In Romans 1-4 and Acts 20:1-3, Paul, called to apostleship by Christ, proclaims the Gospel, highlighting Jesus' fulfillment of prophecies and His divine nature, validated by resurrection. He expresses a deep desire to visit the Roman believers to strengthen their faith and encourage mutual edification, emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel for salvation to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike.
At our church, we’re passionate about sparking a disciple-making movement in Middle Tennessee and beyond. This year, we’ve had the joy of partnering with families to include their children in this mission. We firmly believe that the gospel is central to our lives, and that “Gospel First and Always” has no age limit (1 Timothy 4:12).
In 2 Corinthians 10-13, Paul defends his apostolic authority and the divine power behind his ministry, distinguishing his genuine, Christ-centered work from that of the deceitful "super-apostles." He emphasizes his reliance on God's strength in weakness and his dedication to the Corinthians' spiritual growth, while urging them to examine their faith and pursue maturity, unity, and peace.
In 2 Corinthians 5-9, Paul discusses the assurance of eternal life with God and the role of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our heavenly future. He urges the Corinthians to live for Christ, emphasizing that our actions on earth have eternal significance and will be judged by God.
In 2 Corinthians 1-4, Paul begins his letter by emphasizing the comforting role of God during afflictions, highlighting his own sufferings and God's deliverance as a demonstration of dependence on divine power rather than human strength. He explains his postponed visit to Corinth, asserting his sincerity and dedication to spreading the gospel despite adversities, and delves into the superiority of the new covenant, which brings life and liberty through the Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 15-16, Paul emphasizes the foundational importance of the resurrection of Christ in the Christian faith, detailing Christ's appearances after His resurrection and asserting that our future resurrection is guaranteed by His. He also outlines the nature of the resurrected body, contrasting it with our earthly bodies, and concludes with practical advice regarding the collection for the Jerusalem church, personal plans, and final exhortations for the church to stand firm in faith and love.
In this Thanksgiving week episode of Sermon Notes, host Jay Strother and guest Brian Ball delve into the profound theological arguments presented by Paul in the Book of Romans. They explore the key concepts of justification and propitiation, emphasizing the hope found in salvation through Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul teaches about the variety of spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that all gifts serve the common good and contribute to the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. He highlights the supremacy of love above all spiritual gifts and instructs on orderly worship, ensuring that practices such as speaking in tongues and prophesying are conducted in a way that builds up the church and maintains decorum.
In 1 Corinthians 9-11, Paul emphasizes his commitment to spreading the gospel without hindrance, adapting to various cultures to win more souls, while also instructing the Corinthians on avoiding idolatry and maintaining respectful worship practices. He discusses proper behavior during communal meals and the symbolic significance of head coverings in worship, ensuring the church's actions reflect their devotion to Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 5-8, Paul addresses serious moral issues within the Corinthian church, instructing them to expel a member engaged in egregious sexual immorality and emphasizing the need for church discipline to combat sin and pride. He also discusses lawsuits among believers, sexual immorality, and marriage, urging Christians to live in purity and peace, and to seek the welfare of others above personal liberty, particularly concerning food offered to idols, to avoid causing others to stumble in their faith.
In 1 Corinthians 1-4, Paul addresses the Corinthians, expressing gratitude for their faith and spiritual gifts, urging unity and dismissing divisions centered around allegiance to different leaders, emphasizing that Christ alone is the foundation. He criticizes their worldly wisdom and divisions, teaching the power of the Gospel and the foolishness of human wisdom compared to God's, and reminds them of their identity as God's temple, urging them to live in humility and align with the true wisdom of God.
In Acts 18:19-19:41, Paul debates with Jews in Ephesus and promises to return if God wills, while Apollos, an eloquent speaker, effectively refutes Jews with Scripture; Paul, encountering disciples baptized only into John’s baptism, teaches them of Jesus, leading to miraculous healings and conversions despite opposition from local craftsmen worried about their trade due to Paul's teachings that undermine idol worship.
