Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 2): Expanding Fellowship

Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 This is the second lesson in a series about dangers that exist “on the safe side.” This phrase means “avoiding danger, with a margin for error” (definition). Sometimes this is fine or even wise, but there is a difference between wisdom and safety. Sometimes they overlap, but not always. At times, staying “on the safe side” […]

Collective Responsibilities

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:27 In our text, Paul explained that Christians were individually part of a collective body. They each had a role to play and responsibilities as individuals. They were also to contribute to the function of the body as a whole. In this lesson and the previous one, we’re going to discuss these different responsibilities. In this […]

Practicing Church Discipline

Text: 1 Corinthians 5 Church discipline is often not a pleasant topic, and is even more difficult to practice. However, while this is often difficult and painful to practice, there are times when it is absolutely necessary. Also, when it is done for the right reason and in the right way, it is actually for good – benefitting […]

Turning Blessings into Curses

Text: Proverbs 25:16 In the Bible, honey is often used to symbolize God’s great blessings for man (cf. Exodus 3:8). Yet in our text, the wise man pointed out that this same blessing can be turned into something with negative effects. It is possible to take the good things God blesses us with and turn them into […]

The Desire for Unity

Text: Psalm 133 This is a brief psalm about the blessings of unity among God’s people. But too often unity is taken for granted, perverted from God’s plan, or destroyed through division. Unity is GOOD and PLEASANT. Therefore, it is important that we understand what this is and why it is important. Unity Must Be Based Upon […]

How to Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9 In our text, Paul told the brethren in Corinth that we are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). We could say that this is the fundamental idea behind being a Christian. But what does it mean? How do we “walk by faith” and “not by sight”? To […]

Measuring the Love of God

Text: Ephesians 3:14-21 This chapter begins with Paul describing what God has given – His grace in the gospel (v. 2-3), a way to understand His will (v. 4), salvation to the Gentiles (v. 6), His wisdom made known (v. 10), the church (v. 10), His eternal purpose carried out in Christ (v. 11). All of […]