June 22, 2008
Morning Service

ICor. 5:1-7

 

Review:

1.      The Apostle Paul has received a letter from the church at Corinth, in which he established on his missionary work, in AD51-52.  The letter presented some problems they were having in the church, and they wanted Paul’s opinion on what they should do.

2.      The first issue was that of division.  Paul explains very clearly that we should be united in the things we do for God, especially teaching the gospel message.

3.      Paul teaches us not to have preacher religion, using the comparison of himself, Apollos, and Peter.  We are to realize that they are just ministers by which we believed, and Jesus is the All in All of God. 

4.      Then Paul teaches us concerning earthly, and heavenly wisdom.  He explains that the gospel is heavenly wisdom, and that those who are not spiritual cannot receive the things of the gospel for they are spiritually discerned. 

5.      He goes on and tells us that not many wise men will yield to the gospel call.

6.      In chapter three Paul says that Ministers should be workers together spreading the same gospel message, but it is God who will give the understanding and ability to grow, to everyone.

7.      Bro. Sam spoke last Sunday evening on chapter 4.  I know that anytime I am not able to be with you, that you are in good hands.  We do our very best to speak the same thing, and to teach the same thing, so that there is no confusion.  Remember, confusion is not of God.

8.      While I was home resting Sunday afternoon there came a rap at my door, and low, and behold it was Bob Bex with a plate of food.  Thank you for that, Pam and Bob.  And I know that you all were praying for me.  Bro. David Boyles said in a testimony here a while back how that he appreciated the love, and concern of everyone in the congregation, I can ditto that.  I have said it many times, God has given me a wonderful group of people to minister too, and I appreciate it.  When visitors come and see our worship facility, they comment on how beautiful it is, and I agree with them, but think to myself, wait till you get to know the people that worship here, then you will know what beauty is.  CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY.

9.       Paul, in chapter four, tells the church of the lowly life of an Apostle, and emphasizes his authority among them. Reminds them that he is their spiritual father.  1Co 4:14-17 KJVR  “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.  (15)  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.  (17)  For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 

10.   We must remember that there is no reason for us not to teach, and preach the same gospel message that the Bible teaches us.  God has preserved for us the teachings of the Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and the teachings of the Apostles.  They do not contradict one another, but are in wonderful unity.  Paul warns us who follow after, and feel the call to minister the Word, “to be careful how we build on the foundation that has already been laid, Jesus Christ.”  This we studied in chapter 3 of ICor.

11.   Then as we link the Scriptures together we remember this,  1Co 14:37  “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”   AND PETER, “all things that pertain to life, and Godliness have been given to us.”  and we find them within the pages of our Holy Bible.

 

So we conclude, that we can, and should, teach the same thing, if we stay with what the Bible teaches.  Not adding too, or taking away from.

 

Let’s look at what chapter 5 holds for us.

 

1Co 5:1-13 KJVR  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles,

• We will find as we study God’s Word, that there is a distinction between Jew, Gentile, and the church.  1Co 10:32  Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:  Separately there are Jews, and Gentiles, but once they become believers all are called Christians, members of the church of God.
• But now we deal with Another issue;  Fornication Sexual immorality.

            Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and             hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  But             FORNICATION, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as             becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather   giving of thanks. (Eph_5:1-4)

• And if we recall what the first council meeting of the church stated:  Act 15:28-29 KJVR  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;  (29)  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well, Fare ye well.

• As we see, the church members are to keep themselves from being involved in fornication.  Just as we are not to eat meat offered to idols, nor the eating, or drinking of blood, and from things strangled.

Now Paul tells us more accurately what the problem was:

that one should have his father's wife. 

• have, meaning sexual relationship.

(2)  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 

• Puffed up, or prideful.  Rather they should have been mourning over this matter.

(3)  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed. 

• Do you see, how that if we had a question concerning this matter, that it has already been dealt with by God?  This is Jesus Christ speaking through the Apostle Paul, telling the church what should be done.

(4)  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (5)  To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

• The idea here being that, the person who is practicing this sin, be excommunicated from the church, and that this action would cause him, or her to repent, and want God more than to continue in the sin.
• The repentance, and restoration in the grace of God would be what would save their spirit in the day of the Lord Jesus.

(6)  Your glorying is not good. 

• You have heard me say many times, this is one area where the church is slack today.  We do not bring forth the discipline that we should many times.  Our reasoning, is that our message is a message of forgiveness, and love, and we trust that God would bring the person, or persons involved in this type of lifestyle, under conviction, and they would repent, and line up with God’s teachings.  Hopefully God will not consider this type of reasoning ( glorying ) for it is certainly not meant to be. 
• Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?Meaning that if you allow this to happen in your midst, sooner or later it will become rampant, or more will be doing it.

 

(7)  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

• There, we have God’s mind on this matter.  May He bring conviction to our hearts if we are found in this situation, and allow us repentance that we might be pleasing to Him, and bring Honor to His name, and be ready at the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ.

MAY GOD ADD HIS BLESSINGS TO HIS WORD.