Athey Creek | Audio Podcast

The Corinthian church had many questions about singleness, marriage, divorce, and remarriage, which Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 7:10-40. As we listen to his answers, we step back to gain a comprehensive biblical understanding of God’s design for marital relationships and learn how to properly apply Scripture as we address these issues in our own day.

In 1 Corinthians 6:1-7:9, Paul continues to address the problems within the Corinthian church – many of which remain all too familiar among modern Christians. As he confronts matters such as lawsuits, sexual immorality, marriage and singleness, we see God’s design for how these should be handled and the consequences when we insist on doing things our own way.

Does Paul’s statement that “all things are lawful” in 1 Corinthians 6:12 mean we have the freedom to do whatever we want? While it might sound that way at first, as we unpack Paul’s argument, we discover what boundaries guard this statement, how this topic develops throughout Scripture, and how our liberty should be used to glorify God.

Paul begins to address the central issue of his letter in 1 Corinthians 5 as he directly confronts the serious problems within the Corinthian church. As he calls out a man willfully living in shocking sexual sin, Paul provides a blueprint for how the church should confront sin, when discipline is necessary, and how believers should respond to those living in blatant, unrepentant sin.

The Corinthian church had a serious problem with sexual immorality to the point that they were no longer even ashamed, but proud of it. Sadly, not much has changed since Paul had to confront them with the urgent command to “flee fornication” in 1 Corinthians 6:18. As we see why sexual immorality is so destructive, we discover how we can put Paul’s charge into action ourselves and how mercy and forgiveness can be found in the midst of sin.

In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul confronts some of the major issues within the Corinthian church as he seeks to correct their divisions over favorite leaders, their tendency to judge by wrong standards, and their prideful hearts. Through a blend of sarcasm, tenderness, and hard truth, Paul points them back to what God cares about and shows them how to view their leaders, their church, and their conduct towards others in light of the Gospel.

Paul’s sole focus was on faithfully carrying out what God had called him to do: preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul shares his mindset about his mission in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, we pause to examine what God has called us to do personally and whether we are fulfilling our ministry faithfully with the single purpose of pleasing God.

The church at Corinth thought they were wise because they were worldly, yet they were spiritually immature and failing to build upon the right foundation. As Paul seeks to correct these deficiencies in 1 Corinthians 3, he lays out a roadmap for how they can grow into maturity, build wisely, and bear eternal fruit by keeping Christ at the center.

Just as a physical house must be built on a solid foundation with sound materials, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 that the same principles apply to how we live our lives. As we consider Paul’s life building plan, we see what is essential for a firm foundation, how to gain the wisdom to build with lasting materials, and why what we do in this life will matter so much in eternity.

The Corinthian church had failed to grow in spiritual maturity and was embracing the world’s “wisdom” by adopting a worldview contrary to God’s Word. However, Paul provides the remedy in 1 Corinthians 2 by calling them to follow the wisdom of God, which comes through studying the Word, walking in the Spirit, and being rooted in the power of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Flashy stage productions, catchy viral soundbites, and attempts to stay relevant through pop culture are commonplace in many churches today. Though the methods were different in his day, Paul had to warn the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 about these same issues, reminding them that true faith is not built on spectacle, eloquence, or popularity, but on Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

After his initial greetings, Paul opens his letter to the church at Corinth by reminding them of God’s grace, the unity believers share, and the call to boast only in Christ. As we study Paul’s introduction in 1 Corinthians 1, the scene is set for us to see the challenges facing their church and how these same issues parallel the church in our own day.

First Corinthians 1:18–21 reminds us that the message of the cross seems foolish to the world, yet to those who believe it is the power and wisdom of God. This sharp contrast calls us to consider how we live out our faith, convey our convictions, and speak the truth in love to unbelievers.

Paul closes his letter to the Roman church by greeting notable believers and sharing final words of warning and encouragement. As we study this in Romans 16, we see who Paul highlights, what we can learn from their inclusion in this list, and join him in giving glory to God for His wonderful grace.

Knowing the Christians in Rome were about to face a time of great trouble, Paul offers them an encouraging reminder in Romans 16:17-20 to stand firm against evil, pursue what is good, and rest in the assurance of God’s ultimate final victory. As we continue to feel the effects of the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk and experience our own evil days, may Paul’s words echo in our hearts and strengthen us to shine the light of Jesus in an ever-darkening world.

As Christians, we are called to love one another, build each other up in Christ, and glorify God in unity. In Romans 15, Paul expands on these commands and then begins to close his letter by showing how he has lived them out in his ministry and how he plans to continue doing so in his visit to Rome.

