Sermons on 1 Corinthians

Sermons on 1 Corinthians

The Witness to Christ’s Resurrection (50 min)

John Riddle expounds 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, highlighting the witness of Paul’s preaching, the witness of the prophetic Scriptures, and the list of over 500 witnesses who saw the resurrected Christ with their own eyes. (Recorded at Helions Bumpstead Gospel Hall, 22nd Sept 2018)

The Bible Stands or Falls as a Whole (22 min)

Jonathan Seed preaches on the consequences of tampering with biblical truth. Tempted to tweak what we believe under pressure from the world, believers run the danger of destroying the foundation of everything. Modify a part ends up destroying the whole. Reading: 1 Cor 15:12-19 (Recorded at Jackson Gospel Hall conference, 17th Feb 2024)

The Power of the Cross in Corinthians (29 min)

Tom Armstrong preaches on “the power of the cross in 1st Corinthians”. He highlights the preaching, purity, proclamation and power of the cross, and relates these as the solution to the various problems that existed in the church at Corinth. Readings: 1 Cor 1:17, 5:1-8, 10:16-17, 21, 11:23-26, 15:1-2, 13-14, 20, 51-58. (Recorded in Northampton, 29th Apr 2018) Complete series: The Pictures of the Cross in Genesis The Power of the Cross in Corinthians The Purpose of the Cross in…

Barometer of an Assembly (34 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on the mentions in 1 Corinthians of the word “love”. He takes up the remedy of love and the realms of love in an assembly, highlighting the great “love chapter” of Ch 13. Readings: 1 Cor 4:14-21, 8:1-3, 13:1-13, 16:13-14, 21-24, 2 Cor 11:10-11, 12:14-15. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, in 2005). Complete series on “Repetition and Reinforcement to Deal with the Chaos in Corinth”: Blemishes in an Assembly: mentions of “among you” in Corinthians Boundaries in…

Blots in an Assembly (45 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on the mentions in 1 Corinthians of the word “shame”. His outline: The shame of ingratitude (Ch 4); the shame of inadequacy (Ch 6); the shame of inconsistency (Ch 11); the shame of inconsideration (Ch 11); the shame of indecency (Ch 14); the shame of ignorance (Ch 15). Readings: Gen 2:25, Exod 32:25, 1 Cor 4:14-16, 6:5-7, 11:6, 22, 14:33-38, 15:33-34, 1 Tim 2:1-2, 8-15. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, in 2005). Complete series on “Repetition…

Blindness in an Assembly (35 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on the mentions in 1 Corinthians of the word “judge”. His outline: Premature judgment (Ch 4); postponed judgment (Ch 5); prohibited judgment (Ch 6); providential judgment (Ch 11); permissible judgment (Ch 11). Readings: 1 Cor 4:1-5, 8, 5:1-3, 6-8, 11-13, 6:1-3, 5, 11:13, 29-32. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, in 2005). Complete series on “Repetition and Reinforcement to Deal with the Chaos in Corinth”: Blemishes in an Assembly: mentions of “among you” in Corinthians Boundaries in an…

Burdens in an Assembly (49 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on the mentions in 1 Corinthians of “every man” or “any man”. His outline: Contributing my labour (Ch 3); Conduct in light of the Bema (Ch 4); Consecrating myself to God (Ch 7); Considering the welfare of others (Ch 10); Cultivating gift (Ch 12); Communicating materially (Ch 16). Readings: 1 Cor 3:8, 13, 4:3-5, 7:7, 17, 20, 24, 29-31, 10:24, 12:7, 11, 18, 16:1-3. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, in 2005). Complete series on “Repetition and…

