Fellowship | Be Not Offended and Cause Not Offense - 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 | February 11
INTRO
Hey family! Good morning. How are we? Good? Fantastic? Hurting? Eh? You’re in the right place no matter what you’re feeling. And I’m glad you’re here.
Let’s pray.
PRAYER
Father, we come just as we are with whatever we’re feeling. We’re not going to put on a show. We’re not going to put up false fronts and hide behind masks. We come knowing that you are in control, that your plans are good, and that your timing is perfect. So we ask for your Spirit to strengthen us to be able to trust you with that which we don’t understand and the patience for you to work it in our life for good. There is a season for all things. Your word tells us just as there is a time to plant, a time to build, a time to laugh, and a time to dance; there is also a time to reap, a time to tear down, a time to mourn, and a time to weep (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Lord, help us trust you in your timing–in this season and whatever it holds. And please help us to walk together in unity as you guide our steps. Thank you Lord!
Amen.
BACKGROUND
Alright. So, we are continuing in our study of 1 Corinthians but as you may know, last week we shifted our focus away from what we are called to be as believers and are instead following the thread of fellowship as Paul addresses specific issues in Corinth.
What I neglected to do was to remind you of the main themes of this letter. If you’ll remember, 1 Corinthians is primarily about two things. One, this letter is about unity. God wants to knit His church together in love, bonded together in peace, united in one faith under one Lord striving in harmony with one accord. And also, this letter is about trying to live for God in a world that is overwhelmingly non-Chrisitian.
That’s why the subject of fellowship is so pertinent. Fellowship is about togetherness. It’s about facing the challenges of the world that is opposed to God and doing so side by side. As we began to see last week, one of the greatest threats to fellowship is that of compromise with the culture. And not speaking out against this compromise for the false front of not judging one another. For a good portion of the rest of 1 Corinthians, Paul is going to turn his attention away from general exhortation to peace, humility, and unity; and he’s going to turn his attention toward very specific problems within the Corinthian church. Some of these issues may apply directly to us. Some of them may more generally address our specific cultural context. Still others may seem completely irrelevant. But there is always a guiding principle at work. And it’s these guiding principles that are so important for us, for unity and fellowship–for togetherness. To live upright and holy lives together in the midst of a culture that stands in opposition to God and His people.
It turns out the Corinthians had some of their own “guiding principles” which Paul is going to confront directly in our time together next week. Starting next week, we’re going to talk about sex. So parents, if you need to plan accordingly for your little ones to join the others next door, that might be something for you to consider. That’s your PG-13 warning for next week. If you’ve ever had questions about the Bible and what it says about sex and intimacy, it should be a pretty good week for you to be here. Then following that, we’re going to talk about marriage and more. But that all starts next week.
Last week, if you’ll remember, we talked about fellowship with regard to the subject of church discipline. And one of the points that I made was how church discipline is for you and your salvation, it’s for the church to not fall to the poisonous cancer of sin, but it’s also for those outside the church, to demonstrate to the world that we in the church take sin seriously.
In other words, our fellowship is for those outside the church. Now, that may sound weird. But as we’re going to see today, when there is disfellowship within the external witness of the church–the witness without is ruined. Disfellowship within ruins the witness without. For the world is watching. The world around is watching. What are they seeing? Do these church people really believe what they say–do they really live it. And the key verse that provides the foundation for not only this week, but next week as well, is 1 Corinthians 6:11. Backing up a few verses for the sake of context it says,
WASHED, JUSTIFIED, & SANCTIFIED
“9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?”