With countless religions, denominations, and beliefs, there are times when we must separate from those who deny essential doctrines or promote blatant false teaching. But when it comes to non-essentials, we are to put away quarrels, division, and hostility and instead choose to follow Paul's exhortation in Romans 15:5-7 to be like-minded in Christ, to love one another, and to glorify God as one.

Gray areas, non-essential doctrines, and lifestyle choices often stir up debate within the church today – sometimes leading to unnecessary conflict and division. In Romans 14, Paul gives us guidance for navigating these issues in accordance with the law, our liberty in Christ, and love for our Christian brothers and sisters.

The propensity to judge others — while not wanting to be judged ourselves — is just as prevalent today as it was in Paul’s day. In Romans 14:10-13, Paul addresses this issue by showing us why we should stop judging others, what we should actually be judging, and why our focus should be on the coming judgment that belongs to Jesus Christ alone.

Paul wraps up his checklist on how to live as Christians in Romans 12:12-13:14 by presenting practical behaviors we should display in our daily lives. From how we treat others and handle evil, to how we submit to authority, Paul’s words help us measure how we are reflecting Jesus Christ in a dark world.

After reminding us that time is of the essence, Paul urges us to wake up, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the light of Christ. As we study his practical and profound words in Romans 13:11-14, we learn what it looks like to resist the spiritual snooze button, walk in purity, and reflect the light of Christ in an increasingly dark world.

In Romans 12:9-12, Paul gives us a checklist of what it looks like to live as Christians. As we walk through his lineup of godly behaviors, we’re challenged to consider how well we are loving others, rejecting what is evil, and living in ways that reflect Jesus in our daily lives.

Evil is a real and destructive force in our lives, communities, and the world that we must overcome or risk being overcome by it. In Romans 12:21, Paul gives us the key to overcoming evil, and we learn specific tactics from Scripture to put this charge into action.

In Romans 12:3-8, Paul calls us to live with humility and remember that we are all part of the body of Christ. In this unity, God has uniquely gifted each of us to serve Him and one another. As we explore these verses, we discover what these gifts are, where they appear elsewhere in Scripture, and how God works through each one to build up His Church.

After firmly establishing what we must do to be saved, Paul turns to what we should do as a result. As we study Paul’s directive for daily Christian living in Romans 12:1-2, we see how to surrender every area of our lives to God, stand firm against the world’s pull toward sin, and rely on Him to give us what we need according to His perfect will.

Paul continues his argument in Romans 11 that God isn’t finished with the Jews by presenting evidence to make his case. As Paul speaks about the remnant, the grafting of branches, and the dispensations of the Jews and Gentiles, we’re reminded of God’s mercy and that His wisdom is far beyond our understanding.

Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. But what does it really mean to have faith, and what does that look like in our everyday lives? As we study this verse, we discover the role faith plays in our salvation, how it should impact our daily walk with the Lord, and how we can cultivate it through God’s Word.

In Romans 10, Paul addresses Israel's rejection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by diving into the reasons behind it and sharing Scripture that outlines the path of their unbelief. As we see what this means for them, we also learn our own role in God's plan, are urged not to reject Jesus ourselves, and discover God's perfect path to salvation that is offered to everyone.

Paul continues exploring the theme of God choosing certain people for specific purposes in Romans 9 by addressing Israel’s role in His plan for humanity and how the Gentiles factor in. As we dig into Paul’s reasoning, we learn important truths about what we truly deserve, God’s mercy, and how salvation is available for all through Jesus Christ.

From Moses striking the rock in the desert to Daniel’s vision of a stone that topples kingdoms, Scripture consistently uses the image of a rock to point us to Jesus Christ. In Romans 9:31-33, Paul draws upon this symbol to show us how the Rock can either be a stumbling stone to those who reject Jesus or a firm foundation of salvation to those who believe.

In addition to the deep theological issues it raises, Romans 8:28-39 also shows us God’s blessings and assures us of His good plans for our lives. As we study, we see how God uniquely calls us, learn how absolutely nothing can separate us from His love, and are reminded of how we are more than conquerors through Christ.

Within Christianity, the debate between Calvinism and Arminianism –or freewill versus predestination – remains a hotly debated topic with views falling across the spectrum of both theological systems. Using Romans 8:28-31 as our starting point, we search the Scriptures to make sense of these doctrines, learning what both beliefs teach and where we should land biblically as we consider this topic.

One of the greatest blessings we receive when we accept Christ is freedom. But freedom from what exactly? In Romans 8:1-28, Paul shows us how we’ve been set free from the bondage of sin, given liberty as God’s children, and can live with peace on this earth as we rest in the hope of Heaven.

