We have all heard the saying, "One bad apple can spoil the bunch." In principle, this is what can happen within the body of believers when the “practice” of a sinful lifestyle is allowed to thrive among his people. If such person(s) is not called to account by the church, lawlessness can grow and negatively affect the life of faith of the congregants. As a result of this spiritual truth, Paul warned the churches (1 Cor 15:33), “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (cf., Gal 5:9).

As we continue our study of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, it appears that factionalism is not their only issue as worldliness has created a climate for another fruit of the flesh to germinate and flourish: sexual immorality. In this last section of text in chapter 5, Paul continues his instructions on how to properly address a member in their congregation who is actively involved in an incestuous relationship.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
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This week we encounter a Biblical example of a practice that is seldom talked about in the modern American church, namely church discipline. There are important truths in the passage that can awaken the Christians to the edifying effects of practicing mutual accountability within a fellowship of love which is the local church. While instances of abuse of the practice and even greater instances of neglect of the practice abound, church discipline, as taught by Jesus Christ in Matthew 18, benefits churches by promoting spiritual health and growth among the members. This passage not only instructs on how to practice church discipline but also emphasizes why it is important.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
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There are few things identified by Scripture that God (actually) hates. Discord in the church is one of them (Prv 6:19). When there is unity within the church, the Spirit of God is present and flows through the church leadership down into the church body like anointing oil flowing down Aaron beard into his sacred robes that covers his body. When believers live and serve in agreement with God's word, our fellowship is pleasing aroma to God to his glory (Rom 15:5-6). It is this life of worship Paul exhorts the church to reclaim. He now concludes his discourse on church division that is flourishing in the Corinthians congregation by way of the wisdom of men. He offers his final admonishments on this issue that remains applicable for the church today.
Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21
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Human pride is incompatible with the character of Christ. It will never produce fruits of the Spirit in the life of Christian. Not only does it exalt its wisdom higher than God's, but it considers the Gospel way of living and thinking as foolish. In addressing the worldliness prevailing in the church of Corinth, Paul continues to put on display the Apostles way of life as a model for Christ-centered living and attitude as he confronts the church’s embrace of the wisdom of this world that has produced:

• Misappropriation of glory to church leaders that has caused the congregation to be divided into four factions (1 Cor 1:11-13).
• Inflated sense of status. They saw themselves as rulers over others, even rejecting the authority of the Apostles.

In our focus text, Paul continues his use of irony (and a little bit of sarcasm) to expose the foolishness of Corinthians behavior in the church. He will remind them what is the true temperament and life of servant of God in a world hostile to its message and messengers.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13
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The wisdom of men can shipwreck the faith and Gospel fruit of any body of believers. This is what was occurring in the Corinthian church as they were extolling the giftings and personalities of their favorite church leaders (i.e., the Apostles) that they preferred. This misappropriation of glory was the source of factionalism in the church they had divided the congregation into four groups, "...I follow Paul,' or 'I follow Apollos,' or 'I follow Cephas,' or 'I follow Christ'" (1 Cor 1:12). In response to this error, Paul labored to use these questions to re-establish Biblical truth in the first 3 chapters of his (1st) letter:

· What is the difference between the wisdom of God vs the wisdom of men?

· What is the true foundation of Jesus Christ and his teaching? And how is church doctrine and living built on that substructure?

· How is the operation of worldly wisdom (of men) in the church ruinous? How does it destroy the work of the Gospel and our witness to the world?

· What is a servant of God? Do the congregants owe glory to the Apostles or to God?

Throughout his exhortations on these questions, he has used office of the Apostles as a model of the kind of attitude and service the Christian should imitate and submit to by the wisdom of God. Having dealt with the issue of right judgements and faithfulness (1 Cor 4:1-5), he now confronts pride that is propping up human supremacy and self-righteousness which is the root of the division plaguing the Corinthian church.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6-8
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A calling to preach the Gospel is not an assignment to be taken lightly. James cautions against many people pursuing this divinely ordained position within God's kingdom because the high standard by which such a person will be judged by God (Jam 3:1). Further, Paul reminds the church at Corinth that the apostles are servants of Christ by which glory is to be given to God. Therefore, their service should be not source of division, causing the congregation at Corinth to misappropriate their affections more on a preacher's giftings and appearance, than the One who sent them. This Sunday, Paul exhorts them to discontinue these evil judgments considering the fact a preacher true Judge is God alone.
Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
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A Christian is a fellow worker with God in his kingdom mission in the world. His church (body of believers) is his temple by which his Spirit dwells. When we stray from these truths, it is often because we have forgotten who we are and to whom we belong. As a result, we become susceptible to worldliness, which infiltrates the church like a Trojan Horse through the wisdom of men. As Paul closes his discourse on addressing factionalism in the church, he summarizes his main points he has been making through the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians:

· We are God's temple, sanctified to lead a life of holiness that imitates the character and nature of God.

· We are to flee the deception of the wisdom of the age. Its aid in this life is futile.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
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Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, and his teaching is the foundation of our faith. A community of believers (Holy Temple, the church) is the structure that is built upon it. Peter writes, (1 Pt 2:5-6) "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, (5) you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ." As an Apostle, Paul was commissioned by God to lay such a foundation for every church he planted, by which others (and the church today) are called to co-labor with God in building a body of believers in which His righteousness dwells and shines to His glory a dark world. In our sermon text for this Sunday, Paul cautions how we should go about this kingdom advancing work in light of future examination by God in the coming judgement.
Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
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