and they have an infinitely high hill to climb going that route. They won't make it. Trust in Christ, rest in Christ, and put away your futile attempts at pleasing God through any other avenue than Jesus Christ.   He is the answer to the problem that separates us from God. And surprisingly, the law itself testifies to that fact. Thank God for Jesus Christ.   We are so grateful to You, O God, for sending Jesus to be our Kinsman Redeemer, bringing us back to Yourself through Him. We thank You for the eternal life that is granted to us through what Jesus has done. Thank You for ever and ever. Amen.

In Week 4 of our Good News series, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 5 and 6 to address biblical sexual ethics and identity in Christ. Comparing and contrasting ancient Corinth and modern culture, the sermon exposes the flawed belief that bodily actions carry no spiritual weight. Rather than approaching the topic with shame or behavior modification, the message delivers gospel clarity: our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with an unthinkable price, and designed to honor God.  

Possibly the most heart moving chapter for us in Scripture is today's 15th chapter in 1st Corinthians – of course, that depends on how ‘alive' our heart is!  Paul writes on the absolute certainty that the resurrection of Christ really happened.  It is the foundation of “the gospel in which you stand and by which you are being saved.”]v.1,2]  He reminds these former idol-worshippers that “I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins … that he was raised the third day …” [v.3,4]   This gave real meaning to their lives, as it does to ours. We can say that if we have real conviction of this event, that conviction becomes the ‘engine' of the ‘thought processes' that transform the way we see the meaning of life.  How well that ‘engine' is functioning is evidenced by the priorities we have in daily and weekly life. The people of Corinth had formerly been idol worshippers, they had believed they had a ‘soul' that was immortal that it was a blessing when it escaped from their body at death to then lead some sort of immortal existence!   There are still some relatively primitive people today who believe this, but far more significant at the moment is the Islamic conviction, from the Qur'an, that the souls of martyrs go directly to paradise – a conviction that is surely a significant factor in the minds of those who commit the atrocities we are witnessing in the world at the moment.Paul goes on to list those who were witnesses that Christ rose from the dead; on one occasion “he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive” [v.6].  We reflect the thinking of the Roman Centurions –  their thinking was effectively challenged through their contact with Jesus, at least some were convinced of his divine powers, see Matt 8 v.5-13; Luke 3 v.3-6. A Centurion and others with him saw “what took place (at the crucifixion) and they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” [Matt 27 v.54]Then of course Acts 10 has the account of the conversion of the Roman Centurion Cornelius – and many with him.  Surely the impact of these experiences was the reason why there were so many followers of Christ in Rome in A.D. 63 whom the emperor Nero sought to put to death, according to Roman historians, e.g. Tacitus, circa AD 110.  They saw the events of Calvary as “of first importance” – it transformed their thinking, as it did all those who had witnessed him alive after his resurrection – creating the conviction of their own hope of resurrection!  Those alive at his return, and surely that includes some (many?) alive today who truly believe these things are “of first importance” and are baptised, they, says Paul, “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet … and put on immortality.” [v.51,53] All with this conviction of belief and expectation, will, as Paul expresses it at the end of this chapter, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord …”  

Acts 18 tells us what happened during Paul's eighteen months in Corinth. First Corinthians tells us what was happening inside him while it did. In this message we look at both.Corinth was built on strength, beauty, eloquence, and success. Hide your weakness, show off your best, win at all costs. Paul arrives as the most credentialed missionary of his day and instead of booking the biggest venue, he finds a leather shop and goes to work. He later writes that he came in weakness, with fear and trembling, resolved to know nothing but Christ crucified. That wasn't a strategy that failed. A performed gospel produces performed converts, and a faith built on performance collapses the moment a better show comes to town.We also sit with what Jesus says to Paul in the middle of the night: do not be afraid, keep speaking, I am with you, I have many people in this city. Courage isn't a temperament. It comes from seeing who is with you.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 16:1–24

We are discipled by Christian influencers who don't know our name, and it makes us disagree with people in our own church who do.We're beginning a seven-month series in 1 Corinthians, and Pastor Jim Essian opens with the letter's central diagnosis: the church in Corinth looked too much like Corinth and not enough like the cross.Paul doesn't start with their mess — and there was plenty of it. He starts with their identity. Sanctified saints, together. Because identity precedes behavior, for a person and for a church.Then he names the division. Four tribes, each claiming a teacher, each quietly convinced they were the better Christian. Paul's real concern wasn't doctrine. It was self-exaltation, and the posture underneath it: I have no need of you.The hard question isn't whether you're right. It's whether you need them to be wrong.Corinth's symbol was the wreath. America's is the platform. Ours is the cross — and a wreath tells you what you won, while the cross tells you what you're worth.Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17Preached by Jim Essian at The Paradox Church in Fort Worth, TX—We saturate Fort Worth and beyond with the glory and grace of Jesus — by praying heaven down, preaching the gospel, planting churches, and pushing back darkness.Plan a visit: [prdx.ch/sunday-gatherings]Join a city group: prdx.ch/citygroups Give: prdx.ch/give Subscribe for new messages every week.Full series: https://www.theparadoxchurch.com/the-multiplying-churchPrdx — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradoxftworthFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theparadoxchurchPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-paradox-church/id1126059565

Vern Streeter | Guest Speaker | August 30, 2026 Referenced Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 Generosity inspires generosity (1-2)Follow-through turns vision into reality (3-4)Preparing for generosity prevents arm-twisting (5) Reflection Questions:1. Rate yourself (1-10) on a Parsimony Scale (Parsimony: Extreme unwillingness to spend money). 1 = I hate spending money and do it as little as possible. 10 = I spend myself into oblivion. 2. Where did you learn that? Who taught you that? 3. Rate yourself (1-10) on an Avarice Scale (Avarice: Extreme greed for wealth). 1 = Money and material gain drives all my decisions. 10 = Money is a tool and I only need a couple tools. 4. Where did you learn that? Who taught you that? 5. Have you ever been fooled/manipulated into giving money for someone/something? What happened and how did that feel? How has that affected your generosity? 6. The churches in Macedonia inspired the church in Corinth to be generous. Who has positively influenced your generosity and how have they done that? 7. What things can you do to not give “grudgingly” (reluctantly because of avarice)? (2 Cor. 9:5). 8. How does grace (unearned kindness) affect your view and practice of generosity? What's your next step? * Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard * Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children * Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students * Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give * Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman * Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app * Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - Undeserved Kindness(00:02:58) - Second Corinthians 8: Unreasonable Grace(00:08:58) - How to Stop Ranting After the Service(00:14:55) - Be Ready for The Corinthians(00:20:35) - Paul's Appeal to the Macedonians(00:23:47) - The Truth of Tithing(00:27:37) - A QR Code for Grace and Generosity(00:29:20) - Paul on Giving Less Than We Should(00:36:07) - A Moment of Praise

Alexander the Great is a name that sounds almost more legendary than real. In tonight's episode, we will talk about his time, his life and his conquests. Born from King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias of Epirus, educated by Aristotle, Alexander takes the lead of the League of Corinth, a coalition of Greek states. He leads his army into the conquest of the greatest empire of the time: the empire of the Achaemenids. He ends up conquering it entirely, defeating Darius III at the decisive battles of Issus and Gaugamela, and founding an empire that stretches from Greece to India, and Central Asia to Egypt. I will tell you what we know of the man himself too, and how his achievements changed the world. This content is entirely scripted and recorded by real people, it includes no AI, and mid-roll ad breaks are turned off so that you can relax without interruption. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Alexander the Great 02:35 Greece, Macedon, and Persia 12:15 Rise of Macedon 22:32 From Child to King 39:11 Anatolia to Egypt 55:26 What We Know of the Man 1:03:22 Fall of the Achaemenids 1:13:46 Death and Aftermath #sleep #documentary #bedtimestory #asmr #sleepstory #history #alexanderthegreat Welcome to Lights Out Library Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Sit back, relax, and fall asleep to documentary-style bedtime stories read in a calming ASMR voice. Learn something new while you enjoy a restful night of sleep. Listen ad free and get access to bonus content on our Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/LightsOutLibrary621⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoy my audiobook on Ancient Egyptian History, Myths & Mysteries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6mCqX5FoO6uCilrWCS8mB9?si=e1ecb983d2534d69⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LightsOutLibraryov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ¿Quieres escuchar en Español? Echa un vistazo a La Biblioteca de los Sueños! En Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1t522alsv5RxFsAf9AmYfg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/la-biblioteca-de-los-sue%C3%B1os-documentarios-para-dormir/id1715193755⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LaBibliotecadelosSuenosov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We now come to a special part of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, these are chapters 12 to 14, and the first two are for today and they start, “Now concerning spiritual gifts ….” And Paul seeks to put their understanding of these gifts into a godly perspective.  Paul first makes the point, “When you were pagans you were led astray…” [v.2] At that time they had experienced all kinds of trances and ecstasy, as can still be observed among some primitive peoples today, being seen as ‘gifts' from their imagined gods. Paul tells them that, as members of Christ, “there are varieties of gifts … and there are varieties of service, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone” [v.4-6].  These are to be used “for the common good”.   [v.7] – not in competition.  These gentiles in Corinth had no Bible to read, and so “through the Spirit … one is given … the utterance of wisdom … another the utterance of knowledge …”  The gift of tongues is mentioned last – and Paul counsels them to “earnestly desire the higher gifts” [v.31] adding, “and I will show you a still more excellent way.” This brings us to the marvellous exposition he gives on the value of love.  In ch. 13.  One can “have all faith … but have not love” then, says Paul, “I am nothing” [v.2,1]  In ch. 12 Paul had made the point, which we might fail to stress, “”Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”  Collectively, together we make up “the body of Christ.”  For, says Paul, “the body does not consist of one member but of many.” [v.14] Believers must team together as parts of Christ's body of believers, using the individual abilities they have been given for the common good – above all, to display and practise the collective character of Christ.  In that way, our children who have not yet accepted Christ will be influenced – and of course, unbelievers – if they are seekers, will be attracted.  Head knowledge is essential, but is only half of “the body” – our hearts are the other half!   A body is “dead” if it has no heart:  Head and heart team together to produce faith    The end of ch. 13 sums it all up, “So now faith, hope and love abide … but the greatest of these is love.”  To finish, let us meditate on that verse: in the kingdom age, hope will be fulfilled and turn into sight, so faith will not be needed.  The one thing that will “abide” is “love.”  That will be the all-embracing spirit of mind in that wondrous time, how vital we develop it now if we aim, by His grace, to be there.    

