Sin Is Serious

Opening Scripture Verse: 1 John 1:8–10 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Opening Prayer (Include Big Woods)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15–20

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Prayer

Cancer

Cancer must be dealt with as quickly and comprehensively as possible otherwise it will spread and cause widespread damage and ultimately death.

Does this sound like anything in the spiritual realm?

Sin

Sin in the life of a believer will not affect their eternal life, but it can significantly affect their current life and even the lives of others.

Principle: Obvious, unrepentant sin in the church is a serious matter that must be dealt with.

Another Problem at Corinth

Paul has dealt with the problem of divisiveness in the church at Corinth.

Here Paul begins to deal with another problem in the church at Corinth - case of sexual sin, which applies to any case of sin in the church.

Remember that Corinth was a large metropolis saturated with sexual immorality.

And the members of the Corinthian church would have been saved out of this though still living in it (1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” ).

Now remember as we work through this that it applies to our sin though we may not be involved in this sin.

The parts of this text form an argument against the Corinthians’ tolerance of sin - 4 parts.

Situation (vv. 1-2)

Extreme sin in the church (v. 1)

It is well know and undeniable that a church member openly has a sexual relationship with his stepmother.

If I understand correctly, this was a crime in the Roman empire.

And Paul is here rebuking the church for this as a whole. Why?...

Arrogance (v. 2)

They are in someway arrogant about it rather than mournful about it.

Likely they had a proud perspective of their freedom in Christ, which was a tempting perspective...

Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”

Romans 6:15 “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!”

But sin, especially to this degree, should be deeply sorrowful - it’s not who we are, and we know the price that was paid for it.

It’s so bad, they should be kicking this guy out (Matthew 18:15–20).

Solution (vv. 3-5)

Pronounce judgment, as Paul already has (v. 3).

To condemn publically - to make know that it is wrong and unacceptable.

They have his guidance as an apostle on this matter and his agreement in dealing with it.

Paul assures them that they have the right and responsibility to do this as well (v. 4).

Together and with Paul’s instruction they represent Christ.

And they are enabled to act as they should. And what should they do?...

They should give him over to his sinful life (v. 5).

Surrender him over to his sin - you want it?, then leave and go have it all you want - but don’t bring it here! (see verses 2, 7, 13).

This verse then speaks of the hope of doing that - removing him from the sanctifying influence of the church.

If the individual is moved by this church discipline to repent, due to the ruin (“destruction”)of the sin nature (“flesh”), then he will be saved because he is a christian.

This is a sort of “tough love.”

Symbol (vv. 6-8)

The affect of leaven on a whole lump of dough (v. 6).

They all are being affected by this.

This is Christian community issue.

They can not arrogantly overlook it.

Why should the leaven be removed (v. 7)?

There is an allusion here to the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Which foreshadowed Christ being sacrificed for sin.

If you have partaken in this, then leaven is unacceptable because it’s not who they are.

Just to be clear, the leaven is any sin (v. 8).

This applies to any wickedness and evil, which will jeopardize any purity and truthfulness.

These are general categories expanding this beyond this particular sin.

This is symbolically why sin must be dealt with.

Siblings (vv. 9-13)

Paul clarifies who this applies to (v. 9).

Because he has written to them before about this.

But now he adds to that...

Who does this apply to (vv. 10-11)?

We are not trying to correct those who are unconverted...

But, those who are already converted who need to be corrected.

And, this expands it even further to how you should treat them personally.

If it is this serious, then you can’t appropriately have casual fellowship with the one in obvious unrepentant sin.

2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”

The appropriate context for this is the church (vv. 12-13).

This is judging or deciding about sin in the church.

God’s judging or deciding about the ultimate destiny of the lost is His alone to make.

But we must make decisions about sin in the church.

Two purposes - 1) to motive the sinner to repentance, and 2) to protect the church from the influence of sin.

Repent

This is what Paul is calling them to - collectively and individually.

Principle: Obvious, unrepentant sin in the church is a serious matter that must be dealt with.

But, there is sin in the church because there is sin in Christians.

If sin should be dealt with on a corporate level, then sin should be dealt with on a personal level.

Tolerance of sin on the corporate level, is likely due to tolerance of sin on a personal level.

So yes, purge out the sinful person,…but purge out the personal sin.

Benediction:

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”