Sermon – How to go to Church: Loving ALL the Church (1 Cor 12:12-31)

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

This Bible talk is about how the church is like a body – it has many parts with different gifts that all act to serve each other, where a missing part affects every other part. As a church in unity under Christ, do not let our selfishness exclude others and bring division. Instead let us all care for one another, suffer together, and rejoice together.

Sermon – How to go to Church: Gospel Gifts (1 Cor 12:1-11)

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

In this Bible talk, Ken Noakes look at what is written to the church of Corinth about how spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit for a purpose. Misused, these gifts and our attitude toward those who don’t seem to have the same gifts, can cause us to become prideful and feel superior to others spiritually. That should not be. We are reminded that each gift from the Holy Spirit is used for serving each other, for the common good, while glorifying the Lord. It is not for ranking each other spiritually.

Sermon – How to go to Church: Trouble caused by Division (1 Cor 11:17-34)

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

In the letter of 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul has been addressing numerous matters to help the Christians in Corinth consider how they live for Christ – both before the world, and within the church family.

In this talk Ken Noakes looks at the rebuke that is written to the church of Corinth because of their selfishness has hurt their fellowship. He focuses on the way that they share in the Lord’s Supper. There are lessons for the church today. The Lord’s Supper should humble us as we remember Christ’s death and proclaim his coming again. When you remember Christ’s death, and where he is taking us, there is no room for a pecking order, or being concerned with social status, or competing with each other. As a result, we must examine ourselves (11:28) and wait for one another (11:34).

This talk will also help us thing about how we deal with division within the church family.

Sermon – How to go to Church: Men and Women (1 Cor 11:2-16)

This post, we offer two different (yet complementary) sermons on the same passage – 1 Corinthians 11:2-16…

Preacher: Ken D Noakes
Preacher: Nick Lindeback

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

In the letter of 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul has been addressing numerous matters to help the Christians in Corinth consider how they live for Christ – both before the world, and within the church family.

Previously in this series we have considered what Paul has said about Christian freedoms as taught in chapters 8-10. In this talk we turn our attention to how Christians should live together as a church family – and there are several matters which will be addressed from Chapters 11 through to 14 which all relate to what happening in a specific church gathering. We start with the first half of chapter 11 which speaks in particular to those who are married within a church family.

Sermon – How to go to Church: Freedom to Go to Without (1 Cor 9:1-23)

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

As a society we have never had more freedom – yet we use that freedom to serve ourselves. The Corinthian Church know they are free in Christ. Yet they use this freedom to love themselves and not others. How will we, who are free in Christ, use our freedom? Will we follow our society and the Corinthian Church by loving ourselves? Or will we use our freedom to build up the church in love?

In this Bible Talk, Ken Noakes looks how our ‘age of entitlement’ in fact limits our personal entitlements. And for the Christian person there are key responsibilities that come with our gospel entitlement.

Sermon – How to go to Church: FOMO – Fear of Missing Out! (1 Cor 8:1-13 & 10:23-11:1)

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 & 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

As a society we have never had more freedom, yet we often use that freedom to serve ourselves. The Corinthian Church know they are free in Christ, but they use this freedom to love themselves and not others. How will we, who are free in Christ, use our freedom? Will we follow our society and the Corinthian Church by loving ourselves? Or will we use our freedom to build up the church in love?

In this Bible Talk, Nick Lindeback looks at the how some actions are permissible for the Christian person and not not inherently sinful, but in exercising that action may cause others to stumble (thus sin) in their faith. The point: consider whether your actions are loving to other fellow Christians before doing them.

Book Review: The Solo Pastor – Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Leading a Church Alone (by Gary L. McIntosh)

The Solo Pastor is a book of experienced wisdom from a man with a track record of almost fifty years of consulting, teaching, writing and supporting Pastors in their efforts to lead gospel-minded churches.

