Sermon Direct Link
10/8/23
Rev. Clint Smith
Paul discouraged secular lawsuits between the Christian community in Corinth. He stressed Church matters should be settled within the Church and not before the world.
Paul insisted the Church place all Christian disputes and wrongdoings before God’s people in order to receive Christ-like outcomes.
The Church is part of the Kingdom Judicial System. One day in the future the Saints of God will judge the world. Paul argued if the world be judged by the Church, in a greater way the petty disputes between Christians ought to be decided within the Church, by the Church. Revelation 20: 4-6
Paul further assured the Church one day in the future the Saints of God will judge and rule over angels. It is God who gives Saints their power, status, and standing in His Kingdom. Matthew 19:27-30; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Peter 2:4-10
The Corinthian Churches leadership was weakened by their self-centeredness. Paul called out the Churches faults. He rightfully judged the Churches poor behavior. He called for competent Christian leadership. It is required of God’s leaders to be bold, full of integrity and wisdom.
Accountability had been disregarded by most of the Corinthian Church until God had had enough and called Paul to correct it. Paul obeyed God.
Paul understood sinful human nature. Christians are capable of defrauding, hurting, maligning, and sometimes even attacking fellow Believers. Scripture is clear that God hates discord and fighting among His children. God corrects those in sin and drives the wrongdoer and the one done wrong to repent, seek reconciliation, seek forgiveness, and reenter right fellowship. Galatians 5:1-26
On God’s behalf, the Apostle Paul demanded the sinful actions of the Church in Corinth be stopped. Through many words he shouted Stop It!
