Welcome to the first episode of the new sermon series, "The Women of Christmas." Pastor Rory is going back through the genealogy of Jesus. One thing that is surprising about Jesus' genealogy is how many women are included in the list. We are taking a trip back to Genesis to find out why Tamar was included. Follow along in your Bible, in Genesis 38.

In this episode of Pastor Rory's Podcast, Pastor Rory discusses James 1:2-12. In this passage, James exhorts believers to be joyful in their trials. What does that mean? How does that work? Are we supposed to pretend to be positive when we are hurting? Let's unpack the scriptures and find out.

On this episode of Pastor Rory's Podcast, Pastor Rory begins a new sermon series on the book of James. This sermon discusses some foundational information about who wrote the book of James. Pastor Rory also dives into some foundational themes of the book, as well as what it means for us as believers today.

In this podcast Pastor Rory is teaching from 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. This passage shows us how pride causes us to fall on either side of truth. In Proverbs 16:18 we learn that an attitude of pride comes before a fall, or personal destruction.

In the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church he gives two examples of pride.

One person showed pride in his sin. He chose to live a sinful lifestyle outside of the bounds of what God declares in the scripture. The man was unrepentant and proud of his sin, and taking the stance that if Jesus loves him, he doesn't need to change.

By contrast, if we decide our standing based on how we compare to other people's mistakes and puff ourselves up, then we are also lost. Jesus made this clear in his dealings with pharisees.

The one who went home justified before God is the one who recognized his own sinfulness.

In this episode Pastor Rory teaches on Corinthians 12:12-27. In this passage Paul uses an analogy of the human body to demonstrate how the Christian community should operate.

The Church is the body of Christ, and every part of that body has value.

God created us to be in community together. Each of us needs to be change. We’re not okay with how we are. Every one of us needs to be made new, each of us needs forgiveness and grace.

God wants to sanctify us and make us holy and more like Jesus. So that we would be a blessing to one another and the world.

Thank God for how He has made you, and for the life he has given you. Thank him for what you have, where you are, and who is in your life.

Ask God to show you your part. How can you be a blessing to others both in the church and to your neighbors?

In this episode Pastor Rory preaches on 1st Corinthians 4:8-21.

This scripture passage gives an account of how the Corinthian church has rejected Paul. This rejection was very personal to Paul. The church was in conflict and were fighting among themselves about different leaders they wanted to follow.

Paul was the spiritual father of this church. He was the first to share the gospel message with them. Paul's anguish is evident; however, he does not defend himself against the personal slights they had aimed at him.

Instead, Paul demonstrates what a loving father would do, and continues to exhort them.

First, he warns them of the trajectory their actions are taking. Next, he provides a model for them by imitating Christ in his own life. He practices what he preaches. Lastly, he teaches the church the truth of the Gospel.

In this episode, Pastor Rory preaches through 1st Corinthians 4:1-7.

Do you judge yourself to be a good person?

In this section of 1 Corinthians Paul reminds us to be careful not to judge others, and to not judge ourselves.

It is easy to acquit ourselves of our actions, without involving God or His grace. We can easily explain away the things we have done. We think our own actions are okay because our intentions were good, and we are a good person.

The Bible reminds us that no one apart from Christ is good, not even one.

Paul seeks to live with a clear conscience, but ultimately God is his judge. And God is your judge.

How do we avoid judgement? We receive God’s grace.

We say, "God I need your grace today. We ask God where are the areas in my life that I am unaware of my sin?" We are not qualified to condemn ourselves. Other people need God's grace. They don’t’ need my judgement and my condemnation.

How do you avoid judgement? Choose the grace that God freely gives, for you and for everyone in your life.

In this episode, Pastor Rory is preaching from 1st Corinthians 3. In this chapter, Paul describes in his letter to the people of Corinth, that the people of a church are the same as building.

When we interact with one another we can either build one another up or tear one another down.

Our behaviors towards one another comes down to what we allow to govern our hearts.

Each person has the capability to be indwelled by the spirit of God. We also have a capability to choose to walk in step with the flesh.

When we choose to walk in the flesh, we do whatever feels good, whatever’s easy in the moment. An whenever we do that, whatever is inside of us is what starts to rise up. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Our thoughts and actions sound like: “That’s not fair,” or “I deserve better,” or “Well, I just want my way this time," "Or can’t they see how stupid they are?"

By contrast, when we are governed by the Spirit, when we encounter frustration and difficulty with other believers, our thoughts and words sound like: “What am missing?” “How might the spirit be moving in this relationship?” “How do I need to extend grace?", " How do I need to be kind and patient?" "Where might I need to speak truth in love?" We will have disagreements; we will see things differently from others. We need to continue to move towards one another and not tear each other down or allow our hearts to become divided in the process.

We are called to recognize the innate value in people and relationships. When we get to heaven, it's the people who are there with us that will be our true reward in paradise.