sermon for June 7
Good morning brothers and sister and thank you for joining us here this morning on June 7, 2015. What an exciting time to be living and watching end-time prophecy come to pass. For some it may be a scary time, but for me my friends, I know where I'm going when my time's up here in this world and I pray that you my brothers and sisters are that sure also. We want to thank all of you who have joined us here on Paltalk, or reading on the various social sites that I've shared these messages on, or where others have shared. Glory to God. And thanks to all of you who may be watching these on u-tube. We've been doing a study called "Who Are We In Christ" and basing the study on the book of 1 Corinthians. Last week we ended with chapter 5 and verse 8. For those who joined us last week, Paul was bringing attention to the leaders that there was a church man who was either living with, or having an affair with his step mother and that it had not been done in secret, or if it had, everyone knew about it. To me, it seemed that he was more upset with the congregation not dealing with the matter, and friends this is where the church needs to get their heads out of the sand and deal with stuff that's happening in the church today. So let's get into this study as there's going to be a lot to look at this morning. Turn please to verse 9. At the very beginning of this series, you may remember me saying that this was not the first epistle Paul wrote to the Corinthians and we see that in this verse. 1 Corinthians 5:9 KJV I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: I've heard some say they weren't sure exactly what fornicators meant. Last week we looked at the Strong's Concordance. This week, let's look at the Thayer Dictionary. Thayer Definition: pornos 1) a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire 2) a male prostitute 3) a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator Many get confused between fornicators and adultery. Yes they are different, but both are sexual sins and very wrong. And notice that Paul said we should stay clear of those who are involved. Lat week we saw where Apostle Paul said this. 1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV 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. He was saying, " you are to hand this man over to Satan for his body to be destroyed, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord." Church, as we saw in verse 9, Paul had warned them before and he's warning us right now, to refuse to tolerate rebellion in the church. "But brother Jim, how should we live in this world with people who are rebellious and sinful? Should we judge them too?" I think as we look at these next 5 verses we'll see how he answers these questions. Praise God! And friends, let's not forget that as Paul wrote this epistle, he was being led by the Holy Spirit. It's very important that we not forget this. He was not acting and writing on his own. What we're going to see, and I hope you get this, is that Paul was not talking about the world here. He was talking about what was happening in the Corinthian church and in many churches today. Come on friends, you've seen it. And we turn a blind eye from it. Why? Because we've let the world slip in. The enemy has gotten a foot hold in. Let's read verses 10 -13, and what we're going to see is that Paul informs us that church discipline is for believers and not the world. Amen someone? 1 Corinthians 5:10-13 KJV (10) 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. (11) 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. (12) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? (13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. Okay, now I'm going to put Leanna to the test. I want to also thank my beautiful wife for posting the scriptures each Sunday. It sounds easy, but to paste as quickly as I go through these, it can be a challenge at times. I'm so blessed to have her as a help-mate and how God has used her to change me and to bring out my gifts, just baffles me sometimes. 1 Corinthians 5:10-13 GW (10) I didn't tell you that you could not have any contact with unbelievers who commit sexual sins, are greedy, are dishonest, or worship false gods. If that were the case, you would have to leave this world. (11) Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don't eat with such people. (12) After all, do I have any business judging those who are outside the Christian faith? Isn't it your business to judge those who are inside? (13) God will judge those who are outside. Remove that wicked man from among you. Friends, in the past few years, something that I've noticed is that out in the open sins of professed Christians are seen and heard by those who are so close to making that life-changing commitment to call on the Lord to be saved. The body is being watched by the outside world. So when they see so-called believers partying and getting boozed up, cheating on their spouses, involved in the things we just read in verses 10-13, it can do 2 things. 1, it can leave them with a bad taste in their mouths toward Christians. And I see this happen often. Or 2, they follow suit and think that "Yea, I can be a Christian and still do the same as other Christians do. God must have changed." I've seen this happen too. But my friends, is that what we just read in this passage? No. Paul says, “I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother “one who bears the name brother” if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Listen up church. Don't even eat with him or her. Did that wake someone up? Yet as I said, it has become PART OF THE NORM. So, let's look at each sin mentioned in this passage so we all have a thorough understanding of what each means. And friends, when we look at these, ask Christ to show if you may be guilty of any of these and that He delivers you from any of them. Praise Jesus. The first mentioned is fornicator, and we looked that one already. Next is covetous. Holding (desiring) more, that is, eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder) Marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions. How many of us can say that hasn't been an issue with us? Next let's look at extortioners. Here is what Strong's says: rapacious: - extortion, ravening. A person who gets money from another by using force or threats <extortioners threatened to beat up the shop owner if he didn't pay the bribe> Next we have idolater. A person who worships an idol or idols. This is one that many people very well could be guilty of without realizing. I'm going to give some examples and list scriptures, but won't be posting them, but I will reference chapter and verse for anyone who wants to look them up, and I hope each of you do. image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object. Paul describes the origin of idolatry in Romans 1:21-25 : men forsook God, and sank into ignorance and moral corruption ( 1:28 ). The forms of idolatry are: Fetishism, or the worship of trees, rivers, hills, stones, etc. Nature worship, the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, as the supposed powers of nature. Hero worship, the worship of deceased ancestors, or