In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul affirms both singleness and marriage as good options for Christians. But when he is asked about issues of separation and divorce, Paul applies the teaching of Jesus and the heart of God in a way that offers both grace and truth. There is hope for every marriage to stay together, there is hope for victims, and there is hope for life after divorce.

The sermon today is titled "Body Matters." It is the twelfth installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 7:8-15 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 17, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Coffman, James Burton. 1 Corinthians. Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible.
• Hays, Richard B. “Divorce and Remarriage,” in The Moral Vision of the New Testament, pp. 347-78, NY: HarperOne, 1996.
• Instone-Brewer, David. Divorce and Remarriage in the Church: Biblical Solutions for Pastoral Realities, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2006.
• Adams, J. E. Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage in the Bible: A Fresh Look at What Scripture Teaches, Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1980 / Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
• Grudem, Wayne, Heimbach, Daniel R., Mitchell, C. Ben, & Mitchell, Craig. “Divorce and Remarriage,” in ESV Study Bible, pp. 2545-47, Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008.
• Collier, Gary D. “Rethinking Jesus on Divorce,” RQ 37/2 (1995): 80-96.
• Lightfoot, Neil. “Paul on Marriage & Divorce (1 Cor 7).” ACU lectures 1982. (Audio)

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

In 1 Corinthians 5-7, Paul deals with a variety of situations that call for a healthy understanding of Christian sexual ethics. The heart of his response can be summarized as “honor God with your bodies.” How can Paul’s response to Corinth speak to our contemporary moment? One thing is certain: grace and truth belong together.

The sermon today is titled "Body Matters." It is the eleventh installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 6:13-20 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 10, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Abigail Favale, The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory (Ignatius Press, 2022)
• Wesley Hill, Washed & Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness & Homosexuality (Zondervan, 2010)
• Rubel Shelly, The Ink is Dry: God’s Distinctive Word on Marriage, Family, and Sexual Responsibility (College Press, 2023)
• Preston Sprinkle, Living in a Gray World: A Christian Teen’s Guide to Understanding Homosexuality (Zondervan, 2015)
• Preston Sprinkle, Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church & What the Bible Has To Say (David C Cook, 2021)
• Keith Stanglin, "Christian Moral Reasoning," Journal for Christian Studies
• Rubel Shelly, "The Ink Is Dry." Harding Inspire Bible Lectures 2024.
• Wesley Hill, "Washed and Waiting." Wheaton College Lecture.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

I have the right to surrender to Christ. I have the freedom to become a slave of Christ. I have the liberty to become dependent on Him. And living out of a cross-shaped story, I can choose to give up and give in for the good of the body and for the joy of love. Re-imagine what freedom looks like in Christ.

The sermon today is titled "When Rights Can Wrong." It is the tenth installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (ESV) and the contextual passage is 1 Corinthians 8-10. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 27, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• David Garland, 1 Corinthians, Baker (BECNT)

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.