Explore Paul's message to the Corinthian church, urging humility, graciousness, and sacrificial living empowered by God's Spirit. This sermon from First Christian Church in Brazil, IN, delves into 1 Corinthians 4, challenging believers to live intentionally for God's mission.

In this fifth installment of the UnFiltered sermon series from First Christian Church in Brazil, IN, we dive into 1 Corinthians 4, where the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church's struggles with pride, judgment, and complacency. Drawing from the sermon outline, Chris Gregg explores Paul's deep relational equity with the Corinthians, built over a year and a half of ministry in the vibrant, yet morally complex city of Corinth. The episode emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel and the need for God's Spirit to live graciously, intentionally, and sacrificially in a world prone to criticism and division.

Key Topics Discussed

Paul’s Mission in Corinth: Introduction to Paul's church-planting efforts in Corinth, a wealthy, sex-obsessed city, and God’s encouragement to him in Acts 18:9-10 to persevere in sharing the Gospel.

Relational Equity: The importance of building trust and proximity in relationships to share hard truths, as Paul did with the Corinthians, rooted in love (1 Corinthians 4:20).

God’s Empowering Spirit: How the Corinthian church forgot their need for God’s power, becoming prideful and judgmental, and Paul’s call to humility (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Living Graciously: Practical steps to live graciously by embracing brokenness, trusting God’s strength, and staying curious to avoid toxic narratives and gossip.

Intentional and Sacrificial Living: Paul’s sarcastic rebuke of the Corinthians’ complacency (1 Corinthians 4:8) and the call to live sacrificially for the Great Commission, as exemplified by Paul’s hardships (1 Corinthians 4:9-13).

Conviction vs. Shame: Paul’s fatherly admonition (1 Corinthians 4:14-16) to follow his example, distinguishing between shame from the enemy and Holy Spirit-led conviction.

Additional Notes

This sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own spiritual complacency and embrace God’s power to live out the Great Commission. Pastor references J.D. Greear’s insight on deepening one’s relationship with Jesus through helping others and encourages intentional living that sparks curiosity in others. The episode closes with a call to action: evaluate whether following Jesus is costing you anything, as inspired by Romans 12:1.

Links and Contact Information

Church Website: First Christian Church Brazil, IN

Sermon Podcast: First Christian Church Sermons on Apple Podcasts

Social Media:

Facebook: @fccbrazil

Instagram: @fccbrazil

Contact: Email office@fccbrazil.org for questions or to connect with our ministry team.

Further Reading: Explore more on 1 Corinthians with resources from The Gospel Coalition or BibleProject.

Discover the powerful connection between American freedom and Christian liberty in this inspiring July 4th weekend sermon! 🌟 Recorded live, this message dives deep into the heart of freedom—drawing from the solemn white crosses of Arlington, the roar of F-16s over Hulman Field, and the timeless truth of John 8:32-36: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Learn how to develop bulletproof character through integrity, responsibility, and accountability, as inspired by the Apostle Paul’s teachings in 2 Thessalonians 3 and 1 Corinthians 15:33. 🇺🇸✝️ Explore how your influence can spark church growth, honor God, and transform lives. Don’t miss this call to embrace your freedom as a Christian and a citizen with purpose! #July4thSermon #ChristianFreedom #BulletproofCharacter #FaithAndResponsibility

In this powerful sermon delivered on June 22, 2025, at First Christian Church in Brazil, Indiana, Pastor Chris Gregg dives into the transformative message of 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. Addressing a world filled with division—whether over global events like the recent bombing of Iran or local rivalries like Cubs vs. Cardinals fans—Pastor Chris emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the only one big enough to unite us. Drawing from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he highlights the simplicity and power of the gospel, urging believers to focus on the message of the cross rather than worldly wisdom.

Key Topics Discussed

Unity Through Jesus: Pastor Chris discusses how countless issues, big and small, can divide us, but Jesus is the unifying force for believers (00:01:04 - 00:01:52).

The Message of the Cross: Paul’s approach to sharing the gospel was not through persuasive speech but through the power of God, a model for all Christians (00:04:22 - 00:05:34).

God’s Hidden Wisdom: The sermon explores the “mysterion” (mystery) of God’s plan, revealed through the Holy Spirit to those who believe (00:07:00 - 00:09:06).

Spiritual vs. Natural Understanding: Pastor Chris explains why some reject the gospel, not due to comprehension but because they deem it worthless without the Spirit’s revelation (00:15:33 - 00:19:02).

Living as Ambassadors: All believers are called to share their faith, valuing the cross through their lives to spark curiosity in others (00:19:30 - 00:22:04).

Prayer and Intimacy with God: The sermon closes with a call to pray fervently for those far from God and to seek God’s specific guidance through prayer and His Word (00:21:00 - 00:25:30).

Useful Timestamps

00:01:04: Introduction to division in the world and the church.

00:04:22: Reading of 1 Corinthians 2:1-16.

00:07:00: Explanation of the “mystery” (mysterion) of God’s wisdom.

00:15:33: Contrast between worldly and godly wisdom.

00:19:30: Call to value the message of the cross in daily life.

00:24:18: Closing prayer for believers and those far from God.

Additional Notes

This sermon is part of a series on the book of First Corinthians, addressing the challenges faced by the early church in Corinth—a community Pastor Chris describes as “really messed up” yet relevant to modern congregations. The message is both an encouragement for believers to deepen their relationship with God and a heartfelt invitation for those exploring faith to encounter Jesus. For those interested in further study, Pastor Chris references Isaiah 64:4 and the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44.

Connect with First Christian Church

Website: fccbrazil.org

Social Media: Follow us on all platforms @fccbrazil (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

Contact: Reach out via email at info@fccbrazil.org or call (812) 446-1111 for more information or to connect with our community.

Recommended Resources

Bible Gateway for exploring scripture references.

YouVersion Bible App for daily Bible reading plans, including First Corinthians.

Join us next week for the continuation of our First Corinthians series, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear the unifying message of Jesus Christ!