Koinonia Fellowship: Recent Episodes
Koinonia Fellowship
Koinonia Fellowship Podcasts are updated each week. Most bible studies are presented by Pastor Ray Viola. Preaching and teaching the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit... book by book, chapter by chapter, line by line.
Father’s Day conjures up all kinds of thoughts and emotions, some good, some bad. I am sure that every father reading this devotional is aware of his own shortcomings. There are no perfect fathers on earth because there are no perfect descendants from Adam. The only perfect Father is Our Father Who art in heaven (Matthew 6:9)! Nevertheless, the very concept of fatherhood is a theological one that stems from the biblical revelation of the fatherhood of God.
Of course, we know that church attendance does not save us. But there is a casual and borderline “take it or leave it” mindset about The Lord’s Day that is begetting other compromises which are having devastating consequences on the impact of the church in this fallen world system. May God give us ears to hear His Spirit today.
May The Lord of glory, The Lord Jesus Christ open our hearts and minds to see our glorious Savior for Who He truly is.
Paul uses the doctrine of the resurrection of the body to motivate the body of Christ to be steadfast, unmovable and abounding in the work of The Lord.
This morning’s study will focus on the nature of the resurrection of the body. There was a lot of confusion surrounding the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. There were those who were asking the question, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” Maybe that is a question that some of you have asked yourself.
Today, we are going to journey through the book of Proverbs together and seek to paint a picture of what a virtuous woman looks like in an ungodly world. It is my personal conviction that, like Ruth, a virtuous woman will shine like the noonday sun in this ungodly world.
We can look beyond the trials and tribulations that come our way in this life because we know that one day we will clothed with a new body and will be with Him in glory forever!!
What is one way that the Gospel is changing you? Is there any area of your life where you have substituted a routine for your relationship with Jesus?
Get acquainted with Jesus. Listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Walk by faith, not by sight. Keep pure. Above all, be motivated by an intense love for Jesus because without that, your gift is worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
The setting of our Lord’s Supper message for today is before the throne of God in heaven. The apostle John has been transported by The Spirit into heaven where he sees and writes about things that are simply glorious! He sees the resurrected, glorified, and ascended Jesus in heaven. He sees Him as both as a conquering Lion and a slain Lamb. Jesus has prevailed to open that seven-sealed book. Scripture records that He is full of the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:20).
Today is the day when God will touch men’s hearts and give them new life by grace, through faith in the truth of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven. Jesus bids sinners to come to Him and find rest for their souls. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let himtake the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians challenges us in a relevant way today. How eager are we to have spiritual gifts and use them? The implication is that our gifts are not static. It isn’t as if the spiritual gifts we receive when we’re first converted are the only gifts we’ll ever have. The text invites us to consider prayerfully asking God to endow us with spiritual gifts. With faith and a desire to build up the church, we must seek God and trust Him to use us in the body of Christ as His servants.
My prayer is that The Lord Jesus would ignite a sense of urgency within each one of us regarding our need for prayer and the need to be ready for His return like the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
In an age when people define themselves by their wealth and possessions, Jesus' words are hard to hear. Self-denial simply is not a popular message in our super-size, Big Gulp culture. In following Jesus, we begin by letting go of all those things that place a prior hold on our affections. Relationships, possessions, privilege, position, and ease give way to God's call.
When we choose to love, we become a tool in God’s hands to transform the lives of those around us. Start doing the selfless things, the persistent things, the hopeful things, the enduring things—and you will be practicing the love that never fails.
The section of Scripture is one of the most amazing description of the Church. We are the body of Christ. Paul likens those who have been born into the body of Christ to the human body. The human body is an amazing work of God our Creator. In our human body, there are many members. Some members are visible to the human eye and some are not visible. Some appear to be more necessary and some appear to be unnecessary. But by God’s creative design, every part of the human body is necessary. Likewise, by The Spirit’s re-creative power, every part of the body of Christ is necessary.
This morning we will take a peek at the gifts of The Spirit in the body of Christ. The Corinthian church was a congregation that presented a lot of problems and challenges to the apostle Paul. In this chapter, as well as in chapter 14, Paul writes to correct errors of disorder and incorrect understanding of the purpose of these gifts. Lord willing, we will see these gifts in a fresh light, and with a deeper appreciation for not just the gifts themselves, but for The One Who has given us these gifts to build up the body, and bring glory to His holy Name.
The Lord’s Supper is the time when the church is to remember the sacrifice that Jesus paid for our sin. No words could ever possibly describe the agony and suffering that Jesus experienced from the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross on Calvary. This plan of God to save sinners was not an afterthought.
The church consists of individuals who have been plucked out of the fallen world system to belong to Jesus Christ. Though there may be earthly distinctions that are based upon one’s vocation, education or income, in the sight of Jesus Christ we are all equal and valuable in His presence.
As we work our way through these passages this morning, we will see how important it is for us to know and embrace God-ordained order in the church and in our homes as it is laid out before us in Scripture.
