7 Unity In Morality

Introduction

Begin with a short mention of the issues this week. Protests.

Reasons for the protests. One for demanding rights to open businesses, churches, etc. The other, for showing support for a marginalized people group and demand equal, fair treatment.

Disparity in response to the protests. From the President’s own words to the response of police.

Transition into message.

Chapter 5 is about discipline – the discipline of not judging the sin in the world, and the discipline of addressing the internal sins of the family of faith. Remove the presence and influence of evil from among you.

It seems Paul is coming back around to the first problem he addressed in chapter 5 – sexual immorality within the family of faith. Transitioning from discipline within the family to not going outside the family for arbitration/rulings, to why the sexual immorality is an offense.

Disunity In Immorality

Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-6

1 Corinthians 6:1–6 NIV

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

Not only are you not to be judging the world (God’s job) you are not to be going to the world for judgment on your family of faith issues (your job). This brings shame and shows you are not spiritual enough or wise enough (God’s Spirit speaking to our spirit brings wisdom) to settle disputes.

This is not about criminal acts but personal/financial/philosophical offenses. Can be as small as a disagreement over inheritance or transaction to as big as a civil war.

1 Corinthians 6:7 NIV

7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

You are defeated before you start. Better to allow the offense than to fight publicly. Why? Obvious that you are not living by the Spirit, not showing love and compassion, fighting for your own personal rights over the good for everyone.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:8-11

1 Corinthians 6:8–11 NIV

8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 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 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. 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.

Instead, you are doing wrong to family. Those who do such wrong do not inherit the Kingdom.

List of wrongs is same as two in 5:10-11 but it grows each time. Not about the specific list actions but about the example.

V11 some of you were these types of sinners (one reason he called out specifics). But you were washed, sanctified, justified – trinity. Baptized (Jesus), Sanctified (Holy Spirit), Justified (Father). In the name of Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God. = Salvation in Jesus by Spirit from Father.

So, based on that salvation and transformation that should be happening, these behaviors must end. Transformation must complete.

Can I? Should I?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-13

1 Corinthians 6:12–13 NIV

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

Permitted/Allowed/Lawful/Right to do - an outworking of being justified is to grow a sense of privilege that says you are right so you can do whatever you feel is right or can justify. This goes with personal behavior and with how you treat others.

Not everything you CAN do is good or builds up. So you CAN do something but SHOULD you?

V13 This logic then used to do what is sin – removing the bounds of wisdom. Food/Stomach one for the other but gluttony is a sin and is destructive. Sex/Parts one for the other, but outside the bounds of marriage is gluttony and immorality – destructive and sin.

The Real Message

Read 1 Corinthians 6:13b-17

1 Corinthians 6:13b–17 NIV

13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

13 Rather – the body is for Jesus and Jesus for the body

15 Body is member of Christ

17, 19 Body is temple of God’s Spirit. Spiritual Union, one with Christ, all together in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Collectively you are the temple, dwelling place of God’s Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 NIV

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

19b-20 not your own anymore. Body was bought at a high expense (by Jesus’ death on cross) you say you have the right (12) but whose body is it really?

Summary - physical picture, but spiritually also don’t defile or violate the body of Christ.

So honor God with your bodies.

The Sin Context.

About Sexual Immorality - Why is it a sin?

16 in sexual union, two become one flesh. Quote from Genesis 2:24

15 Unite the members of Christ’s (holy) body with the unholy? Nope! Never! Not to be done!

18 Flee, escape, run away from sexual immorality. Doesn’t say don’t do or avoid. There is no line of crossing or not crossing. Run in the opposite direction – similar to repent, turn from and turn to Christ.

Conclusion

Unity in morality is this – each of you belongs to Christ. All of you together belong to Christ. Individually and collectively you are now the dwelling place of God’s Spirit and carrying out the mission of Christ. Allow God to deal with those who are not yet members of the body. Deal with your own conflicts in the power and wisdom of the Spirit among you for the good of the body. Glorify, lift up, make great, honor God

Morality is not a matter of rules for right and wrong and adhering to those rules.

Big Idea: Morality is a result of living out the Spiritual union we have with Christ collectively and individually.

The lifestyle of Jesus empowered by God’s Spirit.

What About You?

What are ways today that we either try to judge those outside the family of faith, or take our internal family issues and conflicts outside?

What are ways today that we attempt to assert our rights over what is decent or moral?

Our bodies are temples of God’s Spirit, and we are not our own. How do these two facts impact how we treat and use our bodies?

Does that same principle apply to our minds, our thought life?

Does it impact how we treat others?

What do you need to do with what you learned?