To Judge or not to Judge: That is the Question

1 Corinthians: 5:9-13

1. A clarification on association of a Christian with immoral people
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. 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 (ESV)

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. John 17:14-15 (ESV)

2. A clarification on association of a Christian with a brother under discipline
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. 1 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)

* fornicators = Those who are engaged in sexual sins.
* covetous = A person that is greedy of gain and always wanting more and more.
* idolaters = A worshiper of false gods or money.
* railers = A person who reviles or scolds in harsh, bitter, insolent, or abusive language. He verbally abuses people with his tongue, wounding their feelings, and attacks their character.
* drunkards = People that get intoxicated either with alcohol or drugs.
* extortioners = A person that is a robber, cheater, or swindles others. 
(Rod Matoon)

14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 (NASB)

10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, Titus 3:10 (ESV)

3. A clarification on the Biblical concept of judgment
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside . . . 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (ESV)

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Mark 2:15-16 (ESV)

4. A clarification on the Biblical concept of purity
13 . . . “Purge the evil person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:13 (ESV)

2 “If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant . . . 7 The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Deuteronomy 17:2; 7 (ESV)

Church Discipline and the Church Body

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)

1. The Illustration of the Passover and the Church

2. The influence of sin on the Church
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
1 Corinthians 5:6 (ESV)

3. The instigation of discipline in the Church
7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump… 1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

4. The identity holiness and the Church
7 . . . as you really are unleavened . . . 1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (ESV)

5. The implication of Christ’s death for the Church
7 . . . For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 (ESV)

16 beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves . . . 20 But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day. Deuteronomy 4:16-20 (ESV)

6. The integrity of truth in the Church
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. 1 Corinthians 5:8 (ESV)

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— Ephesians 4:17-20 (ESV)

The excellence of the church does not consist in multitude but in purity. John Calvin

Church Discipline and the Individual

1 Corinthians 5:3-5

1. The determination of Paul
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, 1 Corinthians 5:3-4 (ESV)

5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:5 (ESV)

Gathered Church (Context of Discipline):
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
1 Timothy 5:19-20 (ESV)

2. The deliverance to Satan
5 you are to deliver this man to Satan . . . 1 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV)

20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:20 (ESV)

5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” Job 2:5 (ESV)

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

To be evangelized:
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Matthew 18:17 (ESV)

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)

3. The destruction of the flesh
5 . . .  Satan for the destruction of the flesh . . . 1 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV)

Flesh: the person oriented away from God
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 (ESV)

8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Hebrews 12:8 (ESV)

4. The design of discipline
5 . . . so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV)

A lack of salvific assurance for the disciplined individual who professes to follow Christ:
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person . . . . 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NASB)

Crisis in Corinth: An Introduction to Church Discipline: 1 Corinthians: 5:1-2

1. The description of sin
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. 1 Corinthians 5:1 (ESV)

7 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. 8 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness. Leviticus 18:7-8 (ESV)

2. The dereliction of the Church
2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? . . . 1 Corinthians 5:2 (ESV)

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2 (ESV)

6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib, where he spent the night, neither eating bread nor drinking water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. Ezra 10:6 (ESV)

1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. Joshua 7:1 (ESV)

3. The dismissal of the erring Church member
2 . . . Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 1 Corinthians 5:2 (ESV)

18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 (ESV)

Strategic Authority: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

1. The relational aspect of authority
14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:14-15 (ESV)

9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Matthew 23:9 (ESV)

• the father who brought them to birth (2 Cor. 6:13)

• the father who ‘betrothed’ a daughter to a husband (2 Cor. 11:2)

• the father who must provide for his children (2 Cor. 12:14–15)

11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (ESV)

8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV)

2. The imitation aspect of authority
16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 (ESV)

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:23-25 (ESV)

3. The confrontational aspect of authority
18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? 1 Corinthians 4:18-21 (ESV)

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. John 13:3-4 (ESV)

Popping the Balloons of Puffy People

1 Corinthians 4:6-13
Title by Rod Matoon

3 “points” (pun intended) from the needle of confrontation to puncture the balloon of Corinthian pride

1. The point of Scriptural parameter
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 1 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV) 

2. The point of a grace realit
7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am . . . 1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)

27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
John 3:27 (ESV)

3. The point of a theology of the cross
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (ESV)

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Romans 12:14 (ESV)

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:28 (ESV)

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:18-21 (ESV)

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10 (ESV)

Evaluating Ministry: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

(Outline by Adrian Rogers)

