I Corinthians 5

• I Corinthians 5:1 – See I Corinthians 1:10-11; 2:2. Some translations use “immorality” here, but this is specifically talking about sexual immorality. This sexual immorality was being committed by someone in their midst. Some translations say “pagans” instead of “Gentiles,” both referring to people of the world.
• I Corinthians 5:2 – Their attitude was wrong. They were arrogant about the sin instead of mourning. It was important that they remove the sinful person from the church.
• I Corinthians 5:3 – Paul was not there, but his thoughts were with them. This does not seem to refer to anything more than that.
• I Corinthians 5:4-5 – Paul seems to be simply saying that this is in harmony with Jesus’ will. See Romans 11:22-23. “Delivering to Satan” means to acknowledge the truth that this man is sinning and should be removed (I Timothy 1:19-20; Romans 1:24, 26, 28). “Destruction of the flesh” here might be referring to destruction of fleshly desires (Galatians 5:13). See II Thessalonians 3:6, 10-15 for similar instructions. In II Corinthians 2:6-8, we have an indication that this may have worked.
• I Corinthians 5:6-8
• I Corinthians 5:9-11 – See Matthew 18:15. It was important that they disciplined people who were in the church yet living in sin by not associating with them. This does not apply to those outside the church. This is tough love, but it is love!
• I Corinthians 5:12-13 – A local church regulates its own membership (Acts 9:6), but that has no bearing on those outside the church.

God loves us!

• John 3:16 – The word “so” here may be more accurately translated “in this way.”
• Psalm 8
  • Astronaut Eileen Collins said spaceflight deepened her faith because she could see just how tiny humans are in the universe.
• Isaiah 40:22-31

“He was moved by his entreaty …”

• II Chronicles 33:13
• II Chronicles 33:1-13 – Manasseh was a very evil king, but he turned to God and God heard his prayer.
• Have you ignored God in your life?
• II Chronicles 15:1-4
• I Chronicles 5:20
• This was a pattern – it was not just Manasseh.
• II Kings 20:1-6 – God heard Hezekiah’s prayer
• Exodus 3:7
• Luke 18:7
• Acts 10:4
• God loves you more than anyone else has loved you or can love you!
• II Peter 3:9
• God’s love makes it easy for us to repent.
• I John 4:19

Review of Galatians 1-2

Galatians 3

• Old Covenant vs. New Covenant
• Old Covenant teachings are still being taught as required today by various groups.
• I Corinthians 10:11
• Romans 15:4
• Romans 3:28-31
• Hebrews 8:13
• I John 3:21-24
• John 6:20

Introduction

• Ephesians 4:4-6

Do I believe in a religious tradition simply because it’s a tradition?

• II Thessalonians 2:15
• Traditions can be either good or bad – we must go back to God’s word.
• Mark 7:1-8
• II John 1:9

Do I carry stuff over from the Old Covenant?

• Jeremiah 31:31-34
• Galatians 3:24-25
• The Old Covenant is no longer in effect.
• Hebrews 8:6-13 – The Old Covenant is obsolete.
• Hebrews 10:9-10
• Hebrews 10:1

Do I just believe what my family believes?

• Matthew 10:32-38 – Jesus must be our priority, even if it disrupts family relationships.
• Galatians 1:13-14; I Timothy 1:15 – Paul followed the traditions, but it made him the chief of sinners!

Do I just go along with the experts?

• Who decides who the experts are?
• Matthew 16:6-12 – Beware of the teaching of the experts!
• Matthew 23:1-3, 15
• Acts 4:1-3, 17-18 – The “experts” tried to stop the apostles!
• Acts 5:34

Do I just follow whatever is popular?

• John 6:60-66 – Jesus was not getting good reviews.
• If you’re going with popular opinion, you’ll be against Jesus.
• Matthew 7:13-14

Do I just believe what seems right to me?

• Proverbs 14:12
• Jeremiah 10:23
• Acts 23:1; 26:9 – Paul was doing what seemed right to him.

Why SHOULD I believe something?

• John 17:17
• John 12:48-50
• Can you find these in the Bible?
  • Saved by faith only
  • Once saved, always saved
  • Homosexuality is acceptable
  • Infant baptism
  • Praying to Mary
  • Having an ordained clergy class
  • God’s people can divide into denominations
  • Holy Spirit “irresistible grace”
  • Etc.
• Because I can find it in the Bible!

I Corinthians 4

I Corinthians 4:1-6 – Paul is just a servant.

• I Corinthians 4:4 – It is the Lord who judges! Don’t look to human wisdom.
• I Corinthians 4:6 – These principles apply to all of us. Do not go beyond what is written. Regarding arrogance, compare I Corinthians 4:18, 19; 5:6.

I Corinthians 4:7-13 – Paul’s condition, contrasted with the Corinthians.

• I Corinthians 4:8 – Paul is using irony and sarcasm here to point out their arrogance. Compare Revelation 3:17-18
• See Philippians 3:4-7.
• I Corinthians 4:11-13 – Paul completely refutes the “health and wealth gospel” that is popular today. Being a Christian doesn’t mean everything will suddenly be easy for you. It might be the opposite!

I Corinthians 4:14-21 – Paul admonishes as a father.

• I Corinthians 4:16 – Can we teach someone the gospel and also say, “Be just like me?” That should be our goal!