Jeff Wall preaching.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, he used two short sentences to sum up the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures:  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength," and "Love your neighbor as yourself."  Simple commands, yet impossible commands.

It is also clear that the Gospel gives us freedom:  freedom from slavery to the things that have bound is in the past.  So often, we take our freedoms too far, proclaiming "All things are lawful!" (1 Cor. 10:23)  And yet Paul stops us:  "Not all things are helpful...not all things build up.  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." (vv. 23-24) Idolatry keeps us from this important reality:  to do all the things for the good of another, and not for ourselves.  We must first see ourselves in light of God:  "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." (v. 26)

True Christian freedom is this:  Freedom to worship, and freedom to love. 

Mike Phay preaching.

Imagine taking your kids to the Grand Canyon and offering them this challenge:  "Hey kids!  The one to do a triple somersault-backflip-handspring closest to the edge without falling in gets to pick where we eat for dinner!"  Good parents would passionately urge their children to stay away from the edge.  You would never let your kids play with the Drano, hoping that they wouldn't drink it would you?

In 1 Corinthians 8-10, the Apostle Paul is teaching his spiritual children about the dangers of "eating food sacrificed to idols."  In 10:16, he urges them: "Flee from idolatry!"  Don't dawdle around and play a little bit with it...flee! 

The warning sounds strong across the centuries.  Even though most of us are not tempted to eat "idol-food" or go to "idol-meals," we are daily tempted with the soul-destroying beckoning of idols that are trying to snatch the affection and allegiance of God's children.  And yet God will not give His glory to another; he will jealously protect it.  And he has shown this throughout His story -- especially in the people of Israel.  And he calls for us now to be people who do not crave evil things, but rather to be men and women like Phinehas (Numbers 25), who are as passionate about His glory, His honor, and His mission as He is. 

Mike Phay preaching.

1 Corinthians 7:17-40.  Futurists say that they can pinpoint future trends in our society and economy based upon a clear view of the present.  Christians can pinpoint the way to live in the present based upon a clear view of the future.

Paul's teaching on singleness and marriage seeks to give us a new perspective on how to live life: not flaunting or seeking to change our circumstances to better our standing with God or others.  Rather, living for Christ in the midst of our circumtances for the sake of God and others.