
Hosted by David Doty · EN
Chronologically studying the Bible until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13)

Send us Fan MailWhat if Jesus died for our sins but never rose from the dead? Would Christianity still offer wisdom, comfort, and a better way to live—or would the entire message collapse?In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul explains why the resurrection is not a secondary Christian doctrine. It is the foundation of the gospel and the source of our future hope. If Christ was not raised, our faith is in vain, we remain in our sins, and those who died believing in Him have perished.But Christ was raised.In this teaching, we examine what Paul calls matters of first importance: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to many witnesses.We also explore:Why Christians cannot place their ultimate hope in this lifeWhat it means that Jesus is the first fruitsPaul’s reference to baptism on behalf of the deadWhy resurrection hope should lead to obedienceWhat happens to believers when Jesus returnsWhy our labor in the Lord is never in vainThe importance of testing every teaching against ScriptureOur final hope is not money, comfort, success, or freedom from hardship. Our hope is that Jesus Christ was bodily raised from the dead and that those who belong to Him will also be raised.If this teaching encourages you to seek Christ above worldly gain, consider joining our community for deeper Bible study and discussion.https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailWhy do Christians who love the same Bible disagree so sharply about spiritual gifts? Some churches become so focused on order that they grow suspicious of anything spiritual. Others emphasize spiritual experiences while becoming uncomfortable with biblical boundaries.But 1 Corinthians 14 does not ask believers to choose between spirituality and order. It shows us how they are meant to work together.The principle connecting the entire chapter is found in verse 26: “Let all things be done for the building up.” Spiritual gifts are not given so believers can draw attention to themselves. They are given to strengthen, encourage, comfort, and build up God’s people.In this teaching, we examine:Why love must govern the use of spiritual giftsThe biblical purpose of prophecy and tonguesWhy the answer to abuse is not abandoning spiritual giftsHow order, understanding, and self-control protect the churchWhy Scripture commands both spiritual freedom and biblical boundariesWhat it means for every believer to contribute when the church gathersThe church is a spiritual house made up of living people. Every prayer, song, word of encouragement, act of service, and spiritual gift should contribute to the construction of that house.If this teaching encourages you to seek Christ above worldly gain, consider joining our community for deeper Bible study and discussion.https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailMany Christians quietly wrestle with the same question: Am I doing enough for God? We serve, give, study, pray, volunteer, and try to live faithfully. But in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul redirects our attention away from measuring how much we're doing and toward something far more important: why we're doing it.In this teaching, we examine how love is not merely one part of the Christian life—it is what gives every act of service its value. Paul explains that a person can possess spiritual gifts, biblical knowledge, generosity, and even great sacrifice, yet still miss what God is truly seeking. The issue is not activity. The issue is the heart.This chapter sits between Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts in chapters 12 and 14. The Corinthians had no shortage of gifts or spiritual experiences, but they lacked the love that should have governed everything they did. Their example challenges us to ask difficult but necessary questions about our own motives, relationships, and spiritual maturity.Key Topics CoveredWhy love is the foundation of every spiritual actThe danger of serving without the right motivationWhat 1 Corinthians 13 reveals about the human heartBiblical love as a deliberate commitment, not merely an emotionHow love should shape our relationships with fellow believersWhy spiritual gifts are temporary but love is eternalThe true measure of spiritual maturityBut here's what most people miss: God is not merely evaluating what we do. He is evaluating the heart behind what we do.If you've ever wondered whether your service, sacrifice, or ministry is pleasing to God, this passage provides one of Scripture's clearest answers.If this teaching encourages you to seek Christ above worldly gain, consider joining our community for deeper Bible study and discussion.https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailCan someone do all the right religious things and still completely miss God's heart?In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul confronts one of the most uncomfortable realities in Scripture: believers can participate in worship, gather with other Christians, observe communion, and still dishonor God through the way they treat one another. This chapter challenges us to look beyond religious practices and examine whether our lives reflect the realities those practices were meant to express.In this study, we explore Paul's teaching on head coverings, honor, shame, God's created order, and the Lord's Supper. Rather than getting stuck on cultural