God's Love

Dennis McCallum

1 John 4:7

Paul describes vividly what biblical love is, and the love that God has for us. God's love is sacrificial, patient, hopeful, and it never fails. Biblical love is deeply tied to the meaning of life and the gospel message that we Christians share.

Nine Principles of "Body Life"

Dennis McCallum

1 Corinthians 12

Paul refers to the church as the Body of Christ. Each person is a part of the body and they interdependently rely on one another to build up the health of the church. We grow in love and understanding as we build authentic deep relationships in a unified group of believers.

The Body of Christ (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:15-16

Christians are called to be a part of a Christian community where they share in fellowship. Christian community (the church) is referred to as the Body of Christ, Jesus is the head of this body and people in the church are parts of the body. When we all come together in truth and love as diverse people with different strengths we are able to interdependently do God's work and experience God's love through one another.

Women, Men and Servanthood

Dennis McCallum

Galatians 3:28

Paul wanted the Corinthian church to maximize their witness within their culture, so he called for certain cultural gender norms to be followed as to increase the spread of the Gospel. God and Paul both taught equality for men and women, as different but equal beings. God called men to lead in sacrificial love in the context of marriage.

Giving Up Our Rights for Others

Dennis McCallum

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Paul made a point to not let any non-moral cultural barriers affect his preaching of the gospel. Paul took strong stands on truth and religion, but he would learn and practice different cultures' dress, art, poetry, and music.

Love and Freedom

Dennis McCallum

1 Corinthians 10:23-29

Paul called the Corinthians to sacrifice some of their freedoms for the conscience of a younger believer. God's moral imperatives are clear in scripture, but some moral choices seem grey and unclear. We shouldn't draw moral lines that God hasn't drawn himself, but in a spirit of love it is good when we lay down our freedoms for the benefit of another person.

Marriage, Sex and Divorce

Dennis McCallum

1 Corinthians 7

Paul called the Corinthians to be content where they are at, whether they are single or married. Paul warns the Corinthians that divorce is damaging, but in really bad circumstances may be the lesser of two evils. It's much better to be married than it is to burn with lust.

Satisfying Sexuality

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 5:25

Sex should be reserved for a committed, love-based relationship (marriage). In biblical marriages both spouses draw close to God for their needs, and as they do this they free themselves to give to their spouse. Good sex comes from the love of the whole person (spirit, soul, and body).

Sexuality and Spirituality

Dennis McCallum

Genesis 2:24

Paul warned the Corinthian Church that sexual sins are sins against their own body. God's plan for sex in the context of a monogamous heterosexual marriage is given to us for our benefit. Sex in the context of a committed marriage is the best sex, and sexual promiscuity leads to an unquenchable sexual appetite.