“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.” So St. Francis of Assisi is said to have said, and in today’s passage, Paul seems to agree. In fact, he says that the Corinthians themselves are a message from God, as their Spirit-filled lives bear…

God in Christ “always leads us in triumphal procession” (v. 14). Some say Paul means the Church is a victorious army of soldiers marching in the train of its glorious commander. But there were others who participated in such Ancient Roman parades which commemorated the victory of a conquering general…

“Why did I lose my job? Why did I get sick? Why did my husband or wife leave me? Why did my loved one have to die?” Whenever we encounter grief or loss, we instinctively try to make sense out of it. We try to find some meaning or purpose…

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love” (vv. 13-14). Who can question such obviously good advice? But how do we put it into practice in our real lives, filled as they often are with problems, grief,…

Bible Reading for June 23 – I Corinthians 15:35-58 What will life be like when Jesus returns? While we’ve all heard well-intentioned speculation on this question at funerals, the fact is that we can’t be sure that the new heavens and the new earth will include all our favorite pastimes…

What do you think is the most important part of the gospel? Is it living in a godly way? Is it the material blessings we receive? Is it trying to right the social wrongs we see all around us? Is it feeling at peace with God and with other people?…

The “worship wars” are raging within congregations throughout our country, separating Christians principally although not exclusively along generational lines. Some like robed choirs accompanied by organs. Some like praise bands featuring guitars and drums. And because each group not only prefers their own musical style but finds the other sort…

“All real Christians speak in tongues” – that’s what some of our Pentecostal friends say. “Speaking in tongues is a bunch of nonsense” – that’s what some of our Presbyterian friends say. But instead of accusing one another or trying to call the facts of each other’s Christian experience into…

Bible Reading for June 18 – I Corinthians 13:1-13 Today’s passage is often read at weddings, as the purest definition of Romantic affection. But let’s face it – Romantic love involves and inspires a whole range of emotions – sometimes affection, but other times impatience, frustration, jealousy, and even anger….

Bible Reading for June 17 – I Corinthians 12:1-31 Why is it so hard for us to love one another? Many times it is because of our differences – we don’t see the world the same way, we don’t have the same preferences, and we aren’t working toward the same…