Are You Saved?

Judgement

Paul tells the church at Corinth that this will be his third time visiting with them. This time he will be exercising his full apostolic authority. For those that continue to live in sin, he will judge them. For those that chode to do the right thing he will strengthen them.

The people at Corinth questioned Paul’s apostolic authority. They attacked his character and his message. They accused him of being soft in their presence but harsh in his writings to them. The false teachers were trying to take control of the church and lead people away from Christ. This is the opposite of what Paul founded the church on.

He said that he was going to come with the testimony of two or three witnesses. He is quoting Deut. 19:15 15 “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin [a]which he has committed; on the [b]evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. This indicates that he is coming to judge all those that are living in sin and are following the false teachings.

So why must Paul come and judge the people? There are two reasons. The first reason is the sanctification of the church. The church of Jesus Christ must be made pure. The church cannot and must not tolerate unrepentant sin. If a person is living in sin and is making no effort to repent of that sin, then that person has no part of the church. Understand that the church is full of sinners and should welcome sinners. What the church should not do is condone the sin of the sinner. For example, If a homosexual comes to our church. We will welcome them, love them, and teach them truth. If they continue to struggle with the sin but realize it as sin and desire to come out of this sin we will accept this person. There may be instances where a person struggles in this sin and just can’t overcome it, but makes a commitment to not engage in that lifestyle, we will receive that person. However, if a person says I have tried to overcome this sin and can’t so I am going to engage in the homosexual lifestyle and you have to receive me as I am, then we would exercise church discipline or not allow that person to be a member.

Second reason that Paul must bring judgement on the people is for their restoration. To be put out of the church was a big deal for a person. They lost their relationships with family, friends, and the provision that the church provided. This sounds harsh and it is, but it is meant for the restoration of the person.

9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But [a]actually, I wrote to you not to associate [b]with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God [c]judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.. 1 Cor. 5:9-13

When a person repents after being judged, we are to receive that person back into the church

6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For to this end also I wrote, so that I might [c]put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 2 Cor. 2:6-9

Paul’s Judgment was meant for the purification of the church and the restoration of person. Today the church must live by the same way.

So how can you tell if you need to be judged?

Test Yourselves To See If You Are In The Faith

Is Jesus Christ In You?

5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is [d]alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [e]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you [f]must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Rom.8:5-13

What are your minds set on? Are they set on the things of the flesh or are they set on the things of the spirit?

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: [i]immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, [j]factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal. 5:19-21

This is a list of the things that your mind will be set on if you live in the flesh

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who [k]belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:22-24

If you set your mind on the Spirit, then these will be characteristic of your life.

To test where you stand assess what dominates your life. If there are areas of your life that are captured by the flesh, repent and replace it with a characteristic of the spirit.

Are you living in truth?

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.

Living in truth means following Jesus.

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32

To continue in God’s Word means to live in accordance with the commissions and commands of Christ.

The command of Christ is:

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and [o]foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matt. 8:36-40

Simply put love God and love people.

The commission of Christ is:

19 [e]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [f]always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:19-20

The commission is to make disciples

So if you want to know if you are living in truth then ask,

Am I loving God, Am I loving people, Am I making disciples?

Are you willing to sacrifice for others?

9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, [h]that you be made complete.

Paul was willing to endure all the hardship of leadership if it meant that it would strengthen the church at Corinth. He was willing to sacrifice his comfort, reputation, and his life it it would make them stronger in the Lord. The only things Paul would not sacrifice was the gospel. He new the gospel to be the only means of salvation.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed [j]from faith to faith; as it is written, “[k]But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

Only the gospel can save a person. God works does not.

Indicators of Salvation

11 Finally, brethren, [i]rejoice, [j]be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the [k]saints greet you.

Can you rejoice in the Lord? Can you worship with a heart of gratitude to the Lord for your salvation or do you live in fear of the Lord for Judgement?

Are you made complete? Do you recognize that what Christ has done is enough? You do not have to earn God’s favor or your salvation. Christ has made you complete!

Do you have the comfort of the Lord? When life is unfair or tragedy strikes do you know the comfort of the Lord?

Do you live in peace? Though everything around you seems to be falling to pieces, do you have a resolve and a solidarity in your soul that God is in control and that brings you peace?

Friend if you do not belong to Christ that can change this morning.

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