Letters from Papa Paul: Addressing Church Issues in Corinth

Devotional

Day 1: Discipleship Means Living Transparently and Imitating Christ

Discipleship is not about perfection, but about living authentically before others as you follow Christ. When you invite others into your life, they see both your strengths and your flaws, and through your reliance on the Holy Spirit, they witness what it means to trust God in real life. Jesus called us to make disciples, not just converts, and that means letting people see how you handle both success and failure, always pointing them back to Christ as the ultimate example. [01:16]

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally invite to see how you follow Jesus, even in your imperfections, so they might be encouraged to pursue Him more deeply?

Day 2: Discipline in the Church Is Always for Redemption

When someone in the church falls into sin, the goal of discipline is never punishment for its own sake, but always restoration and redemption. Jesus taught that correction should be handled with grace and truth, seeking to win the person back rather than shame or exclude them. Even when boundaries must be set, love remains the motive, and restoration is the desired outcome, just as God disciplines His children for their good. [09:06]

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: Is there someone you need to approach with both truth and grace, seeking their restoration rather than their exclusion?

Day 3: A Little Sin Affects the Whole Community

Sin that is left unchecked in the body of Christ can spread and impact everyone, just as a little leaven affects the whole lump of dough. God calls His people to pursue sincerity and truth, removing the old leaven of malice and wickedness so that the church can be a pure and united witness to the world. This means lovingly addressing issues, not out of pride or harshness, but out of a desire for the health and unity of the whole body. [20:50]

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (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. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life or community where you’ve tolerated something unhealthy? What step can you take today to address it in love?

Day 4: Handle Disputes Within the Church with Forgiveness and Grace

When believers have conflicts, God’s desire is that we resolve them within the family of faith, not by airing grievances before the world. Sometimes, this means choosing to let go of our right to be repaid or vindicated, blessing those who have wronged us and trusting God with the outcome. Practicing forgiveness, even when justice seems out of reach, transforms wounds into seeds for growth and demonstrates the radical love of Christ to a watching world. [41:13]

1 Corinthians 6:1-7 (ESV)
"When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?"

Reflection: Is there a hurt or loss you need to release to God today, choosing forgiveness over your right to be repaid?

Day 5: Our Responsibility Is to Be Salt, Light, and a Godly Example

As believers, we are called to be the example of God’s love, peace, and grace in the world, stewarding the earth and relationships with humility and unity. The way we handle conflict, failure, and restoration within the church sets the tone for the world around us, showing them what God is like. When we live as salt and light, bringing heaven to earth, we fulfill our calling and invite others to experience the kingdom of God through our lives. [44:48]

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally be salt and light in your workplace, neighborhood, or family this week?

Sermon Summary

In the ongoing journey through Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, the focus today is on the heart of discipleship, the dangers of division, and the redemptive purpose of discipline within the church. Paul’s call is clear: our allegiance is not to personalities or traditions, but to Christ alone. Discipleship is not about perfection, but about living transparently before others, letting them see both our strengths and our struggles, and always pointing them to Jesus as the source of our hope and transformation.

Paul addresses the serious issue of unchecked sin within the church, particularly sexual immorality, and the community’s misguided pride in their tolerance. The call is not to harsh judgment or exclusion, but to a loving, redemptive discipline that seeks restoration, not condemnation. Discipline, when necessary, must always be motivated by a desire to bring someone back into right relationship with God and the community, never to shame or destroy. The example given from personal experience illustrates how public discipline, when handled with grace and followed by public restoration, can bring healing and growth.

Paul’s teaching also challenges the church to handle internal conflicts with maturity and wisdom, rather than airing grievances before the world. The church is called to be a family, working out differences with humility and forgiveness, even to the point of letting go of personal rights for the sake of unity and witness. This is not about ignoring justice, but about embodying the radical forgiveness and generosity that Christ has shown us.

