Tag Archives: Corinthians

1 Corinthians 6- Joined To Christ

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Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:15-17

As we examine our Christian faith, the way we live our lives should reflect our relationship with Christ. There will be some who reject that Jesus Christ is a personal relationship, however when you are joined with him by the Holy Spirit, there is no other way to explain this journey

We , the Church , are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12) we say this but do we really believe it? We need to live as we are physically joined with Christ. As Jesus explained “Take my yoke upon you” (Matthew 11:29) When we are Born Again in Christ, we are yoked with Christ, we abide in Christ, everything we do reflects him and he is with us everywhere we go

The Apostle Paul asks “Shall I then take the members of Christ , and make them the members of a harlot or prostitute”? So what is Paul trying to teach us here? We as Christians should view our bodies as Temples of God, a sacred space with the Holy Spirit. If we truly viewed ourselves in this way, then we wouldn’t be desecrating our bodies with sin and pollutants of the world. 

Notice how Paul describes this, a Christian who fornicates with a prostitute is also joining Christ with this prostitute because we are all yoked together. Any sin that you partake in, you are including Christ in that sin. Interesting Paul quotes the covenant of marriage in this teaching “Two become One flesh” (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5) As a Born Again Christian you are joined together with Christ, just as a husband and wife are joined together in marriage. 

You might ask how is this possible? Paul says “He that is joined unto The Lord is One Spirit” Remember you are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) When you are baptized by the Holy Spirit, God is now living inside of you, you are now the Temple of God, everything you do, effects The Lord also

As a Born Again Christian, you are joined with The Lord, you are not your own, you were bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ, Amen!

1 Corinthians 6- Freedom in Christ

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All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 1 Corinthians 6:12-14

There is Freedom in Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:1) Jesus has set us free (John 8) but just because we live now under grace through Christ (Romans 6:14) doesn’t mean we should do whatever we want, especially sin. It’s like when you received your driver’s license, you now have the authority and ability to drive wherever you want, but does that mean we should drive however we want? No of course not

A true Born Again Christian has the Holy Spirit living inside of them, you have received a new heart and new spirit,( Ezekiel 36:26) the law was written on your heart. (Romans 2:15) As the Apostle Paul says “All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient or beneficial to me” Everything we do should be to glorify God, not to please our flesh. 

As Paul says here also “The body is not for fornication, but for The Lord” As Paul said also “We were bought with a price” (v20) When we give our lives to Jesus, we truly give our lives to Jesus, it’s not just a bumper sticker or cliche. Even though we have been give freedom in Jesus Christ , we shouldn’t abuse that freedom with our flesh

We should live as vessels for God, everything in our lives, including our physical bodies should be to honor The Lord. As Paul revealed our bodies are the Temple of God, and the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, we need to be careful not to be desecrating our Temples which belong to God

Jesus said “If the son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36) You have been given freedom in Christ, however don’t abuse that freedom in your daily walk. Allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify and lead you in Jesus name Amen!

1 Corinthians 6- The List

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Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Are you on the list? There is a popular YouTube Street Preacher who carries around a sign with a list of sins, then he asks people if they are on the list? The majority of people he encounters obviously are highly offended and typically try to justify their lifestyles. Some will argue whether this is a good method of evangelism, however the fact remains, there is a list, and those on the list that have not repented will not inherit the Kingdom of God

As brother Fred says “There can be no good news without bad news”, how can people understand the gospel if they don’t understand they are a sinner? How can people understand their need for Jesus if they don’t understand how depraved they are? This is the line we have to walk as we evangelize with people, yes we want people to know Jesus loves them, however they also need to understand they are headed to Hell without Christ

The Apostle Paul here also presented a list , anyone on this list will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Often when you read these verses to anyone , it immediately delivers anger. However there is good news, yes the bad news is we are all probably are or were on this list. The good news is there is a solution to our sin, its Jesus Christ!

