Covenant Privileges and Warnings (1 Cor. 10:1-12)

 

This is clearly written to those inside the church, not those outside.

  1. Christ’s covenant people enjoy spiritual privileges.
    • 10:1-4. Usually the New Testament presents the Church in terms of Israel e.g. 1 Peter 2:5. But here Israel is presented in terms of the Church. Note that ‘all’ is there

An Exercise In Self-Discipline (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

 

The Puritans of the 17th century were renowned for their self-discipline. It was said of Samuel Rutherford: ‘He is always praying, always preaching, always visiting the sick, always catechising, always writing and studying.’ The early Methodists were methodical.

  1. We need to exercise self-discipline.
    • 9:24-25a. The ancient world held Olympic

The Mustard Seed and Leaven (Luke 13:18-21)

 

Aaron Balmforth preaches tonight’s sermon from Luke 13.

Why does Jesus tell this parable?

In one sense simple, yet has more depth to it

  1. The Mustard Seed Growth
  2. Growth from the Leaven
  3. The Kingdom of Heaven’s Growth

Evangelising In Every Situation (1 Cor. 9:19-23)

 

‘to win’ is found five times in these verses, plus ‘to save’ in verse 22. Proverbs 11:30 tells us that ‘whoever captures souls is wise’.

  1. Be a free servant to all.
    • 9:19-23. Gaius (Roman jurist): ‘all human beings are either free or slaves.’ Paul says that he is both.

The Apocalypse and the Coronavirus (Revelation 6:1-8; 16:9, 11; 22:20)

 

Charles Spurgeon: ‘Only fools and madmen are positive in their interpretations of the Apocalypse.’ But it can be done!

  1. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse inflict God’s judgments.
    • Rev.6:18; see Zech.6:1-3. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse are traditionally war, famine, pestilence, and death. The history of the world

The Right Use Of The Law (1 Tim. 1:8-11)

 

Calvin: ‘many people are led stray under the cover of holy Scripture.’ Some just reject the law. Others see the law as the way to salvation, as the Pharisees did. Others think they are neutral, which, of course, is beguiling.

  1. The good law must be used lawfully.
    • 1 Tim.1:8-9a.

Paul’s Rights Not Used (1 Cor. 9:1-18)

 

Paul deals with his right to earn a living by preaching the gospel, but also says that he freely decided not to make use of this right.

  1. Paul is indeed an apostle.
    • 9:1-2. See Acts 1:21-22; 1 Cor.15:8 for eye-witnessing and 1 Cor.3:10; 4:15 for founding churches.
  2. Paul has