Sermons on 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The various sermons below converge on the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 by emphasizing the symbolism of leaven as sin and unleavened bread as sincerity and truth, rooted deeply in the Passover typology. They collectively highlight the call for believers to remove sin from their lives and communities, often using vivid analogies such as yeast permeating dough or the physical act of removing leaven before Passover to illustrate the pervasive and corrupting nature of sin. Several sermons extend this metaphor by connecting it to the believer’s ongoing sanctification, portraying the Christian life as a continual feast or spiritual journey rather than a one-time cleansing. Notably, some sermons introduce unique nuances: one draws a parallel between yeast dying in wine and Christ’s power to render sin powerless, while another underscores the communal responsibility of the church in maintaining purity through collective vigilance and discipline. The theological themes consistently revolve around holiness, redemption, and the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice, with a shared emphasis on the necessity of both personal and corporate purity as integral to the Christian identity.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their theological emphases and practical applications. Some focus heavily on the victorious aspect of Christ’s sacrifice, portraying sin as not only removed but utterly destroyed, while others stress the ongoing nature of sanctification as a daily participation in the feast of redemption. A few sermons bring in the motif of divine judgment, framing the call to holiness as a response to God’s righteous wrath and mercy, whereas others highlight the emotional and relational dimensions of Christ as the “pet lamb,” emphasizing the cost and affection involved in redemption. The communal dimension is variably stressed, with some sermons using the Jewish tradition of searching for leaven as a model for church discipline and catechesis, while others focus more on individual self-examination and confession, especially in connection with the Lord’s Supper. Additionally, one sermon uniquely incorporates a practical, hygienic rationale for the removal of leaven, linking spiritual purity with physical cleanliness, and another contrasts the unleavened symbolism with the inclusion of leavened bread at Pentecost as a prophetic sign of Gentile inclusion, adding a broader ecclesiological perspective.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Passover: A Foreshadowing of Christ's Sacrifice (NorthGate Community Church) provides detailed historical context about the Passover, including the requirement to remove all yeast from the home, the significance of the lamb being without defect and in the prime of life, and the practice of putting blood on the doorposts. The sermon explains how these rituals were not fully understood by the Israelites at the time but were later revealed to be prophetic symbols pointing to Christ. It also describes the labor-intensive process of cleansing the house of yeast as a cultural practice that persists in Jewish communities today.
Passover: A Journey of Judgment and Mercy (Ligonier Ministries) offers extensive historical and cultural background on the Passover, including the annual Jewish tradition of the youngest child asking about the meaning of the ritual, the change in the Jewish calendar to mark the Exodus as the beginning of the year, and the symbolism of unleavened bread, wine, and bitter herbs. The sermon also explains the ancient practice of girding one's loins for rapid movement, tying it to the urgency of God's deliverance and the readiness required of His people.
Journey of Faith: From Bondage to Spiritual Rest (Pastor Chuck Smith) provides historical insights into the institution of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the requirement to redeem the firstborn, and the tradition of searching for leaven before Passover. The sermon also discusses the three major pilgrimage feasts in Judaism and the role of these rituals in teaching future generations about God's deliverance. Additionally, it describes the practical aspects of ancient Jewish life, such as the use of chariots in warfare and the significance of the pillar of cloud and fire as signs of God's presence.
Divine Feasts: Symbolism and Significance in Christ (David Guzik) provides detailed historical context about the ancient practice of using a piece of old leavened dough as a starter for new bread, which was passed from batch to batch and could accumulate bacteria, making the annual removal of leaven both a spiritual and practical necessity. Guzik also explains the original context of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread in Exodus, the timing on the Jewish calendar, and the significance of the feasts as both commemorative and prophetic for Israel. He further notes the cultural practice of additional Sabbath days during the feasts and the unique inclusion of leavened loaves at Pentecost, which was otherwise forbidden in sacrificial contexts.
