Undivided Worship

Originally preached on July 7, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

The sermon on 1 Corinthians 10:14–22 calls the church to undivided worship, urging believers to “flee from idolatry” and give exclusive allegiance to the Lord. Paul warns against mixing Christian worship with participation in false spiritual practices, showing that communion unites believers to Christ, worship is shaped by sacrifice, and idolatry carries real spiritual danger. Because God is jealous for his people’s devotion, the church must resist divided loyalties and examine modern cultural idols so that all worship remains centered on Christ alone.

Undivided Worship (1 Corinthians 10:14-22)
Aaron Halstead

Walking in Community

Originally preached on July 14, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul concludes 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 by teaching that Christian freedom must always be shaped by love for others and the glory of God. While many things may be permissible, not everything is helpful or builds others up, so believers are called to consider how their actions affect fellow Christians and their witness to the world. Scripture, context, and conscience all help guide decisions, but the governing principle is self-giving love that seeks the good of others. Ultimately, everything is to be done for God’s glory, the health of the church community, and in imitation of Christ, who lived not for himself but for others.

Walking in Community (1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
Aaron Halstead

A Set Apart People

Originally preached on July 2, 2024.

scripture

1 Peter 1:13-16

Series

Set Apart

summary

The church is a set-apart people in Christ, called to reflect God’s holiness both in identity and in ongoing transformation. Through the Spirit, believers are not only declared holy (positionally) but are being made holy in practice (instrumentally). This growth happens as the church turns continually to God in repentance, renews its mind in the Word, and lives in gospel-shaped community. As we behold Christ together, the Spirit transforms us “from one degree of glory to another,” forming a people who reflect Jesus to the world.

A Set Apart People (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Aaron Halstead

Called to Reflect

Originally preached on July 28, 2024.

scripture

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Series

Set Apart

summary

In 2 Corinthians 3:16–18, Paul teaches that when someone turns to Christ, the spiritual “veil” is removed, bringing freedom in the Spirit and ongoing transformation into the image of Jesus. As believers behold God’s glory through Christ, the Holy Spirit progressively changes them “from one degree of glory to another,” making the church a community shaped by God’s presence and reflecting Christ’s character in the world.

Called to Reflect (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
Aaron Halstead

The Truth

Originally preached on August 4, 2024.

scripture

John 17:15-19

Series

Set Apart

summary

In John 17, Jesus prays that his followers would be protected from evil, sanctified in the truth of God’s Word, and sent into the world to continue his mission. The sermon emphasizes that the church’s holiness is rooted in God’s holiness and formed through Scripture, the Spirit, and the gospel, shaping believers to reflect God’s character by rejecting evil, standing in truth, and living as a visible witness of God’s justice and grace in the world.

The Truth (John 17:15-19)
Aaron Halstead

Healthy Corporate Worship

Originally preached on August 11, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

In 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, Paul addresses the Corinthians’ worship practices around head coverings, urging them to honor Christ’s created order, the church’s unity, and cultural expectations in ways that avoid shame or confusion in gathered worship. While affirming equality in Christ, he calls believers to practice worship that reflects both theological truth and appropriate public witness, showing respect for one another, their cultural context, and God’s design for order in the church.

Healthy Corporate Worship (1 Corinthians 11:2-16)
Aaron Halstead

A Serious & Sincere Supper

Originally preached on August 18, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

In 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for turning the Lord’s Supper into a divided and selfish meal that reflects social inequality instead of gospel unity. Some eat ahead and exclude others, even becoming drunk, which dishonors both the church and the meaning of the meal. Paul corrects them by returning to Jesus’ institution of the Supper, showing that it is a communal act that proclaims Christ’s death and looks forward to his return. Because of this, believers are called to examine themselves and discern the body before participating. The main point is that Communion is a serious, shared act of worship that must reflect the unity and holiness of the church.

A Serious & Sincere Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
Aaron Halstead

Spiritual Gifts

Originally preached on August 25, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

In 1 Corinthians 12:1–11, Paul explains that spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit, are given to each believer differently, and are meant for the common good of the church. The same Spirit works through diverse gifts, not for personal status but to build up the body of Christ.

Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
Chris Farnsworth

Get in Shape

Originally preached on September 1, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

In 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, Paul teaches that the church is a living body, not a mere organization, formed and directed by the Holy Spirit. Every believer has a God-given place and gift, and no member is inferior or superior to another. God intentionally designs this diversity so the church can function in unity, where each part is necessary and interdependent. Rather than uniformity or competition, the church thrives through Spirit-given variety expressed in mutual care and shared life. This unity is ultimately grounded in love, which ensures that every gift serves the building up of the body for God’s glory.

Get in Shape (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)
Aaron Halstead

The More Excellent Way

Originally preached on September 15, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 13

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul teaches that love is greater than every spiritual gift and the necessary foundation for all Christian life and ministry. Without love, even the most impressive acts of service are empty. Love is patient, humble, and self-giving, ultimately reflected in Christ Himself. Gifts are temporary and partial, but love endures forever, shaping the church now and into eternity.

