Reacting to Other People's Sins

Gospel Living in the Local Church  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Welcome: Good evening, we are excited that you’ve decided to join us here at Hype Student Ministries as we continue our study of 1 Corinthians. If you haven’t been here in the last couple of weeks, we’ve studied the first 4 chapters of 1 Corinthians. In those first few chapters we see Paul addressing a problem in the Corinthian church.
Does anyone remember what the big issue was that Paul was writing to the Corinthians in the first few chapters?
Answer- people were elevating different church leaders so much so that there started to be divisions in the church. The big problem with divisions in the church is that as Christians we should be unified not divided because we realize that we are all in need of a savior and we confess Jesus as our savior and Lord of our lives. Now, at the heart level Paul was addressing the Corinthians of their pride. Pride that lead to them thinking of themselves better and than others in the church. In our next section of 1 Corinthians Paul will address another sinful outward action of the Corinthians pride, the action of letting sexual sin go.
So please have your scripture notebooks open to 1 Corinthians chapter 5. 1 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 1.

Introduction

Before we start reading our passage, I want you to think of a time when you saw someone else sin. Remember a definition for sin is...
Sin- falling short of God’s standard, overstepping set limits, or the breaking of God’s law
So think of a situation where you witnessed someone else sinning. Think about what was your reaction? How did that situation make you feel? What were some thoughts that went through your mind?
In our passage this evening, we will read about Paul addressing a sin of someone else. Paul feels the need to address this particular situation because it seems like this particular person is proud of their sin and they don’t see the need to repent of it.
Read 1 Cor. 5:1-2. Reminder to underline or circle anything that stands out to you.

5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated among the Gentiles—a man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Shouldn’t you be filled with grief and remove from your congregation the one who did this?

From these verses we see a certain man who is part of the Corinthian church committing sexual sin. This Corinthian man was having sexual relations with his step-mother, the wife of his father. Paul says this these sexual acts are sinful and outside of God’s design for sex and that something like this was not even tolerated or appropriate in the eyes of non-Christians. This is something truly disgusting and gross. What’s the response from the Corinthian church toward this sin? It’s reported to Paul that people were arrogant about this situation. Their pride was so focused on certain divisions in the church that they weren’t responding to this serious sin. This sin of a man having sexual relations with his step-mother is so gross that it should have grieved the Corinthians and Paul says they should’ve removed that man from the church.
It’s at this point in the letter that we are introduced to church discipline.
Let’s keep reading.
Read 1 Cor. 5:3-8.

3 Even though I am absent in the body, I am present in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who has been doing such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are. For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Explain
v. 3-5 - Paul, as he is writing this letter to the Corinthians is casting judgement on this man as an unrepentive sinner. Paul is telling the church leaders, this is what needs to happen when you have someone commit such a gross sin and doesn’t repent of it. You cannot allow a person to be considered part of your church.
With the people around you I want to you to discuss this question.

Why do you think Paul commands the Corinthian church to not have that man in their congregation?

What are some of your answers?
Explain
Show pic of bread
v. 6-8 - Illustration of leaven (Yeast in bread)- yeast is something that makes bread dough rise to make a more fluffy type of bread. But when you do that, you change the molecular make up to where the dough to no longer just pure bread dough but it’s dough with yeast. Paul is using this illustration to explain that as a church you should have your identity in Christ and that should unify you. We’ve discussed this earlier this year why unity is important. Paul says when when people are trying to bring false truths and sin into the church. The identity is no longer only Christ but there is also a competing identity of serving self.
Show last passage slide
Re-read verse 8.

8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Now when reading this verse you might ask yourself, malice and evil? I haven’t seen hatred from people in this passage?
Going back to them man in 1 Cor. 5. How much hate did he have to have toward his father to have sexual relations with his step-mom. His father’s wife. Expound here.
This is why Paul writes the final few verses of chapter 5.
Read 1 Cor. 5:9-13.

9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. 10 I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. 11 But actually, I wrote you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? 13 God judges outsiders. Remove the evil person from among you.

Explain
Difference being in the world but not associating with the world.

How should a Christian react to the sins of other people?

Believers should first should pray for God’s guidance.
Are you confessing believers?
If so approach them with grace and humility recognizing that you too are in need of grace everyday. If they continue to sin & don’t repent and they are in the same local church as you, reach out to a small group leader or a pastor. If they are from another local church, I’d encourage you inform a small group leader or a pastor and we’ll communicate with someone in authority of that local church.
If they are not professing believers. We pray for them and hope that they understand the gospel of Jesus. We may want to pray for opportunities to share Jesus with them.

The end result of any situation involving the sin of someone else, our hope is that they experience the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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