Paul continues to identify the many things the believers in Corinth were failing to do properly. Human nature has always been inclined toward competition, the initial competition as to which of them would be the greatest among the disciples is an example of this [Luke 22 v.24], but after the resurrection this never happened, Peter could write of himself as simply being a  “fellow elder” [1 Peter 5 v.1]Paul spells out the order of responsibility very plainly in v.3 of today's chapter (1 Cor.11). “I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”  Then Paul writes of outward appearances that symbolise this order of responsibility, “… a wife … let her cover her head” but “a man ought not to cover his head” [v.6,7]   This is “when you come together” [v.18] to worship, but we must note v. 11 as this spells out another vital principle, “Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman.”   Life in the Lord demands teamwork – “working together” [2 Cor. 6 v.1, see also Eph. 4 v.16] “for the glory of God” [Rom. 15 v.7] as the disciples had learnt to do.  Yet human nature keeps failing, sadly it seems inevitable, it certainly was in Corinth at that time – and we ponder the point Paul makes in v.19, “… there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognised.”   The sequel that eventually arises from this is spelt out by John in his 1st letter, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us”. Paul spells out the well-known description of how the Lord's last supper should be kept – this is followed by a warning against doing so “in an unworthy manner” [v.27]. Those who do so will “be condemned along with the world” [v.32] and the climax of that condemnation is getting very close as we recognise how our world has become a latter-day Babylon, so let us try ever harder, as Paul expresses it in his first verse to “be imitators of me (Paul) as I am of Christ.” 

What if spiritual maturity is less about how much we know—and more about what is growing between us?In this episode, we share the conversations behind “Built to Last” in 1 Corinthians 3. We talk about Corinth as a crossroads, the dark side of excellence, Jesus washing the feet of disciples still arguing about greatness, and the difference between the instrument and the source.Paul planted. Apollos watered. God made it grow.Where do you need the Spirit to guide growth in you and your relationships?

Sparta can't beat Athens at sea without money, and Persia can't claw back Ionia without Greek help. That single, uncomfortable truth kicks off the Ionian War, and it turns the late Peloponnesian War into something colder and more transactional than ever. We pick the narrative back up right as Persian influence returns to the Aegean not with armies, but with silver.We start with the post-Sicily landscape: Athens is wounded, its allies are restless, and Sparta finally senses a path to cracking the Athenian Empire by encouraging revolts. Thucydides shows how messy that plan becomes in practice. Earthquakes, festivals, and competing priorities stall the Peloponnesian fleet, and Athens uses the breathing room to investigate Chios, shadow enemy movements, and even score a demoralizing Spartan setback near Corinth that proves Athens is still dangerous on the water.Then Alcibiades steps into the gap. From inside Sparta, he keeps the Chios operation alive, manipulates rival power centers, and rides with a tiny squadron that helps flip one of Athens' strongest naval allies. Once Chios goes, defections spread across the Anatolian coast and the stakes jump again when Miletus joins the revolt. That opens the door for Tissaphernes to negotiate the first Sparta-Persia treaty under Darius II, a vague agreement whose irony is impossible to miss: Sparta, once the face of Greek resistance, now helps Persia reassert claims over Greek cities.We close with Athens' counterpunch: securing Samos as a vital naval base, checking revolt on Lesbos, tightening pressure on Chios, and winning outside Miletus before wisely withdrawing when major reinforcements arrive, including Syracusan crews fresh from the destruction of the Sicilian Expedition. The result is an uneasy balance at the end of 412 BC, and a set of big questions that drive everything next: can Persian gold become lasting Spartan sea power, and can Athens hold the line with a thinning fleet?If you're enjoying Casting Through Ancient Greece, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the series. Support the show

Acts 18:1-11 | Paul in Corinth | 27 August 2026

Season 7, Episode 1 | Pastor Chad launches Season 7 solo, introducing 1 Corinthians and walking through the opening greeting to set the context for Paul's letter to the church in Corinth.

The Apostle Paul demonstrates what it is to give the Lord “undivided devotion” [1 Cor.7 v.35].  We have to acknowledge however that his case was exceptional, although there were others who remained single, e.g. Barnabas, as we will read tomorrow in ch. 9 v.5,6. We note that Peter, the leading Apostle, had a wife (Matt 8 v.14 ).  Jeremiah, whose long journey as a prophet  in serving the LORD we have nearly finished reading, is never mentioned as having a wife. Paul is sometimes misquoted as though he counsels believers not to marry; however, it is clear that Corinth is experiencing considerable chaos and Paul writes, after first admitting, “I have no command from the Lord,” that, “I think in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is….  Do not seek a wife.  But if you do marry, you have not sinned …” [v.25-28]    The vital thing is to become “firmly established in … heart” [v.37] and the daily feeding of our mind on godly thoughts and advice is a vital ingredient in achieving that. An example of the opposite, of an unstable character with an unbelieving wife, is seen in the behaviour of Ahab in today's chapter in 1 Kings 21.  Yet even he, after his evil wife Jezebel had orchestrated the death of Naboth, apparently without him being aware, an act that enabled him to gain Naboth's vineyard; when he is confronted by and denounced by Elijah, “humbled himself before” God [v.29].              As a result God says, “I will not bring the disaster in his days: but in his son's days I will bring the disaster …”  However, as we will read tomorrow, it is soon God's will that he shall die because he listens to false prophets rather than a prophet of the LORD and, despite disguising himself, is killed in battle. As life's battles increase in these days, and, the world's fears increase, let us try even harder to give to our Lord “undivided devotion” – and, if we have a wife or a husband and can do this together, then let us see, if we haven't already seen, how much we can still accomplish in the service of our Lord and Saviour. 

The passing of a biblical generation, Rosary with alligators, baptizing the dead in Corinth and more on Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

What if doing whatever you want isn't actually freedom? In this message, Pastor Matt Piland dives into 1 Corinthians 5 & 6 to address a major tension in both ancient Corinth and modern society: the difference between cultural freedom and gospel freedom. Discover why obedience is a response to grace, how good desires can become subtle masters, and how the cross gives us the power to lay down our rights for the sake of love.  

We live in a world which likes to say that ‘You are the most important person!'  Self-centredness is encouraged – and that is understandable if you believe there is no God, that everything that exists just evolved – mysteriously creating itself: but we know this is all a human delusion!We must look at the reality of life – from God's perspective – and Paul is a great help to us, for that is how he sees life as we read today in 1 Corinthians ch. 6 as he encourages the believers to see life from this perspective.  Some of them were misbehaving; there is “sexual immorality” in Corinth.  He asks, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” [v.15]          Then he adds another question, “Do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her?” [v.16]   These points are a prelude to his appeal to them to see the bigger scene – of what their lives really should become  – to ‘grow' and see spiritual realities, recognising more and more their position as “members of Christ.”  That is a wonderful, but at the same time, a challenging vision to conceive in our mind.        “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you which you have from God?” This is followed by an equally significant point, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.” [v.19,20]  How can we, do we, accomplish this?               In v.17 we read, “He who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him”  A unique oneness of mind develops! But recall what we read at the end of ch. 2,  “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God …. They are spiritually discerned … For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him.  But we have the mind of Christ.”   The next chapter shows the Corinthians had not yet developed this – and us?  The Corinthians were not yet “spiritual people” but “infants in Christ” [3 v.1]  – and us? Another vital question – how do we “glorify God in (y)our body?”   How did Jesus?  He set the example, followed by Paul, our Lord had total commitment to serve God in all that he said and did – to make God's will – his will.  As we do this, we realize more and more clearly what it is to “have the mind of Christ.”  As we change the way we think we become more and more selective of the things in life that help us to become more like Christ.  Do you not know this?  Is Christ the most important person in your life?  He should be.