This morning we conclude the section of Corinthians that deals with
the subject of “Christian liberty” and the eating of meat that has
been offered up to idols. While the subject of eating meat offered
unto idols is not an issue in our culture, the biblical principles of
dealing with involvement in “questionable things” are timeless and
as necessary today as ever.
The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10 that God was not pleased with the behavior of the Israelites. Paul cautions in verse 21, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” Everything we own is a gift from God. Without Him, we have nothing! But we need to remember that when we put the gifts above the gift-giver, God, we have made our possessions an idol.
Today we begin the year 2016 by observing The Lord’s Supper. We begin this New Year by remembering the perfect sacrifice that Jesus Christ paid for the forgiveness of our sin and the salvation of our souls. In today’s text from Zechariah 3:1-5, in a typical courtroom setting, Satan, identified as the accuser of the brethren in Revelation 12:10, is seen accusing Joshua the high priest before God, only to be rebuked by The Lord Himself.
This is a picture of the road to Christ Jesus. It is no roundabout road of the law; it is no obeying this, that, and the other; it is a straight road: “Believe, and live.” It is a road so hard, that no self-righteous man can ever tread it, but so easy, that every sinner, who knows himself to be a sinner may by it find his way to heaven.
The celebration of Christmas is not the celebration of something, it is the celebration of Someone, and that Someone is Jesus Christ. Let’s just take a moment to ponder and wonder at what God did when He became a man.
The doctrine of the virgin birth is of huge importance. If Jesus is not born of a virgin, then He is simply just another sinner who is a descendant of Adam like you and me. Our salvation is inextricably connected with the virgin birth.
The incarnation, or human birth of Jesus Christ, was not His beginning. Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the Un-created Word Who was in the beginning with God, and was God Himself! This is what Scripture declares to be the blessed mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh.
Because grace is an under-served and unconditional gift of God, there is an ever-present danger of seeking to live near the cliff edge of temptation and sin. Such was the case in Corinth. Such is the case in many places today.
Beloved, the Christian life this side of heaven requires an athletic kind of mindset if we going to bring forth God-glorifying fruit. Such is the case with Paul in our study this morning.
The question in our minds as Christians is: How do I engage with my culture and yet be faithful to Christ without compromise?
God’s call is not limited to apostles like Paul. Every sincere follower of Christ has been given a place in carrying out God’s purposes for our world. There is no greater joy in life than being used by God.
There is no better way to become like Jesus than to have your faith tested. How can you develop character when things go well? But when things go badly, you learn whether you have true faith or not. If you fail the test, it is not the end of the road, but rather a chance to get on the right road.
How you live your Christian life can be a stepping stone that draws others closer to Jesus, or a stumbling stone that drives them farther away. Think that through beloved. Live wisely for the glory of God.
As Christians and Americans we enjoy a double portion of freedom. As Americans, we are free to say what we want, free to travel wherever we want, free to work and live wherever we want. As Christians we are free from the condemnation associated with sin and we are free from the demands of the law because it has been fulfilled for us. We are free to use all of God’s creation for His glory. We are free to enjoy the blessings God offers through this world. Paul reminds us today that though we are theoretically free to do as we please, in reality we are bound by the law of love to consider how our choices will impact those around us.
My desire is to listen afresh to what Jesus and those inspired by The Holy Spirit said about His return. Beloved, our Lord and Savior Jesus IS going to return to this earth some day and that is a fact.
There is nothing new under the sun. Christians have always wrestled with the complexities of the subject of marriage and singleness.
Keep your eyes on The Lord, leave your marital and vocational future in His hands, and serve Him faithfully where His hand of providence had placed you.
One of the biggest challenges in life is to be content in our stage of life. It has been well said, “Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have.” Nowhere is this more true than with singleness and marriage. God’s desire and expectation is that you and I would be content in Christ, whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. The Apostle Paul leads us into confrontation with one of the major social problems of our day, and that is the breakup of marriages.
Paul begins to answer questions about various subjects that were sent to him. The first question is in regards to marriage, singleness and celibacy.
Paul reminds the liberal minded souls in Corinth of one of the most foundational truths of the Christian life. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:20) In the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, He purchased our present physical bodies in order that they would be used to bring Him glory.
Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Grace teaches us to pursue holiness, without which, no man shall see The Lord.
Accountability within the Body of Christ is a gift of God to keep His children walking in His ways for their ultimate good.
While before God, all of His children are on the level ground of grace. Within His body and in His kingdom there are callings and offices of spiritual responsibility and authority
Religion is the futile attempt of man to get right with God upon the basis of good works or performance of religious rituals or ordinances. Bible-based salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
The admonition of Paul to the congregation at Corinth has timeless application for the church today. Scripture is clear in stating that all giftings and abilities within the church are distributed according to the sovereign grace of God. So where is there any room for boasting? Boasting in man would be folly.
Giving gifts, bringing glory Whenever we are gathered together in The Name of Jesus, there is meant to be a mutual exchange and investment of our God-given gifts into one another’s life. It is like having Christmas in July! Are you using your time, talents and gifts for the glory of God and the edification of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
The standard we use to compare ourselves matters. We judge ourselves by how we look, how smart we are, and how successful we deem ourselves to be. What about in the church?