Underlying all of this is the reminder that the church is called to be salt and light, to bring heaven to earth, and to model the love, peace, and grace of God to a watching world. Our example matters. The way we handle failure, conflict, and restoration speaks volumes about the God we serve. Even in our failures, God is at work, using every experience to shape us, teach us, and lead us into greater dependence on Him. We are never without hope, never without help, and never beyond the reach of God’s redemptive love.

Key Takeaways

1. Discipleship is about authentic living, not perfection. Inviting others to observe our walk with Christ means letting them see both our victories and our failures, trusting that God’s grace is most visible in our weakness. True discipleship is relational, honest, and always points others to Jesus as the ultimate example. [01:16]
2. Redemptive discipline is essential for the health of the church. When sin is left unchecked, it can spread and harm the entire community. Discipline, however, must always aim for restoration, not punishment, and should be accompanied by public restoration when repentance occurs, reflecting the heart of the Father. [17:29]
3. The church must distinguish between loving acceptance and enabling destructive behavior. While we are called to love everyone, we must also uphold the standards of God’s Word, especially among those who claim to follow Christ. This balance of truth and grace protects the integrity of the community and offers a path to healing for those who have fallen. [05:49]
4. Handling conflict within the church requires humility, wisdom, and a willingness to forgive. Rather than seeking vindication or justice at all costs, we are called to sometimes absorb wrongs for the sake of unity and witness. Forgiveness is not about forgetting, but about releasing the offense and allowing God to use even our losses as seeds for growth. [42:46]
5. Our example as believers shapes the world’s perception of God. The way we respond to failure, conflict, and restoration demonstrates the reality of Christ in us. Even when we feel inadequate or have experienced failure, God uses our journey to lead us to places of greater purpose and influence, reminding us that we are never beyond His redemptive plan. [48:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Series Overview: Letters from Papa Paul
[01:01] - Discipleship by Example
[02:12] - Living Life Together: Everyday Discipleship
[03:34] - Integrity in the Workplace
[04:20] - Disorders in the Church: Addressing Sin
[05:49] - Truth and Grace in Confronting Sin
[07:17] - Jesus’ Approach to Sin and Restoration
[09:06] - Redemptive Discipline: Matthew 18
[11:12] - Church for the Broken: Embracing the Messy
[14:38] - Leadership Standards and Accountability
[17:29] - Public Discipline and Restoration
[20:32] - The Leaven of Sin: Influence on the Body
[23:47] - Engaging the World Without Compromise
[26:38] - Sexual Immorality and the Temple of the Spirit
[32:42] - Handling Disputes Within the Church
[36:35] - Training for Reigning: Our Future Role
[39:25] - Radical Forgiveness and Letting Go
[43:57] - The Church’s Responsibility in the World
[46:39] - Living as Examples: Faith in Difficulty
[48:56] - God’s Redemptive Path Through Failure
[51:32] - Trusting God’s Leading
[55:42] - Blessing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 5:1–13 (ESV) — - Matthew 18:15–17 (ESV)
- 1 Corinthians 6:1–7 (ESV)

Observation Questions

In 1 Corinthians 5, what specific sin does Paul confront in the Corinthian church, and how does he say the church has responded to it? ([04:20])
According to Matthew 18:15–17, what steps does Jesus lay out for addressing sin between believers?
In 1 Corinthians 6:1–7, what does Paul say about believers taking their disputes before secular courts instead of resolving them within the church? ([32:42])
In the sermon, what example did the pastor give about public discipline and restoration in the church? ([17:29])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul insist that discipline within the church should always aim for restoration rather than punishment or exclusion? ([18:29])
What does it mean for the church to be “salt and light” in the world, according to the sermon? How does this relate to the way we handle conflict and failure? ([25:17])
The pastor mentioned that unchecked sin can “leaven the whole lump.” What are the dangers of ignoring sin within the church community? ([20:32])
How does the call to humility and forgiveness in handling church conflicts challenge our natural desire for vindication or justice? ([39:25])

