1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Introduction: In his epistle to the Corinthians, Paul was dealing with a church that had a lot of problems. One such problem was that there was open immorality in the church and no one was addressing it. What is the church supposed to do with its members who are living in blatant immorality? We will see what the scriptures say and the reasons for it in a two blog series on DEALING WITH IMMORALITY IN THE CHURCH.
I. THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED – vs. 1, 2a
Paul immediately cites two glaring problems in the church.
A. Open Immorality In The Church – vs. 1
A man was having an illicit affair with his father’s wife (stepmother). Not only was this happening, but it was public knowledge (reported commonly). This is obvious because Paul had heard about it all the way over in Ephesus. This sin was especially heinous in light of the fact that this was not something that even the pagan unbelievers would do. In the O.T. for a man to have an affair with his stepmother was just as incestuous as with his mother. Leviticus 18:7, 8
B. The Church’s Pride Kept Them From Mourning Over This – vs. 2a
Paul had already addressed the pride of the Corinthians which caused them not to be able to have a proper view of themselves. Their pride in this case had caused them not to recognize nor be grieved over the immorality in the church. Pride is deceitful and blinds people to the truth; Satan himself was deceived by his own pride. Ezek. 28:13-18 Some also have suggested that because of the Church’s concern over being accepted by the Corinthian society, they were actually proud of the immoral actions of this man.
II. THE ACTION DEMANDED – vs. 2b-5
Paul explains to them the steps that must be taken to remedy this situation.
A. They Must Exclude The Man From Fellowship – vs. 2b-4
Nothing is said about the woman, it is assumed that she was not a believer, and therefore, the church had no authority over her. The church was to assemble with the purpose of taking care of this matter. The church is authorized and empowered to transact this kind of business. Matthew 18:15-17 And the result was to be that the man was removed from their fellowship. A number of scriptures deal with a believer avoiding other believers who live immorally. 2 Thess. 3:6 We will talk about the reason for this in our next lesson.
B. They Must Deliver Him Unto Satan For The Destruction Of The Flesh – vs. 5
The word “deliver” in our text is a judicial term and means to hand one over to the custody of another, in this case, Satan. Satan cannot harm the spirit of a believer, but if permitted, he can harm the body (flesh). Job 2:1-6 According to the construct of this text it appears that when a church must withdraw fellowship from an unruly believer it opens the way for God to permit Satan to begin to destroy the flesh of that person. Matthew 18:18 This has for its goal the correction of the unruly believer. 1 Timothy 1:20
Conclusion: This may run counter to our culture and even sometimes our own sensitivities, but there are several reasons why this must be done. We will discuss those reasons in our next blog.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Is Marijuana Really A Bad Thing?
One of the most popular arguments for the use of marijuana is that it's natural, God created it , so it must be okay to use it. It is true that God created the Indian hemp plant where man gets the marijuana leaves and the cannabis, for that matter He created the coca plant where man produces cocaine and even chewing the coca leaves produces stimulation, God created the poppy where man gets opium, and from that morphine and heroin. Genesis 1:11, 12 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
The first answer is that in and of itself no plant is evil, and as a matter of fact the scripture says like in every other aspect of God's creation, God pronounced that the plantlife was "good". In other words, in its original creation everything was exactly as God designed and so the plantlife was "good". But, just because something is not in and of itself evil does not mean that man cannot use it for evil purposes. God created food, yet man can become a glutton and thereby use something that in itself is not evil for evil purposes. God created sex, and in the context of marriage it is an honorable and holy thing. Hebs. 13:4 "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." But, as the text says, sex can be perverted into a unholy thing like in the case of adultery. So, quite frankly, the argument that marijuana is a naturally occuring plant that God created, so it must be okay to dry its leaves and smoke them doesn't wash. The reason for this is the purpose for which people use it. People use marijuana for the purpose of getting "high" or intoxicated, which is clearly condemned in scripture.
In Galatians 5:19-21 there are two terms used that are related to this subject, the text is describing the works of the flesh, and names both drunkeness and witchcraft as works of the flesh. Drunkeness of course means intoxication, witchcraft is the Greek word "pharmakeia" and it is where we get the English word pharmacy. According to Thayer's Greek Definitions this word means "the use or the administering of drugs", of course this is used in connection with the dark arts, nontheless it is listed as a work of the flesh.
When this subject is brought up the question is always asked about the medicinal use of marijuana. Simply put medical science has taken all the beneficial elements of marijuana and put them into pill form, therefore a person now has access to the benefits without the high. It's amazing how when this alternative is mentioned suddenly the proponents of medicinal marijuana become less than enthusiastic indicating their motivation for supporting this movement.
