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

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

Shaken by the Resurrection

Originally preached on January 5, 2025.

scripture

1 Corinthians 15:1–11

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 that the resurrection of Jesus is not just a belief but a reality that reshapes everything. The gospel is something received, held, and lived in, and its central truth—the risen Christ—shakes up our beliefs, our defining story, and our entire life trajectory. Jesus’ resurrection confronts every competing worldview, reorders our understanding of life, and transforms people like Paul himself from pride and opposition to humility and grace. Because Christ is truly risen and still at work through his witnesses, the church is called to live as resurrection people whose lives are redefined by the grace and power of God.

Shaken by the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

Aaron Halstead

A Resurrected Church

Originally preached on January 12, 2025.

scripture

1 Corinthians 15:12–28

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 15:12–28 that the resurrection of Jesus guarantees the future resurrection of all who belong to him. Without resurrection, the Christian faith collapses into emptiness, but because Christ has been raised as the “firstfruits,” death will ultimately be defeated and God’s kingdom fully established. In Christ, a new humanity is being formed, and believers are called to live now in light of that coming victory until God is all in all.

A Resurrected Church (1 Corinthians 15:12-28)

Aaron Halstead

What Kind of Body?

Originally preached on March 2, 2025.

scripture

1 Corinthians 15:35–50

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

This sermon from 1 Corinthians 15:35–50 explained that the resurrection is not an escape from the physical world but God’s renewal of it. Using examples from creation, Paul shows that God has the power to transform our current bodies into glorified, imperishable bodies patterned after the resurrected body of Jesus. Believers already experience new spiritual life through Christ, but one day that renewal will be completed in the resurrection. The main message was that the coming resurrection makes the church fit to live in the eternal kingdom, so Christians should live now as citizens of Christ’s kingdom while awaiting its full arrival.

What Kind of Body (1 Corinthians 15:35-50)

Aaron Halstead

So Keep Going

Originally preached on March 9, 2025.

scripture

1 Corinthians 15:51–58

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

This sermon from 1 Corinthians 15:51–58 emphasized the hope of the resurrection and the believer’s future transformation. Paul teaches that when Christ returns, both the living and the dead in Christ will be changed, receiving renewed and imperishable bodies. Because Jesus has already won victory over sin, death, and the grave through his resurrection, Christians can live with confidence and joy, knowing that death does not have the final word. The main application is clear: we will be changed, so keep going. Believers are called to remain steadfast, serve faithfully, and abound in the Lord’s work, trusting that nothing done for Christ is ever wasted and that their labor in him is not in vain.

So Keep Going (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)

Aaron Halstead

A Generous Church

Originally preached on March 16, 2025.

scripture

1 Corinthians 16:1–4

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

In 1 Corinthians 16:1–4, Paul teaches the church how to respond to financial need, showing that a healthy church is a generous church. Christian giving should be consistent, set aside regularly rather than sporadically; proportional, reflecting how God has blessed each believer; deliberate, planned rather than impulsive; and transparent, handled with accountability and integrity. Through these instructions, Paul reminds the church that generosity is not merely about meeting needs but is a tangible expression of gospel-shaped love and faithful stewardship.

A Generous Church (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)

Aaron Halstead

A Family Worth Staying For

Originally preached on March 23, 2025.

scripture

1 Corinthians 16:5–12

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

A healthy church is a family worth staying for because it is marked by presence, hospitality, and unity. Paul values staying together and investing real time in one another, not just quick visits. The church should be a place where people are welcomed like family, regardless of status or background, as seen in Timothy’s reception. And it must remain unified around Jesus, not personalities or preferences.

A Family Worth Staying For (1 Corinthians 16:5-12)

Aaron Halstead

What's Your Motivation?

Originally preached on March 3, 2025.

scripture

1 Corinthians 16:13–24

Series

How to Have a Healthy Church

summary

1 Corinthians 16:13–24 closes Paul’s letter by showing that a healthy church is defined by one controlling motivation: love. His final commands to be watchful, firm, strong, and courageous are all summed up in “let all that you do be done in love.” Paul then shows what this looks like in practice—honoring faithful servants, living with genuine unity, practicing wise discipline, extending grace, and remaining rooted in Christ. The church may be marked by doctrine and strength, but it is truly healthy only when everything flows from love for God, one another, and the world.

What's Your Motivation? (1 Corinthians 16:13-24)

Aaron Halstead