This sermon explores 1 Corinthians 15, emphasizing that the gospel is both a message we receive and a reality in which we stand. Pastor Luke teaches that while spiritual gifts are important, the resurrection of Christ is of "first importance." The message confronts the tendency to blame the devil for our choices, calling believers to humble confession of their past while embracing their future in Christ. The sermon emphasizes that God's primary characteristic is redemption rather than prevention, and that Christ's resurrection guarantees our own future resurrection. The pastor challenges listeners to move from merely avoiding hell to embracing abundant life in Christ, culminating in an invitation to baptism as a public declaration of faith.

Key Points:

-The gospel (euangelion) means "news of victory" - we stand in the position of Christ's victory over sin and death

-Of first importance: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to many witnesses

-Humility acknowledges we have a past; faith acknowledges we have a future

-We must stop blaming the devil for choices we made - confession requires taking personal responsibility

-Shame says "I am bad because I did something bad," but the gospel says we are new creations in Christ

-Satan sinned against humanity first before humanity sinned against God - we were sinned against before we chose to sin

-God's primary characteristic is redemption, not prevention - He doesn't violate human agency but redeems and restores

-Love must be voluntary, which is why God doesn't remove the temptation to sin

-In Adam we all die, but in Christ we all live - death is without choice, but life is within choice

-The resurrection of Christ guarantees our own resurrection with glorified bodies like His

Scripture Reference:

1 Corinthians 15:1-22 (primary focus)

1 Corinthians 12-14 (context for spiritual gifts)

Genesis 3 (the Fall and mechanics of sin)

John 3:16 (God's love for the world)

Romans 5:8 (God's love while we were still sinners)

This sermon provides an in-depth exploration of 1 Corinthians 14, focusing on the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy within the context of corporate worship. The pastor emphasizes that biblical prophecy—a now word from the Holy Spirit given to build up the body—is more valuable than tongues in corporate settings because it edifies the entire church rather than just the individual. The message challenges believers to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy, while maintaining both good conduct and biblical content. The core teaching revolves around two essential values for church gatherings: edification (building up believers) and order (maintaining peace and clarity). The sermon demystifies prophecy, showing it as accessible to all believers who know Christ's voice, and calls the congregation to step out in faith to speak words of encouragement, consolation, and upbuilding to one another.

Key Points:

1. We fail to witness all of the power of God when we fail to preach all of the Word of God

2. Biblical prophecy is a word from the Holy Spirit through a member of the body to build up, encourage, and console another member

3. True prophecy will never contradict Scripture and requires both good conduct and good content

4. Biblical prophecy is localized and requires accountability within the local church body

5. Prophecy is more valuable than tongues in corporate worship because it edifies the entire body

6. All believers can prophesy because Jesus said His sheep hear His voice

7. Prophecy must build up, stir up faith, and cheer up the recipient

8. Speaking in tongues edifies the individual but requires interpretation when done publicly

9. Prophecy leads unbelievers to conviction and worship when they witness God speaking through His people

10. Church gatherings should prioritize edification and order above personal expression

11. The tongue has the power of life and death, making our words critically important

12. Faith is spelled R-I-S-K and requires stepping out when the Holy Spirit prompts

Scripture Reference:

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 (primary focus)

1 Corinthians 12 (spiritual gifts context)

1 Corinthians 13 (love chapter context)

Ezekiel 13:1-9 (false prophets)

Joel 2:28 (prophecy about Pentecost)

Acts 2 (fulfillment of Joel's prophecy)

John 10:27 (sheep hearing Jesus' voice)

Revelation 19:10 (testimony of Jesus is spirit of prophecy)

Isaiah 28:11 (reference to tongues as judgment)

1 Corinthians 11 (women praying and prophesying)

This sermon explores 1 Corinthians 13, emphasizing that spiritual power without love is spiritually bankrupt. Paul teaches that operating in spiritual gifts—tongues, prophecy, healing, knowledge—without the motivating force of God's love renders these gifts ineffective and annoying. The sermon challenges believers to examine their motives, recognizing that God fully knows them even when they only know Him dimly. True spiritual maturity requires surrendering completely to God's love, which is the only thing that will transition from this age to the eternal age when Christ returns. The message calls Christians to shift from self-preservation to concern for others, modeling Christ's sacrificial love while ministering in His power.

Key Points:

Without love, spiritual gifts become noisy, ineffective, and vexing to others

Operating in God's power without God's love is like having energy without strength—it collapses under its own weight

Extra spiritual power cannot compensate for a lack of love

Love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not arrogant, not rude, and does not insist on its own way

Spiritual gifts (prophecy, tongues, knowledge) will pass away when Christ returns, but love endures forever

The word "perfect" in verse 10 refers to Christ's second coming, not the completion of Scripture

God fully knows us even though we only know Him dimly, like looking in a blemished mirror

Christians must shift from self-preservation to outward concern for others

Faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest is love because it alone passes into eternity

Holding back parts of ourselves from an all-knowing God is futile

Scripture Reference:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (primary focus)

Psalm 139 (search me, O God, and know my heart)

1 John 4 (God is love; anyone who does not love does not know God)