The More Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 13)
Aaron Halstead

Spirit-Led Worship

Originally preached on September 22, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:1-12

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches that Spirit-led worship must be driven by love and focused on building up the church rather than personal spiritual experience. Spiritual gifts—especially tongues and prophecy—are meant to be intelligible and edifying so that the whole body is strengthened. While the Spirit may move in powerful ways, the true measure of maturity is whether worship produces understanding, unity, and growth in others, not just private spiritual feelings.

Spirit-Led Worship (1 Corinthians 14:1-12)
Aaron Halstead

Types of Spiritual Gifts

Originally preached on September 29, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

This sermon teaches that God gives spiritual gifts to every believer, not for self-promotion but to help and serve the church. These gifts—ranging from sign gifts and speaking gifts to serving gifts—are distributed by the Holy Spirit in different ways for the building up of the body of Christ. Because the Spirit works for the maturity and unity of the church, believers are encouraged to discern their gifts in community and use them humbly for the good of others.

Types of Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
Aaron Halstead

Spiritually Mature Worship

Originally preached on October 6, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:13-25

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches that Spirit-led worship should be both intelligible and mature, prioritizing understanding, truth, and the building up of the church over private emotional or chaotic experiences. He argues that worship must engage both mind and heart, follow the apostolic pattern, and reflect spiritual maturity rather than childish self-focus. When the church centers on the gospel, worship produces conviction, confession, and ultimately genuine encounter with God that edifies both believers and seekers.

Spiritually Mature Worship (1 Corinthians 14:13-25)
Aaron Halstead

Worship with Purpose

Originally preached on October 13, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 14:26–33 that corporate worship must be orderly and focused on building up the church rather than personal expression or chaos. Spiritual gifts are meant to serve others, so tongues and prophecy are to be practiced with limits, clarity, and self-control. Because God is a God of peace, not confusion, worship should reflect His character—controlled, edifying, and purposeful.

Worship with Purpose (1 Corinthians 14:26-33)
Aaron Halstead

Deciphering Silence

Originally preached on October 27, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

The sermon argues that 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 addresses a specific case of disorder in Corinthian worship, not a blanket prohibition on women speaking in church. Paul’s concern is orderly, edifying worship in which all believers use their gifts appropriately. The passage is therefore applied as a call for self-control and structure in corporate worship so that the gospel is not obscured.

Deciphering Silence (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)
Aaron Halstead

Humble Worship

Originally preached on November 3, 2024.

scripture

1 Corinthians 14:36–40

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

This sermon teaches that healthy worship is humble worship under the authority of King Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul corrects the Corinthians’ pride by reminding them that worship is not shaped by personal preference or spiritual status, but by submission to Christ’s commands. Therefore, worship should be orderly, edifying, and governed by love for the whole church rather than individual expression.

Humble Worship (1 Corinthians 14:36-40)
Aaron Halstead

Prepare the Way

Originally preached on December 1, 2024.

scripture

Luke 3:1-6

Series

Prepare Him Room

summary

Luke presents John the Baptist as the prophetic voice preparing Israel for the coming Messiah by calling them to repentance and clearing every obstacle that would hinder their reception of God’s salvation. Set against political power, religious leadership, pride, and cultural distraction, John’s summons exposes the spiritual “setbacks” that keep hearts from rightly seeing Christ. The solution is a baptism of repentance—turning from rival allegiances and false hopes to receive the forgiveness and renewal God offers. Advent, then, is a call to prepare the way again in our own hearts so that nothing crowds out Christ’s coming presence among us.

Prepare the Way (Luke 3:1-6)
Aaron Halstead

Abound in Love

Originally preached on December 8, 2024.

scripture

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Series

Prepare Him Room

summary

Paul tells the Thessalonian church that he longs to see them and fill up what is lacking in their faith, then immediately prays that God would make their love for one another and for all people overflow. That overflowing love is not only a mark of Christian maturity but also the pathway by which God establishes holiness in his people as they await Christ’s return. Advent love, then, is not passive sentiment but intentional, prayerful, outward-moving love that prepares believers to live faithfully before God and toward others.

Abound in Love (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)
Aaron Halstead

Practice Peace

Originally preached on December 15, 2024.

scripture

Philippians 4:2-7

Series

Prepare Him Room

summary

Paul urges the Philippian church to restore unity between Euodia and Syntyche, showing that peace is something believers must actively pursue, not passively expect. He calls the church to fight for reconciliation through rejoicing, gentleness, and prayer, grounded in the nearness of Christ and the gospel of peace. True peace, he says, is not merely the absence of conflict but the guarding, transcendent peace of God that flows from reconciliation with him in Christ. Because of this, Christians are called to be intentional and even “militant” peacemakers—bringing reconciliation into relationships, resisting anxiety, and embodying the peace of Christ in every context.

Practice Peace (Philippians 4:2-7)
Aaron Halstead