Romans 8:28 is one of the Bible's most beloved verses as it offers a powerful promise to a specific group of people. But what exactly does this verse mean, and who is it meant for? As we break down this verse, we'll explore what is good from God's perspective, why we can trust Him, and most importantly, how we can ensure we are among those who can claim this promise.

In Romans 7:1-8:5, Paul explains the relationship between the law and our bondage to sin, and what must happen to break the link and make us new. As we unpack his complex points, we see the very real struggle between wanting to do good but falling into sin, what the law does and does not accomplish, and the glorious freedom we find in Jesus Christ.

With Israel frequently in the headlines—and often at the center of controversy and endless debate—many Christians are left wondering how to respond, what to believe, and where to find biblical clarity. To help us answer these questions, we turn to Romans 9–11, where Paul explains the role of Israel in God’s timeline, what being His chosen people actually means, and the past, present, and prophetic implications found in the Scripture.

After contrasting the “old man” and the “new man” in Romans 6, Paul calls us to consider which one is truly reigning in our lives. As we look at the difference between being enslaved to our sin and being made righteous in Christ, we’re called to actively resist that which seeks to destroy us and pursue who God wants us to be.

Know, reckon, yield – Paul repeats these words in Romans 6 to make a powerful point about dealing with sin. As we explore these concepts, we learn what it means to be dead to sin and alive in Christ and discover the freedom that comes from living under grace instead of the bondage of sin.

In the first half of Romans 5, Paul continues his message on justification by outlining seven blessings that come from being made right with God. In the second half of the chapter, he contrasts Adam and Jesus, showing how one man’s sin brought disobedience and death to all but how Jesus offers righteousness and life through His grace.

If anyone knew a thing or two about experiencing trials and tribulations, it was the Apostle Paul. Yet in Romans 5:3-6, he declares that he rejoices in suffering because of what it produces. Paul’s perspective helps us see trials not as setbacks but as part of God’s process to shape us into vessels He can use for His glory.

Paul explains the doctrine of imputed righteousness in Romans 4 by pointing back to the Old Testament and the example we find in Abraham. We follow Paul’s line of reasoning by also jumping back to Genesis, where we gradually uncover what Abraham did to be declared righteous and discover how we, too, can obtain this righteousness through Jesus.

Paul introduces three major theological terms in Romans 3:23-26 as he shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. As we define justification, redemption, and propitiation, we see how these doctrines collectively reveal the complete picture of our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Paul is unmistakably clear in Romans 3 as he declares we are all sinners, deserving of judgment, and unable to earn salvation by following the law or doing good works. So then, how can one be saved? Fortunately, Paul also gives us the answer as he proclaims the good news of salvation by grace through faith, freely offered to all through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

In Romans 3:1-4, Paul poses a question: Do the Jews still have significance as God’s chosen people now that Christ has come? As we examine the history of the Jewish nation – from the time of Abraham to the present day – we see God’s continual plan for the Jews as His people, their land, and, most importantly, their connection to Jesus Christ.

In Romans 2, Paul zeroes in on a very prevalent and stealthy sin that tries to disguise itself as a virtue but is just as damaging and deserving of wrath as any other sin. As we see how self-righteousness manifests in our lives, we learn why God views it so seriously and what we should cultivate in its place.

In Romans 2:25-29, Paul cautions the Romans not to get caught up in religious rituals and miss God’s original intention, and even worse, miss Jesus Himself. As we look at how relics, traditions, and symbols have been misused throughout history, we’re reminded to turn from empty religious practices and focus on what God actually calls us to in His Word.

Paul opens his letter to the Romans on a positive note by expressing his gratitude for them, confidence in their faith, and desire to visit them. But the tone shifts quickly as he begins to address God’s wrath on the unrighteous. As we study what Paul had to say in Romans 1:8-32, we find a comprehensive list of sins we are all guilty of, but also see the hope of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Unlike religions whose flawed leaders demand rule-following to reach a final destination, Christianity offers something radically different and incredibly simple to obtain. As we break down key differences, Romans 1:16–17 reminds us that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus, the only perfect Savior, and the only way to Heaven.

Paul’s introductory statement in Romans 1:1-7 packs a powerful theological punch in only a few verses. With themes of humility, servanthood, the identity of Jesus, and what the gospel is all about, we find ourselves already deep in doctrine as we dive into the book of Romans.

We begin our study of the Book of Romans by looking at the major themes of unrighteousness and ungodliness introduced in Romans 1:16–2:4. As we see how these manifest in our own lives, we consider why we must take our sin so seriously and learn how we can find truth, forgiveness, and righteousness through Jesus Christ.