You Don't Want Me to Go There
by Steven Pawley on November 14th, 2022
Engagement with the gospel locally is redemption made reachable. But we can get misaligned in our mission.
The church that is growing is a church that is changing -in part because each new person, each family brings a diversity of history, expectations, culture, perspective, goals, hopes… sins.
We all have them all. And we need to go there from time to time to stay healthy and cultivate an environment that fosters growth.
It’s what the rest of 1 Corinthians is about. Read More
If Angels Talked About You
by Steven Pawley on November 8th, 2022
What if angels could talk? What would they say about what you believe by how you behave when there’s no one that threatens you?
You’re a spectacle. But for what will you be noticed? (From 1 Cor. 4:6-13):
Read More
Faithful is Your Only Option
by Steven Pawley on October 31st, 2022
When was the last time you took inventory of yourself? It’s a good practice.
It can also be painful. An inventory of to what we’re faithful can awaken us to some things that need to be replaced.
Two options only on the shelf, serving God or serving self. (From 1 Cor. 4:1-5) Read More
Are You Prepared to Thank Jesus?
by Steven Pawley on October 25th, 2022
Being distracted in, divisive over, or disengaged from faithful ministry is both foolish and carnal. The wise labor for the Lord knowing our work will be judged strictly and rewarded richly if we build wisely.
We’re workers together in the greatest mission ever: Farming for the souls of men and building up the body of Christ. We’re waterers and workers for Jesus, no more. But with that work comes a warning (From 1 Corinthians 3:10-23) Read More
From Sucklings to Servants
by Steven Pawley on October 18th, 2022
Camps, and conflicts cause believers who should be working together in the great commission to have a “come-apart”. Our spiritual thumb is in our mouth when envy, strife, and division are perpetuated.
Sometimes we foolishly take sides in disputes and act like – well, babies. Paul calls us on it! (From 1 Co. 3:1-9). Read More
Between a Rock And a Hard Place?
by Steven Pawley on October 11th, 2022
Ever find yourself between a rock and a hard place? How about in a situation in which people you love and respect disagree? What do we do when competing views put us between a rock and a hard place?
Some things aren’t as “cut and dry” as those claiming the authority of Apollos, Cephas, Paul, or Christ suggest! Who’s right? Each claims their beliefs, behaviors and be-attitudes are biblical. But division is not. (From 1 Cor. 2:9-16) Read More
A Healthy Distraction
by Steven Pawley on September 27th, 2022
Paul points these divided disciples to the depths of Christ crucified - the mystery of the gospel, godliness, and of God’s goodness and grace. It’s a healthy distraction.
Paul will bring two key things to bear to help these conflicted Christians: The Mystery of the gospel of Christ not revealed before the New Testament, and the Mind of Christ revealed through God’s word. We’ll take the first part today (From 1 Corinthians 2:6-10): Read More
Do You Practice What You Preach?
by Steven Pawley on September 20th, 2022
The apostle Paul meant it when he said “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” And “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do.”
Paul understood a “Christian” to be an imitator, impersonator, follower of Jesus Christ’s example and determined to be one.
His life was a road less traveled because it was all about Jesus and the gospel and made sure everyone knew. It would be good for us to follow his good example. (From 1 Corinthians 2:1-5): Read More
Is Your Boast in Christ?
by Steven Pawley on September 13th, 2022
What is your claim to fame? It’s the thing or person by which you want others to know you.
Friend, if your identity is tied up in anything other than Jesus Paul calls you back to what matters most. The world’s wisdom, wealth, and might can’t compete with a life that glorifies Jesus. (From 1 Cor. 1:25-31): Read More
No Arguments, Just Awe
by Steven Pawley on September 5th, 2022
Have you ever experienced a moment of truth so powerful that it left you speechless? There were no more arguments or answers - just awe.
Lee Strobel, a journalist for the Chicago Tribune, Yale Law student, atheist, and skeptic wrote a book about just such a moment in his life. Using his skills in investigative journalism and legal depositions, he sought to vanquish the Christian faith by disproving... Read More
Let's Not Complicate It
by Steven Pawley on August 23rd, 2022
If you could choose the greatest challenge to unity in the church, what would you pick? What stumbling-block or sin separates us the most? Is it an action or an attitude? 1 Corinthians deals with both.
Winning people from our culture gets messy and problems manifest themselves at times within the church. We complicate it with our contentions. But he starts with arguably our greatest challenge: Self-will. (From 1 Cor. 1:10-18) Read More
It's Your Call, Take It
by Steven Pawley on August 16th, 2022
If you’ve ever been around someone who sensed a “call” upon their life and took it, you know how influential their testimony is. They were living a certain way, struggling with some challenge, viewing life through a distorted lens… Then came the call, they answered it, and everything changed!
The Christian’s calling changes everything too! We’re called to radical transformation via urgent evangelization while in a continuous state of spiritual development, all by the power of the same indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ and His word. It started when we answered the gospel call (From 1 Corinthians 1:1-9) Read More
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