Why would a loving church ever put someone out of its fellowship? On this Beyond the Notes episode, Pastor Russell Howard takes us past his Sunday notes on church discipline and into a real case history from the New Testament. Walking through 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 2, he traces how the church at Corinth confronted a man in serious, public, unrepentant sin, and how, about a year later, that same man repented and was restored. He connects it all to the steps Jesus laid out in Matthew 18. You will walk away seeing that church discipline is not about driving people away but about calling them home, for their good and the health of the whole church. For anyone who has wondered how grace and accountability fit together, this one brings clarity. Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com New to McGregor? Plan a visit at mcgregor.net/plan-a-visit

Recorded days after Synod 2023. Last of three reruns in the Before We Knew series. Jason says at the outset that he is not getting into the weeds of what happened at synod. He had been processing the week out loud with Rachel, including his own committee's material being tabled to the following year, and her reply was: so you're telling me that reformation is messy. He takes that as the correction. His own impatience keeps him expecting things to move quickly and on his timeline, and they never do. Over the course of the drive he moved from discouraged to encouraged. The middle of the episode is two texts. From 2 Corinthians, which he points out is probably Paul's fourth letter to Corinth rather than his second — the church there was a mess for a long time and no single letter fixed it. He reads 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, on being burdened beyond strength and despairing of life itself so as to rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead, and 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, treasure in jars of clay, afflicted but not crushed. The point he draws from both: if reformation comes to the CRC it will be because God did it, not because anyone was powerful or smart. Then Calvin, writing about Geneva after his expulsion, as he considered returning. Placed in that station by God like a sentinel at his post, from which it would be impiety to move a single foot; not a day passed in which he did not ten times over long for death, and yet the thought of leaving never came. Jason applies it directly: this is not an excuse to leave, it is a call to stay, even when disappointed, even when frustrated, even when out-politicked. He then lists what synod actually accomplished, against the mood people left with. Two vote counts were given, at 72 percent and 68 percent conservative, in line with the year before — and he says plainly that he was wrong, having predicted 60 to 66 percent for months. Synod 2022 was not a fluke and neither was 2023. Confessional status was upheld. Neland Avenue's appeal was not sustained. Classes and the denomination's institutions and agencies were instructed to come into alignment. The majority report on gravamen was about to pass, which he reads as the reason the end of synod became as chaotic as it did. He also names a new unity among conservative delegates, quoting a brother who texted afterward that for the first time in thirty years he had found the kind of brothers he expected to meet in seminary in the nineties. The charge comes last. The work stopped on the one-yard line, everyone knows where the ball is, and the question is who will lead the CRC now. He quotes a text he received — if conservatives leave now, they never wanted to lead anything — and directs it at his own side: stay and lead your congregation, your classis, your denomination. He closes on reward. Hebrews 11 on Moses counting the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward, and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 on light momentary affliction preparing an eternal weight of glory. Good work was done at Synod 2023 and it did not produce the earthly outcome people wanted; it may never. The reward is stored elsewhere. Timestamps: 0:00 — Series intro 1:40 — Original episode begins 1:55 — On naming a podcast The Messy Reformation 2:15 — The drive home from Grand Rapids 2:34 — "So you're telling me that reformation is messy" 3:00 — Impatience, and expecting things on your own timeline 3:39 — Read 2 Corinthians 4:13 — Probably Paul's fourth letter, not his second 4:53 — 2 Corinthians 1: burdened beyond our strength 5:38 — 2 Corinthians 4: treasure in jars of clay 6:25 — We are not a big deal; God brings reformation 7:04 — Calvin on returning to Geneva 7:51 — "A sentinel at his post" 8:14 — "Not a day passed in which I did not ten times over long for death" 9:49 — Not an excuse to leave; a call to stay 10:31 — Staying when you get out-politicked 10:59 — The two vote counts: 72 percent and 68 percent 11:16 — "I have to say that I was wrong" 11:42 — Synod 2022 was not a fluke, and neither was 2023 12:01 — Confessional status upheld, Neland's appeal not sustained 13:01 — The gravamen report that was about to pass 13:40 — A new unity among conservatives 13:56 — "The kinds of brothers I thought I might find in seminary" 15:10 — Stopped on the one-yard line 15:35 — Who is going to lead the CRC? 16:03 — "Stay and lead" 16:26 — "If conservatives leave now, they never wanted to lead anything" 17:03 — Why he is not getting into the weeds this time 17:40 — Eternal reward, not earthly reward 17:52 — Hebrews 11: Moses and the treasures of Egypt 19:22 — "Well done, good and faithful servant" 19:48 — 2 Corinthians 4: we do not lose heart 20:35 — Closing Join and support us on Substack: https://themessyreformation.com/ Intro music by Matt Krotzer

Mark and Cindy explore 1 Corinthians 3:1–9, where Paul teaches the church in Corinth that spiritual maturity is revealed not merely by what we know, but by what we do with what we know. The Corinthians were still behaving like “men of flesh”—marked by jealousy, strife, division, and the tendency to elevate human teachers rather than Christ. Paul reminds them that spiritual growth requires humble, open-hearted listening, moral courage, and a willingness to apply the deeper truths of God's Word. Whether Paul plants or Apollos waters, neither servant is worthy of being idolized, because God is the One who causes the growth. His servants have different roles, but one purpose: to work alongside Him in the most meaningful endeavor imaginable. We are God's field. We are God's building. And while faithful labor will be rewarded, all glory belongs to the God who gives the increase.

Speaker: Kee Won Huh Sermon Series: Lessons From CorinthTitle: Without Love

We have 3 quite dramatic, but also quite diverse readings today.  First the confrontation of Elijah with Ahab.  It is clear God is in control and directing the course of events in the wayward northern kingdom, but there are still a few worthy left, at least 100, which Obadiah had hidden in a cave.  God's punishment on Ahab's kingdom for its godlessness is a terrible drought.In Jeremiah we read that he and the remnant of the people are still in Egypt, where the people had been determined to go, also being determined to continue worshipping idols, especially “the queen of heaven”.  Most of them perish in their godlessness, but again there is a remnant, “a few in number,” who, says the LORD through Jeremiah, “shall return from the land of Egypt” [ch.44 v.28]  Paul's letter to the Corinthians has parallels to this, he makes some extraordinary but wonderful statements about the privileged position true believers have before God, but many in Corinth, at this stage, failed to appreciate this.  “You are God's field, God's building” [3 v.9], he tells them.  “The wisdom of the this world is folly with God” [v.19] We saw this with Ahab and with those who insisted in going down to Egypt. “Do you not know.”  Paul asks them, “that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him.  For God's Temple is holy and you are that temple.” [v.16,17]  The awesome reality in our lives is to genuinely sense the presence of God with us – IN us – as a spiritual temple in which God dwells. It is evident that Elijah and Jeremiah sensed this. Tomorrow, we will read of how Elijah tried to escape from this realization.Over the years there has been times of spiritually unhealthy discussion as to whether we possess the Holy Spirit today.   We do not, it is the other way round, the Spirit of God possesses true believers,  as Paul told the men of Athens, “he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being.'” [Acts 17 v.27,28] “Do you not know” this?

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.” (Psalm 119:1 NLT) The psalmist wrote, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1 NLT). That may come as quite a surprise to people who fail to see the connection between following instructions and joy. Many unbelievers—and believers—have a hard time getting past the “Thou shalt nots” of God’s commandments. They see God as a cosmic killjoy whose primary interaction with humankind is to legislate through His Word the complete elimination of fun and excitement. This isn’t just an accidental misunderstanding of our heavenly Father; it’s the result of a calculated strategy. Look at the serpent’s first words to Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT). He played on her FOMO—fear of missing out—before she was even aware that she had such a fear. The serpent caused her to see God’s command, His only command, as something ponderous and restrictive. And the stigma remains. So, we need to make this clear: People who see the Bible and the Christian life as little more than a list of rules and regulations have not carefully examined Scripture. Yes, God tells us what to avoid. Yes, He warns us of things that are perilous to our spiritual health. At the same time, however, God tells us what to engage in. He reveals to us what will push the buttons of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction that He installed in us. For example, in 2 Timothy 2:22, the apostle Paul writes, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts” (NLT). But then he follows it up with this: “Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (NLT). What an appealing invitation! What potential for life-changing growth, joy, and fulfillment! Believers who merely try to avoid what is evil are missing the point. Loving God isn’t just about what not to do. It’s also about what to do. If you want to be a truly joyful and holy person, you not only should avoid what is wrong, but you should embrace and actively engage in what is right. That’s what walking with the Lord is about. It involves progression, moving forward, rather than sitting still. In Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth, he writes, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NLT). Each one of those things represents forward progress. Paul gives clear commands, and we apply them faithfully in the particular situations God places before us. If we focus only on the “Thou shalt not” commandments of Scripture, we’ll miss those opportunities. Reflection question: Which positive instructions in Scripture will you prioritize this week? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 9, 2026 - Sunday AM Bible Class This episode is a Bible-class-style teaching through Acts 18–19 that examines recurring challenges the church (and individual Christians) will always face. Using Paul's ministry in Corinth and episodes with Apollos and the Ephesian disciples, the lesson focuses on two major themes: overcoming fear and correcting mistaken ideas about salvation. The first section deconstructs the “halo effect” and reminds listeners that Paul was a very human leader who experienced fear—at times trembling in Corinth—despite his apostolic record. The teacher walks through Acts 18:1–11 alongside 1 Corinthians 2:3, Ephesians 6, Colossians 4, 2 Timothy, Psalm 56, Joshua 1:9, Romans 8:18 and other passages to show how Jesus' assurance ("Do not be afraid... I am with you") and the reality of faith-with-fear shaped Paul's response: keep speaking, rely on the divine presence, remember you are not alone, and choose to not be ruled by fear. The classroom discussion also applies this to congregational fears (budgets, membership, ministry change) and personal fears (evangelism, rejection, death, failure). The second section turns to correcting mistaken ideas about salvation, focusing on Acts 18:24–26 and Acts 19:1–7. The lesson contrasts Apollos' powerful but incomplete knowledge (he knew only John's baptism) with Priscilla and Aquila's gentle correction, and Paul's encounter with twelve Ephesian disciples who received John's baptism but had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Key biblical distinctions between John's baptism and baptism in the name of Jesus are highlighted along with why the early church rebaptized some. The episode offers practical, pastoral guidance for talking with people who hold different or incomplete views: acknowledge what they do right, take conversations aside rather than publicly shame, open Scripture together and show the "way of the Lord" more accurately, ask good questions to learn what they truly believe, listen closely, put the matter between the person and the Bible (not denominational opinion), and leave the results with God. It also identifies unhelpful responses to avoid—demeaning language, name-calling, challenging sincerity, or staying silent—and emphasizes speaking the truth in love. There are no outside guests; the hour is driven by classroom teaching and group discussion. Listeners can expect Scripture-based exposition, practical evangelism tips, pastoral counsel for congregational leadership, and clear, actionable steps for addressing fear and doctrinal confusion in real-life ministry settings.   Duration 41:46

