In this episode of Church is Messy Pastor Caleb Smith (who gave this week's message) and Svea discuss Paul's teaching from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 about the paradox of the cross - how God's "foolishness" is wiser than human wisdom and his "weakness" is stronger than human strength. Their conversation explores how this ancient message applies to modern Christians facing intellectual persecution and cultural rejection, emphasizing four key responses from Luke 18: reliance on God, humility, trust, and obedience as a framework for engaging with contemporary challenges while standing firm in faith and leading with love.

At about the 24 minute mark Caleb talks about a statement Transform MN (of which Autumn Ridge is a part) put out about praying during the events unfolding in Minnesota. The link to that document is https://transformmn.org/portfolio/this-is-why-we-pray/

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:46 Different approaches to the passage.
• 03:27 Oxymorons and paradoxes.
• 07:32 The foolishness of the cross.
• 09:04 The scandalous nature of the cross.
• 11:27 Modern application - being called a moron.
• 12:34 Encouragement to persecuted followers of Jesus.
• 16:01 Responding with empathy.
• 17:11 The power (dunamis) of God.
• 19:54 Connection to the garden and original sin.
• 22:12 Application to contemporary culture.
• 26:08 Four principles from Luke 18: reliance on God, humility before God, trust in God, obedience to God.
• 28:48 Living out the four principles.
• 30:25 Series overview and looking ahead.

Rick and Svea discuss 1 Corinthians 1, focusing on how the human desire for acceptance creates division in the church through “fences” (in-groups and out-groups) and “ladders” (status and hierarchy). They show how the Corinthian church split around admired leaders like Paul, Apollos, and Peter, driven more by Roman culture’s obsession with prestige than by real theological differences. The episode draws connections to modern Christian identity, emphasizes unity and equality in Christ, and encourages humility, community, and finding true acceptance in God’s love.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:11 Diving in to 1 Corinthians chapter 1.
• 02:01 Fences (acceptance) and ladders (approval).
• 04:52 There are no fences in Christ. The only fence is our sin. The only gate is Jesus.
• 08:40 1 Corinthians 1:12 - I follow Paul, I follow Apollos... Attaching to human figures, not Jesus. Stupid games lead to stupid prizes. Their prize of petty competitiveness and fractured relationships.
• 11:57 We do this too. We can't define ourselves by what people or groups we agree with or disagree with.
• 13:36 Thinking of spiritual formation, how do we avoid falling into the trap of attaching ourselves to and aligning with a singular spiritual leader with whom you agree and saying, "I'm a so-and-so Christian?" Be in community with other believers.
• 19:21 We tend to apply our need for acceptance and approval in dysfunctional ways. What's the God-given underlying foundation for wanting acceptance and approval?
• 23:30 Advice for those who are ready to live without fences and ladders, but you see fences and ladders all around you.

This episode kicks-off a 20-week series on 1 Corinthians. Today Rick and Svea dig into the series thesis and then look at "knowing your why."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 04:47 1 Corinthians Series overview
• 06:19 Understanding Paul and looking at our own assumptions and what the original authors were trying to communicate.
• 08:33 Interesting parallels between Corinth and Rochester.
• 11:12 Delving into our 1 Corinthians series thesis and key verse.
• 13:34 Stand firm.
• 19:40 Be fearless.
• 23:32 Let love lead.
• 27:46 At the end of 16 chapters and 20 weeks, what's the goal for the church to say, "We've grown in these ways?"
• 32:53 Being in tune with our "why." The results of not knowing your why.
• 37:13 Hand-holds to help see your why.