Maple City Sermons

Paul's doctrinal argument for justification by faith alone apart from the works of the law is illustrated in these verses by way of an allegorical presentation of Old Testament events. The covenant of the flesh by law is contrasted with the covenant of promise by faith; Paul asks the Galatians, "Are you children of Sarah (promise) or Hagar (flesh)?" Ultimately, flesh leads to bondag...

Using athletic analogies, Paul explains that the Christian life should be lived with great purpose and determination. The calling of the Christian to live a life to please the Lord demands sacrifice and discipline, just like an athlete running in a race would discipline themselves to win the prize.  Support the show

Paul's love is clearly seen for the Galatian churches as he pours out his heart to them in an emotional plea for them to allow the image of Christ to be formed in them. This passage gives us insight into the relationship that pastors should have with their people and the attitudes that people should have toward their pastors.  Support the show

Paul continues his discussion with the Corinthians regarding the use of their freedom by providing them with himself as an example. Paul was willing to give up any and all freedoms and rights if it might remove barriers to the gospel going forth among different people groups. Christians today should maintain the same attitude as Paul with regard to our freedom.  Support the show

Paul explains all the reasons that Paul was rightfully entitled to be reimbursed for his ministry to the Corinthians. He then explains that the reason that he did not accept payment was to ensure that the gospel was not hindered in Corinth. Paul's life is an example of an essential truth that every believer must understand: It is our duty to forego our rights and freedoms when they might hind...

Paul helps the Corinthians (and us) to understand how we should deal with matters of conviction and conscience.  Support the show

Liberty is one of the great blessing afforded to us by the gospel; however, our liberty should not be used selfishly, but rather to glorify God and edify others.  Support the show

God has welcomed those who put their faith in Christ into His family as adopted sons. As a result, believers are granted the Spirit of Christ, they are made heirs of God and they can approach the throne of Almighty God with the knowledge that He is also their "Abba" Father. With all of these benefits of Sonship, Paul cannot understand why anyone would be made a son and choose to live lik...

The Corinthian believers were convinced that their knowledge of right and wrong was all they needed when deciding what they should and should not do in their church. Paul corrects their thinking by introducing love as another essential component in their decision making. Christian freedom must be exercised within the boundaries of both knowledge and love. Support the show

Paul continues his pastoral tone with the church of Corinth as he explains to them the benefits of both the married and the single life.  Support the show

Imagine your parents hired a person to shadow you all day long and punish you every time you did anything wrong. Paul explains that the law, as a "paidagogos" does just that - it condemns and punishes all people every time they break it. Thankfully, God has given us a promise received by faith that can bring freedom and adoption for every sinner.  Support the show

Paul's love for the Corinthian believers is evident as he writes to help them understand how God would have them live in the situation they are in. Christians should live at the foot of the cross with eternity in mind. Support the show

Believers today often live as though this life will never end. Paul's plea for the church of Corinth is to encourage the church to live as thought eternity is just around the corner. This life is fleeting, we are just passing through, and only what is done for eternity holds any ultimate value. Support the show

Christians are free from the curse of the law because Christ became a curse for us. Unfortunately, many believers fall back into a system of law-keeping to maintain their relationship with God rather than living in relationship with God by faith. Paul identifies the curse of the law and the surety of God's promises as two more reasons that the just should live by faith.  Support the show

God saves people from all different backgrounds, from every ethnicity, social status and income level. Rather than complaining about our circumstances or using them as an excuse as to why we cannot serve God, Paul expects all believers to live out the gospel in whatever situation they find themselves in. Bloom where you are planted! Support the show

Paul turns his attention to a question that the Corinthians had posed to him regarding the proper etiquette between men and women in the church. He then addresses issues about singleness, marriage, marital responsibilities and divorce. In this counter-cultural chapter, Paul explains how believers ought to behave, whether they are married or not. Support the show

The believers in Corinth assumed their freedom afforded them the ability to satisfy their flesh without fear of repercussion. Unfortunately, they failed to understand that freedom is a gift from God given to believers so that they may in love serve one another and live to glorify God.  Support the show

Love encourages, love, edifies, love sacrifices for, and sometimes, love sternly rebukes. In this text Paul's frustration with the Galatians is evident as he rebukes them harshly for their leaving of the gospel of faith for legalism. The Christian life is both entered and lived by faith; this truth, proclaimed by Paul, is seen in the conversion experience of the Galatians as well as the Fathe...

The law of God was never meant to justify; rather, the law reveals the holiness of God and the sinfulness of men. It is the law that informs mankind of their need of a Saviour outside of themselves. Paul makes it abundantly clear that any man who is justified (declared righteous) before a holy God is justified on the basis of their faith in Christ's finished work on the cross alone. Once we h...

As Paul continues his defense of the gospel in his letter to the churches of Galatia, he helps them understand how they ought to view others. The leaders must be seen as under the authority of God, the poor as cared for by God and the individual as a servant of God in desperate need of His power.  Support the show

The Apostle Peter is known for wonderful acts of courage, and tremendous lapses of faith. As Paul continues to defend the Gospel to the churches of Galatia, he relays the story of Peter's failure as the fear of men causes him to break fellowship with the Gentile believers in Antioch and deny the truth of the gospel with his actions.  Support the show

God's law is good and is effectual in its purpose of both revealing the character and holiness of God as well as diagnosing the sinfulness of man. In this text, Paul is fighting against the notion that the keeping of the law is a necessary part of salvation for the Gentile. Paul was willing to fight against the false teachers and the bondage their message would bring. The message he defended...

Christianity is unique because it is the only faith that teaches that God stepped in to rescue humanity when we were hopeless and helpless ourselves. Those who have been rescued must now live like it. Jesus saves us as we are, but He does not intend to leave us that way. Sinners must come to Christ for new life and then live that new life in a way that is completely different than their old lives....

Paul provides very clear instruction regarding a specific problem that was faced by the church in Corinth; believers were bringing lawsuits against fellow believers and in doing so, bring shame to the church and to Christ. While this situation does not apply to everyone, the principle that believers ought to be willing to suffer the wrong because they know who they are in Christ and the eternal li...

When believers live in unrepentant sin, it is the responsibility of the church to abstain from fellowship with them until their sin is confessed and forsaken. Believers are not commanded to separate themselves from the world, but they are expected to remain God's pure and holy people within the world they live. When sin comes into the church, it must be dealt with in a way that is ultimately...