Sinners in the Church: How to Love and Protect One Another

Introduction

Do you ever wonder why we, as a church, might have to practice church discipline?

Do you think that it is widely practiced amongst churches today?

Exposition 1 (1-2)

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 ESV

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

Paul begins by using this term translated here as “actually”

This word is an emphasizer. It portrays Paul shock and dismay over the situation

So the “shocking” situation here is that the church is affirming a church member’s sexual lifestyle choice.

Notice Paul points out that even amongst unbelievers, this is an unthinkable act.

Not only are they “affirming” but they are proud of it. Why would they be arrogant about it? Because of a misunderstanding of Christian freedom

Explain...

Paul tells them that they have it all wrong. Rather than being proud of what is going on , they should be mourning

Illustrate with LGBT issues...

sin

churches “affirming” them

how should you and me relate?

love

welcoming

uncompromising

with grace

Paul’s conclusion is that this person must be removed from the church.

This brings us to the first point...

I. Keep sin out of the church

Exposition 2 (3-5)

1 Corinthians 5:3–5 ESV

3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

In verses 3-5, Paul addresses a potential objection, namely, that they could not do it without an Apostle

Paul says that he is present with them in spirit

He says judgment is clear

II. The authority of the Apostles is held by the local church so you are accountable to wield it well.

The authority is to be used for the ultimate good of the individual

someone who is allowed to continue as a church member without salvation

Church membership, affirming salvation, responsibility

Exposition 3 (6-8)

1 Corinthians 5:6–8 ESV

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Paul makes it clear, not only with a general illustration of yeast in bread, but through recalling Old Testament imagery, that sin damages the church. Church purity is important.

III. Unrepentant sin in a church is a cancer and must be removed

Exposition 4 (9-11)

1 Corinthians 5:9–11 ESV

9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Judge not lest ye be judged … elaborate

So what about when you have judged someone sinful?

Matthew 18 lays out the steps

explain

But Paul here is clearly talking about someone who is not repenting

Read vsss. 10-11

IV. Be careful in how you relate to a professing believer who lives in sin

Don’t affirm them

Don’t act like everything is the same

Do urge them to repent

Do pray for them

What about family members?

What about people from other churches?