Be Subject in an Assembly (34 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on the mentions in 1 Corinthians of “subjection/submission”. His outline: Personal submission (Ch 9); doctrinal submission (Ch 11); practical submission (Ch 14); vocal submission (Ch 14); governmental submission (Ch 16); universal submission (Ch 15). Readings: 1 Cor 9:19-21, 23-27, 11:1-10, 14:29-34, 15:24-28, 16:10, 12-16. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, in 2005). Complete series on “Repetition and Reinforcement to Deal with the Chaos in Corinth”: Blemishes in an Assembly: mentions of “among you” in Corinthians Boundaries in an…

Biases in an Assembly (33 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on the mentions in 1 Corinthians of the verb “think” in 1 Corinthians. His outline: How I think and how I build (Ch 3); How I think and how I behave (Ch 8); How I think and how I boast (Ch 10); How I think and my brother (Ch 12); How I think and the Bible (Ch 14). Readings: 1 Cor 3:1-3, 9-13, 18-20, 8:1-2, 10:12, 12:22, 14:36-38. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, in 2005) Complete…

Boundaries in an Assembly (48 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on mentions in 1 Corinthians of the word “fellowship”. After looking at the principle, purpose and peril of boundaries, Dr Higgins outlines 5 implications of fellowship (Ch 1), 5 inconsistencies in fellowship (Ch 5), and 5 incompatibilities in fellowship (2 Cor 6). Readings: 1 Cor 1:10, 10:14-22, 31-33, 2 Cor 6:11-7:1. (Message preached in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, in 2005). Complete series on “Repetition and Reinforcement to Deal with the Chaos in Corinth”: Blemishes in an Assembly: mentions of…

Blemishes in an Assembly (50 min)

Sandy Higgins preaches on the mentions in 1 Corinthians of the expression “among you” and links them to a blemish in the Corinthians’ identity (Ch 1), a blemish in their maturity (Ch 3), a blemish in their purity (Ch 5), a blemish in their harmony (Ch 6), a blemish in their unity (Ch 11) and a blemish in their theology (Ch 15). Readings: 1 Cor 1:1-3, 5, 9-13, 3:1-3, 5:1-2, 6:5-6, 11:17-18, 20-22, 27, 30, 15:12. (Message preached in Waterloo,…

Stewardship in Corinthians (54 min)

David Gilliland takes up the subject of stewardship in Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians. Each of us are stewards of all that the Lord has given us. How are we carrying out that stewardship? Reading: 1 Cor 4:1-5 (Message preached in Northern Ireland in January 2002) Complete series: Lordship in Corinthians Fellowship in Corinthians Headship in Corinthians Membership in Corinthians Stewardship in Corinthians

Headship in Corinthians (66 min)

David Gilliland takes up the subject of headship in Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians. Headship in relation to the godhead, genders, glories and gatherings. He expounds what the Bible has to say on the issue of head coverings. Reading: 1 Cor 11:1-16 (Message preached in Northern Ireland in January 2002) Complete series: Lordship in Corinthians Fellowship in Corinthians Headship in Corinthians Membership in Corinthians Stewardship in Corinthians

Fellowship in Corinthians (57 min)

David Gilliland preaches on the topic of “fellowship” from Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. Mr Gilliland explains the perspective, preciousness, participants, prohibitions, and permanence of assembly fellowship. Readings: 1 Cor 1:9-12, 10:15-24, 2 Cor 6:14-16, 13:14. (Message preached in Northern Ireland in January 2002) Complete series: Lordship in Corinthians Fellowship in Corinthians Headship in Corinthians Membership in Corinthians Stewardship in Corinthians

Lordship in Corinthians (54 min)

David Gilliland begins a series on some of the “ships” in Corinth, by looking at the topic of “lordship”. After giving some background on the city of Corinth, Mr Gilliland describes how the apostle Paul emphasises the lordship of Christ in his first epistle to “the church of God in Corinth”. Reading: 1 Cor 1:1-10 (Message preached in Northern Ireland in January 2002) Complete series: Lordship in Corinthians Fellowship in Corinthians Headship in Corinthians Membership in Corinthians Stewardship in Corinthians

The Reality of the Local Assembly (49 min)

