Hope Church South Bedfordshire Talks

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Dawn prays and Bob reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 11:1–16
[1] Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Head Coverings
[2] Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. [3] But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. [4] Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, [5] but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. [6] For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. [7] For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. [8] For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. [9] Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. [10] That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. [11] Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; [12] for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. [13] Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? [14] Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, [15] but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. [16] If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. (ESV)

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 10:23-33. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Nigel prays and Frances reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 10:23–33
Do All to the Glory of God
[23] “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. [24] Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. [25] Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. [26] For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” [27] If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. [28] But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—[29] I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? [30] If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
[31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, [33] just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (ESV)

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Faith prays and Bob reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 10:14–22
[14] Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. [15] I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. [16] The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? [17] Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. [18] Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? [19] What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? [20] No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. [21] You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. [22] Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (ESV)

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Frances prays and Dawn reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 10:1–13
Warning Against Idolatry
[1] For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, [2] and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, [3] and all ate the same spiritual food, [4] and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. [5] Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
[6] Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. [7] Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” [8] We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. [9] We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, [10] nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. [11] Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. [12] Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. [13] No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (ESV)

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 9:15-27

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 9:15-27. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Nigel prays and Faith reads the passage for us.
15 But cI have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writingthese things to secure any such provision. For I would rather diethan have anyone ddeprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if Ipreach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. Forenecessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of myown will, I am still entrusted with fa stewardship. 18 What then ismy reward? That in my preaching gI may present the gospel free ofcharge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For hthough I am free from all, iI have made myself a servantto all, that I might jwin more of them. 20 kTo the Jews I became asa Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as oneunder the law (though not being myself under the law) that I mightwin those under the law. 21 To lthose outside the law I became masone outside the law (not being outside the law of God but nunderthe law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 oTo theweak I became weak, that I might win the weak. pI have become allthings to all people, that qby all means I might save some. 23 I do itall for the sake of the gospel, rthat I may share with them in itsblessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only onereceives sthe prize? So trun that you may obtain it. 25 Everyuathlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive aperishable wreath, but we van imperishable. 26 So I do not runaimlessly; I wdo not box as one xbeating the air. 27 But I disciplinemy body and ykeep it under control,2 lest after preaching to otherszI myself should be adisqualified.

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Joy prays and Frances reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 9:1–14
Paul Surrenders His Rights
[1] Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? [2] If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
[3] This is my defense to those who would examine me. [4] Do we not have the right to eat and drink? [5] Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? [6] Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? [7] Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
[8] Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. [11] If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? [12] If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
[13] Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? [14] In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. (ESV)

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Bob prays and Faith reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
[1] Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. [2] If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. [3] But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
[4] Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” [5] For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—[6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
[7] However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. [8] Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. [9] But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? [11] And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. [12] Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (ESV)

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 7:32-40

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 7:32-40. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  David prays and Dawn reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 7:32–40
[32] I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. [33] But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, [34] and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. [35] I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
[36] If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. [37] But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. [38] So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
[39] A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. [40] Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. (ESV)
 

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 7:17-31

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 7:17-31. People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  Joy prays and Faith reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 7:17–31
Live as You Are Called
[17] Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. [18] Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. [19] For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. [20] Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. [21] Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) [22] For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. [23] You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. [24] So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
The Unmarried and the Widowed
[25] Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. [26] I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. [27] Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. [28] But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. [29] This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, [30] and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, [31] and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. (ESV)

Hope in The Word 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 . People share what they learn from this passage and their experiences.  David prays and Bob reads the passage for us.
1 Corinthians 7:1–16
Principles for Marriage
[1] Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” [2] But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [3] The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. [4] For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. [5] Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
[6] Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. [7] I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
[8] To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. [9] But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
[10] To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband [11] (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
[12] To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. [13] If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. [14] For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. [15] But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. [16] For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (ESV)