Confronting Sin: The Call to Church Purity
Summary
In 1 Corinthians chapter 5, Paul confronts the church at Corinth with a challenging question: should he approach them with gentleness or with a rod? This question arises from the church's failure to address sin within its community. The church at Corinth had become more concerned with cultural relevance than with Christ-like holiness, allowing sin to infiltrate and grow unchecked. Paul highlights a specific case of sexual immorality that even the surrounding pagan society found unacceptable. This situation serves as a wake-up call for the church to recognize the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity of addressing it.
Sin, when left unchecked, can permeate every part of the church, much like leaven in bread or a rotten apple in a bunch. Paul emphasizes the importance of removing sin from the church to prevent it from spreading and corrupting the entire community. This requires a commitment to grieving over sin rather than glorifying it. The church must be willing to confront sin, both individually and corporately, to maintain its purity and witness.
Paul also warns against forming partnerships with those who persist in sin without repentance. The church is called to be a community set apart, desiring holiness over sin. This involves evaluating our own lives and relationships, ensuring that our associations within the church are distinct from those in the world. Conversations and interactions within the church should reflect a commitment to glorifying Jesus and pursuing holiness.
Judgment within the church is necessary, not as a means of condemnation, but as a way to lovingly correct and restore one another. This process involves formative, corrective, and, if necessary, punitive discipline. The goal is always restoration and repentance, not punishment for its own sake. The church must act in the name and power of Jesus, ensuring that its actions align with His teachings and purposes.
Ultimately, the church's response to sin should be rooted in the sacrifice of Christ, who has given us victory over sin. We are called to grieve our sin and turn to Jesus, who empowers us to live in righteousness. By keeping our eyes on Jesus and following His ways, we can avoid the need for church discipline and live in the freedom and holiness He offers.
Key Takeaways:
1. Recognizing Sin's Presence: Sin is present in the church and can become pervasive if left unchecked. We must acknowledge its existence and address it to prevent it from spreading and corrupting the community. This requires a commitment to holiness and a willingness to confront sin both individually and corporately. [03:33]
2. Grieving Over Sin: Instead of glorifying sin, we must grieve it. Recognizing sin as an affront to God and an enemy to us is the beginning of salvation. Mourning over sin leads to repentance and restoration, aligning us with God's will and purpose for our lives. [10:48]
3. The Danger of Unchecked Sin: Unchecked sin can permeate every part of the church, much like leaven in bread or a rotten apple in a bunch. Removing sin is essential to prevent it from spreading and corrupting the entire community. This requires decisive action and a commitment to maintaining the church's purity. [12:35]
4. Evaluating Christian Partnerships: Persistent sin should cause us to think twice about our partnerships within the church. Our associations should reflect a commitment to holiness and a desire to glorify Jesus. Conversations and interactions within the church should be distinct from those in the world, focusing on spiritual growth and accountability. [18:01]
5. The Role of Church Discipline: Church discipline is necessary to maintain the purity and witness of the church. It involves formative, corrective, and, if necessary, punitive measures, always aiming for restoration and repentance. The church must act in the name and power of Jesus, ensuring that its actions align with His teachings and purposes. [30:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:17] - Mr. Sin Comes to the Church
- [03:33] - Recognizing Sin's Presence
- [04:32] - The Unlawfulness of Sin
- [06:33] - Sin in the Church Today
- [07:23] - The Reality of Immorality
- [08:36] - Choices Regarding Sin
- [09:41] - Glorifying vs. Grieving Sin
- [10:48] - The Destructive Nature of Sin
- [12:35] - The Danger of Unchecked Sin
- [14:14] - The Spread of Sin
- [15:27] - The Rot of Sin
- [16:53] - The Wild West of Corinth
- [18:01] - Evaluating Christian Partnerships
- [19:08] - The Importance of Association
- [20:04] - Conversations in the Church
- [21:18] - Judging Within the Church
- [22:29] - Addressing Sin in Love
- [23:35] - The Necessity of Church Discipline
- [25:18] - The Process of Church Discipline
- [26:46] - The Role of Discipline in the Church
- [27:28] - Formative and Corrective Discipline
- [28:23] - The Purpose of Corrective Discipline
- [29:08] - The Goal of Discipline
- [30:01] - Punitive Discipline
- [30:42] - The Church's Responsibility
- [31:32] - The Power of Jesus in Discipline
- [32:29] - Handing Over to Satan
- [34:25] - The Hope of Repentance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific sin does Paul address in the church at Corinth, and how does he describe its severity compared to the surrounding society? [03:33]
2. According to the sermon, what metaphor does Paul use to illustrate the danger of unchecked sin in the church? [12:35]
3. How does Paul suggest the church should respond to persistent sin within its community? [25:18]