As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are called to give Him our all. It is only when we give up the search and turn it all over to Him that we find what we were looking for all along. Dying to self can be a scary thought, but it’s the price of true happiness. Jesus submitted everything, including His fears and His friends, to the will of God. It cost Him His life. It won Him the harvest. What have you not surrendered to God? Why? Will you obey Him?
1 Corinthians 3:11-13 KJV For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is
The Bible provides a very clear and straightforward description of the ingredients for biblical manhood. There are no fuzzy ideas about who is the head and leader of the home in Scripture.
One of the glories of the church is that nobody does the same thing. Churches that try to turn out people that all dress alike, carry the same kind of notebook, speak the same kind of language, use the same version of the Bible are missing what God has in mind, because we are all to be different, yet working together and needing one another. another.
This relationship transcends denominations and is not a matter of membership. It is the gift of a willing and redeeming God to a repentant and willing sinner that trusts in Christ. Is that you?
The gospel is a revelation from above, not a product of human ingenuity or philosophy. Thus, coming to faith in Christ is not a matter of cleverly crafted arguments of human genius, but a result of the revelation by God’s Spirit.
Precious follower of Jesus, do not believe that you need to have a brilliant mind or be a seminary graduate to share the gospel. Every child of God is given armor that includes feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. While it is wrong to "dummy down" the gospel, it is equally wrong to think that people come to faith in Jesus through human wisdom or well scripted arguments. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Proclaim the gospel. Preach the gospel with love, with confidence and with faith that the gospel alone is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
The wisdom of God comes to us through the foolishness of the cross. It is a foolishness to accept a gift so great that its magnitude cannot be measured. It is a foolishness to believe that God would send His Son to live among us and then allow Him to be killed just so our sins could be forgiven. It is a foolishness to think that God would provide each of us with the Holy Spirit living in our hearts in order to help us grow closer to Him. We are fools to believe that eternal life comes simply from our belief in Christ. And yet, the wisdom of all humanity cannot begin to comprehend the capacity of God’s love for us.
The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to bring glory to God. Whatsoever we do in life is to be aimed at that goal.
The Lord’s Supper is a picture of the redeeming love of God through His Son Jesus Christ. This redeeming love of Jesus Christ grants unto His children the promise of His abiding presence.
What are the results when believers get their focus on the horizontal, instead of vertical? When our eyes are on God's instruments instead of Jesus? That's what was happening in the Corinthian Church. Didn't they see the danger signs?
Join us as we examine the signs that the Corinthians might have missed except for the passionate heart of the Apostle Paul and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
God has called us to a very important relationship, and because the church at Corinth had not understood the implications of their calling and the relationship they personally had, the apostle has to deal with divisions, scandals, lawsuits, immorality, drunkenness and quarreling.
I simply love those words that the heavenly messenger spoke to the women who came to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus that Sunday morning. “… ‘Be not frightened: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him.” (Mark 16:6) How significant is the bodily resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ?
Be inspired by the same Holy Spirit who led Paul to plant a church in the middle of "sin city" Corinth and to pen the epistle to the Corinthians. As we journey through this epistle, we are going to find out just how practical God's Word is. Issues like morality, marriage, Christian liberty, spiritual gifts, the resurrection of the dead.
Fellowship is an investment that you and I are called to make in one another’s lives for the glory of God. In one sense, life in the body of Christ is like banking and farming. You get out of your church life whatever you invest in it. You reap out of your church life whatever seeds you sow.
One of the most loved hymns of the church is the old rugged cross. The chorus says, "So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, til my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown." Oh how true! The cross meant everything to Paul. It was not only the place where Jesus bore his sin debt. It was the place where he died with Jesus to religion, self, and the false glamour of this fallen world system.
When the ideal is hard to attain, it's tempting to just lower the bar and redefine the ideal. This can be especially true when it comes to Jesus' teachings about family and children, which many of us have already fallen short of. This message will explain why aiming for God's ideal is still worth it; even when our reality makes reaching it impossible. Buried beneath the hurt, disappointment, distance, or silence is a desire to be connected to our children.
Three areas every Christian parent should be pouring in the wells of their children: Knowledge, Character ( Mind, Mouth and Heart), and Faith. Old and new testament passages will be used to encourage and equip in the task of filing up our children with living water.
As Christians, we are free to live in the fullness of life. Love for God frees us to love others truly and happily. Let us freely sow love that we and all the world may harvest that true and bounteous life which is God’s gift in Jesus.
We are all under constant temptation and can never live a holy life without the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. We're living in a world system that is utterly contrary to the things of God, under constant pressure to love the world (1Jn 2:15-17), to compromise with the world (James 4:4) and to conform to the world (Ro 12:2). We don't have the resources to fight such a formidable foe; we need the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Join us Koinonia Fellowship as Pastor Ben continues our study of Galatians.