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

This is one of the greatest messages in the Bible, as such were some of you! Maybe you are on the list, but Jesus can set you free. This is not just talking about a “confession of faith” this is about becoming Born Again in Christ. As Paul says here “You are Washed, You are Sanctified” We could preach a whole sermon just on those words, washed by the blood of Christ, Sanctified by the Holy Spirit

The good news is even though you were a sinner, by faith in Christ, you are justified to God and filled with the Holy Spirit. But notice Paul says “such were some of you”, in Christ you are no longer living in the sins you were , your old man is dead and crucified with Christ, and you now walk in the newness of life with Christ, Amen!

1 Corinthians 6- Judgement of the World

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Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?  1 Corinthians 6:1-3

It’s funny when you mention the topic of judgment, because the first thing someone will say to you is “Don’t Judge Me”, and then they will go on to quote Matthew 7 out of context to prove their point. Little do these people know “The Saints Shall Judge The World” This would probably be a shocking revelation to most people , even to most Christians. 

Not only will you someday judge the world, but Paul says we will also judge the angels. Now of course he’s probably referring to the fallen angels that are currently in prisoned (1 Peter 3:19) How and why would Christ allow us to be the judges? Because if you are Born Again, then you are filled with the Holy Spirit, and you should be led by the Holy Spirit

If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 6:4-6

The Apostle Paul is also teaching us that Christians should resolve their conflicts among themselves and not in the courts for the world. A few years ago Joel Osteen had a couple of street preachers arrested and prosecuted because they rebuked his message during a service. There are many things wrong with this scenario, does the Church building of Lakewood Church belong to Joel Osteen or to God? How can Christians be trespassing on Gods property?

If Joel Osteen is a “leader” in the Church, shouldn’t he have the discernment and capability to resolve this matter outside the court system? Now I’m not in favor of disrupting a Church’s worship service, however Osteen pressing charges against Christians is in clear violation of God’s Word

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 1 Corinthians 6:7-8

The Apostle Paul was calling out the Church of Corinth, they had lawsuits against one another, they defrauded one another, this Church was not treating each other as brothers and sisters, they were not conforming to the image of Christ, they were acting just like the world

The bad news for the world is judgment is coming, whether they agree with it or not. The only hope and the only way is Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!

https://www.christianpost.com/news/six-men-arrested-for-heckling-pastor-joel-osteen-during-service-lakewood-church-to-press-charges.html

1 Corinthians 5- Set Apart

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I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

The Apostle Paul states “I wrote you in the epistle not to keep company or associate with fornicators nor sexually immoral” Now as we have been reading through the Epistle of Corinthians, this Church had a lot of issues, which is why it’s the largest letter to the Churches. Paul makes it clearer in his statements, he is referring to those who call themselves Christians, yet still live dead in their sins

Notice Paul says “Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters, for then must you need to get out of the world” Paul is saying you can’t avoid every sinner in this world because then you wouldn’t be able to exist in this world. However those who Paul is instructing to not associate with are those who claim to be Christians and yet still don’t produce the fruit of a Christian

In today’s Christianity, many Churches are being forced to inject LGBTQ people, not only as members of the Church, but also as leaders. Now anyone who knows the Bible or traditional Christian doctrine, knows this is in clear violation of God’s law. However it become unpopular to standby Biblical truth and many Churches are caving in to be accepted by the world, which is totally the opposite mission Jesus wanted for us

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

Now I understand these statements may anger some people, however notice what Paul says here “But them that are without God judeth” Paul is saying we are not judging people who are outside the Church. People who are not Born Again, and don’t claim to be a Christian, we would expect them to be sinners, therefore we let God judge them. We can share the gospel with them, but it’s not our responsibility to pass judgment on them

However those who claim to be part of the Body of Christ, should submit themselves to the leadership of the Church, as Jesus Christ should truly be their Lord and Master. If someone who claims to be a Christian and refuses to repent or change their sinful lifestyle, they then need to be cut off from the body of Christ, Amen

1 Corinthians 5- Christ The Passover Lamb

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Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Again, as we continue to look at the immorality in the Church of Corinth, the first thing we notice is their reaction, “your glorifying or boasting is not good” These Christians were not just living in sin, they were bragging about it! They had no love or fear of God whatsoever, they were false converts and not Born Again in Christ

Paul warned the Church “A little leaven will work through the whole lump” Meaning a little sin allowed in the Church , will spread to the rest of the Church. We see this all the time, the Church will look away at certain sins or people, and just allow them to live however they want. But this comes with a consequence, they are influencing and misleading the rest of the Church. 

