Problems with Lawsuits and Lax Morality
The Letters to the Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted
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1 Corinthians 6:1–20 (NLT)
1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!
2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?
3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.
4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church?
5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?
6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?
8 Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
13 You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.
14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.
15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!
16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.”
17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
INTRODUCTION:
Paul’s Do you not know …? occurs six times in this chapter; it emphasizes that the Corinthians should know better than to do what they are doing.[1]
(ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε= to possess information about—‘to know, to know about, to have knowledge of, to be acquainted with, acquaintance.
(1 Cor. 6:2)
1 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)
2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?
(1 Cor. 6:3)
1 Corinthians 6:3 (NLT)
3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.
(1 Cor. 6:9)
1 Corinthians 6:9 (NLT)
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
(1 Cor. 6:15)
1 Corinthians 6:15 (NLT)
15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!
(1 Cor. 6:16)
1 Corinthians 6:16 (NLT)
16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.”
(1 Cor. 6:19)
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
I- THE PROBLEM OF LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)
I- THE PROBLEM OF LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)
1 Corinthians 6:1–11 (NLT)
1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!
2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?
3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.
4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church?
5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?
6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?
8 Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
A- The Principle (1 Corinthians 6:1)
A- The Principle (1 Corinthians 6:1)
1 Corinthians 6:1 (NLT)
1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!
1- Believers are not to sue believers in unbelieving courts.
Τολμᾷ τις ὑμῶν = Dare any of you? [Does any one of you dare?]
We would say “How dare any of you!”
“πραγμα ἐχων προς τον ἑτερον”= “When one of you has a dispute with another believer”
πραγμα = forensic sense- a legal case, dispute
κρίνεσθαι ἐπὶ τῶν ἀδίκων = to go for judgment before those outside of the Church (the unrighteous).
Note the behavior that is to mark our lives:
Ephesians 4:29-5:2
Ephesians 4:29–5:2 (NLT)
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
2- Believers should decide any conflict between believers.
B- The Problem (1 Corinthians 6:2-6)
B- The Problem (1 Corinthians 6:2-6)
1 Corinthians 6:2–6 (NLT)
2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?
3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.
4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church?
5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?
6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
1- Believers are going to judge the world and angels. (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)
1 Corinthians 6:2–3 (NLT)
2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?
3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.
2- Believers seeing believers in a pagan court presents credibility difficulties for the Gospel. (1 Corinthians 6:4-6)
1 Corinthians 6:4–6 (NLT)
4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church?
5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?
6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
C- The Plan (1 Corinthians 6:7-11)
C- The Plan (1 Corinthians 6:7-11)
1 Corinthians 6:7–11 (NLT)
7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?
8 Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,
10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1- Consider the eternal ramifications.
2- Choose to accept being wronged instead of airing out family problems in Pagan courts.
3- Commit to living out the grace you have received.
II- THE PROBLEM OF LAX MORAL STANDARDS (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
II- THE PROBLEM OF LAX MORAL STANDARDS (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
1 Corinthians 6:12–20 (NLT)
12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
13 You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.
14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.
15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!
16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.”
17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
A- Receiving God’s grace does not create a license to sin. (1 Corinthians 6:12-14)
A- Receiving God’s grace does not create a license to sin. (1 Corinthians 6:12-14)
1 Corinthians 6:12–14 (NLT)
12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
13 You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.
14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.
1- “I am allowed to do anything”(anything is lawful for me) was a slogan the Corinthians had coined to justify their immoral behavior.
a. This was a deliberate misquoting of the biblical teaching that we are not bound to the law.
b. Paul reminded the Corinthians that freedom from the ceremonial laws of Moses did not give them license to sin or indulge their own selfishness.
c. This would only enslave them in the sin from which Jesus had freed them. “under the power of any”: The only power that should control us is the Holy Spirit. Sin should never dominate our lives because the Spirit empowers us to fight temptation.
(See Ephesians 5:18)
Ephesians 5:18 (NLT)
18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
B- Remember that the believer’s union with Christ should deter sexual sin. (1 Corinthians 6:15-17)
1 Corinthians 6:15–17 (NLT)
15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!
16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.”
17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
1- When we were saved we became part of the “body of Christ.” (1 Cor. 12:27)
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
2- The Bible teaches that when a man and woman consummate marriage they become “one flesh.”
(Genesis 2:24)
Genesis 2:24 (NLT)
24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
(Matt. 19:5)
Matthew 19:5 (NLT)
5 And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’
(Ephesians 5:31)
Ephesians 5:31 (NLT)
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
3- To engage in sexual intercourse outside of God’s design is to cause God to take part in an act that is contrary to His will.
C- Reflect on God’s purpose for your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NLT)
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1- Paul gives the solution: “Run from sexual sin.”
2- Sexual sin affects the body in adverse ways. To engage in sexual sin is to sin against God and against self.
3- Remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
[1] Morris, Leon. 1985. 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 7. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.