Christ Church MN Sermon Blog

  Spirituality rules.   In one sense, that means spirituality is wonderful. Life with the Holy Spirit is real, personal, and full of abundance. The Holy Spirit is not merely a feeling or an atmosphere; he is a person with whom we have a genuine relationship. But spirituality also has rules. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to teach the Corinthian church how to handle the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those instructions were not given to suppress the Spirit’s work. They were given so that the whole church could be strengthened through it. Paul states the governing principle plainly: “Everything is to be done for building up.” —1 Corinthians 14:26 (CSB) The gifts of the Spirit are not given to make one person appear impressive. They are given so that the body of Christ may be instructed, encouraged, and built up.   Childlike Faith or Childish Spirituality?   To understand Paul’s instructions, we first need to understand the problem in Corinth. Earlier in...

  Where Is God When We Suffer? There are moments when faith feels less like certainty and more like a conversation with the cross. Where were You when the trial began? Where were You when trauma created distance between us? Where were You when anxiety stole my smile or depression changed the way I saw myself and others? I have prayed beneath the cross and preached beneath the cross. I have watched the cross bring hope, healing, and revival. Yet suffering remains—and sometimes its weight becomes almost too much to carry. The Bible does not silence questions like these. It gives us words for them: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.” —Psalm 22:1–2 The Psalms make room for an honest cry. We do not have to approach God with polished words or carefully concealed pain. We can come to Him with our confusion, anger, grief, and una...