Why is it so hard to tell someone close to us that they cannot go on like this? The message turns to two painful situations in the church at Corinth, an open sin that was tolerated and even boasted about, and lawsuits in which believers dragged one another before secular judges (1 Corinthians 5 and 6). Paul is not after winning or excluding, but after winning a person back, even at the cost of accepting wrong done to himself. Listen if you want to understand why the discomfort of confrontation is nothing next to the tragedy of doing nothing.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- Paul rebukes the Corinthians because instead of mourning over a man living with his father's wife, they are proud of their attitude (1 Corinthians 5). Where might their pride have come from, and why does Paul call it unhealthy?
- What three reasons for Paul's objection to believers taking each other to secular courts do you see in 1 Corinthians 6, and what do they say about the identity of the saints in Christ?
- The speaker stresses that the community is open to sinners, yet sin will not be tolerated in it. How do you understand the difference between accepting a person and tolerating their sin?
- The image of yeast shows that a little evil works through the whole batch of dough. How does turning a blind eye to one person's sin affect other believers and those watching from the outside?
- Paul asks: why not rather be wronged? What in your life makes it hard to give up winning at all costs for the good of a brother or sister, and how does Christ's example change your perspective?
- The speaker says the discomfort of confrontation is nothing compared to the tragedy of doing nothing. Who do you need to talk with lovingly about a difficult matter this week, and how can you prepare for that conversation?