In conclusion, as believers in Christ who seek to honor God with our bodies, we should never seek to be intoxicated. Yes, we may have illnesses or surgeries that require us to have to take mood or mind altering drugs (i.e. morphine), but we should never be people who seek or desire to get intoxicated. And just because something was created by God does not mean that God intended for us to use it for evil purposes.
The first answer is that in and of itself no plant is evil, and as a matter of fact the scripture says like in every other aspect of God's creation, God pronounced that the plantlife was "good". In other words, in its original creation everything was exactly as God designed and so the plantlife was "good". But, just because something is not in and of itself evil does not mean that man cannot use it for evil purposes. God created food, yet man can become a glutton and thereby use something that in itself is not evil for evil purposes. God created sex, and in the context of marriage it is an honorable and holy thing. Hebs. 13:4 "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." But, as the text says, sex can be perverted into a unholy thing like in the case of adultery. So, quite frankly, the argument that marijuana is a naturally occuring plant that God created, so it must be okay to dry its leaves and smoke them doesn't wash. The reason for this is the purpose for which people use it. People use marijuana for the purpose of getting "high" or intoxicated, which is clearly condemned in scripture.
In Galatians 5:19-21 there are two terms used that are related to this subject, the text is describing the works of the flesh, and names both drunkeness and witchcraft as works of the flesh. Drunkeness of course means intoxication, witchcraft is the Greek word "pharmakeia" and it is where we get the English word pharmacy. According to Thayer's Greek Definitions this word means "the use or the administering of drugs", of course this is used in connection with the dark arts, nontheless it is listed as a work of the flesh.
When this subject is brought up the question is always asked about the medicinal use of marijuana. Simply put medical science has taken all the beneficial elements of marijuana and put them into pill form, therefore a person now has access to the benefits without the high. It's amazing how when this alternative is mentioned suddenly the proponents of medicinal marijuana become less than enthusiastic indicating their motivation for supporting this movement.
In conclusion, as believers in Christ who seek to honor God with our bodies, we should never seek to be intoxicated. Yes, we may have illnesses or surgeries that require us to have to take mood or mind altering drugs (i.e. morphine), but we should never be people who seek or desire to get intoxicated. And just because something was created by God does not mean that God intended for us to use it for evil purposes.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Do All Religions Worship The Same God?
Psalm 115:1-8
Introduction: There is a shocking trend among people today even among many who confess Christ as Savior and that trend is the belief that all religions really worship the same god by a different name. While we certainly want to love people and we want to be as accepting and as tolerant as possible we cannot be silent and go along with this worldly trend. I used to wonder how the antiChrist was going to be able to usher in a one world religion and now after seeing the gullibilty of people who claim to be Christian it all now becomes perfectly clear. The truth is the lost world believes what it believes because their minds have been blinded (2 Cor. 4:3,4), but it is shameful when professing Christians don't know the word any better than to believe that all religions worship the same god. Loving people and wanting to extend acceptance to them is certainly admirable but not if you sell Jesus out in the process. Our opening text contrasts the one true God of heaven with the false gods of the world. Beloved, this text would make no sense if all those idol worshippers were worshipping the true God just in another form. Let's consider a few things that will bring much light on this subject.
I. Consider The COMMANDMENTS Of The LORD
Exodus 20:2,3; Deut. 5:6,7
The very first commandment says "Don't worship other gods!" Don't you think that if all religions really were worshipping the same god, the God of the Bible would know it? Wouldn't that make this first commandment rediculous? Joshua challenged the Israelites to decide which god they would serve. (Joshua 24:14-23) Elijah challenged the nation of Israel in a similar fashion because they thought they could worship Jehovah God and at the same time worship the false god Baal. (1 Kings 18:21) In Exodus 34:11-15 it is crystal clear that God hates the worship of false gods and calls it spiritual adultery to do so. It would make no sense for these challenges and commandments to be given in the scripture if all religions get you to the same God.
II. Consider the CLAIMS Of The LORD
The exclusive claims of God also make religious pluralism foolish. Here are just a few to consider. Jehovah God claims to be the exclusive Creator. (Psalm 96:4,5; John 1:3) He claims to be the only Savior. (Isaiah 43:11) The Bible also says that the God of the Bible is the only God. (Isaiah 44:6) The question is are we going to believe the Bible's record of Who God is or are we going to believe what the world teaches? I recommend and propose that a professing Christian ought to believe the Bible.
