6.7.47 10.17.2021 Selfishness 1 Corinthians 6.1-14 (2)

Start

Entice: The issue which Paul addresses at the outset of 1 Cor. 6 does not seem pressing to us with all the "real” difficulties we face.

We assume that "litigation" in the ancient world was simple and unsophisticated. Really nothing more than "rock-paper-scissors."

Not so. Roman law is of course the foundation for the English and American common law traditions.

Even more to the point Corinth was a commercial center. One of the wealthiest, entrepreneurial places in the entire Roman world. The kinds of disputes they had in Corinth would be the kinds of things we would read about today in the WSJ.

It would seem inevitable that converts would bring their commercial sense into the Church along with the large chips on their shoulders common to those who have struck it rich. What seemed like good commercial sense, pressing for your legal rights, trying to win at any cost—outside the Church, was not acceptable within the Church when your antagonist also wore the name of Christ.

We also must keep in mind that Paul stated that the church at Corinth was mixed racially and economically.

So presumably we have poor Jews or other emigres being sued by wealthy Romans. Us vs. Them. Those who are real Corinthians and the Johnny-come-lately’s Paul wants us to remember that all those distinctions should not follow us into the Body of Christ.

Engage: So again in 1 Corinthians we face an issue issue which is really a symptom of an underlying problem. The cultural captivity of the Church.

1 Corinthians 6:1–12 ESV

1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. 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. 12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Expand: This text is challenging. It addresses body life. There is a vice list. There is a firm reprimand for unacceptable Christian behavior. Yet, if we asked most Christians about the presenting issue they would side against Paul. “If one Christian wrongs another financially or otherwise is it appropriate to sue them into oblivion? Most Christians would answer yes, which is exactly the opposite of what I just read. What gives?

That culture thing raises its ugly head again.

The CorinthianChristians accepted the much of what their culture taught. The cultural acceptance of litigation. The lax sexual ethic…and on and on.

What “triggers” Paul (if I may use that term) is the assertion of the rights of litigation of some Christians against others.

The upwardly mobile are always climbing over the bodies of their victims. I will do to you first, before you can do to me. My excesses are virtues, yours are vices. Win! Win! Win! At any cost. If you don't win you are a loser!

Selfishness says I will win at any cost.

Selfishness says I will get my way.

Selfishness says my rights!

Selfishness says, "don't tread on me."

Selfishness says "I'd rather fight than surrender!"

To all of which Jesus says, "isn't that quaint? Have you heard the one about the first being last? How about, the place of dishonor and the place of honor being reversed in the Kingdom?…or how about, if you want to be great in the Kingdom…you must become a servant."

Selfishness is a both organic and a learned behavior. It is organic because comes with our fallen nature. Paul will address that in our text. It is also learned. We

learn it from our culture. We adapt our selfish nature so that we twist our desires to fit the expectations of what we see around us.

Excite: To be "washed" is to reject not only the organic impact of selfishness, but the chosen categories of selfishness…both which are sinful distortions which imperil our Christian walk.

Explore: To come to Christ means that we surrender culture to Christ.

Explain: We have stark choices

Body of Sermon: We need to choose...

1 Surrender not Selfishness.

1.1 We should be embarrassed by selfishness.

1.2 We should be capable of resolving conflict.

1.3 We should be submissive to the needs of others

We need to choose...

2 Salvation not Sinfulness.

2.1 Sinfulness is expressed by behavior.

2.2 Sinfulness is extinguished by surrender.

2.3 Sinfulness is eclipsed by freedom.

Shut Down:

This is one of those passages from which we take clubs attack our "enemies." Let me be clear. To Paul as he proclaims the gospel there is:

No lawsuit worth filing if it will divide the Body.

No wrong which cannot be forgotten if it will unify the Body.

No self-centered act that will not harm the reputation of the Church.

No sin so bad that it cannot be forgiven.

No personal freedom that I exercise which is more important than others.

Now here's the rub. If we won't behave like washed people are supposed to behave, why should we expect anything more from the culture? Why would anyone listen to our gospel? Why should anyone love our Jesus if we ignore His words to take our pound of flesh. God’s word for today: You can have Christ or your culture…not both.