Did I Make…

TITLE “Did I Make the Right Choice”

Scripture: 33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” c 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Co 15:33–34.

Introduction

My dear beloved brothers and sister durning the democratic national conviction. Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate, elevating the former teacher and Army National Guard veteran to join the Democratic ticket and help lead the party’s fight to defeat Donald Trump. This selection has cause chaos with the military Trump community.

Tim Walz moved from his home state to prevent deploying.

Tim Walz got out of the military to prevent from deploying to Iraq.

Where is the true patriotism is this candidate.

Beware of the false news.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul wrote of the false teachers who had come into the church at Corinth teaching that the resurrection of Jesus Christ wasn’t true. These people considered only their physical existence and denied life after death or the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:32). As a result, their moral outlook on life influenced the rest of the Corinthian believers.

Paul is telling us that in associating with false teachers, we will be adversely influenced by them. The truth is that false teachings do not lead to holiness. As such, it is critical that we are careful whom we form relationships with, especially those outside the church because unbelievers can cause even the strongest Christians to waver in their faith and adversely affect their walk with Christ and their witness to the world. This is why Paul tells us, “Do not be misled.”

The point Paul makes here is pertinent to all people in all ages. When we associate with or take delight in the company of people with worldly morals, we run the risk of mimicking their behaviors, their language, and their habits. Before long we are no longer of Christ, but of the world with its denial of absolute authority, its rejection of the Bible as the Word of God, and its ideology of relative morality. This is especially pertinent to young people who are generally easily influenced by their peers. Young people are desperate for the approval of others. So motivated are they by the need for acceptance that godly wisdom in decision-making can go out the window in the face of peer pressure. Therefore, it is crucial for parents of young teens especially to be on guard against the influence of bad company.

This particular chapter is speaking to the resurrection of the dead. Furthermore it goes in detail concerning

the fact of the resurrection of Christ

Importance of Christs resurrection

Order of resurrection

Moral value of the resurrection

Body of resurrection

Lets look at our text.

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame

Main Point #1 - Bad Company. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men r

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Co 6:9.

Actually, this was the second time Paul warned the Corinthians not to be deceived (1 Corinthians 6:9). He cautioned them not to take up the lifestyles of corrupt people—those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul knew how easy it is for people to be influenced by such adverse teachings. If not checked at the very beginning, they could begin to adopt such perverted ideas and behaviors as normal. For this reason, Paul quotes a proverb by the Greek poet Menander: “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). No doubt this proverb was well known among Greeks of this time.

Main Point #2 - Stop Sinning, Ignorant of GOD.

Samson was a great warrior in the Old Testament and a sworn Nazirite. He is well known for his incredible strength. He used this extraordinary strength to kill a lion with his bare hands and slaughter 1,000 men using only a jawbone. Samson, however, became arrogant due to his physical prowess and began drifting away from God’s laws. He slept with a prostitute, ate honey that came from an animal’s corpse and fell in love with a woman who he does not appear to have married despite spending multiple nights with her. The Bible, at least, is rather pointedly silent on that account. This woman, the infamous Delilah, learned that the secret of Samson’s strength was his long hair. She shaved his head in the middle of the night, breaking his vows and stealing his strength so the Philistines could take him prisoner. Samson was blinded and imprisoned, but during his captivity, his hair grew back, and he used his renewed strength to bring the Philistine temple down on all those gathered inside.

The story of Samson makes it clear that eventually, the bill for sin comes due. He was not faithful to God, and for a while, it seemed as if Samson would get away with it. God, however, is always watching. Samson also, however, shows that a person can return to God and to righteous life. Samson paid a terrible price for breaking his vows, but he eventually began following them once more. When he did and turned back to God, God granted him the strength he needed for one final strike against Israel’s enemies.

Main Point #3 - Come back to your senses.

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the well-known parable of the prodigal son. A son asks his father for his inheritance, then squanders it recklessly as he lives a life of indulgence. With nothing left of his fortune, he is forced to work as a hired hand for a pig farmer. He is so destitute that he longs to eat the food of the pigs. Realizing that his father’s servants have better working conditions, he resolves to return to his father, beg forgiveness, and ask to be his servant.

20 So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Lk 15:20–24.

However, upon arriving at his father’s house, he is welcomed with loving arms. His father is overwhelmed with joy at his son’s return, and holds a feast in his honor:

Closing

So, what are we to do? Paul provides us the answer at the very end of chapter 15: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). As parents, we stand firm against ungodly influences that may corrupt our children. As Christians, we stand firm against those who would corrupt our walk with Christ. As church members, we stand firm against false teaching and watered-down gospel presentations that lead others astray. In all things, we are “self-controlled and alert” because our “enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Benediction:

Walk with God and He will walk with me. Talk to God and He will Talk to Me. Listen to God and He will Listen to Me. Build for God and He will build for Me. Love God because he first loved me. Now unto him thats absolutely able to keep you from falling. May God keep you sleepless until you help some body. May God keep you restless until you help yourself. May God so irritate you until you have enough since to worship him. May God bless you until you have to give stuff away hence for now and forever more and the blessed people of God said, Amen.”