The Apostle Paul found himself in circumstances that left him troubled in his spirit. Things were not working out according to his original plan. Not only did he find the results temporally disappointing, but he also knew they would be disappointing to others. His colleague, Titus, could not join him in Troas as planned. He had an open door for ministry but not a sufficient team to fulfill it.

What do we do when we find ourselves in disappointing circumstances? Paul spends the next four chapters of his letter to the Corinthians sharing how we can live in the victory of Christ, despite circumstances that would trouble our souls. Do you know what it means to have the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus said, Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me (John 14:1). In Him, we have peace with God through His reconciling work on the cross. And in Him, we have the unconquerable ministry of the Holy Spirit actively conforming us to the image of Christ.

Join us this Sunday as we learn how in Christ ones can experience victory despite circumstances.

Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (even in places of lifes most difficult circumstances!) (2 Corinthians 2:14).

No one likes to be misunderstood, especially by those whom we have counted as close friends. It is one thing if people we do not know that well are suspicious of us. It is another thing if those you believed were on your team, had your back, and were in your corner, are suddenly bringing false accusations against you.

This was the experience of the Apostle Paul. A good number of the believers in Corinth, those whom he personally evangelized and discipled were influenced by the slanderous reports of Pauls enemies. Some were now questioning his motivations, his integrity and even his sanity!

We all struggle when we believe we have been wrongly accused. What is the Christ-like response? Sometimes Jesus answered his critics; sometimes not. In the Apostle Pauls second canonical letter to the Corinthians, we can gain some important insights.

Join us for a time of God-glorifying worship as we continue in our teaching series When Life Gets Tough and we observe the example of The Apostolic Art of Self-Defense. Pastor MacAdam will be teaching on 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4. We will be joyfully celebrating believers baptism after the teaching session.

The Apostle Paul has been inspecting the troops at Corinth. Now he is now ready to give his final marching orders. These are particularly relevant to our lives. They are not options or mere suggestions. These are the commands of a five-star general in the army of the early church. The recovery to spiritual health in the Christian community in Corinth will require extraordinary attentiveness, stability, courage, endurance, and love.

We need these qualities today if we are to be ‘steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord’. Now thanks be to God who gives us this victorious life to experience moment by moment!

Join us this Sunday as Pastor MacAdam continues to unpack the final chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

It is important to regularly check possible blind spots in the area of our human sexuality.

The catchphrases of our day need to be questioned: “My body, My choice”. “If it feels good, do it.” “Trust your heart.”

“All things are lawful for me” was a popular saying among church members in first century Corinth. However, it was easily misunderstood and needed clarification. The Word of God gives us clear boundaries about the use of our bodies. And not everything permissible within the bounds of God’s law is beneficial for us and for others. God’s good gifts can be abused. Appreciation for good things can lead to the blasphemies and bondages of idolatry and addiction.

Paul gives us an important reminder: The body is designed to be the instrument for accomplishing God’s purposes in the world. In the process of backing up this claim, he exposes common blind spots in our thinking about human sexuality and our physical bodies.

The Son of God by taking on a human body in the Incarnation and retaining a physical human body in the resurrection and ascension, has dignified the body for eternity. God expects us to treat our bodies as Christ treated His. Our resurrected bodies will have an important function in the age to come. What we do with our bodies today matters.

Join us this Sunday as Pastor MacAdam unpacks this important teaching from 1 Corinthians Chapter 6: “You are not Your Own”.

The marriage rate in the United States is now at an all-time low. It is reported that millennials are the first generation in our nation’s history where a majority remain unmarried (56%). Certainly, it is not always by choice. However, many young women are choosing sterilization rather than hoping for motherhood. Of those women who do choose to bear children, many postpone starting a family until a ‘convenient time’ when children can ‘complement their preferred lifestyle'. Children are considered a ‘nuisance’ until they qualify as ‘educated’, ‘useful’, and perhaps can give their parents sufficient bragging rights at soccer games and the like.

Today, in 25 States, the death rate exceeds the birth rate. Ironically, some of the loudest political voices advocating government sponsored childcare don’t have children.

Children were not highly esteemed in Jesus’ day either. The disciples were annoyed when young children were being brought to Jesus so He could pray for them. Jesus became indignant and rebuked his disciples. He insisted that children be valued. He saw each child, no matter what their age, as a living soul made in His image. Like all humans, every child desperately needs salvation. They need to repent of their sins and believe the gospel. But unlike many adults, young children give no pretension of being able to acquire salvation by themselves. They need a Savior.

Join us this Sunday as we explore the indispensable quality that is required in order to receive the kingdom of God.

Mark 10:15 15  "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

We will be hosting a time of dedicatory prayer for young families, commending parents and children to the gracious care of our Lord and to the Scriptures so they can know the way of salvation. We also pray that our New Life Community will be a supportive influence in the lives of the young ones among us.