Already we are confronted with the reality that God takes sin seriously. I know there are many of us who are learning to rethink sin. It is so often communicated as the bad things we do. And certainly the darkest deeds done by man are listed amongst the charges of sin that stand against us. But at it’s core, sin is the heart that says no God I’m going to do it my way. I’m going to define blessing and curse for my life. I’m going to determine for myself what is good in my own eyes. I don’t need your help, God. And so, just about every good thing that becomes a God thing, that we prioritize over trusting God’s defined limits for our life also gets added to that list. Bad things, good things, and all the gray areas of life are listed amongst the charges against us when we don’t let God be God. I say this because we’re about to read a list of sins that may cause some of us to say, “yeah, those people suck”. And I don’t want you to be surprised when after this list Paul is going to say, “that’s you! You were those people!”
“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Such were some of you. He’s not saying such are some of you. He’s not disparaging them so as to heap on guilt and shame. He’s reminding them of the secure identity to which they belong. And I too stand here among you as a “such were” and not a “still am”. I wonder, would any of you be brave enough to stand up with me as a “such were”?
Thank you!
This is not an exhaustive list by any means but it serves the purposes of making a point–to remind us that we are all “such weres”. The Corinthians had forgotten that. They lived as spiritual giants in their own eyes. Their amnesia to what they were saved from led to dispute and division, not fellowship and union.
Thank you!
We’re not standing up confessing sin. I don’t know, maybe that’s what you’re doing. That’s not my intention. We are admitting to a past–a past that no longer holds us! We are living in a present identity that is far better. An identity of grace in Jesus unto salvation.
Sincerely, thank you! You can take your seat again.
Salvation is one of those Christian words that get thrown around quite often. It may be the case that you’ve wondered what salvation means but have been too afraid to ask. I assure you, had you asked, more people than would like to admit could not put it into words for you. But God does explain it and so we’re about to get an explanation of salvation.
“Such were some of you [and you, and you, and me]. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Bible says that we were [emphasis on were] utterly dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), having no hope (Ephesians 2:12), and otherwise ultimately destined for wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Then when you believed in Christ Jesus you were saved from this destiny, this kingdom of your own making–this kingdom of darkness. You received salvation. You were washed. You were sanctified. You were justified. That’s what salvation means.
YOU WERE WASHED
You were washed. Your sins, considered as filth, have been washed away; considered as pollution, they have been purified; considered as guilt, they have been covered with the righteousness of Christ (Romans 1:17). Washed is a picture of forgiveness as your sinful past has been thoroughly washed away in a flood of love and grace. You were washed.
YOU WERE SANCTIFIED
You were sanctified. You have been set apart from the world and its ways so that you might live for what is Holy. You have been consecrated or dedicated with new life, new goals, and new purpose; set apart for special service to God. You were sanctified.
YOU WERE JUSTIFIED
You were justified. You were declared righteous, placed into a new right standing before God, in which you are now and forever clothed in the righteousness of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30). You were justified.
Each of these; were washed, were sanctified, were justified; refer to the same thing. The one stressing your complete cleansing, the next your new holy calling, and the final one your new right standing before a Holy God. That is salvation.
”We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7)
This is so important to remember. We have to start from our position within Christ because what Paul suggests before these verses is going to seem like complete madness to some of you. Because some of you have genuinely been hurt by other people. But our call to fellowship is going to require letting go of your hurt. Fellowship demands forgiveness. Fellowship requires resolving conflict in a healthy manner. Fellowship requires giving others the benefit of the doubt. Fellowship demands that you live as though you have been washed, sanctified, and justified; and that the person sitting next to you has too.
We should live as those who have been redeemed, with our past put behind us. And that’s going to be difficult at times, but it’s the same truth Jesus calls us to in Luke 7 when He’s eating in the home of Simon the Pharisee when a sinful woman bursts in and washes Jesus’ feet with her tears. Jesus tells the parable of two men whose debts had been forgiven, one much larger than the other. Jesus asks who loved more as a result of the abolition of these debts. The answer, of course, being the one who has been forgiven more.
“44 Then [Jesus] turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.’”
