1 Corinthians 2.1-5

This Sunday is Passion/Palm Sunday. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem placed Jesus onto the radar screen of the authorities. The cries of the people, Hosanna ([God] save us), reminded the Roman and Jerusalem authorities of prophecy and politics. Although the authorities did not understand his kingdom or his message, they were correct in his annointing. The scene swiftly shifts from the palm lined entrance of a messiah into Jerusalem to the cross of a suffering servant.

Paul believes he is a herald of this king. No ordinary messenger, a herald brings the special message of a royal person. Heralds have authority and speak directly on behalf of a king. When Paul uses the word "proclamation" (kerygma), he means that his preaching is a royal message from the king of the universe.

The heart of Paul's proclamation is Jesus Christ and the cross. The cross reveals the power of God. On the cross, Jesus Christ died perfectly obedient to God, judging humanity and offering forgiveness.

During Holy Week, we remember the cross. The road to the empty tomb passes through Golgotha, blocked by the cross. Jesus Christ suffered on our behalf. May we pause there this week to see the true power of God.

Youth Sunday

^"12Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching." 1 Timothy 4.12-13

Since Forest Presbyterian's youth group is leading worship 3/21/2010, there is no sermon update this week. Check back next Thursday for Passion/Palm Sunday, when we will discuss 1 Corinthians 2.1-5. Check out the podcast link to the right to listen to earlier sermons.

God bless!

Yours in Christ...

1 Corinthians 6

This Sunday, Paul pushes the Corinthians further on the ethics of the community. He argues against taking fellow Christians to court and the anti-nomianism present at Corinth.

In Matthew, Jesus counsels the church to resolve disputes in the church face to face, before even involving any other people. Jesus understood human nature and our desire to solve our problems by involving others. Jesus counsels that we be direct, honest, and assertive.

The Corinthians had begun to take church matters into the Roman courts. Acts 18 shows how quickly the Corinthians had forgotten their history; the leaders of the synagogue tried to take Paul to court. Now, the Corinthian church was repeating history, asking a pagan civil court to settle a theological matter. Our baptism join us together in Christ and means Christians should settle our disputes within the community if at all possible.

The phrase "all things are lawful for me" translates more literally as "all things are possible." The law is not even at issue. The Corinthians think that since they are free from the letter of the law that they can do whatever they want. Paul counters with his earlier metaphor - our bodies are the very presence of God in the world, a temple, a place set apart. Paul focuses their attention on the Spirit within. Our response to the grace of God - glorify!

May we glorify and enjoy God forever!

1 Corinthians 5

Paul's epistles are "occasional" letters. Occasional does not mean that the letters are written at irregularly spaced intervals. Instead, Paul's letters are addressed to specific congregations with specific issues. Corinth's issues revolve around sex, resources/food, and power.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul finally begins to address the issues at hand. The word Paul uses is porneia, the root for our word pornography (a written porneia). The root of Porneia meant prostitute, male or female. This kind of sexual anarchy described violates the sanctity of the community and of the individuals involved. In Corinth, a man is living with his father's wife. Paul accuses a member of the community of incest, an ethical violation in virtually every culture. This breach corroded the life of the congregation and led to arrogance and defensiveness.

Paul makes the theological connection between sex and passover. Passover is a time for renewal and restoration, a deliverance from whatever is oppressing us. Lent is the forty days leading up to passover, a time to throw out the old things from our lives, remembering what Jesus has done for us and the new life to which he has called us. Actions based in "Sincerity and Truth" require repentance. May we become worthy, for worthy is the Lamb, Jesus Christ!