David Gilliland preaches on the reality of assembly fellowship, and reminds his audience of a number of features of an assembly from 1 Corinthians Ch 14; completeness, composition, convocations, concord, contribution and consideration. Readings: 1 Cor 14:23-26, 32-34, 39-40. (Message preached at Cork Conference, Ireland)

The Breaking of Bread (27 min)

Elton Fairfield preaches on the “breaking of bread”, the Lord’s Supper, under 4 headings. A command to appreciate, a cross to announce, a coming to anticipate, and a chastening to acknowledge. Readings: Acts 2:41-43, 1 Cor 11:20-34. (Message preached in Ballymena, 14th Oct 2020) Complete series on “following Christ”; The apostles’ doctrine Fellowship Breaking of bread Prayers

Why Are Head Coverings in Only One Chapter? (52 min)

PART 2 – The present-day use of head coverings is sometimes questioned because “they are only in one chapter of the Bible”. Michael Penfold addresses this issue as he sets out the order, meaning, operation and symbols of the biblical doctrine of “headship”. Readings: 1 Cor 11:1-17, 1 Tim 2:8-15. (Recorded in Manchester, CT, USA, 25th Mar 2023) Complete series on “critical assembly issues”: The evangelical revolution (Ownership and Lordship) Why are head coverings in only one chapter? (Headship) What’s…

Headship and Lordship Explained (45 min)

David Vallance explains the meaning of the two biblical concepts of ‘headship’ and ‘lordship’, distinguishing between them and drawing out their significance creatorially, ecclesiastically, maritally, individually and universally. Readings: 1 Cor 1:1-3, 9, 8:5-6, 11:2-16, 12:2-3, 16:22-24. (Message preached in Stark Road Gospel hall, Livonia, MI, USA, 28th July 2021)

Now is Christ Risen from the Dead (47 min)

Dan Rudge preaches on the resurrection of Christ from the key New Testament chapter of 1 Corinthians Ch 15, expounding all the key themes of Paul’s argument. (Message preached in Sarnia Gospel Hall, 17th Sept 2022).

The Church and Its Functioning (42 min)

The Church from Eternity to Eternity – Part 5 – John Riddle preaches on the functioning of the local church from 1 Corinthians Ch 12, as he highlights issues the use of gift and the priority of edification. Reading: 1 Cor 12:1-11:19-27 (Message preached in Forres, Scotland, 2010)

You Are Not Your Own (31 min)

Michael Penfold preaches on “You are not your own”, and the implications of this Bible statement on the Christian’s life. If Christ has bought me with a price, He owns me. He’s sovereign over me. I cannot just do as I like with my body and my life. Everything is now no longer about me but about Him. Reading: 1 Cor 6:19-20. (Recorded in Nov 2018 at Stark Road Gospel Hall Conference, USA)

VIDEO Assembly Principles Part 4 (37 min)

PART 4 – Andrew Ussher preaches on the body character of the local assembly and the need for believers to understand and appreciate their place and their gift, have the right attitude, and not to complete with other believers or feel unhappy with their God-given role. Readings: 1 Cor 12:12-17 (Series given preached in Sarnia Gospel Hall, Canada, Jan 2022)

VIDEO Assembly Principles Part 3 (56 min)

PART 3 – Andrew Ussher preaches on the subject of “headship” from 1 Cor 11, He also takes up the subject of “worship” especially in relation to the gathering of the Lord’s Supper. Readings: 1 Cor 11:1-16. (Series given in Sarnia Gospel Hall, Canada, Jan 2022)

5 Dangers: 5 Resources (53 min)

Colin Hutchison preaches on 1 Cor 10:1-11 where the apostle Paul highlights 5 dangers facing the Christian, and 5 resources God has given us to enable us to overcome, all sourced in the Old Testament record of the dealings of God with the children of Israel (Message preached 2nd Oct 2021)

Should Women Wear Head Coverings? (50 min)