We live in a day and age where nobody wants to be “offended” by their sins. Why are people offended when their sin is brought up? Because they are being convicted by the Holy Spirit, they know it’s wrong but they don’t care. They don’t have a real love or fear of God. 

One of the great teachings Paul provides here is “Christ is our Passover Lamb” Now if you know your Bible , this is not a surprise to you, however for those who are not sure, its very clear! As John the Baptist declared “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)

Now since Christ is the atonement for our sins, and you repented and are forgiven, why would you still live like you are dead in your sins? What did Jesus save you from ,if you are still stuck in your sin? What did Jesus die for , if you are still stuck in your sin? If your truly Born Again, there has to be a transformation, otherwise your still the same as you were before

As Christians, we are not perfect, and we never will be until are resurrected in our glorified bodies, however we should strive to live for Christ will all our heart, soul, and strength, we should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be led by the Advocate, Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb, who has justified before our Heavenly Father, Amen!

1 Corinthians 5- Immorality In The Church

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It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 1 Corinthians 5:1-3

Often the theme among Churches today is “Come As You Are” and yes that’s a good saying and we should invite people to come to Christ, however does that mean we should stay as we are in Christ? Absolutely not, when we are Born Again in Christ, we become transformed, a new creation. The things of the past are the past, and we continually become sanctified by the Holy Spirit conforming to the image of Christ

So how do we deal with the sin that remains within the Church body? Well for the most part , the Churches typically don’t address or deal with sinful lifestyles of believers, but is this the Biblical model of the Church? Let’s see how Paul the Church of Corinth, here “It is reported commonly that there is fornication or sexual immorality among you” Notice Paul says this is a common practice, this is not a one time event where someone messed up, this has been a normal behavior of the Church to allow immorality to continue in the Church

Notice the Church’s response , Paul says “You are puffed up or proud, shouldn’t you be mourned or stricken with grief” The other members of the Church didn’t even care there was known immorality going on, however if they all truly were Born Again with the Holy Spirit, would they have this same response? The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin (John 16:8) This would be a sign of a healthy Church, the fact that the Church has no concern for sin among the Body, it’s a flag for false converts

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:4-5

See Paul’s response here “Deliver such as one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh” Now in today’s age they would say “Paul is a legalist” or “Paul is not very Christian” but notice why Paul is doing this, “that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”

Is it unloving to rebuke someone of their sin? No, it’s actually unloving to allow people to die in their sins and eventually go to Hell. If you truly believe the gospel, then you would warn someone of the errors of their ways. Now are there more loving ways to approach this? Yes , we need to try to and reach people with the love of Christ and not with a hammer!

Tomorrow will continue to look at how Paul dealt with sinful practices within the Church!

1 Corinthians 4- Kingdom of God

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Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

As I’m currently writing this, there is a revival going on, which is being known as the “Asbury Revival. Now whether this is a true revival, only time will tell, and what is the definition of a revival, well that’s up to debate and interpretation. But what we do know, is this movement that’s happening in Kentucky , has inspired more movements throughout America and the world

Now if you’re a Christian, this sounds like good news, right? However some Christians are considering this bad news, as they don’t like how the revival is being performed or they also don’t like the way it originated. Many Christians have developed preconceived ideas how God should perform his will on the Church

This is very similar to what Paul experienced here with the Church of Corinth, Paul says (and I will paraphrase) Some of you are mad or become arrogant, whether or not I would come to you, however it’s God’s will , whether I come to you or not, and not your will.

The Church was angry at how Paul was doing things, but Paul was telling them, it’s up to God how he wants things done and not up to you! This is exactly the same problem with the Church today, many Christians are rebuking the revival, because it’s not how they want it done. However this revival, and any revival, is not up to us how God fulfills his will. The Holy Spirit doesn’t need your permission or your instructions to perform his job!

