Studying for the Bar Exam

Introduction:

· What do you do when you have a disagreement with another believer

OUR HOPE IN THE NEW HEAVENS & THE NEW EARTH SHAPES HOW WE HANDLE OUR CONFLICT IN THE PRESENT MOEMNT.

I) The Shame of Squabbling

A. To Sue or Not to Sue: Petty Fighting in the Church

i. The case & the courtroom: What was the problem? (Rom. 13; vv. 1, 7)

1. NOT criminal, & not “never court!”; petty claims against believers

2. The rise in individualism has also increase the number of lawyers

3. EXAMPLE: NextDoor Squabbles are farmed out to the police

ii. Paul’s words speak to a broader problem:

1. We may not go to small-claims court – but the deeper problem: conflict!

2. EXAMPLE: Falling out with your children; a fellow believer in business

B. NOT a minor issue: The Shameful State of Squabbling

i. Unrighteous people are defining morality for the righteous (vv. 1b, 6)

1. Corinthian culture (& ours) operate from a different moral framework

2. OR: If you don’t work it out – you might yourself become the judge

ii. The church of Jesus suffers harm (vs. 5, 6b)

1. Paulshames the Corinthians – dishonor before Christ

2. One of the reasons people leave the church: Hypocrisy (including fighting)

NOTICE THAT PAUL DOESN’T JUST TELL THE CORINTHIANS TO CUT IT OUT.

II) Preparing for the Bar Exam

A. Christians Will Be Judges For Eternity

i. A Supreme Vision of Heaven (VV. 2-3)

1. Heaven will not be white robes, halos, and harps, but of governance

2. Judging isn’t just sitting in court, but more like governance, authority

ii. A Supreme Role for us in eternity (see Dan. 7:22, Rev. 20:4)

1. Jesus has defeated evil – and he calls us to share in his rule!

2. We will have a role to play in administering God’s Law in this world

B. Therefore, Christians Should Prepare today!

i. Biblical Hope for the future Shapes the Present

1. Hope isn’t just positive desire for the future, but trust in a certain reality

2. Hope gives shape to how we live in the present

ii. Therefore, life today is studying for the bar exam (vv. 2b, 3b)

1. Working out conflict, addressing problems is preparing us for eternity

2. EXAMPLE: You have an issue with a coworker; a spouse etc.

NOW THE QUESTION IS – HOW DO YOU PRACTICALLY CARRY THIS OUT?

III) A Better Way Forward

A. Trust the Community

i. Identifying the problem

1. These are not criminal issues but disputes or conflict between believers

2. Love covers many sins, but sometimes we can’t “let it go” (1 Pe. 4:8)

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

ii. Identify someone in the community (vs. 1)

1. Seek wisdom from trusted people in the community (see Mt. 18)

2. EXAMPLE: A marriage counselor; pastor; friend who can be neutral

B. Prepare to Be Wronged

i. What if it doesn’t go the way you want?

1. Sometime you will feel as though the outcome isn’t fair.

2. EXAMPLE: Both sides dug in & can’t resolve

ii. Let yourself be wronged (vs. 7b)

1. Paul says it is preferable to be wronged than to “win” at all costs

2. Why? because our true “rightness” is found at the cross

Transition:

Conclusion

The Lord’s Table & Our vindication