Stef Cramer - October 19, 2025
Gospel Life: Building the Body
"Build the body, not the ego" is the central theme of this week's message on 1 Corinthians 14, serving as the practical application of spiritual gifts through the lens of love. Paul is addressing the chaos and disorder in the Corinthian church's public gatherings. The sermon compares prophecy, which builds up the church in a common language, to tongues, which are personal and often unintelligible without an interpreter. Gifts are given for clarity and edification, not confusion or boasting. We'll explore Paul's call for order, including rules for speaking in tongues and dealing with disruptive voices. Ultimately, the goal is maturity, self-control, and using our gifts in love for tangible, compassionate action.
From Series: "Gospel Life"
The gospel isn’t just what we believe—it’s what shapes how we live. 1 Corinthians calls us to let Jesus transform every part of our lives, both as a church and as individuals. 1 Corinthians is a letter for messy people in a messy world—it's an honest picture of what happens when imperfect people try to follow Jesus. It is the real gospel being worked out among real people in real life. The church in Corinth believed the gospel, but they hadn’t yet let it shape every part of their lives. They had division in the church, confusion about sexuality and relationships, misuse of spiritual gifts, arrogance, and apathy toward sin. This is a letter as relevant to us in 2025 in Stellenbosch, South Africa as it was to the church in Corinth. Throughout 1 Corinthians Paul is clear that the gospel isn’t just the entry point to Christianity; it’s the pattern for all of life. Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus redefines what power looks like, what love looks like, what maturity looks like, and what it means to be truly spiritual. As we preach through 1 Corinthians we want the gospel to reshape how the people of One Hope Church live in community, how we understand our bodies, how we worship and so much more. It is an invitation to us as a family of God to apply the grace of the gospel to all areas of our lives.