The Apostle Paul also says “The Kingdom of God is not in word, but of power” Boom. mic drop moment there for Paul. Most of the Christians who are always complaining about things, are the same ones that usually do nothing for the Church. They are all talk, and no walk! Paul says the Kingdom of God is about the power of the Holy Spirit, it’s not about your idle words

Maybe we are unsure what is going on in Asbury, Kentucky, maybe we are even unaware what’s going on in our local Church, what we do know is Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. The Lord is in complete control, and the gates of Hell will never prevail against us, Amen!

1 Corinthians 4- Church Family

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I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church 1 Corinthians 4:14-17

There is a growing trend in Christianity where Christians no longer are members of a congregation. Many will use the excuses, they don’t agree with the doctrine, or they can’t agree with the pastor, or they just can’t get along with the other Christians, these are all personal issues and not a Church issue. 

Being part of a Church community is essential to your spiritual growth. If you can’t even be around other Christians now, what are you going to do in the New Heavens and Earth? Church families are never going to be perfect, because guess what, nobody is perfect, except Christ. The Holy Spirit will use these opportunities of differences to refine and sharpen you. But the main point is , nobody can go through this Christian walk alone

Notice how Paul addresses the Church here “ I write these things not to shame you, but as my beloved sons or children” Paul, being the Shepherd of this Church, feels like these people are his spiritual family. This is a concept throughout the New Testament, the Church is a family of believers

Recently on Twitter, a professing “Christian” criticized me for calling my fellow brethren, brothers and sisters. Brother Damon Gray quickly refuted this argument using the words of Jesus Christ “Whoever does the will of God, is my brother, sister, and mother (Mark 3:35) We are all brothers and sisters through Jesus Christ, this is why you should not neglect your local Church community, they are the family God has given you

Paul says “For this cause I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved son” now was Timothy the biological son of Paul? Of course not, Timothy was a gentile and Paul was Jewish, however Paul became Timothy’s spiritual father, as he did for many Christians he mentored over the years

This brings up another good point, we need to have spiritual mentors in our lives. Many Christians go astray because they are “lone wolves”, they don’t try to learn from a more mature Christians, they don’t use their gifts of the Holy Spirit with the rest of the body of Christ. 

If you are a Born Again Christian, you are my brother and sister in Christ, don’t neglect your Church family, they need you just as much as you need them, Amen!

1 Corinthians 4- Fool for Christ

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We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 1 Corinthians 4:10-13

 Often when you share the gospel with a non-believer, their reaction is your a fool, your an idiot, how can you possibly believe the Bible? Even though the gospel itself is simple to understand, the world will simply refuse to believe it. Why? Because if the world accepts the gospel or Jesus , they need to accept the fact that we are all sinners heading to an eternal destiny of condemnation.

We as Christians shouldn’t be suprised by the worlds reaction, Jesus told us “the world will hate you because of me” (Matthew 10:22) One of the biggest mistakes of the Church today is they are trying to get the world to love and accept them. True Christians will never be loved and accepted by this world, because this world is controlled by the evil one (1 John 5:19)

The Apostle Paul says here “we are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ” The world views us as fools however we are wise in Christ, why? Because we are filled with the Holy Spirit. You as a Christian are the Temple of God, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead. This is why you can discern good from evil in this world and the world is blinded

Paul goes on to say “You are strong and honorable, however we are despised” The world hates you because the world hates Christ. If you don’t believe me just start proclaiming the name of Jesus in public and see what reaction you get. The name of Jesus Christ is banned in public schools and public business, why? Because Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation (John 14:6)

If your not sure if “prosperity gospel” is fake, just read the words of Paul here “we both hunger, and thirst, working with our own hands, being reviled” Does that sound like your “Best Life Now”? Absolutely not, however this will be the only Hell you will ever know. Satan wants to keep the world dead in their sins, they want the light to be covered and hidden, don’t be surprised if you are made to be a “fool for Christ” to this world

The Apostle Paul also states “We are made as the filth of the world”, think about that, the true Church is the filth of the world. Stop compromising your Church to be accepted by the world, you are the light of the world, a city on the hill can’t be hidden! Take honor in being a “fool for Christ”, in Jesus name Amen!