1 Cor 1:1-17 begins our series, inspired by the last message on Ezekiel, on Unity in Christ. The danger to the unity of the church in Corinth was the development of splinter groups following personalities like Paul, Apollos, and Cephas (Peter) and even a splinter group claiming that they followed Christ unlike the rest. Paul appeals to unity for their fellowship with one another with the theme of calling since they have been called to be saints together (1:2) and called into the fellowship of Jesus (1:9). Under this theme we see that not only are we not to be lone ranger Christians but also not lone ranger churches and that factions within a congregation deny the definition of saints and fellowship. Likewise, we looked at the ideas of Spiritual gifts and baptism to shed more light on these points about the fellowship of the people of God in union with Christ.

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Labels: 1 corinthians, baptism, calling, fellowship, Spiritual gifts, union with Christ, unity

1 Cor 1:1-17 begins our series, inspired by the last message on Ezekiel, on Unity in Christ. The danger to the unity of the church in Corinth was the development of splinter groups following personalities like Paul, Apollos, and Cephas (Peter) and even a splinter group claiming that they followed Christ unlike the rest. Paul appeals to unity for their fellowship with one another with the theme of calling since they have been called to be saints together (1:2) and called into the fellowship of Jesus (1:9). Under this theme we see that not only are we not to be lone ranger Christians but also not lone ranger churches and that factions within a congregation deny the definition of saints and fellowship. Likewise, we looked at the ideas of Spiritual gifts and baptism to shed more light on these points about the fellowship of the people of God in union with Christ.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: 1 corinthians, baptism, calling, fellowship, Spiritual gifts, union with Christ, unity

Ezekiel 37:15-28 adds one new emphasis to what Ezekiel has been saying: unity. The restoration from exile would not restore two kingdoms but one (like in the days of King David), with one God. These verses point us to the work of Jesus Christ who is Lord and King over one people (not just over the Jewish people of the southern and northern kingdoms, but even over the Gentiles) because of His greater exile on the cross and His greater restoration from exile in the resurrection. And Jesus has poured out the Spirit on His people so that we can be with the one God as one nation. This nation knows no national boundaries, but consists of Christians throughout the world whose citizenship is in heaven. Unity is impossible with those who do not have the Spirit, those who have not experienced an initial sanctification by the Spirit, those who are not united to Christ. But salvation is the restoration of communion with God through union with Christ by the Spirit in our hearts.

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Labels: church, ezekiel, king, spirit, union with Christ, unity

Ezekiel 37:15-28 adds one new emphasis to what Ezekiel has been saying: unity. The restoration from exile would not restore two kingdoms but one (like in the days of King David), with one God. These verses point us to the work of Jesus Christ who is Lord and King over one people (not just over the Jewish people of the southern and northern kingdoms, but even over the Gentiles) because of His greater exile on the cross and His greater restoration from exile in the resurrection. And Jesus has poured out the Spirit on His people so that we can be with the one God as one nation. This nation knows no national boundaries, but consists of Christians throughout the world whose citizenship is in heaven. Unity is impossible with those who do not have the Spirit, those who have not experienced an initial sanctification by the Spirit, those who are not united to Christ. But salvation is the restoration of communion with God through union with Christ by the Spirit in our hearts.

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Labels: church, exile, ezekiel, king, spirit, union with Christ, unity

Ezekiel 37:1-14, the famous passage about the dry bones, describes Israel as a deserted desert full of bones that are weak and dry. This is a picture of the cross without the resurrection. But with the resurrection picture of return from exile we can begin to see the hope that we have in Christ. Thus we remember that hope, see that we need to live with that hope as people who are alive, and promote that message of hope. Here we look at pessimism and optimism in light of the death and resurrection of Christ and His giving of the Spirit and see that pessimistic thought and attitudes are inconsistent with our identity as Christians. And here the text should encourage empathy for the unbeliever without hope and encourage evangelism as the answer to their exile from God.

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Labels: death, evangelism, exile, ezekiel, optimism, pessimism, resurrection, spirit

Ezekiel 37:1-14, the famous passage about the dry bones, describes Israel as a deserted desert full of bones that are weak and dry. This is a picture of the cross without the resurrection. But with the resurrection picture of return from exile we can begin to see the hope that we have in Christ. Thus we remember that hope, see that we need to live with that hope as people who are alive, and promote that message of hope. Here we look at pessimism and optimism in light of the death and resurrection of Christ and His giving of the Spirit and see that pessimistic thought and attitudes are inconsistent with our identity as Christians. And here the text should encourage empathy for the unbeliever without hope and encourage evangelism as the answer to their exile from God.

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Labels: death, evangelism, exile, ezekiel, optimism, pessimism, resurrection, spirit

Ezekiel 36:16-38 shows that God will act for the people of Israel not because of the people but because of His concern for His own name and reputation. After looking at the catechisms on the ninth commandment and mentioning current events (Jon & Kate Plus Eight), we looked at three ways this text comforts the people without causing us to think too highly of ourselves. The first way was by looking at the contrast between your character and God's character -- knowing yourself apart from the grace of God, knowing yourself in Christ, and knowing God. Secondly, in how the text points us to the death and resurrection of Christ. And third primarily looking at the giving of the Spirit on Pentecost. All three points provide comfort without being puffed up with conceit.

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Labels: character, christ, comfort, death, ezekiel, name, pentecost, reputation, resurrection, spirit

Ezekiel 36:16-38 shows that God will act for the people of Israel not because of the people but because of His concern for His own name and reputation. After looking at the catechisms on the ninth commandment and mentioning current events (Jon & Kate Plus Eight), we looked at three ways this text comforts the people without causing us to think too highly of ourselves. The first way was by looking at the contrast between your character and God's character -- knowing yourself apart from the grace of God, knowing yourself in Christ, and knowing God. Secondly, in how the text points us to the death and resurrection of Christ. And third primarily looking at the giving of the Spirit on Pentecost. All three points provide comfort without being puffed up with conceit.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: character, christ, comfort, death, ezekiel, name, ninth commandment, pentecost, reputation, resurrection, spirit