Transforming Identity: Living as Temples of the Spirit

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound implications of our identity in Christ, particularly through the lens of 1 Corinthians 6. We began by addressing a pressing need within our community, highlighting our partnership with Corvallis for Refugees. This organization, which aids refugees legally resettled in our area, has faced a significant funding shortfall due to recent government decisions. An anonymous couple from our church has generously offered to match donations up to $5,000 to help bridge this gap. This is an opportunity for us to live out God's command to care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner among us.

Transitioning to our study of 1 Corinthians, we delved into the cultural and spiritual challenges faced by the early church in Corinth. The Corinthians, shaped by a culture that separated the spiritual from the physical, struggled with issues of sexual immorality, particularly the practice of visiting temple prostitutes. Paul addresses this by emphasizing the integral connection between body and spirit, reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that what we do with them matters deeply to God.

Paul's teaching challenges us to reflect on our own lives and consider how cultural influences might lead us away from God's truth. He urges us to think theologically, allowing our understanding of God's design and purpose to shape our actions and beliefs. This involves recognizing that our identity in Christ transforms every aspect of our lives, moving us from the community of the world to the community of Christ.

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, we must remain vigilant against cultural blinders that distort our understanding of God's will. Whether it's issues of sexuality, relationships, or personal struggles like pornography, we are called to align our lives with the teachings of Christ. This requires ongoing reflection, community support, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's power to transform us.

Key Takeaways:

- Our partnership with Corvallis for Refugees exemplifies living out God's command to care for the vulnerable. This is a tangible way to express our faith and support those in need, reflecting the heart of Christ in our community. [00:00]

- The Corinthian church's struggle with sexual immorality highlights the danger of cultural influences that separate body and spirit. Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and what we do with them matters to God. [40:48]

- Our identity in Christ transforms every aspect of our lives, moving us from the community of the world to the community of Christ. This new identity should influence our actions, beliefs, and relationships, aligning them with God's truth. [51:50]

- Thinking theologically involves allowing our understanding of God's design and purpose to shape our actions and beliefs. This requires ongoing reflection, community support, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's power to transform us. [55:32]

- We must remain vigilant against cultural blinders that distort our understanding of God's will. Whether it's issues of sexuality, relationships, or personal struggles, we are called to align our lives with the teachings of Christ. [01:03:27]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:01:30] - Community Opportunity: Supporting Refugees
[00:05:00] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 6
[00:10:00] - Cultural Context of Corinth
[00:15:00] - The Issue of Temple Prostitution
[00:20:00] - Paul's Response to Corinthian Slogans
[00:25:00] - Theological Reflection on Body and Spirit
[00:30:00] - Our Identity in Christ
[00:35:00] - Cultural Influences and Christian Identity
[00:40:00] - Thinking Theologically
[00:45:00] - Modern Applications: Pornography and Other Struggles
[00:50:00] - Invitation to Change
[00:55:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[01:00:00] - Final Song and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
- Genesis 1:27 (alluded to in the sermon regarding God's creation of humans as whole beings)
- Galatians 5:13 (mentioned in the sermon regarding freedom in Christ)

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Observation Questions:

1. What cultural practices in Corinth were influencing the church's behavior, and how did Paul address these issues? [40:48]

2. How does Paul use the concept of the body being a temple of the Holy Spirit to challenge the Corinthians' actions? [48:16]

3. What were some of the slogans or sayings used by the Corinthians to justify their behavior, and how did Paul respond to them? [49:33]

4. How does Paul connect the resurrection of Jesus to the significance of our physical bodies? [48:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the cultural context of Corinth help us understand the challenges faced by the early church, and what parallels can we draw to today's cultural influences? [51:50]

2. In what ways does Paul emphasize the importance of aligning our actions with our identity in Christ, and how does this challenge the Corinthians' understanding of freedom? [55:32]

3. How does the idea of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit influence our understanding of personal holiness and community responsibility? [48:16]

4. What does it mean to think theologically, and how can this practice help us navigate modern cultural challenges? [55:32]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the cultural influences in your life. Are there any areas where you might be allowing these influences to shape your actions more than your identity in Christ? How can you address this? [51:50]

2. Consider the concept of your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. What practical steps can you take to honor God with your body this week? [48:16]

3. How can you support the vulnerable in your community, such as refugees, in a way that reflects God's command to care for the widow, orphan, and foreigner? [00:00]

4. Identify a personal struggle or habit that might be misaligned with your faith. What steps can you take to seek transformation through the Holy Spirit's power? [55:32]

5. How can you engage in theological reflection to better understand God's design and purpose for your life? What resources or community support might you need to do this effectively? [55:32]

6. Think about a specific area in your life where you might be compartmentalizing your behavior from your spiritual life. How can you bring this area under the lordship of Christ? [55:32]

7. How can you actively participate in a community that challenges and supports you in aligning your life with the teachings of Christ? What role can you play in fostering such a community? [55:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Living Out God's Command to Care for the Vulnerable
Our partnership with Corvallis for Refugees is a tangible expression of living out God's command to care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner among us. This organization, which aids refugees legally resettled in our area, is facing a significant funding shortfall due to recent government decisions. An anonymous couple from our church has generously offered to match donations up to $5,000 to help bridge this gap. This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our faith in action, reflecting the heart of Christ in our community. By supporting this cause, we are not only providing financial assistance but also extending love and hope to those who are vulnerable and in need. [00:00]

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (ESV): "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt."

Reflection: How can you contribute to supporting refugees in your community this week, whether through financial means, volunteering, or prayer?


