Reputation Matters - 6:1-11
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Introduction
Introduction
VIDEO - 1:30
What kind of reputation would we have if we put that into practice?
All around us there are needs.
Do we see them?
Do we care?
Are we so focused on ourselves and what we want that we are missing the needs of those around us?
“If Jesus is the hope of the world, then we are His hands and feet.”
We are His.
We share hope.
We reach out.
We meet needs.
That is what the church is supposed to do.
Let’s pray
Father, we are about to hear from Your Word. We as that you would prepare our hearts. Scripture is clear, as believers, we represent you. It is our desire to represent you well. I pray Father that we would truly be the hands and feet of Jesus. Use us Lord to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Use us Lord to meet the needs of people that they might learn of their greatest need, faith in Jesus Christ. I ask Lord that you would use me to communicate the truth of your Word to Your people. We pray these things in Jesus name, Amen.
1 Corinthians chapter 6.
This chapter deals with how the body of Christ behaves.
How do we treat one another, how do we treat the bodies we have been given?
Paul writes this chapter because the Corinthian Church was not behaving the way the video we just watched describes.
The Corinthian Church was overrun by the sins of division, pride, and sexual immorality.
Paul writes to remind this Church that reputation matters.
Because reputation matters Christians must have two concerns.
Concern over reputation brings a proper focus and proper behavior.
Only as we focus on Christ and behave as He commands can we be effective witnesses.
Concern #1…
1. Be Concerned With The Reputation Of The Church vv. 1-6
1. Be Concerned With The Reputation Of The Church vv. 1-6
The reputation of the Church begins with how we think of it.
What is the church?
VIDEO - 1:27
You and I are the church.
This means that our behavior effects the reputation of the church!
When we don’t get along, not only does the church suffer, its reputation suffers.
To be clear, I am not talking specifically about Grace Church, though it is true that our behavior effects Grace Church.
I am talking about the impact our behavior has on the entire body of Christ.
I cannot even count the number of times someone has told me they stopped going to church because of the way a Christian treated them.
I also cannot count the number of times someone attended a church because of the love and care they received from the body of Christ!
Our behavior matters.
We must be concerned about the reputation of the church.
Because we are concerned, we make two considerations.
We first…
a. Consider the realm of judgment vv. 1-3
a. Consider the realm of judgment vv. 1-3
In the end of Chapter 5, Paul was discussing the necessity of being in the world and of how God is the one who judges those in the world.
He also stated that we are to judge those who are inside.
With that thought in mind he begins to address the behavior of the body of Christ in our interactions with one another.
Look at v. 1.
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
Here’s what is taking place.
The Corinthian believers were suing one another in court.
Paul just told them that believer should be judging among themselves.
His concern here is not primarily about who is to blame for whatever legal issues existed.
Paul’s concern was the reputation of the church!
Representation is the issue here. Who do we represent?
We represent Christ!
What message does it send to people when Christians are taking one another to court?!
We can go before worldly courts, but why do we not seek the input of our Spiritual leadership first?
Why does it matter that they are unrighteous?
Their judgment will be unrighteous.
They are not capable of reasoning according to Scripture.
The first consideration for the child of God ought to be the reputation of the body of Christ.
We should seek judgment from those who will reason biblically.
We should be willing to submit to local church leadership in these matters.
Paul’s first issue is representation, his second issue is qualification.
Look at vv. 2-3.
2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
Paul’s point here is that the body of Christ is able to make judgments about things here on earth.
The body of Christ is qualified to make these judgments because we will sit in judgment in eternity.
We will (in some capacity) judge angels.
We are told in a few places in Scripture that we will reign with Christ.
2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Part of our responsibility in reigning seems to be some sort of judgement.
We don’t know exactly what Paul is referencing here.
What we do know is that, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul says we will judge the world and we will judge angels.
We need to be careful here, because we can lose Paul’s point by focusing on the wrong detail.
The point here is that the leadership of the local church is qualified to sit in judgement over issues in the body of Christ.
However, Paul gives us in v. 2 a very important clarification.
The issues the Corinthian’s were going to court over were small things.
The word literally means least, insignificant, and trivial.
They were making mountains out of molehills.
Folks. This can happen in a church.
This has happened here, and it could happen again.
Let me give you a scenario.
Maybe someone sitting here today hates the new paint color.
They decide that since they give to the church, they should have a say in what color the wall is.
Since we didn’t consult them, they take us to court.
OR
We have a potluck and someone takes your bowl home.
You reach out and they insist it is theirs.
Instead of talking to church leadership about this issue, you take them to court!
That’s what was happening in the Corinthian church!
Folks. At the end of the day, paint color and serving bowls are not that big of a deal!