Today we started reading Paul's letters to the Corinthians.  He tells the believers there that they have been “sanctified (i.e. declared to be holy) in Christ Jesus” and “called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus” [v.2]   So all genuine believers are “saints” – that is, as in Paul's definition of what makes a person a saint.  A saint is any and every person who is separated from the ways of the world and aims to make their character more and more like that of Jesus – Paul is the outstanding example of someone who achieved this.  Paul is most concerned that the believers in Corinth are not making much progress in developing this although they had benefited from the wonderful “grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge” [v.5]They had initially put to one side as of no value the things the world counted as being of value.  They began a new life, the things they talked about – and sought more knowledge about these most important things  – at least they did this at first!  But as we read Paul's two letters to them we see he has many concerns, coming to understand that many of them were not continuing in the same way as they started.  He encourages them to “wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. “ [v.7,8]  This is equally a message for you and me.  They must grow, says Paul, and become mature, he tells them, “among the mature we do impart wisdom, also it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age who are doomed to pass away.  But we import a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” [ch. 2 v.6-8]  God's word is the source of that wisdom for us, let us make sure we feed our minds on it every day.  

Paul loves the church in Corinth, but at the writing of this letter, the feeling wasn't entirely mutual. The Corinthian church had received a severe letter from Paul that contained instructions about disciplining a church member. This could be the man mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5 or it could be some other person within the church. Whatever the case may be, it pained the church. Paul writes this opening section to bring comfort to the church, to reaffirm his love for them, and to encourage the Corinthians to continue to love him, too. His confidence comes, not from letters of recommendation written by men, but from the Spirit who gives life and opens the eyes of men to see the light of the gospel. 2 Corinthians 1 - 1:08 .  2 Corinthians 2 - 5:53 .  2 Corinthians 3 - 9:45 .  2 Corinthians 4 - 12:56 .  2 Corinthians 5 - 16:21 .  Isaiah 12 – 20:25 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

https://andrewhorval.substack.com/p/book-of-acts-kjv00:00:00 Acts 1 – Promise of the Holy Ghost and Matthias Chosen00:03:37 Acts 2 – Cloven Tongues of Fire and Peter Preacheth00:09:04 Acts 3 – Lame Man Healed and Repentance Declared00:12:37 Acts 4 – Boldness of the Apostles and All Things Common00:16:54 Acts 5 – Ananias and Sapphira Smitten and Prison Opened00:22:09 Acts 6 – Seven Deacons Ordained and Stephen Accused00:24:07 Acts 7 – Stephen's Defense of the Faith and Martyrdom00:31:32 Acts 8 – Philip Preacheth Samaria and the Ethiopian Baptized00:36:27 Acts 9 – Saul's Conversion and Aeneas and Dorcas Healed00:42:11 Acts 10 – Cornelius's Vision and Gentiles Receive the Holy Ghost00:48:14 Acts 11 – Peter Justifieth His Ministry to the Gentiles00:51:53 Acts 12 – James Killed, Peter Delivered, and Herod Smitten00:55:20 Acts 13 – Paul Sent Forth and Elymas the Sorcerer Blinded01:02:16 Acts 14 – Paul Stoned at Lystra and Elders Ordained01:05:53 Acts 15 – Jerusalem Council and Decree Touching the Gentiles01:11:14 Acts 16 – Macedonian Call and Philippian Jailer Saved01:16:30 Acts 17 – Paul at Thessalonica, Berea, and Mars' Hill01:21:19 Acts 18 – Paul at Corinth and Apollos Instructed01:25:07 Acts 19 – Exorcists Confounded and Uproar at Ephesus01:30:33 Acts 20 – Eutychus Raised and Paul's Charge to Elders01:35:19 Acts 21 – Paul Warninged, Arrested, and Bound at Jerusalem01:40:58 Acts 22 – Paul's Defense Before the Jews and Roman Citizenship01:45:02 Acts 23 – Paul Before the Sanhedrin and Plot Defeated01:50:07 Acts 24 – Paul Accused Before Felix and Reasoneth of Judgment01:53:56 Acts 25 – Paul Before Festus and Appeals Unto Caesar01:57:59 Acts 26 – Paul's Defense Before Agrippa and Almost Persuaded02:02:16 Acts 27 – Voyage, Tempestuous Wind, and Shipwreck at Melita02:07:52 Acts 28 – Viper at Melita and Paul Preacheth at RomeView One-Year Reading Plan, Commentary, and Content:https://andrewhorval.substack.com/p/kingjamesbibleinoneyear

The post Let’s go to the city of Corinth. appeared first on Key Life.

Are we being shaped more by the wisdom of our culture or by the way of the cross? In this message, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 2, drawing powerful parallels between ancient Corinth and our modern culture. Discover what it means to stop adapting Jesus to fit our comfort zones and start living with the mind of Christ in a world that needs a countercultural witness.

What happens when a church begins adapting to a changing culture? The Corinthian church offers a sobering warning to churches today. Compromising biblical truth in order to gain cultural acceptance is a dangerous game to play. In this message, Bucky examines how the church at Corinth allowed culture to influence both its message and ministry. He identifies six warning signs that a church has adopted a Corinthian-like model and gives three keys that help churches remain faithful to the message and ministry of Jesus Christ. Would your church get a warning letter from Paul? Listen now and find out.#faithbasedpodcast #biblepodcast #biblicalteachingpodcast #biblestudypodcast

Send us Fan MailAugust 16, 2026      Week 3While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.  There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:1-2Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIVFor the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17What you feed grows.   What you starve dies.Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8Whatever fills you, leads  you.You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 NLTFollow the prompting of the Holy Spirit.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25If your faith isn't challenging you, it's not changing you.God's best for you is found outside your comfort zone .The Holy Spirit may not always make sense, but it will always make a difference .Discussion Questions:What stood out to you most from this week's message? Why?What do you think it practically means to “walk by the Spirit” in everyday life?Galatians 5:17 describes a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. Where do you most commonly experience that internal tug-of-war?Why is telling a trusted, mature believer about a struggle often such an important step toward freedom?Where might God currently be asking you to move outside your comfort zone? Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today's message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Paul is telling the church at Corinth they need to be united, not divided, so he is in the middle of telling them about how to act when they come together. After talking about the gifts of the Spirit and how these gifts are to bring unity to the body, he goes into telling them about a more excellent way...Love. Love is a noun but instead of using adjectives to describe Love, Paul uses verbs. Verbs are action words which means Love is an action, something that we do! DC Talk had it right when they sang about Love being a verb! We break down the ingredients of Love in today's episode.

TLCC

James Romm — Multi-Part, Part Two: Professor James Romm details the violent collapse of the Dionysian dynasty and its influence on Plato's writing. Following a falling out and exile, Dion launched an invasion to liberate Syracuse. However, his rule descended into factionalism, culminating in the assassination of his rival Heraclides and Dion's own eventual murder by his soldiers. The chaos ended when Timoleon of Corinth forced Dionysius the Younger to abdicate; the former tyrant famously spent his final years in Corinth as a humble music teacher. Romm explains that these political failures directly informed the Republic, specifically the allegory of the cave and the concept of the philosopher king. While Plato's letters and Plutarch's accounts attempted to whitewash Dion as a virtuous leader, Romm suggests Plato was often politically naive regarding the brutal realities of Syracusan power. (2)

Loose morals, pagan temples, and rampant materialism made the thriving, turbulent cosmopolitan metropolis of Corinth a fascinating and intimidating place for Paul to bring the Gospel message.

