Battling Believers

Opening Scripture Verse: 1 Peter 3:8–9 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

Opening Prayer (Include Big Woods)

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:13–25

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 6:1–8

Prayer

Satellite View vs. Street View

The Worldview of a Believer vs. The Worldview of an Unbeliever.

In everything - money, material possessions, relationships - important/not important, valuable/not valuable - goals, dreams, ambitions, etc.

The Gospel is radical, the Gospel brings radical change, the Gospel has radical implications/applications.

In everything for the believer…including disputes - especially with one another.

Disputes

If anyone can resolve disputes...

If there is any context in which disputes can be resolved...

It should be in the context of two disputing Gospel believers.

Proposition: Believers should be able to resolve their disputes among themselves.

Two Considerations

This is a summary principle for what Paul challenges the Corinthians with in the text...

Which we can examine by way of two considerations.

So, Paul is dealing with another problem in the Corinthian church. In this we can consider, first of all...

The Nature of Their Disputes (vv. 1-6)

Worldly (v. 1).

These disputes should not require this.

They are treating their disputes in the same way that the world treats their disputes.

They should have a different perspective.

Trivial (vv. 2-3).

Significant enough for the world. But not for believers.

They are trivial (least, very small, insignificant) by comparison.

Daniel 7:22 “until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.”

Matthew 19:28 “Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Luke 22:30 “that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Revelation 20:4–6 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.”

Jude 6 “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—”

1 Corinthians 15:24 “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.”

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”

Matthew 25:31 ““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.”

Resolvable (vv. 4-6).

There must be someone in the church who can offer some wisdom for these matters.

If there is any place were there should be some wisdom, it in the assembly of the people of God.

Why? Because it is God’s wisdom that will make the difference.

When Paul elevates wisdom, he elevates the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:25 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

1 Corinthians 3:18–20 “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.””

The Fallacy of Their Disputes (vv. 7-8)

The cause for these disputes could be overlooked altogether (v. 7).

They go to court to win, but Paul says they have already lost. This seals the enmity.

Then he gives them some of God’s wisdom for their disputes.

Be wronged, be taken from, endure it, don’t resist it.

Matthew 5:38–42 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”

Romans 12:17 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”

Romans 12:19 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”

Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Just think of Jesus!

This is the wisdom that is radically different from the wisdom of the world. And this is the wisdom that should be apply first and foremost to their disputes.

The cause for these disputes should not even happen among siblings (v. 8).

It is better to be mistreated then to mistreat.

It is better to be wronged then to do wrong.

This should be especially possible with Christian siblings.

Minimize and Resolve

If anyone can resolve their disputes, it should be believers.

If anyone should have fewer disputes, it should be believers.

The Gospel should guide us to minimize and to resolve our disputes.

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.”