1. The Calling of the Man of God
1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 (ESV)

2. The Character of the Man of God
2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ . . . 1 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)

13 . . . God is faithful . . . 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 1 Corinthians 2:4 (ESV)

27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Acts 20:27 (ESV)

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man? Proverbs 20:6 (NASB)

3. The Criticism of the Man of God
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)

4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4 (ESV)

4. The Compensation of the Man of God
5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)

2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Luke 12:2-3 (ESV)

16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Romans 2:16 (ESV)

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

It's All Yours!: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

1. A Warning about self-deception
18 Let no one deceive himself . . . 1 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3 (ESV)

12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12 (ESV)

2. The Wisdom of becoming a fool
18 . . . If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:39 (ESV)

31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Mark 10:31 (ESV)

3. The Worthlessness of this world’s wisdom
19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
1 Corinthians 3:19-20 (ESV)

13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. Job 5:13 (ESV)

11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. Psalm 94:11 (ESV)

4. The Wonders that we possess.
21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 1 Corinthians 3:21 (ESV)

a. The leaders of Christ’s Church
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas . . . 1 Corinthians 3:22 (ESV)

b. The powers of this age
22 . . . or the world or life or death . . . 1 Corinthians 3:22 (ESV)

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life . . . nor things present nor things to come . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world . . .? 1 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)

c. The course of events
22 . . . or the present or the future—all are yours, 1 Corinthians 3:22 (ESV)

d. The assurance from belonging to God in Christ
23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. 1 Corinthians 3:23 (ESV)

2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2 (ESV)

 . . . You are not your own . . . for you were bought with a price . . . 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

Building with Gold: 1 Corinthians 3:10-17

1. The construction of God’s Church
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—1 Corinthians 3:10-12 (ESV)

2 So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver . . . and wood for the things of wood . . . all sorts of precious stones . . . 1 Chronicles 29:2 (ESV)

10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
Proverbs 8:10-11 (ESV); 3:13-15

72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72 (ESV)

28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:28 (ESV)

2. The calculation of God’s Church
13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (ESV)

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)

8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
2 John 1:8 (ESV)

11 “I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning . . . Amos 4:11 (ESV)

3. The clarification of God’s Church
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 1 Corinthians 11:27-31 (ESV)

God's Vision for the Church: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

1. A description of fleshly believers

1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (ESV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16 (ESV)

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV)

2. A description of Christ’s servants
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything . . .  8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers . . .  1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (ESV)

9 You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. 10 You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. 11 You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:9-11 (ESV)

26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:26-27 (ESV)

3. A description of God’s control
7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth . . .
9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:7-9 (ESV)

Hidden Wisdom: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

1. The inspiration of God’s wisdom
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

2. The imperceptible nature of God’s wisdom
11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV)

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Romans 11:33 (ESV)

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:16-17 (ESV)

3. The illumination of God’s wisdom
12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV)

4. The incomprehension of God’s wisdom
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

5. The investigation of God’s wisdom
15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:15-16 (ESV)

2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Ephesians 3:2-5 (ESV)

13 Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Isaiah 40:13 (ESV)

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” Romans 11:34 (ESV)

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 (ESV)

True Wisdom: 1 Corinthians 2:6-9

1. The sphere of true wisdom
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 1 Corinthians 2:6 (ESV)

2. The secret of true wisdom
7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God . . . 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7a; 8 (ESV)

26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. Colossians 1:26 (ESV)

19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; 22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. Daniel 2:19-22 (ESV)

3. The strategy of true wisdom
7 . . . which God decreed before the ages . . . 1 Corinthians 2:7 (ESV)

20 He (Jesus) indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 1 Peter 1:20 (NKJV)

4. The scope of true wisdom
7 . . . for our glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7 (ESV)

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

5. The source of true wisdom
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

4 From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4 (ESV)

17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. Isaiah 65:17 (ESV)

 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Job 38:2 (ESV)

3 . . . Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Job 42:3 (ESV)

The Word of the Cross (Part 3): A Different Methodology: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1. The principle of the message
1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV)

2. The preaching of the message
3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 1 Corinthians 2:3 (ESV)

9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” Acts 18:9-10 (ESV) 

1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)

3. The persuader of the message
4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 1 Corinthians 2:4 (ESV)

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.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV)

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)

4. The power of the message
5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:5 (ESV)

The Word of the Cross (Part 2): A Different Messenger: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