Vern Streeter | Guest Speaker | August 16, 2026 Big Idea: God's unreasonable grace under unreasonable circumstances inspires unreasonable generosity.* Unreasonable economics (1-5)* Unreasonable overflow (6-7)* Unreasonable grace (8-9) Referenced Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 Reflection Questions:1. Got a good laceration story?! 2. What is one thing you learned from the teaching on 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 and what difference will it make? 3. What is both unreasonable and reasonable about Grace (undeserved kindness)? 4. Talk about the “unreasonable equation” in verse 2: Severe suffering + Overflowing Joy + Extreme Poverty = Rich generosity. 5. Have you ever given “as much as you were able, and even beyond your ability?” (v.3) How'd that go? 6. Do you have any interest in “excelling in the grace of giving?” (v. 7) Any ideas how you might do that? 7. Macedonia inspired Corinth to be generous (v. 8). Who has inspired you and how did they do that? Who are you hoping to inspire? 8. Verse 9 is one of the most pithy and profound descriptions of the Gospel of Jesus – what does it mean and what does it mean to you? 9. If you're a Christian, turns out your rich! Reflect on your “wealth” and what you will do with all that. What's your next step? * Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard * Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children * Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students * Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give * Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman * Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app * Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - Non-Reasonable Grace(00:04:37) - Paul in Corinth(00:05:59) - God's Grace for the Macedonian Churches(00:09:17) - undeserved kindness that God has given the Macedonian churches(00:15:52) - Give More(00:16:27) - Jeff Foxworthy on The Privilege of Sharing(00:21:10) - Titus the Comforter(00:25:54) - Paul's Comparison with the Churches(00:30:39) - 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 Moral Analysis

Speaker: Kee Won Huh Sermon Series: Lessons From CorinthTitle: Telos Living.Description:In a culture that often treats singleness as a waiting room on the way to marriage, Paul offers a radically different vision: the single life is not deficient, secondary, or merely a prologue to something better. In Christ, fullness is available in every season, and the life we have now is one we are called to inhabit faithfully and fully.

Continuing with our series “Cutting Thru The Noise”, today Pastor Chase teaches on “The Vanishing Line”. How do we find the Holiness that Paul is challenging the church at Corinth to have, and the Holiness God wants from us? We have to STOP walking so close to the Line between a life in God through his SPIRIT and a life living for ourselves in this world. I need to realize that I can't do it on my own and cry out to God for his Spirit to live within me.Key Scriptures:I Corinthians 6:9-12, Romans 8:38-39,12:2,14:13, I Corinthians 5:6-8,6:12,18,10:23,31, II Timothy 1:7,2:22, I Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 6:10-11,3:16-21, Matthew 6:19, Luke 11:28, James 1:21-25, I John 2:6,15-17,19-20,4:4, Hebrews 12:1, Colossians 4:5, Zechariah 4:6, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 4:13, Deuteronomy 31:6