Passover: A Journey from Bondage to Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) offers historical insight into the inspection and selection of the Passover lamb, the emotional attachment developed by keeping the lamb in the home, and the communal responsibility for the sacrifice. The sermon also references the public nature of applying the blood to the doorposts as a visible confession of faith, and the Old Testament penalty of being “cut off” for failing to remove leaven, applying these to the New Testament church context.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Passover: A Foreshadowing of Christ's Sacrifice (NorthGate Community Church) uses the process of winemaking as a secular analogy to illustrate the theological point that yeast (sin) is rendered powerless in the presence of wine (Christ). The sermon explains in detail how yeast is necessary for fermentation but is killed off when the alcohol content reaches 15%, drawing a parallel to how Christ's sacrifice destroys the power of sin. This scientific analogy provides a fresh and accessible way for listeners to grasp the transformative effect of Christ's atonement as described in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.
Passover: A Journey from Bondage to Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) uses the analogy of a family pet (specifically, a pet lamb or a puppy) to illustrate the emotional attachment Israelites would have developed to the Passover lamb before its sacrifice, making the act of killing it a deeply personal and painful event. The preacher asks the congregation to imagine bringing home a puppy for Christmas, bonding with it for several days, and then having the father kill it in front of the family, to evoke the emotional cost of the Passover sacrifice and, by extension, Christ’s sacrifice. The sermon also references the modern practice of inaugurations (such as a presidential inauguration) to illustrate the concept of a new beginning marked by the Passover, and the cultural practice of removing shoes before entering an Asian home to illustrate the need for purity before entering God’s presence.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Cross-References in the Bible:
Passover: A Foreshadowing of Christ's Sacrifice (NorthGate Community Church) references several biblical passages to support its interpretation of 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. It cites Exodus 12 (the original Passover instructions), Luke 22:19-20 (Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper), and John 19:36 (fulfillment of the prophecy that none of Jesus' bones would be broken). The sermon also alludes to the four Gospels' accounts of Jesus' death during Passover and draws connections to Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, emphasizing the continuity between Old and New Testament themes of sacrifice, redemption, and cleansing from sin.
Celebrating Christ's Sacrifice: The Meaning of the Lord's Supper (Beulah Baptist Church) makes extensive use of cross-references, including Luke 22 (the Last Supper), Exodus 12 (the original Passover), 2 Corinthians 1:20 (all promises fulfilled in Christ), John 13-17 (Jesus' fellowship and instruction to the disciples), Matthew 27:46 (Jesus' cry from the cross), Luke 23:46 (Jesus' final words), John 19:30 ("It is finished"), and Revelation 15 and 19 (the song of Moses and the marriage supper of the Lamb). The sermon also references Colossians (feasts as shadows of Christ), 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (Christ as our Passover), and various passages in Luke predicting Christ's suffering and resurrection. Each reference is used to build a comprehensive theological framework that situates 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 within the broader narrative of redemption, fulfillment, and ongoing fellowship with Christ.
Passover: A Journey of Judgment and Mercy (Ligonier Ministries) cross-references Exodus 11-12 (the Passover narrative), John 1:29 (John the Baptist's declaration of Jesus as the Lamb of God), and Jesus' warnings about the leaven of the Pharisees in the Gospels. The sermon also alludes to the institution of the Lord's Supper in the New Testament and the recurring biblical motif of God as both redeemer and judge.
Journey of Faith: From Bondage to Spiritual Rest (Pastor Chuck Smith) references Exodus 13 (institution of the Passover and redemption of the firstborn), Colossians (feasts as shadows of Christ), 1 Corinthians 5 (Paul's warning about leaven), and Jesus' teaching on the leaven of the Pharisees. The sermon also cites 2 Chronicles 20 (stand still and see the salvation of the Lord) and Hebrews 11 (Joseph's faith regarding his burial in Canaan), using these passages to illustrate the themes of deliverance, faith, and spiritual vigilance.