But Pastor Jon, you don’t understand, that bowl was my Grandmothers.
Okay. Would she want you to disrupt the unity of a local church over it?
Would Christ want you to?
How does it look to those outside the church when they see us fighting about these little things?
That’s what Paul wants to get across to the Corinthian church.
This little stuff isn’t worth sacrificing the reputation of the church!
It isn’t worth damaging our relationships with others in the body of Christ!
In v. 3 he says we will judge angels!
The Greek word translated “things of this life” means ordinary, everyday matters.
If we will judge angels, we can judge the things of this life.
Consider the realm of judgment.
The body of Christ should seek guidance from local church leadership before taking issues to secular courts.
Our goal and desire is the support and promotion of the local church.
Because that is our goal we consider how our actions will impact the reputation of the church.
We need to remember who we represent and we need to understand that we are qualified to judge small matters.
We are concerned with the reputation of the Church.
Because we are concerned, we make two considerations.
#1. We consider the realm of judgement.
#2 We…
b. Consider the responsibility of judgment vv. 4-6
b. Consider the responsibility of judgment vv. 4-6
In the first three verses Paul’s concern is the Corinthian believers failing to seek guidance from the church.
The idea is “where do you go for judgment?”
Here in the next few verses his concern is who will be doing the judging.
Look at v. 4.
4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?
Paul creates a hypothetical.
If you need to judge something, even if it is mundane, something ordinary, do you try to find the least qualified person to do the judging?
In church matters, we want mature people to do the judging.
Look at v. 5.
5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?
Paul is fired up here.
Why?
This is the question we need to ask.
Why is this such a big deal to Paul?
Because the reputation of the church is at stake!
How can we share the gospel with people if we are known as those who fight over silly little things?
Churches have split over carpet, seating, and colors.
Beloved, this should not happen.
So why does it?
Pride.
Pride is the root of division and disagreement.
Paul tells the Corinthians they should be ashamed of dividing over silly little things.
Any church should be.
This word translated “shame” carries the idea of dishonor.
It is dishonorable to divide the church over little things.
It is dishonorable for us to allow our pride to drive a wedge between brothers and sisters in Christ!
Paul wants to know what the problem is.
Do they go to court because there are no wise people in the church?
Why are they allowing little things to divide them?
Paul clarifies his issue with what they are doing in v. 6.
6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
This is the issue!
They are taking one another to court before unbelievers and the testimony, the reputation, of the church is suffering.
Contention and disagreement within the body of Christ harms the body.
Contention and disagreement hinder our ability to reach the lost!
Contention and disagreement distorts the image of Christ in us.
Going before unbelievers for judgment is viewed as unacceptable by Paul.
We are to judge one another.
That is the responsibility of judgment.
We must always consider how our treatment of one another impacts our ability to share the gospel.
When the church is busy fighting, it cannot reach out to others.
Little issues cannot divide us when our focus is right.
When my focus is on myself, division is inevitable.
When I focus on Christ, on gospel proclamation, and on loving service to the body of Christ, unity is the result.
We are concerned with the reputation of the Church.
Because we are concerned, we make two considerations.
#1. We consider the realm of judgement.
#2. We consider the responsibility of judgement.
Because reputation matters, we have a second concern…
2. Be Concerned With The Reputation Of Christ vv. 7-11
2. Be Concerned With The Reputation Of Christ vv. 7-11
Our culture presents as normal a “me first” mentality.
We have probably all heard the expression, “you do you.”
Behind this phrase is the idea that each of us are free to act in whatever manner we deem appropriate.
You want to believe that all religions are valid? Go for it.
You want to believe that god is everything and everything is god? You do you.
We have come to a point where truth is either considered irrelevant or unknowable.
As people of God, as blood bought brothers and sisters in Christ, how should we behave in a culture like ours?
What should our behavior be?
This is the idea that lies behind what Paul is saying to the Corinthians.
It is not okay for Christians to live like they are unsaved.
There are two necessary elements to the Christian life.
Element #1…
a. Maintain a proper attitude vv. 7-8
a. Maintain a proper attitude vv. 7-8
Paul has addressed how the Corinthians are taking one another to court over little issues. Things that ought to be considered unimportant.
Now he wants to address what their attitude should be.
Look at v. 7
7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?
Wow.
This is a very challenging verse.
Lets break it down.
First, Paul leaves no doubts as to his point.
Taking a fellow believer to court is an utter failure.
Is this to be understood as a blanket prohibition to court cases?
No. We must understand it in context.
What’s the context?
Going to court over little things.
It is an utter failure to allow insignificant issues to divide the church.
What should we do?
Accept unjust treatment.
That’s what “accept wrong” means.