Introduction: Daniel 12:2 - And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. John 5:29 - ...those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Romans 10:9 - because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 3 Evidences of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-8): The CHURCH . (1 Cor 15:1-2) SCRIPTURE . (1 Cor 15:3-4) Isaiah 53:10 - Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Psalm 16:10 (Acts 2) - For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. EYEWITNESSES . (1 Cor 15:5-8) 3 Evidences You Have Received God's Grace (1 Corinthians 15:9-11): You don't think you're WORTHY . (1 Cor 15:9) You DEFINE yourself by grace. (1 Cor 15:10a) You are motivated to WORK by grace. (1 Cor 15:10b-11) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Unified and Purified: We Live in Grace Jeff Miller Download Audio Transcript 00:041 Corinthians chapter 15. My wife Erin was talking to a good friend of hers, Sharon. And Sharon told her this story that I've been thinking about all week. She said she took a bunch of youth to this youth conference. And they asked everybody to stand up. We're not going to do this here today. But she asked everybody to stand up.00:34I asked everybody to stand up and asked who had been saved for a year. And did they know at least one Bible verse? And if not, sit down. Right? And then who'd been saved for two years? You know two Bible verses. If not, you can sit down. And it went up. Who's been saved five years? Do you know five Bible verses? If not, sit down. And by the time the exercise was done, nobody was standing.01:04And I keep thinking about that. It's not a matter of learning Bible verses to be like ready for Bible bowl or just in case you're on Jeopardy and New Testament is one of the categories. That's not the purpose of learning the Word of God. What is the purpose of learning the Word of God?01:35What you really believe shapes how you live. That's just a reality. You live according to what you really believe is true. We just finished a section of 1 Corinthians with Q&A. And I think it's where this Bible knowledge intersects with the biggest question.02:04we really discover the biblical ignorance of a lot of people in church. And the biggest question is, what happens after we die? You know, thinking about all of those matters, you know, our death and rapture and return of Jesus and resurrection and heaven and hell, and what about all of that? Look, I've been doing this a long time, and I've been part, of so many funerals.02:40And it's always astounding to me, at a funeral, even people that say they've been following Christ for many, many years, it's astounding to me some of the crazy unbiblical things people say.02:56For example, I've heard this many times at a funeral.03:00They're like, well, you know what? God just needed another angel. And I'm like, there is so much wrong with that statement. First of all, God needs nothing, right? Second of all, we don't turn into angels when we die. Where did you get that concept? It's biblical ignorance. That's not really the place. That's not really the place to correct people, right? You don't want a shot block there. I guess that would help to have Miles there with me, I guess, at a funeral.03:30next time that happens.03:32Like, God needs another angel.03:33Miles would just be like, you don't turn into an angel when you die.03:38If you know, you know.03:43Another crazy thing I've heard people say is, well, you know, grandma's just watching over me.03:52You know, little Joey was supposed to have a t-ball game and they were calling for tornadoes and thunderstorms and hail and blizzards and all that.03:59And it didn't.04:00We had perfect weather. Thank you, Grandma. Grandma was watching over me. Well, your Grandma might have been wonderful, but she's not God. Okay? But that's one of the crazy things people believe is our departed loved ones are orchestrating things. You know, another crazy thing, and this might be the craziest, is regarding what happens when we die afterwards, all of these matters. Some people say, well, nobody really knows.04:30That could be the craziest thing because God wrote it all down for us. And when I talk about our Bible ignorance, I hope you don't take that as a guilt trip as much as over the next few weeks we are looking at a chapter in the Bible that answers so many of the questions that so many Christians get wrong.05:00I encourage you to tune in and take notes and look very closely at what God has said. So with that said, let's just bow our heads for a second. I'm going to ask that you would please pray for me to be faithful, to clearly and accurately communicate the word of God. And I will pray for you to have your heart open to receive what it is that God said. All right. Let's just take a moment and pray.05:30before you today with Thanksgiving. I thank you for your word that clears up all of these questions that we wouldn't have answers to otherwise. I thank you for the noise of the children in this room right now. It's a sign of life. And I thank you for parents that want to come and worship you and hear your word and will bring their kids. I thank you for that. Father, I just pray that you eliminate any distractions in our hearts and minds so that we can laser focus on what it is you've said in your word today.06:00This is the most important message there is. And what a tragedy it would be to leave here and have missed it. What it is you've said here in this absolutely awe-inspiring portion of your word. God, we thank you. And we pray in Jesus' name. And all of God's people said, okay, some of God's people said it. The rest weren't ready.06:30We'll try again next week. Come back to Second Service. You can try then too. Okay, so what happens when we die? Well, among many other things the Bible teaches, the Bible is crystal clear on this. You will resurrect from the dead. You will. Everybody, not just believers actually, Everybody rises from the dead. The Bible says unbelievers get an eternal body that's suited for hell and judgment. And believers in Jesus Christ get an eternal body that they will use in glory in heaven forever. Right? Daniel chapter 12 verse 2. Old Testament talks about this. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. Some to everlasting life. And some to shame and everlasting contempt. Jesus taught this, John chapter 5. Those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. There are two resurrections, one for believers, one for non-believers, an eternal body that will live forever somewhere. And 1 Corinthians chapter 15 is all about resurrection.08:00The first stretch is, appropriately, about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And then the back nine of 1 Corinthians 15 is about our resurrection. Look at chapter 15, verse 1. Paul says, Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand.08:31You see, we just spent a lot of time, 1 Corinthians 11, 12, 13, 14, they had all these corporate worship problems. And Paul's like, okay guys, we cleared up some of the details, but the most important thing is getting back to the basics of the gospel itself. And he's talking about resurrection in this chapter. As we said, it is not resurrection.09:00Resurrection is not a part of what we believe. Resurrection is the heart of the gospel. It is the core. It is the very, it's essential to being a Christian. It is absolutely a necessary doctrine that we got to embrace. Look at what Romans chapter 10 says. Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that what? God raised him from the dead. You will be saved. Do you see how a belief in resurrection is directly tied to your salvation? It's non-negotiable. But of course, there's always skeptics, right? You can study the ancient Greeks. Many of the Greeks who lived in Corinth, they didn't believe in a bodily resurrection at all.10:04And even Christians today, they're just not entirely sure what happens.10:14You know, I know there's, okay, so we die, but we're with Jesus, but there is a, okay, so resurrection happens somewhere, but somewhere there's a rapture, and then like Armageddon, and...10:29Well, all of this is clearly taught in 1 Corinthians 15. So he starts with a foundation, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. That's the most important thing we have to embrace, right? So on your outline, three evidences of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first evidence is the church. The first evidence that Jesus rose from the dead, And just in case you're skeptical, you're like, I'm not really sure I believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead. Okay. Well, here's the first evidence of church. Look at chapter 15 again. Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel that I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.11:28The church, he's talking to brothers and sisters here, believers. Notice he says, this message, you received it, you hold fast to it, and you stand in it. Notice here that a real Christian, a real follower of Christ is someone who not only receives the gospel, but also stands in the gospel. Meaning this, a real Christian, a real Born Again, Disciple of Jesus is someone who builds their very life on the gospel. They stand in it. That's so important, church. I think it's a plague in the American church that when we say, what is faith? Faith is just agreeing to a doctrinal statement, right? Faith is just, yeah, yeah, okay, all right, I'm on board with that. Yep, yep, sure, yeah. I don't disagree with any of that. I don't argue with any of that. And they think that's where faith ends.12:26But faith isn't just some intellectual agreement. Faith is, I build my life on this. I lead my family according to what God said. I serve in the church because of what God said. I raise my kids because of what God said. I handle money and stuff because of what God said. Every aspect of my life is built on the truth of God's word. That's what biblical faith is.12:56So Paul says the first proof that we have of the resurrection is that Jesus Christ is alive and he's transforming people in the church. So I am going to ask you to raise your hand if you're sitting here today and you can honestly say the resurrection of Jesus Christ, The Gospel of Jesus Christ transformed me and changed the way that I live. Raise your hand if that's true of you. Okay, so skeptics in the room, look around. You want evidence of the resurrection? Here it is. Here are people that say Jesus Christ is alive and he's changing me. There's your first proof. Right? Oh, there's more. Number two. Scripture. This is the second proof he lists, but it's actually biblically the Most Important. Look at verses 3 and 4. He says, For I delivered to you as of first importance, which I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.14:26Okay, stop there. Do you see that phrase? In accordance with the Scriptures. Paul says, here's our second proof that Jesus rose. Because the Scriptures say that He would. You're like, what Scriptures? Well, keep in mind, when He wrote this, the New Testament was being written. This is one of the earliest books, actually. So when He was referring to the Scriptures, He was talking about what we call the Old Testament. The Jewish Scriptures. The Law and the Proverbs.14:54So what is it in the Old Testament that specifically talks about resurrection? Well, there's a few, but here's a couple of them for sure. Isaiah 53, talking about the Messiah. It says, yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him. He has put him to grief when his soul makes an offering for guilt. Stop there. That's the crucifixion, right? On the cross, God the Father was crushing Jesus.15:24pouring his wrath on Jesus because Jesus was an offering for guilt. That's the crucifixion. Next is the resurrection, right? He shall see his offspring. The only way that's going to happen is if he raises from the dead, right? He shall prolong his days. How's that happen? Resurrection, the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Another big scripture in the Old Testament talking about resurrection is Psalm 1610. This is big because chapter 2, when Peter was preaching at Pentecost, this was the scripture that he was preaching from. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, that's the grave, or let your Holy One see corruption. The promises the Messiah, literally here, will not rot. God, you're not going to leave your Messiah to rot in the grave. That's resurrection, right? So God, in His Word, promised the Messiah would die.16:24and resurrect long before it actually happened. That's why Paul here says in verse 3, this is first importance. This is first importance. And look, we can quibble about doctrine. I really don't want to, but people do. But here's some things that there's no arguing this. These are non-negotiable truths. The most important things you must believe, he lists them right here, that Jesus died, was buried, and was raised. You're like, wait, wait, wait. Why do I have to believe that Jesus was buried? Like, that seems like a weird thing that I have to believe. Well, the point is, he was actually dead. Because there's some people that think that he looked dead. He was beat with an inch of his life, but he didn't actually die. No, believing he's buried is saying, I believe that Jesus literally in the flesh was dead. And that he rose.17:24from the dead.17:27But look at the phrase again, verse 3, right there in the middle.17:32Christ died, look at this phrase.17:36For our sins.17:41Excuse me.17:42For our sins.17:44Why did Christ die?17:46For our sins.17:50Jesus did not die to make you healthy and wealthy like some prosperity preachers teach.17:54Jesus did not die as a victim of circumstances. As I've heard people say, oh, they got poor Jesus. Jesus didn't even just simply die as a martyr that stood up for a cause. And no, no, no, no, no. It's so much deeper than that. Jesus died for our sins. What does that mean? That means we are by birth and by nature rebellious towards God and His ways. Every one of us. We stand guilty and condemned before a holy God and we have no excuse. We have no means to make it up to God by good works. So Jesus, on the cross, gave His life. Why? For your sins. He experienced the wrath of God for your sins so you wouldn't have to.18:53So the guilt of your sin would be taken away. And Jesus was raised. To defeat death. How do we know? How do we know Jesus died? How do we know he was buried? How do we know he was raised? How do we know what all of that means? And what Paul says here, it's in accordance with the scriptures. This is the promise of God. All right, so the