“Should women wear head coverings?” is a hugely significant question. It involves, among other things, the great doctrine of headship, the inspiration of Scripture, the distinction between the genders of male and female, and local church order. In this helpful message, David Gilliland sets out to answer what headship is, why women should wear head coverings, and what the head covering symbolises. In the process he answers questions like “Why does Paul seem to contradict himself between 1 Cor 11:5…

Headship and the Head Covering (49 min)

PART 4 – John Dennison works his way down 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (and 1 Cor 14:33-36) and deals with the Biblical subject of “the hierarchy of headship”, explaining 1. what it means for male and female roles in the local assembly and 2. how its symbolic display is seen in head coverings and hair length. He shows clearly that head coverings are not a “cultural issue” but rather something required of assemblies in all cultures, times and places. He explains…

What is “That Which Is Perfect”? (48 min)

Dan Rudge tackles the difficult question “What is ‘that which is perfect’?” from 1 Corinthians 13:10. He contends that Paul is referring to the completed canon of Scripture, rather than Christ or heaven, and gives sound biblical reasons for his view (Message preached 22nd Nov 2018)

Christ in Corinthians (38 min)

Michael Penfold preaches on “Christ in the 1st epistle to the Corinthians”. After dividing the book into 5 sections, he shows how Paul brings two aspects of the person and work of Christ into each section as he seeks to correct and encourage the assembly in Corinth. For example, in Chs 1-4, “the power and wisdom of God in Christ” are set forth as the answer to the divisions in Corinth (Message preached 12th Oct 2017)

Eve – The First Woman (40 min)

Michael Penfold preaches on the first women in the Bible – Eve, the wife of Adam. A number of basic issues are covered in this message, including the Bible’s teaching on gender (male and female), the divinely designed different roles for men and women in the home, in society and in the assembly, and the Biblical reasons why women are not allowed to teach or pray publicly in assembly gatherings. Readings from Gen Chs 2-3, 1 Cor 11:1-16, 1 Tim…

Bible Reading in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (25 min)

David Gilliland opens up 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, giving the background to the passage and outlining the difference between Lordship and Headship etc. The contribution section of the Bible Reading is not included. (Bible Reading in Bicester, Easter Apr 16th 2017)

Stewardship and the Local Assembly (44 min)

Leslie Craig preaches on the responsibilities, requirements and the review of the stewardship given to Christians. From Luke 16, 1 Cor 4, Titus 1 and 1 Peter 3, Mr Craig shows that all Christians are stewards – of time, of love, of property and of gift – and will answer to God one day for how we handled the responsibility He put into our hands (Message preached June 2016)

Membership and the Local Assembly (41 min)

Mervyn Hall preaches on membership of the local assembly from 1 Corinthians 12. Concepts of necessity, equality, unity and diversity are brought out in connection with the metaphor of the body. The topic is dealt with under three headings: foundation, figure and fruition. Practical teaching is given relative to gift in the assembly (Message preached May 2016)

Headship and the Local Assembly (50 min)

“Should women wear head coverings?” is a hugely significant question. It involves, among other things, the great doctrine of headship, the inspiration of Scripture, the distinction between the genders of male and female, and local church order. In this helpful message, David Gilliland sets out to answer what headship is, why women should wear head coverings, and what the head covering symbolises. In the process he answers questions like “Why does Paul seem to contradict himself between 1 Cor 11:5…

How Does an Assembly Function? (38 min)

Mervyn Hall preaches from 1 Corinthians Ch 3 and highlights the three metaphors for the local assembly in the chapter – God’s husbandry, God’s building and God’s temple. After expounding the background to the chapter, Mervyn develops numerous principles essential to the proper, unified and scriptural functioning of a local assembly (Message preached 8th May 2016)

An Overview of 1 Corinthians (38 min)

Peter Scarsbrook gives an overview of the apostle Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians. He works through the 16 chapters of the epistle one by one, outlining each chapter’s chief characteristics and giving practical teaching therefrom. He contends that “carnality” was the chief problem at Corinth which in turn gave rise to all of the other problems in the assembly (division, immorality, idolatry etc.) (Message preached 10th Mar 2016)