If the choice is between dividing the body of Christ, and accepting unjust treatment, Paul says choose unjust treatment!
Our culture demands justice. Christ demands grace.
Paul takes it another step and says that we should let ourselves be cheated.
It is better to let yourself be stolen from than to damage the reputation of the Church and of Christ!
Look at v. 8.
8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!
The word “no” would be better translated “rather.”
What Paul is saying here is that instead of allowing themselves to be wronged and cheated, the actions of the Corinthians are actually wronging and cheating their brothers and sisters in Christ!
You are harming your brothers and sisters. You are defrauding them and cheating them!
This is a serious accusation!
Allowing ourselves to get bent out of shape over little things damages the body of Christ.
By reminding the Corinthians that they are doing this to brothers and sisters in Christ, Paul demonstrates how weighty this is.
This is no small matter.
The attitude we have in our interactions with believers is a big deal.
The Christian life is not about you, it is not about me.
It is about Christ! It is about others!
To illustrate this point, watch a short video with me.
VIDEO - 1:30
Is this the kind of attitude we have?
Church shouldn’t be all about me.
This is about our behavior.
Our behavior matters because it reflects back on Christ!
Our treatment of one another matters.
It matters inside the church, and it matters outside the church.
The attitudes we have impact the reputation of Christ.
Are we willing to put others first?
Two necessary elements to the Christian life.
Element #1. Maintain a proper attitude.
Element #2…
b. Maintain a proper lifestyle vv. 9-11
b. Maintain a proper lifestyle vv. 9-11
If you thought that today was going to be an easy message and I haven’t yet changed your mind yet, buckle up.
The next few verses have been much abused at various times and by various theological camps.
Our goal today is to understand what Paul says in context.
Look with me at verses 9-10.
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
The first question we need to ask is why does Paul deal with this here?
Paul is dealing with the behavior of Christians in the world.
He wants believers to consider the consequences of their actions.
He wants the Corinthian church to take their treatment of the body of Christ seriously!
To that end, Paul compares their behavior to a list of sinful actions.
Some of the things listed here should look familiar because Paul mentioned them in the end of Ch. 5.
4 things mentioned here fall under the heading “sexually immoral” used in 5:9-11.
Also in that section we find idolaters, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners.
This means that Paul only mentions 2 new classifications. Unrighteous and thieves.
Let’s run through some meanings, then we will explain Paul’s point.
Unrighteous - This is a person characterized by godlessness.
This is actually an umbrella term.
Paul states that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom.
Then, in the rest of vv. 9-10, he illustrates the kinds of behaviors that would make someone unrighteous.
More on that in a minute.
Fornicators - This is the same word pornos that we saw in Ch. 5. In this context it refers to someone who is know for their sexual exploits. They are promiscuous. They would also be unmarried.
Idolaters - This is someone who worships something other than the one true God.
Adulterers - This refers to a married person who engages in a sexual relationship with someone other than their spouse.
Homosexuals - The idea here is of the passive partner in a homosexual relationship. In homosexual relationships there is often a more effeminate partner. That is who is being referred to here. It would also include the passive participant in homosexual sex.
Sodomites - This would be the active participant in homosexual sex.
Thieves - We get our English word Kleptomaniac from this Greek word. The idea is of someone who steals with uncontrolled compulsion.
Covetous - This is a greedy person. Someone whose only goal in life is the accumulation of wealth.
Drunkards - This is a person who intentionally and habitually drinks alcohol to the point of intoxication.
Revilers - This is someone who uses slander or libel to attack the reputation or character of another person. They lie to make others look bad.
Extortioners - This is someone who is even more greedy than the covetous person, but this person doesn’t care what they have to do in the pursuit of acquiring wealth. They will lie and steal to get it.
Okay. We have the definitions. What is Paul’s point?
His point is that Our behavior matters.
An improper lifestyle brings judgement.
To be clear, he is not saying that if your a Christian you don’t do these things.
We know that because he clearly listed them as possible behaviors in Ch. 5.
He is saying that Christian or not, there are consequences to these actions!
The idea here seems two-fold.
Let’s first deal with what I believe to be the Big idea.
All who sin in this way and remain unrepentant, will face judgment.
The key here is repentance.
When we sin without repentance, there are consequences.
For the unbeliever the consequences are eternal damnation.
For the believer the consequences are a loss of reward.
Just because you are saved doesn’t mean you get a free pass to sin.
There are always consequences for sin.
When a believer lives like an unbeliever, there will be consequences.
There is a key phrase here that I don’t want to overlook.
“Do not be deceived.”
There are two spheres of deception in view in verses 9-10.
Sphere #1. For the unbeliever.