4. What does the sermon say about the church's responsibility when it comes to judging sin within its own community? [22:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for the church to grieve over sin rather than glorify it, and what does this reveal about the church's values? [10:48]
2. How does the concept of church discipline, as discussed in the sermon, align with the teachings of Jesus? [31:32]
3. What are the potential consequences for a church that fails to address sin within its community, according to the sermon? [15:27]
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of Christian partnerships in maintaining the church's commitment to holiness? [18:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be glorifying sin instead of grieving it? How can you begin to address these areas this week? [10:48]
2. Consider your relationships within the church. Are your conversations and interactions distinct from those you have outside the church? How can you make them more spiritually focused? [21:18]
3. How can you lovingly and effectively address sin when you see it in the lives of fellow believers, without coming across as judgmental? [23:35]
4. What steps can you take to ensure that your associations within the church reflect a commitment to holiness and a desire to glorify Jesus? [19:08]
5. In what ways can you contribute to the church's mission of maintaining purity and witness, especially when it comes to addressing sin? [30:42]
6. How can you personally support the process of church discipline in a way that aligns with the teachings of Jesus and aims for restoration and repentance? [31:32]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the power of Jesus in overcoming sin. How can you rely on this power in your daily life to live in righteousness? [34:25]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Recognizing Sin's Infiltration
Sin can subtly infiltrate and corrupt a community if left unaddressed. In the church at Corinth, sin was allowed to grow unchecked, leading to a situation that even the surrounding pagan society found unacceptable. This serves as a reminder that sin, much like leaven in bread, can permeate every part of the church if not confronted. Acknowledging the presence of sin is the first step in preventing its spread and maintaining the purity of the community. It requires a commitment to holiness and a willingness to address sin both individually and corporately. [03:33]
1 Corinthians 5:6-7 (ESV): "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life or community where sin might be subtly infiltrating. How can you take steps today to address it and prevent its spread?
Day 2: Mourning Over Sin
Instead of glorifying sin, we are called to grieve it, recognizing it as an affront to God and an enemy to our souls. Mourning over sin is the beginning of salvation, leading to repentance and restoration. This process aligns us with God's will and purpose for our lives, allowing us to experience His grace and forgiveness. By grieving over sin, we acknowledge its destructive nature and our need for God's intervention. [10:48]
James 4:8-9 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom."
Reflection: Reflect on a sin in your life that you have been ignoring or downplaying. How can you begin to mourn over it and seek God's forgiveness and restoration today?
Day 3: The Perils of Unchecked Sin
Unchecked sin can spread like a rotten apple in a bunch, corrupting the entire community. Removing sin is essential to prevent it from spreading and maintaining the church's purity. This requires decisive action and a commitment to holiness. By addressing sin, we protect the integrity of the church and its witness to the world. [12:35]
Galatians 5:9-10 (ESV): "A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is."
Reflection: Consider a situation in your community where sin has been left unchecked. What steps can you take to address it and encourage others to pursue holiness?
Day 4: Evaluating Our Partnerships
Persistent sin should cause us to evaluate our partnerships within the church. Our associations should reflect a commitment to holiness and a desire to glorify Jesus. Conversations and interactions within the church should be distinct from those in the world, focusing on spiritual growth and accountability. By aligning our relationships with God's standards, we strengthen the church's witness and encourage one another in our faith journeys. [18:01]
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (ESV): "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?"
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationships and partnerships within the church. Are there any that need to be reevaluated to ensure they align with your commitment to holiness and spiritual growth?
Day 5: The Necessity of Church Discipline
Church discipline is necessary to maintain the purity and witness of the church. It involves formative, corrective, and, if necessary, punitive measures, always aiming for restoration and repentance. The church must act in the name and power of Jesus, ensuring that its actions align with His teachings and purposes. By practicing discipline, the church upholds its commitment to holiness and provides a loving environment for growth and accountability. [30:01]
Matthew 18:15-17 (ESV): "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."
Reflection: Think about a situation where church discipline might be necessary. How can you approach it with love and a desire for restoration, ensuring that your actions align with Jesus' teachings?