The aim of this book, as the title suggests, is to offer some help to those who pastor churches on their own (vocationally speaking). As highlighted, there are particular challenges in this setting, which the author lists and addresses across four parts. There is a logical progression through the book from understanding both the role and the unique circumstances that the solo pastor needs to address (Part 1); the relationship dynamics that the solo pastor needs to wisely negotiate (Part 2); some leadership priorities that the solo pastor should consider (Part 3); and finally some longer terms personal habits that the solo pastor could employ to help them run a long and effective race (Part 4).

It is written with the US church scene in mind and so the contrast is often between the solo pastor church and the megachurch (a distinctive which is less relevant in an Australian setting) – that said, the observations, principles and applications that are offered are insightful and helpful for the non-US setting.

The format is simple and effective. Each short chapter starts in conversation between a solo pastor and mentor figure and introduces the topic of the chapter. The reader will identify quickly their own version of what is being discussed. This is followed by a set of instructional points, laced with helpful reflections, corrections and tips for managing each aspect. His chapters on building relationships (chapter 4) and managing relationships (chapter 5: ‘Stop Playing Fetch’ and Chapter 6: ‘Check Bullies’) are very helpful and reveal some of the authors style in parish leadership. And then each chapter concludes with some questions and practical ideas for implementation to benefit the reader if they are willing to stop and reflect.

The title of the book will attract the pastor looking for help in their solo setting, and it narrows its scope of usefulness. I am not a solo pastor (vocationally), and so in that sense, the title excludes its relevance to me, and yet I found this book very helpful for several reasons. It helped me to understand pastors and churches who operate under a solo model, but more it helped me to reflect on both the differences and commonalities with solo pastors that I experience as a team pastor. And further, so many of the authors instructional points, although directed to the solo pastor, were equally as relevant for me or any pastor in vocational ministry (regardless of the size of their ministry team). I was greatly helped.

The chapter titled ‘Communicate Well’ (Chapter 7) is very helpful in understanding the different ways that people listen (and what needs to be done to ensure that what is communicated is also heard). I was surprised that there was not more said about different generational communication preferences. And the chapter on setting goals and vision (Chapter 8: ‘Establish Direction’) is insightful in listing the mistakes that solo pastors (and church leadership boards/councils) can make. I wondered if a discussion about leadership culture would strengthen the chapter (that said, each chapter is meant to be short and sharp!).

This is not a book aiming to do detailed biblical exegesis, yet often the instructional points raised are biblically referenced or illustrated. In most part this is done quickly, helpfully and usefully by giving weight to the point being made. Apart from a theological parallelism using the story of Nehemiah in the conclusion of the book (titled: ‘Take Flight’) which in my mind is a little overstated, the authors use of the Bible encourages the reader to think about the leadership principles that, if applied, will serve God’s church and support the pastor in question.

The book is published by Baker Books (and is available through most good theological book retailers in both hard copy and ebook). I hope this will be a helpful and encouraging resource for many pastors around the world who labour in serving God’s people. I commend it.

Available for Australian purchase here

Available for US purchase here

Reviewed by Ken D Noakes (by request)

Sermon – A Confounded World: Jesus’ Directive (Matthew 9:35-10:15)

Read the text – Matthew 9:35-10:15

In this Bible talk, Gary Haddon, speaks about how Jesus had compassion on those who did not know him, those who were lost. And how Jesus helped his disciples to see the need, pray and then go and show them Jesus. Do as I have said and done – save the lost sheep of Israel. Save those who have long awaited the kingdom of heaven, and waited for their messiah, their good shepherd – for in Jesus, the time had come.

How do disciples today, proclaim the good news, not as an apostle, but as a disciple commissioned by Jesus to go out to the nations.

Sermon – A Confounded World: Jesus’ Goodness (Matthew 9:18-34)

Read the text – Matthew 9:18-34

Whilst Jesus appears to have the power to do anything, he uses it to demonstrate his compassion on all who come (regardless of their station in life) – and the outcome: faith. In this talk, Dave Swan, considers how Jesus shows his goodness and compassion to those who had faith during his time on earth, and they were healed. Just like those who met Jesus during his time as a man, everyone should also put their faith in him and trust his goodness. Not everyone does.