Divine Feasts: Symbolism and Significance in Christ (David Guzik) references multiple passages: Exodus 12 (institution of Passover and unleavened bread), John 1:29, 36 (Jesus as the Lamb of God), John 18:28 (Jesus’ death at Passover), Colossians 2:16-17 (feasts as a shadow of Christ), Galatians 4:10-11 (freedom from observing days), Hebrews 4:9-11 (Jesus as Sabbath rest), Acts 2 (Pentecost and the birth of the church), 1 Corinthians 15 (Christ as firstfruits), Zechariah 14:16-19 (future celebration of Tabernacles), and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (the rapture). Each reference is used to show how the feasts, and specifically the Passover and unleavened bread, are fulfilled in Christ and applied to the church, with 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 serving as a bridge between Old Testament typology and New Testament reality.
Christ Our Passover: Embracing Holiness and Redemption (Pastor Chuck Smith) cross-references Exodus 12 (Passover instructions), John 1:29 (Lamb of God), Hebrews (impossibility of animal blood to remove sin), 1 Peter (redemption by Christ’s blood), Colossians 2:16-17 (feasts as shadow), and 1 Corinthians 11 (self-examination before communion). These references are used to reinforce the typological fulfillment of Passover in Christ and the ongoing need for self-examination and repentance.
Passover: A Journey from Bondage to Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) references Exodus 12-15 (Passover narrative), 1 Peter 1:18-19 (unblemished lamb), Matthew 26:59, Luke 23:14-15 (Jesus’ innocence), Zechariah 13:6 (wounds in the house of friends), Revelation 5:6 (pet lamb imagery), Hebrews 11:28 (faith in the blood), Colossians 1:13, 2:15 (deliverance and triumph over powers), Romans 3:25, 5:9 (justification by blood), 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (not appointed to wrath), 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 (celebrating the feast with sincerity and truth), and others. Each is used to draw parallels between the Exodus narrative, the work of Christ, and the call to sanctification and unity in the church.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Christian References outside the Bible:
Passover: A Journey of Judgment and Mercy (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references John Calvin, noting Calvin's observation that wine is "bittersweet" and thus an appropriate symbol for both the joy and the pain of redemption. The sermon uses Calvin's insight to deepen the understanding of the dual nature of the Passover and the Lord's Supper as both celebrations of grace and reminders of the costliness of salvation.
Divine Feasts: Symbolism and Significance in Christ (David Guzik) explicitly references Adam Clarke, who warns against an ungrateful heart, and Alexander Maclaren, who describes the water-drawing ceremony during Tabernacles and its connection to Jesus’ proclamation in John 7. Guzik also cites the Jewish Talmud regarding the water ritual at Tabernacles, and the commentator Petto Contessa on the meaning of “holy convocation.” These references are used to deepen the understanding of the feasts’ spiritual and practical significance.
Passover: A Journey from Bondage to Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) references Robert Govett, a 19th-century expositor, who is quoted (with Spurgeon’s endorsement) as teaching that an Israelite could be “cut off” either by failing to apply the blood or by refusing to remove leaven, and applies this to the Christian life as a warning against persistent sin after salvation. The sermon also references Charles Spurgeon’s high regard for Govett’s writings.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Interpretation:
Celebrating Christ's Sacrifice: The Meaning of the Lord's Supper (Beulah Baptist Church) interprets 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 by emphasizing the call to "purge out the old leaven" as a mandate for Christians to live in a continual state of spiritual renewal, not just as a one-time act. The sermon uniquely frames the Christian life as a perpetual Passover feast, where believers are to "keep the feast" by living daily in the reality of Christ's sacrifice, feeding on the "unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." This interpretation moves beyond the typical moral exhortation and presents the Christian life as a continuous celebration and appropriation of Christ's redemptive work, making the feast a lived reality rather than a mere ritual. The sermon also notes the Greek linguistic repetition in Paul's phraseology, highlighting the ongoing nature of the command.
Passover: A Journey of Judgment and Mercy (Ligonier Ministries) interprets 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 by focusing on the dual symbolism of leaven as corruption and unleavened bread as consecration. The sermon draws out the theological significance of unleavened bread as representing a holy, set-apart people, and connects Paul's exhortation to "keep the feast" with the call to live a consecrated life, free from the corrupting influence of sin. The sermon also references the Greek term for judgment (krisis) to frame the passage within the broader biblical motif of crisis and divine judgment, though this is more tangential to the direct interpretation of 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.
