Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

1.

What are some contemporary objections to Christianity today?

(Qualification: maybe Melaka is a bit behind and less influenced by the secular West)

- there's been a shift - previously people believed that the moral teaching of the Bible (love, marriage, justice etc) were good maybe even too good but rejected its supernatural claims e.g miracles etc

- now the main stumbling block is not the supernatural claims (many believe miracles are possible) but the moral teachings of the Bible i.e they think what the Bible teaches is wicked, intolerant, unloving etc. Esp with the homosexuality marriage etc.

- you will see this more on the street-level: science or history is not everyone's area of expertise but morality is something everybody has a say in.

- in fact the most well-known verse is no longer but "Do not judge".

Non-Christians don't care about anything else Jesus said but they love this and will quote it to us when we talk about sin etc.

2. What does it mean to be judgmental?

Or intolerant?

- in the past it had to do with how do you treat people you disagree with.

So if you imprison someone you disagree with you are being intolerant.

- now if you disagree with people you are being intolerant.

If you believe that someone’s beliefs are wrong then you are judgmental.

e.g even if i believe that your beliefs are wrong we won’t imprison you.

Now if i believe that your beliefs are wrong then I am judgmental.

- a Christian was denied a position in the government because he was a Christian who in his Christian website had said Muslim and Christians do the worship the same God and they are lost without Jesus.

- condemning those who are ‘judgmental’ is also being judgmental

- Examples: i) a Christian was denied a position in the government because he was a Christian who in his Christian website had said Muslim and Christians do the worship the same God and they are lost without Jesus.

3. What does it mean to love?

- the most common definition now is: if you love someone you will let them do whatever they want.

In fact you'll support them.

- But biblically Love is defined as seeking that person’s good.

Doing what’s best for them (

ii) e-harmony

- condemning those who are ‘judgmental’ is also being judgmental.

“We tolerate everything except intolerance” - which is self-defeating.

Exposition ()

4. What sin was being committed in this church?

- a man was sleeping with his step-mother

5. Was this something allowed by non-Christians?

- No it was prohibited by Roman laws.

Punishment was losing property, being exiled on an island, and losing social status

6.

How did the church respond to such sin?

- didn't do anything (mourn or discipline),

- Paul attributes this to their pride/boasting.

They don't feel shame, as if there's nothing wrong.

That everything was permissible to them (, ).

7. What does Paul want the church to do?

- we're supposed to rejoice in the face of suffering and mourn in the face of sin.

But its usually the opposite.

- not only to mourn in response to sin in their midst, and also for what they must do to the sinner (ought never to be happy to discipline members).

- hand this man over to Satan "for the destruction of the flesh"

- "do not associate with them" "do not even eat with such people"

8. Isn’t this unloving or intolerant or judgmental?

- By persistently living in sin, it is actually they who have broken fellowship with Christ's community (5:7).

This action merely officially recognises the separation

9. What does it mean to love? - the most common definition now is: if you love someone you will let them do whatever they want.

In fact you'll support them.

- But biblically Love is defined as seeking that person’s good.

Doing what’s best for them ()

9. What does it mean to love?

- the most common definition now is: if you love someone you will let them do whatever they want.

In fact you'll support them.

- But biblically Love is defined as seeking that person’s good.

Doing what’s best for them ()

10.

What is the purpose of this disciplinary action in regards to that man?-

- "for the destruction of the flesh" i.e to be excluded from the church into Satan's domain to learn not to be sexually immoral (), destroying this sin in him.

- to save his soul on the last day - see also

- the only way "love is letting them do what they want" is if there is no judgment.

- very often when people say "Only God will judge me!"

They actually assume that not even God will judge them, that they are innocent.

If not they will rather the judgment of men than God.

- so actually it would be unloving not to discipline this man.

Its for their ultimate good

-

- so actually it would be unloving not to disciplone this man.

- to save his soul on the last day

- see also Are we not saved by grace?

- the only way "love is letting them do what they want" is if there is no judgment.

- very often when people say "Only God will judge me!"

They actually assume that not even God will judge them, that they are innocent.

If not they will rather the judgment of men than God.

- so actually

11.

What is the purpose of this in regards to the church?

- to stop cancer of sin from spreading

- others will be led astray from his example thinking it must be okay to do what he did

- to demonstrate the radical newness of the people of God

- it will also tell non-Christians that we do not condone such immoral behavior "Christians are hypocrites" would not be valid if church discipline is done

12.

What is the purpose of this in regards to the church?

- to stop cancer of sin from spreading

- others will be led astray from his example thinking it must be okay to do what he did

- to demonstrate the radical newness of the people of God

- it will also tell non-Christians that we do not condone such immoral behavior "Christians are hypocrites" would not be valid if church discipline is done

12. How should we treat non-believers living in sin? e.g should we stop being friends with non-Christians who are sleeping with their gf/bfs or who cheat in exams or worship idols?

- Sam Alberry answer on how to respond to a invitation to a gay wedding - thanks for being the kind of Christian to even be invited

- it is not the church's business to change non-believers through discipline

- we need to associate with non-Christians to evangelise them.

I was once asked whether we should confront our non-Christian friend who was sleeping with his gf?

My answer was he's got a bigger problem that this one sin.

His whole soul needs to be saved.

He needs the gospel.

-

- it is not the church's business to change non-believers through discipline

- we need to associate with non-Christians to evangelise them.

I was once asked whether we should confront our non-Christian friend who was sleeping with his gf?

My answer was he's got a bigger problem that this one sin.

His whole soul needs to be saved.

He needs the gospel.

13.

How should we treat believers living in sin?

- do not even eat with them (Lord’s Supper at the least).

- so that they can be restored to genuine fellowship with us