details, we examine the timeless principles behind the symbols and ask what they mean for believers today.You'll discover:Why 1 Corinthians 11 is about more than head coverings and hair lengthWhat Paul was really addressing in CorinthThe original context of the Lord's SupperWhat it means to eat and drink in an unworthy mannerWhy discerning the body mattersThe connection between communion and loving fellow believersGod's discipline, mercy, and correction for His peopleBut here's what most people miss: Paul's strongest warning in this chapter is not directed toward unbelievers. It's directed toward church people.This is where it shifts. The question is not merely whether we participate in Christian practices. The question is whether those practices are producing lives that visibly honor God and demonstrate love toward others.If this teaching encourages you to seek Christ above worldly gain, consider joining our community for deeper Bible study and discussion.https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered why God gives different spiritual gifts to different believers? Or why some gifts seem more visible than others? In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul addresses a problem that was creating division in the church at Corinth: believers were comparing spiritual gifts instead of understanding God's purpose for them.This chapter reveals that spiritual gifts were never meant to become a source of pride, competition, or division. They were given by God for the common good, helping believers serve one another and strengthen the body of Christ. But here's what most people miss: unity does not require uniformity. God intentionally designed His people with different gifts, roles, and functions.In this study of 1 Corinthians 12, we explore:Why spiritual gifts come from one divine sourceHow to discern whether a spiritual influence is truly from GodThe purpose of spiritual gifts in the churchPaul's illustration of the body of ChristWhy diversity among believers is God's designHow unity grows when believers embrace their God-given rolesThe danger of comparison, pride, and jealousyWhen every believer embraces the role God has given them, the church becomes stronger, healthier, and more effective in fulfilling God's purposes.If this teaching encourages you to seek Christ above worldly gain, consider joining our community for deeper Bible study and discussion.https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailIsrael saw miracles most of us will never see — and most of them still walked away from God. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul says their story was written down as a warning for us. Here's what it means to actually walk with God today, not just hope for heaven someday.God performed miracle after miracle for Israel. He split the sea, led them by a cloud, fed them from heaven, and gave them water from a rock. Yet most of them still failed to walk faithfully with Him.In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul points back to Israel's story and delivers a warning that every believer needs to hear. Spiritual experiences, biblical knowledge, church attendance, and even ministry involvement do not automatically guarantee spiritual faithfulness. The question is not simply whether we once believed. The question is whether we are walking faithfully with God today.In this episode, we explore Paul's powerful warning to the Corinthian church and discover why Israel's failures were recorded for our benefit. We'll examine the dangers of spiritual overconfidence, the reality of temptation, the call to flee idolatry, and what it means to live every part of life for the glory of God.But here's what most people miss: God's goal has never been merely getting people into heaven someday. His desire has always been relationship with His covenant people. Through Christ, we are invited into fellowship with God right now.Key Topics CoveredWhy Israel's wilderness failures matter todayThe danger of spiritual complacencySpiritual experiences versus spiritual faithfulnessLearning from Israel's exampleIdolatry in the modern Christian lifeGod's faithfulness during temptationLiving for God's glory in everyday decisionsWhat 1 Corinthians 10 teaches about covenant relationshipIf this teaching encourages you to seek Christ above worldly gain, consider joining our community for deeper Bible study and discussion.https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailMost Christians agree that supporting faithful ministry is biblical. But where is the line between supporting gospel work and enabling spiritual manipulation?In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul addresses a difficult issue that many believers still wrestle with today. How do we recognize the difference between a true shepherd and someone using ministry for personal gain? Paul makes it clear that gospel workers have a legitimate right to financial support, yet he willingly surrendered that right so that no one could question his motives.This chapter challenges modern assumptions about success, influence, and ministry. Large platforms, charismatic personalities, and financial prosperity are not proof of faithfulness. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly warns His people about leaders who use religion as a means of personal gain.In this episode, we explore:Why Paul defended the right of ministers to receive supportWhy Paul chose not to exercise that rightThe difference between a shepherd and a religious opportunistWarnings from Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jesus, Peter, and Paul about false teachersHow believers can discern trustworthy spiritual leadershipWhy spiritual integrity matters more than public influenceWhat fruit Christians should be looking for in ministryBut here's what most people miss: the issue is not whether a ministry receives financial support. The issue is whether the gospel remains the focus.If this teaching encourages you to seek Christ above worldly gain, consider joining our community for deeper Bible study and discussion.https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailHave you ever considered that you can be completely right and still be completely wrong?In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul addresses a question that seemed simple on the surface: can Christians eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols? The believers in Corinth already knew the correct theological answer. The idols were nothing. There is only one true God. They were free in Christ.But here's what most people miss: Paul wasn't primarily concerned with whether they were right. He was concerned with whether they were loving.This chapter challenges us to move beyond asking, "Am I allowed to do this?" and start asking, "What does love require of me?" Christian freedom is real, but freedom is not the highest value. Love is. Paul teaches that knowledge alone can make us proud, but love builds people up. A believer can win every argument, prove every point, and still fail if they stop short of loving their brothers and sisters in Christ.In this teaching through 1 Corinthians 8, we explore:Why knowledge without love becomes dangerousThe difference between being right and being spiritually matureHow Christian freedom should be guided by wisdomWhat it means to avoid becoming a stumbling blockWhy Paul was willing to give up his rights for the sake of othersHow Jesus modeled laying down His rights for our benefitThis chapter remains deeply relevant today as Christians navigate questions about entertainment, alcohol, politics, personal convictions, and other areas where Scripture does not always provide direct commands. Watch what happens next as Paul shifts the focus from personal liberty to sacrificial love.Join our growing community for deeper Bible study and discussion:https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailMany Christians desperately want to know God's will when it comes to marriage, singleness, divorce, and remarriage. Yet the closer a decision gets to our heart, the harder it can be to see clearly.In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul addresses some of the most personal and emotionally charged questions believers face. But here's what most people miss: this chapter is not primarily about marriage. It is about learning how to faithfully seek God's will and remain devoted to Christ regardless of our circumstances.In this study, we examine Paul's teaching on singleness, marriage, divorce, remarriage, and spiritual devotion. We also explore why 1 Corinthians 7 should not be treated as a one-size-fits-all relationship manual, but rather as pastoral guidance designed to help believers walk faithfully with God.Topics covered in this episode:• Why 1 Corinthians 7 is about faithful devotion to Christ• The biblical value of singleness• The biblical value of marriage• Believers married to unbelievers• Divorce and remarriage in Scripture• Seeking God's will in difficult circumstances• Remaining faithful where God has called you• Finding hope, grace, and wisdom during painful seasonsIf you're wrestling with relationship questions, seeking God's direction, or trying to understand what Scripture teaches about marriage and singleness, this study will help you approach these issues through the lens of faithful devotion to Christ.Join the Skool community: https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show

Send us Fan MailMost Christians have heard the phrase, “You are not your own,” but very few live as though it is true.In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul addresses two issues that seem completely unrelated: lawsuits among believers and sexual immorality. But beneath both problems is the same question: Who owns your life?In this teaching, we walk through the full context of 1 Corinthians 6 and discover why Paul’s famous statement is not a burden but a source of freedom. If we belong to Christ, then our rights, our bodies, and our choices are no longer centered on self-interest but on God's purpose.This chapter challenges modern ideas about personal freedom, self-expression, and individual rights while revealing a deeper truth about our identity in Christ.Key topics covered:Why believers were taking each other to courtThe connection between lawsuits and sexual immoralityWhat Paul means by “such were some of you”Washed, sanctified, and justified explainedTrue freedom versus slavery to sinWhat it means to be united with ChristWhy your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit“You are not your own” in its full biblical contextWhat it means to be bought with a priceBut here's what most people miss: Paul does not begin with behavior modification. He begins with identity. Understanding who you already are in Christ changes how you live.Join the Skool community: https://www.skool.com/estero-ekklesia-1658Support the Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394920/support Support the show