Journey of Faith: From Bondage to Spiritual Rest (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 by explaining leaven as a type of sin, drawing on Jesus' warning about the "leaven of the Pharisees" (hypocrisy) and Paul's instruction to "cast out the leaven" from the church. The sermon uses the analogy of starter dough permeating a whole loaf to illustrate how even a small amount of tolerated sin can spread through the entire community, echoing Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 5. While this is a common interpretation, the sermon adds a practical dimension by describing the Jewish tradition of children searching for leaven before Passover as a teaching tool for spiritual self-examination and cleansing.
Christ Our Passover: Embracing Holiness and Redemption (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 by focusing on the typology of leaven as sin and the necessity of purging sin from the church and individual lives. Smith uses the analogy of “one rotten apple spoiling the whole barrel” to explain how tolerated sin can permeate and corrupt the entire church, paralleling Paul’s warning about leaven. He also draws a practical application for self-examination and confession, connecting the purging of leaven to the ongoing practice of communion and the need for personal repentance.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Theological Themes:
Passover: A Foreshadowing of Christ's Sacrifice (NorthGate Community Church) introduces the theological theme that Christ's sacrifice not only removes sin but actively destroys its power, as illustrated by the analogy of yeast dying in wine. This theme moves beyond the standard motif of cleansing to one of total victory over sin, suggesting that in Christ, sin is not merely set aside but rendered inert and powerless, paralleling the chemical process in winemaking.
Celebrating Christ's Sacrifice: The Meaning of the Lord's Supper (Beulah Baptist Church) presents the distinct theological theme that the Christian life is to be lived as a continuous Passover feast, where the believer's ongoing spiritual nourishment and identity are rooted in the perpetual remembrance and appropriation of Christ's sacrifice. This theme reframes sanctification as a daily, celebratory participation in the reality of redemption, rather than a sporadic or purely moralistic endeavor.
Passover: A Journey of Judgment and Mercy (Ligonier Ministries) highlights the theme that redemption is both "by God and from God," emphasizing that salvation in Christ is deliverance from God's own righteous judgment. This dual aspect of mercy and wrath is woven into the meaning of unleavened bread and the call to holiness in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, presenting the Christian's consecration as both a privilege and a necessity in light of divine judgment.
Journey of Faith: From Bondage to Spiritual Rest (Pastor Chuck Smith) adds the theme that the process of removing leaven (sin) is not only individual but communal, with the ritual of searching for leaven serving as a model for the church's collective responsibility to maintain purity. The sermon also connects this to the idea of passing on faith and spiritual vigilance to the next generation, using the Passover tradition as a means of catechesis and spiritual formation.
Divine Feasts: Symbolism and Significance in Christ (David Guzik) introduces the theme that the rest and purity symbolized by the Feast of Unleavened Bread are ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is both the Passover Lamb and the source of true Sabbath rest. Guzik adds a fresh angle by noting that the annual purging of leaven was not only spiritual but also practical, serving as a hygienic reset for the community, and that the inclusion of leavened loaves at Pentecost prophetically points to the inclusion of Gentiles in the church, contrasting with the call to unleavened purity in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.
Passover: A Journey from Bondage to Freedom in Christ (SermonIndex.net) presents a distinct theological theme by arguing that sanctification is not optional but essential for those redeemed by Christ’s blood, and that persistent, unrepentant sin after salvation can result in being “cut off” from the community of faith, paralleling the Old Testament penalty for eating leaven during the feast. The sermon also emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ, drawing from the unbroken bones of the Passover lamb as a symbol of church unity, and the necessity of public confession (the blood on the doorpost) as an outward sign of faith.
Christ Our Passover: Embracing Holiness and Redemption (Pastor Chuck Smith) adds a nuanced facet by connecting the purging of leaven to the practice of communion, urging believers to examine themselves and confess sin before partaking, and highlighting the ongoing need for cleansing through Christ’s blood, not just a one-time event.