I love this passage of Scripture. “Look at her!” Jesus says. He forces us to look at our offenders as actual people created in the image of God and imbued with such infinite worth and value. I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. Here’s your homework, read Luke 7 and think about the teaching God has for us today. The point to be made and the reality of the situation with regard to the Corinthians and to us as well, is that we have all been forgiven much, so why do we love our brothers and sisters in Christ so very little? That’s Paul’s message and the foundation of chapter six’s beginning. So, let’s back up and start from the top.
SCRIPTURE
“When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!”
Let’s face it, conflict is going to happen within the body. We are a family. If you spend enough time with your family eventually you're going to end up frustrated and in disagreement. How we fight with each other demonstrates to the world the proof of our fellowship. Are we fighting fair?
SINNERS GONNA SIN
Notice, Paul says when one of you has a grievance against another. When–not if.
Sinners gonna sin.
And although we are called to be saints and praise God, that is what we are. We still sin. We are sinners saved by grace and sinners gonna sin. Not that we set out on that course–to transgress. It’s just a reality of pre-resurrection life.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”
We should not be surprised by sin, even amongst our brothers and sisters. It may be unexpected in the moment, but sin is a guarantee. As much as we fight it, occasionally some vestige of our old self is going to bubble to the surface. Don’t be jaded. That’s not what I’m saying. “Disappointed once again! Woe is me!” No, that’s not right. Just be aware of reality. You’re going to feel wronged at some point in your life. Probably multiple times.
Also, notice Paul is talking about trivial cases as well. If there’s some serious, illegal activity going on we’re going to get the police involved. That’s just the way it is.
Most of the time the wrong you will feel is not really that big of a deal. So, a lot of the time, most of the time, we’re going to forgive and move on. We’re just not going to engage and make a deal over the vast majority of wrongs.
Proverbs 19:11 says, “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”
Sure, it may feel like a big deal. I want to acknowledge what you are feeling for sure. But I also want to advise you that walking in the spirit of maturity involves a lot of quick forgiveness.
PEOPLE OF OFFENSE
Overall, we’re seeking to not be people of offense. Yes, seek to not offend, and also seek to not be offended. Eventually, when we get to chapter 13, we’re going to read a list of what love does. And among that list we’ll see that love is not easily angered, provoked, or offended. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not insist on its own way–it’s not self-seeking. But “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
Here’s what that love list is hinting at a bit, love gives the benefit of the doubt. In other words, just because you were hurt by someone doesn’t mean they actually did something wrong. The wrong you feel might simply be a misunderstanding. And though what you’re feeling is real, it might not be a reflection of what actually happened and certainly not what the other person intended. Life is more complicated than that. And our perceptions of a situation aren’t always based in reality.
Now all of this has been more passive. Your response when a wrong is felt. But what can we actively do to cultivate within ourselves a lack of offense?
Invite and welcome correction.
Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Discipline and correction unto the Lord is good, and so invite people in to speak truth, expose blindspots, and process hurt with you. They’re going to be able to see things you can’t and offer sound wisdom from God.
FORGIVE
Finally, as I said earlier, be quick to forgive and keep forgiving.
Colossians 3:13 says, “If one has a complaint against another, [forgive] each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
It goes back to that foundational element. You have been forgiven much! Therefore, love in equal measure.
WHY NOT SUFFER WRONG?
And that’s why Paul can make such a strong statement to people who have suffered real hurt–real wrong against them.
“Why not rather suffer wrong?”
A Christian should voluntarily take wrong, even if he or she be in the right. What kind of crazy talk is this?
Canaan and Ada will often get into heated debate as siblings are apt to do. Each one justified in their shouting by some perceived wrong that has occurred. And at their age it is the end of the world as you might imagine. As the older sibling, I have instructed Canaan on many occasions–it’s okay to not win even if you’re right. It’s okay to not win. Sometimes when you win an argument, what you are losing is far worse.
Proverbs 17:14 says, “to start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.”
Most disputes are trivial with regard to the eternal kingdom and so be a person who is not offended and does not cause offense.