Deception that teaches unbelievers who live this way can get to heaven if they have enough prayers said for them or suffer long enough in purgatory.
With this is another lie that people who act in these ways can never change.
Sphere #2.
Deception that teaches this kind of behavior is no big deal.
Christians can live this way because everything is under the blood.
Remember that Paul’s big idea is that actions have consequences.
Taking a fellow believer to court over little things reflects negatively on the body of Christ.
Living a lifestyle of sin damages the reputation of Christ!
If you choose to live this way, there will be consequences.
Now. Here is the awesome thing.
Paul doesn’t end on a negative note.
He reminds us of the incredible, matchless, grace of God.
Look at verse 11.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Can we just sit with that for a minute.
O my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not what we once were.
“If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” - 2 Cor. 5:17
I look at 1 Corinthians 6:11 and I am reminded that we have no place from which to judge others.
“And such were some of you.”
I have looked with lust in my heart, and according to Jesus that makes me a fornicator and an adulterer. I have taken things that didn’t belong to me. Regardless of the value or worth of the item, that makes me a thief. At times I have allowed something to take the place of God in my life. That makes me an idolater. I have desired things that are not mine, I am covetous. I have lied about others, I am a reviler. I have been guilty of making too much of money, I am greedy.
Yes. I fit the description Paul has given. I am guilty.
But. O brothers and sisters how thankful I am that God has not left me there!
I am washed! I am sanctified! I am justified!
Not by my own works!
The Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and God the Father have made me new!
If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ, if you have repented of your sin, verse 11 is true of you.
You are washed.
That guilt and shame you have carried? It has been washed away! It is under the blood of Jesus Christ! It has been removed as far as the East is from the West. That no longer defines you!
You have been forgiven. You are washed.
You are sanctified.
I trouble believing this one. This word means to make holy. I have been made holy. You have been made holy. You and I are now dedicated to God! We are set apart for His glory and purpose! You are not a sinner any longer! You are a saint! Christ has dedicated you for Himself!
You are sanctified.
You are justified.
You have been declared righteous. The righteousness of Jesus Christ has been imputed to us. This means the perfect sinless life of Jesus has been given to us and wiped out our debt of sin. His righteousness has been credited to our account. You are righteous in the sight of God! No charges will be brought against you.
You are justified.
There is something very important here that we need to understand.
These things have already taken place for the child of God.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus, here’s what is true of you.
You have already been washed. You were forgiven the moment you believed.
You have already been sanctified. You were dedicated as holy to God the moment you believed.
You have already been justified. Christ gave you His righteousness and then declared you to be righteous the moment you believed.
This already happened!
If you are here and you haven’t trusted in Christ, what are you waiting for?
Consider what you are being offered.
Forgiveness, purpose, a right standing before God.
That crushing weight of sin? That guilt? That shame?
Jesus will take all of that away.
Hopelessness? He’ll take it. Lack of purpose and direction? He’ll take it.
All you have to do is believe.
Believe that you are a sinner.
Believe that Jesus died on the Cross for your sin.
Believe that He was buried, that He rose again, and that He alone can save you.
This washing, sanctifying and justifying come through the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Name encompasses all that Jesus is.
It is faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ that saves us.
When we trust in Him we are given the Holy Spirit who begins to manifest fruit in our lives.
It is possible to live a life of holiness in dedication to Christ.
It is not easy, but it is possible.
It is possible because we are washed, sanctified, and justified.
We are not who we once were.
It is possible because we have the Holy Spirit living in us.
Our lifestyles reflect on the reputation of Christ.
What reputation will we give Him?
A lifestyle of dedication to Christ is possible.
We have everything we need to live for Jesus.
Will we choose to repent of sin, and walk in holiness?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Reputation Matters.
What we do as children of God effects the reputation of the church and of Christ.
Because that is true, we need to be concerned with these reputations.
In the Church we must take issues before local church leadership.
Taking one another to court paints a bad picture of the church.
Little issues must not be allowed to divide churches.
As we are concerned for the reputation of Christ we recognize the necessity of a proper attitude.
What is more important, people? Or stuff?
We need to be willing to accept wrong and endure loss.
Why? Because the reputation of Christ is at stake!
When we treat our brothers and sisters poorly, we set ourselves up for judgment.
All sinful behavior has consequences.
For the believer, a refusal to repent of sin results in loss of reward.
For the unbeliever, a refusal to repent of sin results in eternal damnation.
Our behavior is a serious issue.
It is not okay for a believer to behave like an unbeliever.
Let go of the little things.
Accept wrong and loss.
Repent of sin.
Live clean, holy, and righteous.
Protect the reputation of the Church and the reputation of Jesus Christ.