Quotes
1. "In 1939, a movie came out that captured the American culture by storm. Mr. Smith Goes to the Church. Washington. Frank Capra was the director, and Jimmy Stewart was the main part, and it tells the story of an opportunity of a lifetime for an ordinary person like you and me to be selected to fill a senate seat and go and take our working man, our everyday man's ideas, ideals, and thoughts to the capitol. And that's exactly what he does. Jimmy Stewart's character is a character that essentially is a character that is a character that is a character that is a character that is altogether guileless." ([00:00:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "But an amazing film that asks the question, when you stand against trouble, when you stand against sin, when you stand against corruption, a decision needs to be made. Well, I want to flip that for a moment. I want to talk about not when Mr. Smith goes to Washington, but what do we do when Mr. Sin comes to the church? We have a decision to make. Will we stand true? Will we stand faithful? Or we will allow the corruption of our world, the sin and disobedience of our world, to become a part of the church?" ([00:01:14] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "You see, the church at Corinth had done that. The church at Corinth wanted to be more culturally relevant than Christ-like. And as a result of that, they had given way to sin. And not just little sin. We're going to learn here in a moment some really big sins, some ugly sins, some sin that wasn't even accepted or applied. By the world around them. Paul starts out our passage and he addresses the sin right away. He says, it is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you and of a kind that is not tolerated even among the pagans. For a man has his father's wife and you are arrogant. Ought you not to rather mourn? Let him who has done this be removed, from among you." ([00:02:31] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Sin is present in the church, and it can become pervasive. Paul says there's this unique situation that's happening in the church. Notice what the situation is. It has been reported to Paul that in the church at Corinth, there's sexual immorality among you, and he says it's a certain kind of immorality, and he defines it. A man has his father's wife. Commentators believe that what he's communicating is the words of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, that in the Jewish law, it was forbidden for incest to happen in the lives of the people of Israel." ([00:04:03] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "You and I need to recognize that the reason why we struggle with sin, and the reason why we're always involved in sin, is deep down inside, we like our sin more than we like holiness with God. And so this morning, entering into this place, into the multiple services of this campus, sinners have come in. Sinners who have not just passed, have sinned in the past week, but are praying for them. And they're presently sinning, and are okay with it." ([00:07:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "So what is a church to do? If we are not to glorify sin, what are we to do that we are to grieve sin? Notice what he says, you are arrogant, that is you are glorifying in yourselves about it. You think being sinful is cool and is popular and culturally relevant. And Paul says, no, you should grieve it. Ought you not rather to mourn? Don't you recognize what this is doing? Sin is killing you. Sin is destroying your life. It's destroying your marriage. It's destroying your home. It's destroying your testimony." ([00:10:26] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "Why must we grieve it? Because Martin Luther put it this way when he said so aptly, the recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation. You and I can never experience true salvation unless we grieve over our sin and recognize our sin is an affront to God and an enemy to us and so Paul says we need to mourn these things we need to grieve these things and and he says even more than that in verse two let him who has done this be removed from among you." ([00:11:22] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "How did churches that preached and proclaimed the gospel now preach and proclaim immorality? It started with one person, one thought, one okaying of sin, one living in sin, before the entire lot of them were rotten. Well, how did the rot happen? Did everybody start sleeping with their moms? Everybody absolutely say no, thank the Lord, right? That's not what happened. But what happened is, and notice in the text, and just look at the headings. In my headings in chapter 6, we have lawsuits break out amongst believers. They started suing one another." ([00:15:43] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "And so amidst the church, there are people who are here for who knows what reason, but they glorify their sin, and they're okay with it, and they have no intent of changing it. This is different than the drinkers, and the revilers, and the swindlers, and the idolaters, and the sexually immoral people who say, man, I've done this, and I'm sorry. I've done this, and it grieves me, and it grieves my relationships, and it grieves my relationship with God. It grieves me so much, I don't ever want to do it again, so I'm here to be formed into the person who never does these things again." ([00:19:18] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "And so corrective discipline says, you're off course, so let's correct it. It's still done with love and with guidance and with great desire to see the best come out of the person. But then there's punitive discipline. And punitive discipline is what we see in 1 Corinthians chapter 5. It's a punishing discipline. It's a discipline that at times hurts. It involves consequences. It addresses a problem in a matter-of-fact kind of way. But how's the church to do this? And should a church do this? Well, let's start with that. Should a church do it? The answer is yes." ([00:29:31] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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