of heroes. In Scripture, idolatry is regarded as of heathen origin, and as being imported among the Hebrews through contact with heathen nations. The first allusion to idolatry is in the account of Rachel stealing her father's teraphim (Genesis 31:19), which were the relics of the worship of other gods by Laban's progenitors "on the other side of the river in old time" (Joshua 24:2). During their long residence in Egypt the Hebrews fell into idolatry, and it was long before they were delivered from it (Joshua 24:14 ; Ezekiel 20:7). Many a token of God's displeasure fell upon them because of this sin. The idolatry learned in Egypt was probably rooted out from among the people during the forty years' wanderings; but when the Jews entered Palestine, they came into contact with the monuments and associations of the idolatry of the old Canaanitish races, and showed a constant tendency to depart from the living God and follow the idolatrous practices of those heathen nations. It was their great national sin, which was only effectually rebuked by the Babylonian exile. That exile finally purified the Jews of all idolatrous tendencies. The first and second commandments are directed against idolatry of every form. Individuals and communities were equally amenable to the rigorous code. The individual offender was devoted to destruction (Exodus 22:20). His nearest relatives were not only bound to denounce him and deliver him up to punishment (Deuteronomy 13:20-10), but their hands were to strike the first blow when, on the evidence of two witnesses at least, he was stoned (Deuteronomy 17:2-7). To attempt to seduce others to false worship was a crime of equal enormity (13:6-10). An idolatrous nation shared the same fate. No facts are more strongly declared in the Old Testament than that the extermination of the Canaanites was the punishment of their idolatry (Exodus 34:15 Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7 ; 12:29-31 ; 20:17), and that the calamities of the Israelites were due to the same cause (Jeremiah 2:17). "A city guilty of idolatry was looked upon as a cancer in the state; it was considered to be in rebellion, and treated according to the laws of war. Its inhabitants and all their cattle were put to death." Jehovah was the theocratic King of Israel, the civil Head of the commonwealth, and therefore to an Israelite idolatry was a state offense (1 Samuel 15:23), high treason. On taking possession of the land, the Jews were commanded to destroy all traces of every kind of the existing idolatry of the Canaanites (Exodus 23:24 Exodus 23:32 ; 34:13 ; Deuteronomy 7:5 Deuteronomy 7:25 ; 12:1-3). In the New Testament, the term idolatry is used to designate covetousness (Matthew 6:24 ; Luke 16:13 ; Colossians 3:5 ; Ephesians 5:5). Next, look at railer. Some translations use abusive language or slanderer. Suppose that's happening within the church even now? It should not be. A drunkard. I don't think we need to explain what this means, but do we get this... "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a..... " "with such an one no not to eat." Friends, do we get this? You should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in the sins. Don't eat with such people that are involved in such sins. Let's finish up with the last two verses in chapter 5. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 GW (12) After all, do I have any business judging those who are outside the Christian faith? Isn't it your business to judge those who are inside? (13) God will judge those who are outside. Remove that wicked man from among you. Friends, someone might be thinking, "Doesn't God deal with the believers that fall away?" Yes, He does. John 16:6-13 KJV But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. (7) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (12) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He also chastens us. Hebrews 12:2-14 KJV Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (4) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (5) And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: (6) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (8) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (10) For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (11) Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (12) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: What we see in 1 Corinthians 5: 12 and 13 is that the Lord expects His children to watch over each other and instruct one another when one slips into a dangerous path. But, and listen up my friends. This should be done under the guidance of the leadership the Lord has set in the church. Ephesians 4:11-15 KJV And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: We are to handle situations according to how Jesus instructed for church discipline. I think we looked at this last week, but let's look at it again. Matthew 18:15-17 KJV Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Friends, one thing that I think most of us can admit if we're honest is we've all judged those who are not believers. Anyone have their hand up? I've done it. That needs to stop. We can see through many verses that it's God's business, not ours. Yes, share the Gospel and of course they need to know that they are a sinner and need to repent and only Jesus can set them free of the chains that keep them bound to sin. Church, I see often many try to clean up the world’s fishbowl, and I've been guilty of this too. However, God asks us fish. Jesus says, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men". Amen someone? If you’ve been spending your time trying to scour the world, put down your scrub brush, pick up your fishing pole, and go for the fish! Someone might be thinking, "Brother Jim, but who cares? Church discipline never really works anyway, does it"? I've seen it work. Me, for example. I shared with you a few weeks ago how I once had a very religious spirit. Christ took that from me. Praise God, and He's still working on me in other areas, but I had to have it brought to my attention. Now there are others who maybe removed from the church and they go to the next church down the block. Leanna and I have seen this happen a few times. Others, and it makes me wonder if they even knew Christ at all, love the fact that they can sleep in and go shopping on Sunday. Not worrying about being hung over from Saturday night. What I would hope and pray for, is that someone who had been confronted of the sin and was asked to leave the church would understand the sin that was done, and repent from it and share a heart spoken testimony asking for forgiveness and would be let back into the church. In closing, I want to thank all of you who attended this week here on Pal talk. Thanks to those who read or watched this sermon on Cross Roads Fellowship, Mylook online, A Far From Normal Faith Ministry, Lokey Sisters, Google + U-tube, or any of the other social networks that friends have shared it on. Please visit these networks, leave comments, and if you have not subscribed to the J and L Ministries U-tube channel, please do. We love you and may the Lord guide you this week.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
|