1. God’s Simple People
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards (flesh NASB), not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 1 Corinthians 1:26 (ESV)

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; Matthew 11:25 (ESV)

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
James 2:1-5 (ESV)

7 . . . For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

2. God’s Special Power
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (ESV)

8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor . . . 1 Samuel 2:8 (ESV)

52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; Luke 1:52 (ESV)

3. God’s Sovereign Purpose
29 so that no human being (flesh KJV) might boast in the presence of God . . . 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 (ESV)

23 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV), (1 Samuel 2:10 LXX)

4. God’s Salvation Picture
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV)

The Word of the Cross (Part 1): A Different Message: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

1. The destiny in response to the word of the cross
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (ESV)

3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Proverbs 14:3 (ESV)

18 … but whoever does not believe is condemned already… John 3:18 (ESV)

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 (ESV)

14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” Isaiah 29:14 (ESV)

2. The foolishness in relation to the word of the cross
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 1 Corinthians 1:20-23 (ESV)

30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? John 6:30 (ESV)

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3 (ESV)

11 The Lord knows the thoughts of mankind; they are futile. Psalm 94:11 (CSB)

3. The reversal signified by the word of the cross
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:24-25 (ESV)

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

Cliques at Corinth: 1 Cor 1:10-17 (title by David Prior)

1. The request for unity
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 (ESV)

2. The roadblocks to unity
11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:11-12 (ESV)

John Phillips:
Paul party: the educated man

Apollos party: the eloquent man

Peter party: was the eminent man.

The Christ-party: the emancipated man (me)

19 . . .  household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)

3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 1 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV)

The Root of Horizontal Factionalism = Vertical Fracture . . . Stephen Um

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8 (ESV)

3. The restoration of unity
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:13-17 (ESV)

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV)

Jesus prayed:
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:21 (ESV)

The Church, Ideally: 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

1. The ideal provision of grace
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV)

2. The ideal riches of speech and knowledge
5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—1 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV)

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (ESV)

3. The ideal confirmation of the gospel
6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—1 Corinthians 1:6 (ESV)

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (ESV)

3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:3-4 (ESV)

4. The ideal equipping of giftedness
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift. . . 1 Corinthians 1:7 (ESV)

5. The ideal perseverance of the saints
7   . . .  as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 (ESV)

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you Jude 1:24 (ESV) blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

6. The ideal faithfulness of God
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV)

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (ESV)

A Greeting to the Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

1. The Author of 1 Corinthians
1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
1 Corinthians 1:1 (ESV)

8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8 (ESV)

17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. Acts 18:17 (ESV)

2. The Resource for 1 Corinthians
11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people. . . . 1 Corinthians 1:11 (ESV)

13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Proverbs 11:13 (ESV)

19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore, do not associate with a simple babbler. Proverbs 20:19 (ESV)

3. The Church of 1 Corinthians
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)

4. The Address in 1 Corinthians
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 (ESV)

Joseph’s Legacy: Genesis 50:22-26

1. Joseph’s legacy in family
22 So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years. 23 And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. Genesis 50:22-23 (ESV)

23 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim's sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph's knees. Genesis 50:23 (NASB)

16 . . . bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” Genesis 48:16 (ESV)

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged . . . Proverbs 17:6 (ESV)

2. Joseph’s legacy of faith
24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” Genesis 50:24-25 (ESV)

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:10-12 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

3. Joseph’s legacy for the future
26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:26 (ESV)

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”
Exodus 13:19 (ESV)

32 As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph. Joshua 24:32 (ESV)

10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty . . . 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:10-12 (ESV)

True Reconciliation: A Story of Unfinished Business: Genesis 50:15-21

5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life . . .  7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God . . . . Genesis 45:5; 7-8 (ESV)

1. The fear of Joseph’s brothers before reconciliation
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” Genesis 50:15 (ESV); Matthew 7:3

2. The method of Joseph’s brothers to bring reconciliation
16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Genesis 50:16-17 (ESV)

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone . . . . Matthew 18:15 (ESV); Proverbs 25:2; Proverbs 18:17 Philippians 4:2-3.

3. The confession of Joseph’s brothers in reconciliation
17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Genesis 50:17-18 (ESV) 

3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him
Luke 17:3 (ESV)

6  . . .When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, 7  he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. Numbers 5:6-7 (ESV)

4. The attainment of Joseph’s brothers to reconciliation
19But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21 (ESV)

15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (ESV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)

23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Acts 2:23 (ESV)