Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians
Audio
Video
Being Fit - Mansell Morgan
21st March 2021
When someone is described as ‘being fit’ what does that conjure up in your own minds. When I was in college and it was said of someone, ‘Wow, she’s fit,’ or, ‘He’s fit’, it meant they were good looking, attractive, had a shapely body – you know the crack! Back in the 16th century, if something was described as ‘being fit’ it simply meant it was ‘pleasing’ or ‘seemly.’ Of course, someone who is ‘fit’ is also someone who is sporty, in good physical shape. What then might ‘being fit’ look like for the Christian? If, as the apostle Paul says, we are in a race, then what kind of people ought we to be if we are to heed his exhortation to ‘run in such a way as to win the prize?
Encouragement - Esther Scholes
14th March 2021
Paul writes, ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…’ The dictionary defines encouragement as ‘giving someone support, confidence and hope’ and the truth is of course that we could all do with a bit of that stuff. This morning we are joined by Esther Scholes from Valley Church in Preston who not only unpacks the biblical mandate to be encouragers but gives us some useful pointers as to how we do that.
Be Intolerant- Mansell Morgan
7th March 2021
I have entitled my sermon this morning, ‘Be Intolerant.’ Yes, I know it’s not a very politically correct title and yes, it is somewhat provocative. And you might justifiably ask if this is something the pastor of a church should be advocating. Well, stick around and you will find out why I am.
The only ‘army’ that shoots its own soldiers
- Mansell Morgan
28st Feb 2021
The church has often been described as the only ‘army’ that shoots its own soldiers. It is a sad truth, and one that has left many a wounded ‘soldier’ angry, embittered and disillusioned, for too often we are more concerned with proving we are right than doing what is right. In a church troubled by many issues it does not surprise me then that the first issue Paul tackles at Corinth is division.
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the spirit, especially prophecy.
- Mansell Morgan
21st Feb 2021
In an age of rampant individualism Paul says this, ‘Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the spirit, especially prophecy.’ Why – because such gifts, far from being self-serving, are given and serve to edify, strengthen and comfort the body, the church. If this is true then why do we see so little evidence of the prophetic in our churches today? Any thoughts?
What part does the cross play in your life?
- Mansell Morgan
14th Feb 2021
Eddie Gibbs observed that, “The present high levels of unemployment in the nation pales into insignificance in comparison with that which prevails in the church.” He went on to say, “The church has been likened to a football match, in which thousands of people desperately in need of exercise watch twenty-two people desperately in need of rest!!!” What do you think? Is he right? What does Paul have to say about this?
https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-are-gifts-of-the-spirit-a-bible-study/
Life of Elijah and the circumstances that led him to say to, ‘I have had enough,
- Dan Cronin
7th Feb 2021
With issues around mental health becoming an ever-increasing problem for many people today Dan Cronin from Heart Church Morecombe looks this morning at the life of Elijah and the circumstances that led him to say to, ‘I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.’ Dan explores what led Elijah to feel this way about his life and what practical steps we can take to guard our own mental health and keep us from slipping into depression.
What part does the cross play in your life?
- Mansell Morgan
31st Jan 2021
One of the consequences of sin in our society is a fracturing of both human and divine relationships – the result is such social sins as racism, sectarianism, sexism and social, political and economic divides. The church, rather than mirroring this is called to evidence in its everyday life a different reality, one in which diversity exists but not at the expense of unity. But how is she to do that?
What part does the cross play in your life?
- Mansell Morgan
24th Jan 2021
In the midst of the in-fighting, power-plays and immorality at Corinth Paul makes this resolution, ‘To know nothing while he was with them except Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ Paul knew that for many the preaching of the cross was foolishness. But he also knew that only through the preaching of the cross would lives and ultimately society be changed and transformed. So, what part does the cross play in your life?
Love
- Mansell Morgan
10th Jan 2021
When Jesus said, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’ he surely wasn’t calling us to be nice, tolerant and politically correct. So what was he calling us to? What kind of people was he calling us to be? As we look at 1 Cor 13 this morning what Paul gives us is a definition of love but have we lost the depth of what Paul is saying in these verses because we have become so familiar with them? Has biblical been stripped of its grittiness – what do you think? Post a comment – let us know your thoughts.
Who is the Holy Spirit
- Matt and Clare Hooper
3rd Jan 2021
As we start a new year it is a great pleasure to have with us again Matt & Clare Hooper. This morning they will be looking at the person and work of the Holy Spirit and the importance of His presence in our lives.
The life of Paul as a tentmaker in Corinth
- Mansell Morgan
17th Jan 2021
This morning, an introduction to some of the themes we will be looking at in the coming months leading up to Easter and then a brief look at the life of Paul as a tentmaker in Corinth. And thinking about Paul here’s a question you might want to ponder (and comment upon), ‘Why do you think Paul chose to work as a tentmaker?’ Was he not entitled to gain a living from the gospel?’