First Christian Union - Sermons

In our second sermon in the Silver Bells series, we'll explore Isaiah 63:1-3 discover that Christmas feelings fade, but Christ's fulfillment remains. It's a message of hope, a message of reality, and a message of joy, reminding us that the true "feeling of Christmas" is not in the air - it's in the arrival of the One who came to bind up the brokenhearted and set captives free.

John brings us a new Christmas series: Silver Bells. In this first sermon, City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks, we discover that in the midst of life's constant busyness and directionless striving, God gives a transforming sign - Jesus, Immanuel, God with us - who changes our direction, priorities, and purpose.

In the final sermon of our series, John brings us a message of encouragement from Paul where we learn that a spiritually mature church is marked by alertness, steadfast conviction, Christlike love, and servant hearted ministry demonstrated through our actions and relationships..

As the apostle Paul is closing out his letter to the Corinthians, he writes to tell them of his travel plans. But his travel plans include a caveat, "if the Lord permits." John explains to us how living within the framework of God's will helps to navigate life's struggles. We need a team effort and Paul shares about those who are working with them and how we should relate.

This message finds us in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 where Paul writes to the church about their generosity in taking up an offering for the church in Jerusalem which is struggling. There are some principles of giving that John helps us identify in our text: True Christian generosity flows from grace, is practiced with disciple, and demonstrates unity within the body of Christ.

John brings us another message from 1 Corinthians. This sermon is covering chapter 15 verses 50-58 where Paul informs us that flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God, therefore, those who are left alive when Christ returns will be instantaneously transformed into a new body which is incorruptible.

John is bringing us another message in our sermons series. If you've ever wondered what lies beyond the grave, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, expresses a hope far more real and glorious than even our best science or boldest promises can offer. God invites us to see resurrection not as a fantasy, but as a reality.

John is bringing us a message from 1 Corinthians 15:29-34 where we discover how the resurrection gives meaning to our faith, purpose for our suffering, and power to our morality. If there is no resurrection, even or baptism is insignificant and has to meaning.

John brings us another message from 1 Corinthians 15. This time, we'll look at how the resurrection of Christ guarantees not just life after death, but a kingdom where death itself dies and hope springs eternal.

John's sermon today focuses on 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 where we discover that without the resurrection, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins.

John is bringing us a message from 1 Corinthians 15 where we learn that the Gospel message is where we take our stand. When the world around is is skeptical of all the statements about Christ, Paul reassures us that there is verifiable evidence on which we can put our hope.

John is bringing us a message from 1 Corinthians 14 where we learn that God has an expectation for His people to worship with order and not chaos. The gifts that He has given us through His Holy Spirit are designed to bring the most benefit to the body of Christ when they are used in their proper manner.

This message explores the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians. Here we discover the ultimate gift of the Spirit that everyone should seek to possess in abundance, the gift of love. In our sermon, John will help us discover why love is so essential, what love looks like, and why love endures.

In this sermon, John covers Paul's letter to Corinthians where he discusses the aspect of the differences in the body of Christ, yet how they are drawn together as one. While we each are blessed with unique gifts, those gifts are designed to build up the body of Christ.

In our message today, John shares with us how the Christians in Corinth were making a mockery of the Lord's Supper because of their divisive spirit. So, Paul confronts their attitude and actions and reminds them of the purpose behind the memorial and warns them about partaking of it in an unworthy manner.

John brings us another message in our study through 1 Corinthians. In chapter 11, Paul addresses a difficult subject that was complicating things in the church of Corinth. He speaks to the issue of how men and women are to worship God in proper decorum and godly order. It's not really about head coverings, rather it's about our identity in Christ and following God's design for life.

Dennis McConnaughhay with Central Christian College of the Bible is our speaker today. He brings to us a message of hope when life is hard.

In this sermon, from 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1, we'll learn that God expects our full devotion and worship. He is a jealous God and doesn't want to share us with demons who are found in the idolatries of the world. While we have freedom in Christ, we are called to serve Him and others, not to be served. In everything we do, we are to do it for the glory of God.

As chapter 10 of 1 Corinthians begins, Paul is giving a history lesson of Israel's past to remind the Corinthians that even though you may have the blessings of God in your life, even though you may be privileged to be considered His chosen people, you have to live a life of faithfulness. When temptations come your way, God expects you to resist and overcome, however, if you are ready for that...

John brings us another message from the book of 1 Corinthians. This sermon comes from chapter 9 where Paul tells us that true Christian freedom means sacrificing personal rights, adapting to others, and living with discipline to advance the gospel for God's glory and the salvation of others.

John brings us another sermon from the book of 1 Corinthians. This message comes from chapter 8 where the apostle Paul is addressing the issue of eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols. But, in truth, Paul is speaking more to us about how we live out the freedom we have in Christ without doing harm to others in their vulnerable faith.

John brings us another message through 1 Corinthians 7:25-40, where Paul teaches that whether single or married, we are called to live with undivided devotion to God, making choices that prioritize His eternal kingdom over temporary distractions

In our message today from 1 Corinthians 7, John teaches us that no matter our marital status or social situation, we are called to faithfulness, contentment, and identity in Christ. Our lives are not defined by circumstances, but by the One who called us.

In this message, John speaks to us about our sexual integrity. While the world may view sexual relationships outside the bounds of marriage, God has other plans for it. We are informed by Paul that our bodies are not our own, they were bought with a price, therefore, we are to glorify God in everything with do with them.

John is bringing us a message from 1 Corinthians 6 where we discover the church has developed a problem of taking each other to court, making a public spectacle of Christ before a non-believing world. Paul has a lot to say about how we should resolve conflicts within the church through wisdom, humility, and holiness.