III. Consider The CHARACTER OF The LORD
Consider this very profound (lol) statement, things that are different are not the same. The Bible gives us a very detailed description of Who God is, and what He is like. Unlike you and I, God never acts out of character (Psalm 102:24-27), He never violates Who He is, and He never contradicts Himself. (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) It is possible for people to use the name God, or Father, or Jehovah, or even Jesus to describe a god completely different than the One presented in the Bible. In 2 Cor. 11:1-4 Paul warned these believers about people coming in among them and preaching "another" Jesus and "another" Gospel.
I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO TROUBLE HERE, BUT YOU CAN'T BELIEVE IN THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE AND BELIEVE THAT HE IS A CREATED BEING, THE ARCH ANGEL MICHAEL, THE BROTHER OF LUCIFER, OR ONLY A PROPHET! THOSE PEOPLE PREACH ANOTHER JESUS! IF ANYONE PREACHES A JESUS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE JESUS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE DON'T BE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE CHRISTIAN. IN GALATIANS 1:6-9 PAUL SAID IF ANY MAN OR ANY ANGEL PREACHED ANY OTHER GOSPEL THEN LET THEM BE ACCURSED! DON'T FALL FOR THE FOOLISHNESS OF THIS WORLD OR THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN!
Introduction: There is a shocking trend among people today even among many who confess Christ as Savior and that trend is the belief that all religions really worship the same god by a different name. While we certainly want to love people and we want to be as accepting and as tolerant as possible we cannot be silent and go along with this worldly trend. I used to wonder how the antiChrist was going to be able to usher in a one world religion and now after seeing the gullibilty of people who claim to be Christian it all now becomes perfectly clear. The truth is the lost world believes what it believes because their minds have been blinded (2 Cor. 4:3,4), but it is shameful when professing Christians don't know the word any better than to believe that all religions worship the same god. Loving people and wanting to extend acceptance to them is certainly admirable but not if you sell Jesus out in the process. Our opening text contrasts the one true God of heaven with the false gods of the world. Beloved, this text would make no sense if all those idol worshippers were worshipping the true God just in another form. Let's consider a few things that will bring much light on this subject.
I. Consider The COMMANDMENTS Of The LORD
Exodus 20:2,3; Deut. 5:6,7
The very first commandment says "Don't worship other gods!" Don't you think that if all religions really were worshipping the same god, the God of the Bible would know it? Wouldn't that make this first commandment rediculous? Joshua challenged the Israelites to decide which god they would serve. (Joshua 24:14-23) Elijah challenged the nation of Israel in a similar fashion because they thought they could worship Jehovah God and at the same time worship the false god Baal. (1 Kings 18:21) In Exodus 34:11-15 it is crystal clear that God hates the worship of false gods and calls it spiritual adultery to do so. It would make no sense for these challenges and commandments to be given in the scripture if all religions get you to the same God.
II. Consider the CLAIMS Of The LORD
The exclusive claims of God also make religious pluralism foolish. Here are just a few to consider. Jehovah God claims to be the exclusive Creator. (Psalm 96:4,5; John 1:3) He claims to be the only Savior. (Isaiah 43:11) The Bible also says that the God of the Bible is the only God. (Isaiah 44:6) The question is are we going to believe the Bible's record of Who God is or are we going to believe what the world teaches? I recommend and propose that a professing Christian ought to believe the Bible.
III. Consider The CHARACTER OF The LORD
Consider this very profound (lol) statement, things that are different are not the same. The Bible gives us a very detailed description of Who God is, and what He is like. Unlike you and I, God never acts out of character (Psalm 102:24-27), He never violates Who He is, and He never contradicts Himself. (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) It is possible for people to use the name God, or Father, or Jehovah, or even Jesus to describe a god completely different than the One presented in the Bible. In 2 Cor. 11:1-4 Paul warned these believers about people coming in among them and preaching "another" Jesus and "another" Gospel.
I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO TROUBLE HERE, BUT YOU CAN'T BELIEVE IN THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE AND BELIEVE THAT HE IS A CREATED BEING, THE ARCH ANGEL MICHAEL, THE BROTHER OF LUCIFER, OR ONLY A PROPHET! THOSE PEOPLE PREACH ANOTHER JESUS! IF ANYONE PREACHES A JESUS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE JESUS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE DON'T BE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE CHRISTIAN. IN GALATIANS 1:6-9 PAUL SAID IF ANY MAN OR ANY ANGEL PREACHED ANY OTHER GOSPEL THEN LET THEM BE ACCURSED! DON'T FALL FOR THE FOOLISHNESS OF THIS WORLD OR THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN!
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