Clearwater Community Church

05/31/2026

Theme: Christian Freedom
Passage: 1 Corinthians 9

How should I use my freedom in Christ?

1. Use your freedom to focus on Gospel proclamation rather than your rights (1–18).
a. You certainly have rights (1–12a, 13–14).
b. You can choose not to exercise this right for the Gospel (12b, 15–18).

2. Use your freedom to enslave yourself to others’ salvation (19–23).
a. Empty yourself contextually.
b. Follow Christ’s Law: love one another; make disciples.
c. See yourself as one in need of Gospel participation.

3. Use your freedom to exercise self-discipline to receive the imperishable crown (24–27).
a. Training
b. Self-control
c. Self-imposed Restriction

Main Idea: Freely set aside your rights for the Gospel.

Application Questions:
· What does this passage contribute to our understanding of supporting those who teach and preach God’s Word to us (see especially vv. 3–14)? How can this be abused today? Does Paul’s example of personally setting aside this right indicate that our current church leaders should do so as well? Why or why not?

· Why do we struggle setting aside the use of our own rights?

· What parallels do you see between Paul’s course of action here concerning His rights and Jesus’ own action in bringing salvation to us?

· Explain what it means to contextualize the Gospel (vv. 19–23). How can this go wrongly for us today?

· What is meant by the imperishable crown that Paul strove for in v. 25? How can we explain vv. 24–27 correctly without introducing a works-based salvation?

· What are areas in your life over which you need to strive for more self-control and self-imposed restriction? How can this be sought appropriately?

· Are there any rights that you have identified that God’s Spirit is impressing you to refrain from using so that the Gospel may be magnified through your testimony?

05/24/2026

Theme: Christian Rights
Passage: 1 Corinthians 8

Confronting the use of knowledge as the primary defense for one’s rights, Paul gave two cautions concerning knowledge:

1. Be careful elevating knowledge (1–6).
a. Knowledge isn’t the end-all, be-all (1–3).
i. Knowledge puffs up (self-focused); Love builds up (others-focused)
ii. Full knowledge cannot be attained.
iii. Being known by God through love is what matters.
b. Knowledge can cause us to get doctrine right but practical theology wrong (4–6).
c. Our knowledge isn’t known by everyone (7–8).
i. Illustration: A spiritual sibling lacking our knowledge may act in a way that sins against their conscience (7).
ii. “Knowers” justify their acts by suggesting that such gray area acts don’t bring us closer to God (8).
2. Be careful using your knowledge as the basis for your rights to act (9–13).
a. We can build up another to sin through our rights.
b. Acting on our knowledge, we can destroy a sibling Christ died for.
c. In so doing, we sin directly against Christ.
Main Idea: Do whatever is necessary to ensure that your actions don’t cause others to fall into sin (13).


Application Questions:
· In what ways do we as Christians and as a church body emphasize knowledge that could prove detrimental?

· Why is it that knowledge gravitates toward self-focus and away from a love for others and even for Christ?

· Why does Paul only confront the “knowers” here and not the weak? How should this impact our choice to exercise our rights in certain actions?

· How does what Paul says here prove counter-cultural to the American Christian? How should this passage reframe our understanding of our rights?

· What areas of your life concerning your rights and actions came to mind as you were challenged by this passage? What do you need to do in response to this?

05/17/2026

Theme: Relational Devotion
Passage: 1 Corinthians 7:25–40

Proposition Continued: Be as you are.

Engaged: Pursue marriage (27a, 36–38)
Single: Don’t seek marriage foremostly (27b, 38b)

1. Reasons
a. Impending crisis (26)
b. Life’s troubles (28)
c. Compression of timeline (29)

2. Manner
a. Live life in light of eternity (29–31).
i. Marriage
ii. Emotions
iii. Finance
http://iv.things of this world
v. All of this is going to pass away

b. Devote yourself to the Lord (32–35).
i. Single and married believers have the same spiritual focus.
ii. Marriage introduces divided devotion.

3. Marriage Summary (39–40):
a. Marriage is lifelong.
b. Death does do us part.
c. Remarriage is permissible for the widowed.
d. Believers must only marry believers.
e. True Contentment comes from Christ not a spouse.

Application Questions:
1. How does Paul’s view of marriage and singleness challenge our culture's view, whether secular or Christian, of singleness and marriage? What does his view offer you in your present state?

2. How should his teaching here affect your view of singleness?

3. Because the things of this world are passing away, how should this affect your view of marriage, emotions, finance, and the things of this world?

4. In what ways does marriage divide our devotion to Christ? Is this necessarily wrong? Why or why not? How can those of us who are married live out our double devotion biblically?

5. In marriage, why is it so important to find true contentment in Christ rather than a spouse?

03/30/2026

Holy Week is here!!! ✝️ Click for our downloadable devotional and Easter services information through the link in our profile.

01/27/2026

Looking forward to praying with the ladies of CCC on Thursday, the day after tomorrow!

All ladies are welcome to join us for an hour of intentional prayer together in the Living Room on January 29th at 7:30pm – 8:30pm. Essie will be in the […]

12/07/2025

Due to a technical issue, we will stream the second service at 10:45.

06/09/2025

Full details here: https://cccflsermons.subspla.sh/rq63fpv

05/21/2025

We're only days away from our church-wide picnic fundraiser! Be sure to register ASAP if you want to participate in the pincic portion of this event: https://www.clearwatercommunity.org/event/mission-trip/

05/12/2025

We look foward to seeing everyone at our mission trip picnic fundraiser on the 25th! There will be games and activities including a bounce house so it will be a great time for family members of all ages!
REGISTER TODAY
https://www.clearwatercommunity.org/event/mission-trip/