Day 2: The Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit
The early church in Corinth faced significant cultural and spiritual challenges, particularly regarding sexual immorality and the practice of visiting temple prostitutes. The Corinthians were influenced by a culture that separated the spiritual from the physical, leading to a disconnect in their understanding of how their actions affected their spiritual lives. Paul addresses this by emphasizing the integral connection between body and spirit, reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. What we do with our bodies matters deeply to God, and we are called to honor Him with our physical selves. This teaching challenges us to reflect on our own lives and consider how cultural influences might lead us away from God's truth. [40:48]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: In what ways can you honor God with your body this week, considering your daily habits and choices?


Day 3: Our Identity in Christ Transforms Every Aspect of Our Lives
Our identity in Christ is transformative, moving us from the community of the world to the community of Christ. This new identity should influence our actions, beliefs, and relationships, aligning them with God's truth. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, we must remain vigilant against cultural blinders that distort our understanding of God's will. Whether it's issues of sexuality, relationships, or personal struggles, we are called to align our lives with the teachings of Christ. This requires ongoing reflection, community support, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's power to transform us. [51:50]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: How does your identity in Christ influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?


Day 4: Thinking Theologically to Shape Our Actions and Beliefs
Thinking theologically involves allowing our understanding of God's design and purpose to shape our actions and beliefs. This requires ongoing reflection, community support, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's power to transform us. By engaging in theological reflection, we can better discern God's will and align our lives with His truth. This process involves examining our cultural influences and ensuring they do not lead us away from God's design. As we grow in our understanding of God's purpose, we are better equipped to live out our faith in a way that honors Him. [55:32]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What steps can you take this week to deepen your theological understanding and apply it to your life?


Day 5: Vigilance Against Cultural Blinders
We must remain vigilant against cultural blinders that distort our understanding of God's will. The Corinthians struggled with cultural influences that separated body and spirit, leading to issues of sexual immorality. In our modern context, we face similar challenges, whether it's issues of sexuality, relationships, or personal struggles like pornography. We are called to align our lives with the teachings of Christ, which requires ongoing reflection, community support, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's power to transform us. By staying vigilant, we can ensure that our lives reflect God's truth and purpose. [01:03:27]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: Identify a cultural influence in your life that may be distorting your understanding of God's will. How can you address this influence and realign your life with God's truth?

Quotes

All right. So before we jump into the sermon, I just want to let you guys know about an opportunity that we have as a church to meet a very specific need that one of our local missions partners and some of our local neighbors are experiencing. Many of you know, for the last few years, Suburban has been a place where we've had a lot of fun, and we've had a lot of fun, and we've had a lot of fun, and we've had a lot of fun, and we've had a lot of fun, and we've had a lot of fun. We've partnered with them in many ways. They're an organization that mobilizes churches and people of goodwill to welcome refugees who are being resettled in our area. [00:35:10] (27 seconds)


And I know there's a lot of debate and conversation today about immigration and the laws around that, but this is a different issue. These new neighbors are people who have entered the country legally under the very specific welcome of our government. Many of them became refugees because they were fleeing famine or war or violence. And so we've partnered with them in many ways. We've partnered with them in many ways. We've partnered with them in many ways. We've partnered with them in their own country, and almost all of them spent years in either resettlement camps or refugee camps while they went through a long vetting and interview process by the government. [00:35:37] (30 seconds)


So Paul spends 18 months in Corinth. He teaches them all these things. He puts these house churches together. And then he leaves, he moves on. He actually goes to Ephesus to start a church there. And after he leaves, the church just starts to implode. All sorts of problems come up. And he's like, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, you know, people have all these differences in their backgrounds. So they disagree about things. And, you know, there's all sorts of things happening. [00:41:31] (20 seconds)


So he actually pushes back on their slogan with a slogan of his own. He says, yeah, you say food for the stomach, stomach for the food, God will destroy them both. He says, no, no, the body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord and the Lord for the body, right? They say food for the stomach, stomach for food. And they say, no, no, the Lord for the body, body for the Lord. And then instead of saying God will destroy them both, he corrects a misunderstanding. [00:46:52] (22 seconds)


And it has an impact on our relationship with God. Like, we're temples. Of the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit lives in us. And when you unite yourself with somebody sexually, you make this foster this intimate connection with them. So he's like, basically, you're uniting Christ with a prostitute. That doesn't seem like a good way to honor him. [00:48:49] (19 seconds)


So unlike the ideas that were kind of floating around in the Greek world of the day, Paul says, look, followers of Jesus, you cannot separate body and spirit. God created human beings in his image as whole beings who are designed to worship him. So you can't separate these things and assume that one part's more important than the other when it comes to following Jesus. Because anything a human being does with any part of their being is either an expression of honor or dishonor to God. [00:49:32] (27 seconds)


Instead, he tries to address it by getting at this larger question of Christian identity. Instead, he reminds us that following Jesus is never just a matter of believing the right thing, of thinking the right thing, of making sure you got your intellectual stuff lined out. Paul says, no, no, no. The grace that God gives us also transforms every aspect of our identity, our mind, our spirit, our soul, our minds, our behaviors, our relationships. [00:50:34] (23 seconds)


Paul realizes that Christians need to develop the ability to think theologically and biblically about the world that they live in and the issues that they face and allow God's truth to shape their lives. Because if they don't, the culture will inevitably shape them. Like that hasn't changed in the last 2,000 years. Unless we intentionally depend on the spirit of God to guide us and shape us, the culture absolutely will shape us. It is relentless in how it works to do that. [00:55:32] (29 seconds)


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Transcript
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