first witness, we got people right here that say Jesus Christ transformed you.19:23His resurrection changes the way you live. And then we have the proof of God's word, but there's other proof too, right? Look at verses 5 through 8. These are eyewitnesses. He says, and that He appeared to Cephas, that's Peter, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.19:55He's like, you can fact check me on that if you want.19:59Because a bunch of these people are still alive.20:02He says, then He appeared to James.20:05That's Jesus' half-brother.20:09Mary and Joseph had children after Jesus.20:12Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit, but the Bible says Mary and Joseph had other kids.20:16They're listed by name.20:19James was one of them, early leader in the church.20:21All right?20:22Then he appeared to James. Then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. So this isn't an exhaustive list, okay? There's more people we see even in Scripture that saw the resurrected Christ, but Paul gives us, this is more than enough, right? We've got Peter, the disciples, more than 500. We've got James, Jesus' half-brother, all the apostles.20:51Paul says, then to me.20:57And that's pretty significant. Why?20:59Because some would say, well, you know all these people that say Jesus rose from the dead, they were all big fans of Jesus, and they all loved Jesus, and they all wanted to follow Jesus, and they were all so sad when he died, so they made it up.21:12They so badly wanted Jesus to be the Messiah that they just made it up.21:17They made up the resurrection.21:19Well, there's a big problem with that theory. And the big problem with that theory is Paul. Paul wasn't a believer. He didn't even want to believe to the point that he was persecuting the church. He had zero motivation to make it up. So did Jesus resurrect? Well, Paul says, we have way too many people affirming it.21:49to ever deny it. You know, almost as amazing as the resurrection is the means by which eternal life is granted. Look at verse 9. Paul says, Christ appeared to him in verse 8. He says, For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. Paul's like, I'm so unworthy of anything from God because I persecuted the church.22:49Insert your favorite sin or the sin that defined you into this and say something like, you know, I'm unworthy of God because I've lived my life by lust. Or I'm unworthy of God because I've lived my life just full of bitterness and hatred and unforgiveness. That's just the person I was.23:19of God. Anything from God. You could say, I'm unworthy because I've just been a liar. I just lie.23:34My whole life has been about deceiving people.23:38Maybe somebody else would say, I'm unworthy of God because you know my whole life, it's just all been about me.23:46I just live a self-centered life. Whatever makes me happy, that's all I I care about. And I never cared about anyone else or anything else. And that's who I was. And God should have given me his wrath. But instead, he gave me his grace. Look at verse 10.24:18Verse 10, he says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. Let's talk about grace. You could go to a theology book and what is grace? Grace is unmerited favor. You don't deserve it. God has chosen to give you His blessing, but we've done not a thing to deserve anything from God. That's grace. The best definition I've ever heard of grace is this. Grace is God giving to you what He requires from you. You know what God requires from you? Perfection, holiness, righteousness. That's what God requires from you. You don't got it. I don't got it.25:18Grace is God giving to us the very thing that he requires from us. That's my favorite definition. And some of you know my favorite illustration of grace. When I try to think of what's the difference between like some of these biblical terms, this little story, I think of this often. It helps me. But just imagine you have a teenage son. Some of you do. Some of you did. Some of you will.25:48Teenage son. He's 16 and he goes to this party. But there's another teenage boy there. He just hates your son. No reason. Just hates him. And this other boy was waiting for your son to show up and he just kills him. Cold-blooded. Just kills your son. You see, if you track that boy down that killed your son, you track him down You kill him. That's called vengeance. But if you cooperate with the police and help find this kid who murdered your son and you get him arrested and through the legal system, that's called justice. But if this kid is in the legal system, you show up to court and somehow, somehow you convince the court.26:48to not punish the boy who murdered your son. Just let him go free. Don't punish him. That's called mercy. But if you go to the court and you convince them, not only don't punish the boy who murdered my son, not only let him free, but I want to raise him as my own son and love him and care for him.27:18I want to adopt him. That is grace. And I love that story because it's so accurate. We murdered God's son so that God could adopt us. He allowed, he ordained all of that to happen with Jesus Christ so that he could.27:50Adopt us. That's grace. But you know, we have a hard time with grace, don't we? We have a hard time because there's something in us that says, look, I have to do something to be right with God. I mean, I'm not buying for a second that I can be saved.28:18Just based on what God has done, and that I don't contribute some kind of work to it. But the Bible's clear, you can't earn it. You can't work for it. And you can't be good enough to get it. Because if you could, if there was some way that you could earn God's favor, then you have to explain why Jesus died on that cross.28:53It's grace. Like, well, is there something I have to do? Yeah, actually, there is one thing you have to do. It's the same thing you have to do with any gift that is being offered to you. You have to receive it.29:18The Bible says grace is a gift. So the question is, did you receive that gift? Did you receive that gift? Well, rest of your outline. Here's three evidences you've received God's grace. See, that's the real question. We can look.29:48at the word of God. And we can look at the testimony of others. But the question is, what about me? Have I actually received the grace of God? Or have I just been a church attender, a seat warmer, a pew sitter? Is that me? Or have I actually received God's grace? Well, the evidences to the resurrection that we just looked at, those were all, external, subjective, subjective, subjective, things, right? But when we're asking, have you received the grace of God? Have you received this gift? This is an internal thing. This is very subjective. Only you really can answer these questions. Have you received God's grace? Have you? Well, here's three evidences. The first one.30:50Letter A, you don't think you're worthy. Look at verse 9 again with me, please. He says, for I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. Unworthy. Listen, you have to recognize that you're unworthy.31:20We've talked about this before. We have people get upset with us here at the church. We have people leave the church because we just want the sermons to be a little more uplifting. We just want... Can't you make us feel good? Listen, you have to recognize that you're unworthy because if you think that you're worthy, if you think you're worthy of something from God, then it's not grace.31:48If you think you're worthy of something from God, you get this idea in your head that God owes you something. And he doesn't. You see, Paul, Paul, of all people, Paul could have said, I see why God picked me. I mean, come on. Do you know how much scripture I know? Do you know the connections I have? I got a triple A membership.32:17I can see why God picked me. I have so much to offer the Almighty. Is that what he said? No. He goes, I am so unworthy. And that's the point that people miss. I say, well, you know, I'm a good person and I do good things.32:47God should let me into heaven. The problem with that is, yeah, you might be a good person and you might do good things, but you're still guilty of sin. And you're like a criminal in court saying, yes, your honor, I know I'm guilty, but from now on, I'm going to try to do better. And no judge is going to let the guy walk out. Because despite this criminal's best intentions, or despite this criminal maybe having a track record, of doing some good things with his life in the past. The reality is, he's still guilty. And you have to take an honest assessment and humble yourself before God. Like, look, I'm not worthy of God's grace. I'm not. Here's a beautiful thing, though. God's grace, though it says nothing about me, it says everything about him.33:47But this is true of everyone who has actually received God's grace. They're like, I know I'm not worthy. I'm not. God has been so good to me. And he has done everything for me. And he has saved me. And he has provided for me. And I don't deserve a thing. That's true of people who have received God's grace. Letter B, you define yourself by grace.34:17Evidence that you receive God's grace because you define yourself by that grace. Verse 10 again. He says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. And His grace toward me was not in vain. When you truly receive God's grace, you're defined by it. But you're like Paul, by God's grace, I am what I am.34:48I'm a child of God. How so? By His grace. I'm forgiven of all my sin. How can that be? God's grace. I am promised eternal life and glory. Like, how do you know? It's just God's grace. It's not me, it's Him. See, somebody could come along when you're like, you know, I'm, look, I'm, I'm a child of God. I am forgiven. And I am heaven bound. Somebody could come along and say, how can that be? You're trash. Like, yeah, I am trash. That's who I was. But you see, God's grace says, that's not what I am anymore. This is who I am now. Many years ago, we did a weekly Bible study.35:47in Butler County Prison. And occasionally there would be one little problem with that in that I grew up in Shakura. So occasionally at Butler County Prison, I would run into people that I went to high school with. Either working as a guard or wearing straight pajamas or whatever. But I would go in and they'd be like, hey, Jeff, what are you up to? And I'm like, well, you know, I came in here for Bible study. They're like, you're, They knew me from high school. I was not a good person. Okay? And they're like, so what are you doing now? And I'm like, I'm a pastor. And they're like, what? Like, you're a pastor. And they laugh. I have people like laughing in my face. Like, you're a pastor. Like, how can that be? They knew. They knew who I was. They knew some of the things that I did. They're like, how can that be that you're a pastor?36:47You know what my response is? It's by God's grace that I am what I am. How about you? Have you been known for doing things that you aren't very proud of? And somebody could rightly come along and get in your face and say, how could someone like you think you're going to serve God? How could someone like you think you're going to end up in heaven someday?37:19And you're like, it's God's grace.37:23It's not me.37:25It's God's grace.37:30See, this is a beautiful thing.37:33Church, grace redefines you.37:39Grace redefines you.37:40You're not living in the past.37:43You're not living in shame.37:48You're not oblivious. Okay, yeah, yeah. Okay, that's who I was. But that's not who God says I am now. God is constantly growing me and changing me and conforming me into the image of His Son. God says I am a child of His. That's who I am. Like, what gives you the right to say that? It's grace.38:16It's grace. My friend, something is going to define you. And it's either going to be your mistakes, or it's going to be God's grace. That though you didn't earn anything, you can humbly accept everything that He gives you.38:46It's grace. How do you know you got it? Well, you don't think you're worthy. You let grace define you. And the third thing we see in the text, letter C, you are motivated to work by grace. You are motivated to work by grace. Paul says his grace toward me was not in vain. Pick up from there. He says, On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. I love that. Paul says, look, okay, God gave me this gift, and God didn't waste His gift on me because I put it to use.39:44I put God's gift to use, but it wasn't really me that put the gift to use. It was sort of his grace working in me and through me. And you're like, how does that all work? Even Paul didn't know, right? If Paul didn't figure it out, what makes you think I'm going to figure it out? He's like, I work, but it's God that's working. But like all the above?40:16And see, here's the point. You don't need to figure out how all that works. Just get to work. Serve God out of love and appreciation in His power, meaning just do what He's called and equipped you to do. Just do it with everything you got. The bottom line here is this. The evidence that you receive God's grace is when you're motivated and empowered to serve Him.40:43We don't serve God out of obligation. I was saved in 1995. I didn't get into ministry to be like, okay, God, you did me a solid. Now I'm going to do you a solid. That's not it at all. We don't serve out of obligation. We don't serve begrudgingly. Okay, fine. No one else will do it. I'll do it. And we certainly don't do it, right, Pastor Taylor?41:13We don't do a complaining. What you mean? God's recruited you for his team and you're going to bellyache about that? The one that received grace will not do that. I'm just thankful to be called on the team. Let's get to work. That's what grace says. Motivated and empowered to serve him. The person who received grace says God gave me his grace and that.41:43That is what puts the fire in my belly to do everything he's called me to do with everything that I've got. And then I discover that it's the same grace that motivated me to serve. That's the same grace that empowers me to serve. How do I know I've received God's grace? Because I'm motivated to work by grace. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 15:1-11What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Define “grace”. How would you explain grace to a child? To a non-believing coworker?What did Paul say was of “first importance” (1 Cor 15:3-4)? Why is this the primary thing?How does grace redefine you (1 Cor 15:10a)? Why do you think many Christians still struggle with their past?How exactly does grace motivate you to serve God (1 Cor 15:10)?BreakoutPray for one another.