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (48 min)

Mervyn Hall preaches on the 21 gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Cor 12, Romans 12, Eph 4 and 1 Peter 4. Do all Christians have a gift? How do you know what your gift is? What is the relationship, if any, between natural ability and spiritual gift? Are all 21 gifts still in operation or have some of them ceased? These and other questions are answered in this wide ranging message about this important and practical subject of…

Moses – Through The Wilderness (29 min)

Mervyn Hall preaches on the wilderness journey of Israel. Working his way through 1 Cor 10:1-12, which states that the wilderness events were examples or types, written for our admonition, he highlights five events: the disobedience at Taberah, the insubordination at Sinai, the sedition at Shittim, the apostasy in the wilderness and the mutiny at Paran and brings practical exhortation to bear from each (Message preached 14th Dec 2014)

The Assembly and Its Gatherings (27 min)

Norman Mellish preaches on the gatherings of the local assembly from 1 Corinthians Chs 11-16. He outlines the last few chapters of that epistle as follows: Ch 11 Gatherings, Ch 12-14 Gifts, Ch 15 Gospel and Ch 16 Giving. He explains the reason why head coverings are worn in assembly gatherings and as regards the breaking of bread he outlines “not anyone, not anywhere, not any time and not anyhow” (Message preached 8th June 2014)

Male and Female Roles in the Local Assembly (23 min)

Mervyn Hall preaches on the different roles of men and women in a local New Testament assembly. He discusses the distinctions in role, remit and responsibility that are outlined in passages such as 1 Corinthians Ch 14 and 1 Timothy Ch 2. The topics of subjection vs authority and silence vs speaking are examined in the light of scripture (Message preached 12th May 2013)

The Body of Christ vs the Local Assembly (20 min)

Michael Penfold preaches on the distinctions between the “church which is His body” (Matt 16, Eph 5) and the “church of God at…” (a local assembly, Matt 18, 1 Cor 1:2). These are the only two aspects of “the church” that the New Testament envisages and a clear understanding of this fact will preserve from denominational confusion (Message preached 7th April 2013)

Natural, Carnal and Spiritual (25 min)

Mervyn Hall preaches on the distinctions between the three categories of persons in 1 Cor 2-3: “the natural man”, “the carnal man” and “the spiritual man”. He explains that, in the context, “the carnal man” refers not to a set category of “backslidden Christians” who show no evidence of salvation, but to believers in fellowship in the assembly at Corinth who were thinking and acting according to human wisdom (Message preached 17th Feb 2013)

The Wisdom of God vs the Wisdom of Men (29 min)

Mervyn Hall preaches on the vital need to distinguish between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men. The entire Christian worldview flows from a proper understanding of this distinction which Mervyn outlines from 1 Cor 1:17-25. A foundational message (Message preached 11th Nov 2012)

The Feast of Firstfruits (43 min)

PART 3 – Marcus Hall preaches on Israel’s third annual feast, “The Feast of Firstfruits”. He expounds Lev 23:9-14 and points out that this feast has its fulfillment in the resurrection of Christ. In the words of 1 Cor 15:23 “Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming (Message preached 8th Nov 2012)

Spiritual Gifts (44 min)

David West preaches on the use of spiritual gifts in the assembly. After an introduction, he looks at the nature of spiritual gifts, their diversity and the principles that govern their use. He also deals with the analogy of the human body employed by Paul in 1 Cor 12 (Message preached 24th May 2012)

Egypt to Canaan Part 1 (47 min)

John Stubbs preaches on the journey of the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan. In this introductory message he outlines the first section of 1 Cor Ch 10 wherein several incidents from Israel’s journey are highlighted, and from which the apostle Paul draws valuable practical lessons as inspired by the Holy Spirit (Message preached on 25th Nov 2006)