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that discipleship is about authentic living, not perfection. Are there areas of your life where you struggle to be transparent with others about your weaknesses? What holds you back from letting others see both your victories and your failures? ([01:16])
Think about a time when you witnessed or experienced church discipline. Was it handled in a way that aimed for restoration, or did it feel more like punishment? How did that affect your view of the church and of God? ([17:29])
The pastor shared a story about lovingly confronting someone in leadership who was living in sin, and then publicly restoring them after repentance. How would you feel if you were in either role—the one being disciplined or the one doing the confronting? What would help you approach such situations with both truth and grace? ([17:29])
Paul says sometimes it’s better to “accept wrong” or “let yourselves be cheated” for the sake of unity. Is there a situation in your life where you are holding onto a grievance or waiting for justice? What would it look like to release that offense and trust God with the outcome? ([39:25])
The sermon warns against confusing loving acceptance with enabling destructive behavior. How can you personally balance showing love to someone who is struggling, while also upholding the standards of God’s Word? ([05:49])
The way we handle failure, conflict, and restoration shapes how others see God. Is there a recent failure or conflict in your life that you need to revisit, either to seek forgiveness, offer it, or model Christ’s grace? ([48:56])
The pastor said, “We are never without hope, never without help, and never beyond the reach of God’s redemptive love.” Is there an area of your life where you feel hopeless or stuck? How can you invite God’s redemptive love into that situation this week? ([50:45])

Sermon Clips

Now, the thing is, God loves you exactly the way you are. He loves you just like you are. But he loves. He loves you so much, he won't leave you there. All right? So, sin should cause us to grieve and mourn. We should. These people were actually celebrating the fact that this guy was shacking up with his stepmom. And that's like, that's wrong, dude. That's just wrong. [00:07:39] (29 seconds) #LovedButTransformed

God disciplines and God does things, but it's always for redemptive purposes. Amen. How many know when you discipline your child, it is for their good. It's not because you're power hungry. It should not be because you're power hungry. It should be for their good that you discipline them. [00:18:38] (22 seconds) #LeavenAffectsAll

We are to be in the world, but not of it. We are to be an influence in the world. We are to be salt and light to this world. Jesus says you are the salt of the world, the earth, the light of the world. You are to be an influence in society. We are to bring heaven to earth. That is our calling. We are to bring heaven. Jesus said in the, in the model prayer, the Lord's prayer. But it's the model prayer. Your kingdom come. And in the King James, it stopped, it says, period, your kingdom come period. Then he says, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So we are to bring the kingdom of God. We're to bring heaven to earth. [00:25:17] (42 seconds) #BlessingInMarriage

If we learn to forgive, if we learn to deal with issues within the body of Christ, we would not have half of the things going on in the world that we do. We are the example for this earth. I contend, I contend that the division in this earth is because the church allowed it to happen because we initiated division. That's my contention because we, the earth is ours. We as children of God, we are stewarded with this earth. We, it is our responsibility. God told Adam, he said, have dominion over the earth. He said, multiply, fulfill, you know, fill the earth, be fruitful. Basically given you have dominion over every bird of the air, fish of the sea, basically saying you have over all the earth. You don't have dominion over people, but you have dominion over the earth. [00:43:23] (55 seconds) #SpiritLedExample

A man's mind plans his way, but God orders his steps. We're never without hope. We're never without help. We're never, never, never left destitute and alone. Don't fear failure. Failure is just another stepping stone. Failure is just something to say. Okay, that didn't work. I had failed two times at being a pastor. I had failed two times. So, okay, that didn't work. What didn't work was I was not called to those places. But when God puts you somewhere, God, and I've told you this, we're out of time. You know, we've got the names of God, Jehovah Rapha, our healer, Jehovah Jireh, our provider, Jehovah Nisi, our banner. I call him Jehovah Sneaky. Because he will trick you. If you follow him, he'll trick you into getting where you're supposed to be. And you won't even know he's doing it. You won't even know he's doing it. He tricks you. But just be available. That's the only thing, just be available. [00:50:34] (79 seconds)

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