In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul reminds the church at Corinth what it means to live as a Christian in light of eternity—not only how to live, but why. Christ's love was never meant simply to comfort you. It was meant to move you. Join Pr. Roe as he breaks down how Christ's love changes the way you think, your motives, the way you see people, and ultimately what you do.

Wesley Wright Lighthouse Bible Church Sunday, August 16, 2026 2Co 11:1-4 Title: A different Jesus Last week, we read that Paul implored readers to listen to him - he had a godly jealousy for them, and they'd already considered other men who had false and selfish motives. In 2Co 11:4, Paul chides his readers for their willingness to hear those who preached a substantially different Jesus than that of the scriptures. In the same way that the readers at Corinth, should have given the false apostles no ear, we should quickly distinguish what's true and what's false, then move accordingly. Jesus Christ warned His listeners about false prophets: Mat 7:15-20 Mark and avoid those whose doctrine is contrary... for full notes: http://www.lbible.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=1802

Full Text of Readings Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 118 The Saint of the day is Saint Stephen of Hungary Saint Stephen of Hungary's Story The Church is universal, but its expression is always affected—for good or ill—by local culture. There are no “generic” Christians; there are Mexican Christians, Polish Christians, Filipino Christians. This fact is evident in the life of Stephen, national hero and spiritual patron of Hungary. Born a pagan, he was baptized around the age of 10, together with his father, chief of the Magyars, a group who migrated to the Danube area in the ninth century. At 20, he married Gisela, sister to the future emperor, Saint Henry. When he succeeded his father, Stephen of Hungary adopted a policy of Christianization of the country for both political and religious reasons. He suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a strong national group. He asked the pope to provide for the Church's organization in Hungary—and also requested that the pope confer the title of king upon him. He was crowned on Christmas day in 1001. Stephen of Hungary established a system of tithes to support churches and pastors and to relieve the poor. Out of every 10 towns one had to build a church and support a priest. He abolished pagan customs with a certain amount of violence, and commanded all to marry, except clergy and religious. He was easily accessible to all, especially the poor. In 1031, his son Emeric died, and the rest of Stephen of Hungary's days were embittered by controversy over his successor. His nephews attempted to kill him. He died in 1038 and was canonized, along with his son, in 1083. Reflection God's gift of holiness is a Christlike love of God and humanity. Love must sometimes bear a stern countenance for the sake of ultimate good. Christ attacked hypocrites among the Pharisees, but died forgiving them. Paul excommunicated the incestuous man at Corinth “that his spirit may be saved.” Some Christians fought the Crusades with noble zeal, in spite of the unworthy motives of others. Today, after senseless wars, and with a deeper understanding of the complex nature of human motives, we shrink from any use of violence—physical or “silent.” This wholesome development continues as people debate whether it is possible for a Christian to be an absolute pacifist or whether evil must sometimes be repelled by force.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11 NLT) It’s not unusual for sincere believers to have days of doubt, discouragement, and despair. Even the heroes of the faith struggled in these areas. Moses was handpicked by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery and to deliver the Ten Commandments. Yet, on at least one occasion, he was so overwhelmed by the consistent complaining of the Israelites that he said to the Lord, “I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” (Numbers 11:14–15 NLT). Elijah, after his contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, heard that Queen Jezebel had put a contract out on his life. He was so overwhelmed by his circumstances, so discouraged, so uncertain, and so filled with doubt that he said to God, “I have had enough, Lord. . . . Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died” (1 Kings 19:4 NLT). The prophet Jeremiah struggled as well. He was ridiculed and harassed for communicating the Word of God. Because he was tired of the pressure he was facing, it made him want to stop communicating God’s Word altogether. He said, “When I speak, the words burst out. ‘Violence and destruction!’ I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke” (Jeremiah 20:8 NLT). Even the apostle Paul had moments when he was discouraged. He wrote to the church at Corinth, “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it” (2 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). So, if we ever feel overwhelmed, the first thing we need to understand is that we’re in good company. Wrestling with doubt or uncertainty or being perplexed as to why God didn’t work in a certain way doesn’t set us apart from other believers. The second thing we need to understand is that fear and faith are separated by a very thin line, one that often gets blurred during our walk with Christ. One moment we say, “Everything will be fine—no problem.” Then the next moment we can look at the same circumstances and find ourselves in absolute despair. So, what’s the answer? We must recognize that we’re human, just like the great people of Scripture. We must cast our burdens on God and pray for the strength to place our problems in their proper perspective. The psalmist had that perspective when he wrote, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11 NLT). We can’t see the big picture of God’s work in this world. And our limited perspective is bound to cause some heightened emotions. That’s why we must place our trust in the One who can see everything and is working it all for good. Reflection question: How can you keep a proper perspective when you struggle with doubt, discouragement, or despair? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In week one of our GOOD NEWS series through 1 & 2 Corinthians, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 1 to explore why the message of the cross is as revolutionary today as it was in the first century. Just like ancient Corinth, our culture promises status, significance, and self-reliance—yet true freedom is found only at the foot of the cross. Discover how a bigger view of Jesus dismantles division, humbles our pride, and frees us from the pressure to be impressive.

In Christ, believers are free—but Christian freedom must never become a stumbling block to others. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef continues in 1 Corinthians 8, where Paul addresses the issue of eating meat that had been offered to idols. The mature believers in Corinth knew they were free to eat the meat with a clean conscience. But some younger or weaker believers, remembering their former life in idolatry, could not eat it without spiritual distress. Paul's instruction was clear: love must override rights. Even when something is not morally or spiritually wrong in itself, it becomes wrong when exercised carelessly in a way that wounds another believer's conscience. Dr. Youssef gives three reasons believers must exercise restraint. First, knowledge is not enough—sound doctrine must be joined with mature love. Second, not every Christian has the same understanding or level of maturity, so right belief must lead to right relationships. Third, wounding another believer's conscience through carelessness is sin, and mature Christians are called to sacrificial love. In Christ, we are free—not free to sin, but free to love. When God takes charge of our freedom, we learn to humble ourselves, serve the body of Christ, and trust Him to satisfy us completely, even when love requires sacrifice. Prayer: Father, thank You for setting me free from my sin and selfishness. May I lay aside my own preferences to lift others up according to Your will. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Healthy Living in a Sick World, Knowledge Must Bow to Love: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

First Corinthians 8 addresses a question that was not explicitly forbidden in Scripture: whether believers should eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains how Paul guided the Corinthian church through an issue that required wisdom, conscience, and sensitivity to others. In first-century Corinth, much of the available meat had previously been offered to idols. Some mature believers understood that idols were nothing and ate with a clear conscience. Others, especially those recently converted from pagan worship, could not eat without violating their conscience. Neither group was necessarily sinning—but both needed to walk in love. Dr. Youssef reminds us that while the cultural issues may differ today, the principle remains the same. Believers must avoid both legalism and license. Legalism measures spirituality by man-made rules, while license twists Christian liberty into permission to sin. But Biblical freedom is never freedom to sin—it is freedom to serve Christ and love others. Gray areas should not divide the body of Christ. Those who enjoy freedom in Christ must not flaunt that freedom before weaker believers, and those with more sensitive consciences must not treat secondary issues as matters of salvation. God has given His people a Spirit-filled life—not a rule-bound life—so we can walk in humility, wisdom, and love. Prayer: Lord, I rejoice in the freedom I have in You. Help me pursue righteousness toward my brothers and sisters in Christ through humility and love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.' But knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Healthy Living in a Sick World, Knowledge Must Bow to Love: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Here it is, FINALLY — the third installment of ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest’ series, about the Athenian expedition to Sicily during the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century BC. Enjoy! Join CJ as he discusses: The Syracusan reaction to news of a huge, inbound Athenian expeditionary force, including the wise advice of Hermocrates (that wasn’t sufficiently heeded at first) The arrival of the Athenians in the area, & initial difficulties & disappointments they began to encounter The debate among the 3 Athenian strategoi (Nicias, Lamachus & Alcibiades) over how to proceed, the strategy adopted, & the lack of significant progress The recall of Alcibiades to Athens for trial, & his subsequent escape Athenian successes in Sicily that they failed to capitalize upon sufficiently to defeat Syracuse prior to the onset of the winter of 414/415 Athenian & Syracusan diplomatic efforts during that first winter The success of Syracusan diplomacy (with the help of Alcibiades) in securing aid from Corinth & Sparta Gylippus, the Spartan strategos sent to take command of the Syracusan war effort against Athens Initial Athenian successes during the campaign season of 414 that (despite the death of Lamachus) drove the Syracusans to the brink of surrender The arrival of Gylippus in the nick of time, & his stunning successes in turning the tide of the war against Athens & nullifying their efforts to circumvallate & besiege Syracuse Nicias’ extremely downtrodden & pessimistic report back to Athens, sent during the winter of 414/413, in which he demanded that the Athenian Assembly either authorize the evacuation of his expeditionary force, or send him significant reinforcements (men, supplies, & money), along with a strong request that he (Nicias) be relieved of command if they chose the latter option As promised, here’s a zoomed out map of the expedition to Sicily, showing 1) how far the Athenians traveled, & 2) the relative locations of significant cities on Sicily & on the adjacent ‘toe’ of Italy , plus a more zoomed-in map of Syracuse, its harbors, & the surrounding territory. Like this episode? Support the DHP on Patreon! For the entire month of August 2026, CJ’s running a Back to (Dangerous History) School Special: There will be a 25% discount on the first year of an annual membership at any level of support, or 25% off the first month of a monthly membership (also at any level of support)! Just use coupon code 826 when signing up! You can also throw CJ a $ tip via Paypal here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=D6VUYSYQ4EU6L Throw CJ a $ tip via Venmo here: https://www.venmo.com/u/dangerousmedia Or throw CJ a BTC tip here: bc1qfrz9erz7dqazh9rhz3j7nv696nl52ux8unw79z Amazon Affiliate Links (buy ANYTHING – not just these specific items – from Amazon using any of these links & CJ gets a small commission at no cost to you!) The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War Sparta’s Sicilian Proxy War by Paul Rahe The Rise & Fall of Athens by Plutarch Syracuse, 415-413 BC: Destruction of the Athenian Imperial Fleet by Nic Fields A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War by Victor Davis Hanson Links Support the Dangerous History Podcast via Patreon Subscribe to the Dangerous History Podcast Youtube Channel Follow CJ on Twitter/X Follow the DHP on Instagram Follow the DHP on Facebook Hire CJ to speak to your group or at your event CJ’s PO Box Address (For Sending Him Items — Including, but not Limited to — Sacks of Gold Doubloons, Pieces of Eight, Freeze-Dried Flapjacks, etc.