Tag: 1 Corinthians

Pastor’s Notes 2/13/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.  And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.”
– 1 Cor. 1:12,13

I recently had a Tootsie Pop, and it immediately took me back to that old commercial many of us remember. A child goes on a quest, asking various animals one important question: “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?” Everyone guesses. Everyone speculates. Finally, the child finds the wise old owl. The owl takes the pop, licks it thoughtfully: “One… two… three…” crunch.

“Three,” the owl declares.

The joke, of course, is that the owl never really answers the question. Instead of patiently discovering the center, the owl breaks it open, using power rather than discernment.

That image feels surprisingly close to what Paul is addressing in 1 Corinthians 2:6–16. The Corinthians were eager for wisdom, clarity, and certainty. But Paul reminds them that God’s wisdom doesn’t bring quick and simple answers. It doesn’t name who speaks with the most authority or offer forceful conclusions. God’s wisdom is revealed by the Spirit, and  is discerned over time, together.

This Sunday, as we conclude our Called as Partners series, we’ll reflect on discerning our call as followers of Jesus. Spiritual maturity, Paul suggests, is not about who sounds the wisest or who speaks the loudest. It grows when discernment replaces control, when listening matters more than winning, and when the church learns to trust that God is at work among us.

I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube this Sunday as we practice wisdom that emerges when we seek the way of Jesus, together.  

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 1/23/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” 1 Cor. 1:10 

What do you prefer:

  • Salty or sweet?
  • Do you drink coffee, tea or water?
  • Have you embraced the digital world are you still clinging to analog?
  • If there was one kind of food you could eat for every meal, what would it be?

Preferences are part of being human. They give us language for what we enjoy, what feels familiar, what has shaped us along the way. On their own, they aren’t harmful. But it doesn’t take much for preferences to harden into camps and for camps to quietly pull us apart.

This Sunday, we will listen to Paul’s words to the church in Corinth from 1 Corinthians 1:10–17, where he calls them back to what truly matters. Paul reminds them (and us) that when allegiance to personalities or positions becomes louder than purpose, the body begins to fracture.

Our theme for the day is “One Mind in Christ.” Partnership, as Paul imagines it, means moving toward the same horizon, even when we bring different perspectives, experiences, and voices with us. It is a shared orientation of heart and purpose, grounded not in who leads, but in why we are here.

So, we will figuratively lace up those old WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets and remind ourselves of who we are and whose we are. Together we continue to thrive and live into the shared call Jesus has for us at Sun City Christian Church. I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube Sunday.

Brett