1 Corinthians Lesson 5

1 Corinthians

Lesson 5

Hi and Welcome to this study of Paul's letter to the Church of Corinth, the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians.

As you recall, Paul wrote this letter for two main reasons. First, Paul has heard about several specific problems they are having and he is directly addressing these problems in Chapters 1-6 by giving advice, correction, rebuke, and instructions. Then, Paul's second reason for writing is that, in Chapters 7-16, he answers specific questions which they had asked him in a recent letter from their church to him.

So far in this Bible Study, we have been looking at several of the problems which Paul was confronting in Chapters 1-6.

What problems were they having? Well, as we discovered in earlier lessons in this Bible Study, there were divisions in their church -- including divisions over who was the best apostle, the best teacher, the best minister -- and Paul, Cephas (Peter), and Apollos were 3 of those who were being favored by various groups within the church. In Chapters 1-4, Paul addressed this and other divisions and misunderstandings. And Paul told them that one reason they had these divisions was because they were baby Christians and immature in their spiritual growth and Christian walk.

In this lesson, Lesson 5, we are going to look at another problem which was causing a serious division in the Church. And, to find out what this was as well as another problem (which we will study in Lesson 6), you guessed it, it is time for an assignment.

So, your assignment now is to read 1 Corinthians, chapters 5 and 6, and as you read, look for the next 2 problems that Paul has heard about and is now going to discuss with them. As you find these 2 topics, underline (in Black ) the phrase that introduces or identifies each topic and put a black circle around the word or words that best summarizes or identifies the specific problem.

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Great! I see you have finished. Now, what were the 2 problems that Paul is writing about in these 2 chapters? List them here:

1. (5:1, 6:18) _________________________________________

2. (6:1, 6 ) ___________________________________________

Yes, you are correct. Paul address several problems and issues in these 2 Chapters, but they basically boiled down to 2 main categories which were:.

1. Sexual immorality and

2. Lawsuits between brothers (fellow Christians) over disputes among themselves.

And, as Paul discusses these things, he will also point out the NEED FOR CHURCH DISCIPLINE, which was obviously sorely lacking in their Church.

So, with that in mind, let's look at the first of these 2 problems. Specifically, let's look at the issue of sexual immorality. As you know from a previous lesson in this series, this was very common in the Greek culture. In fact, in Corinth there were many temples to other gods -- temples which actively encouraged and participated in sexual immorality as a part of their ritual practices of worship. And now this immoral lifestyle has apparently even entered the Church of God ! And... well let's look at what Paul, their Spiritual Father, has to say to them about this.

So, your assignment now, should you choose to accept it, is to Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:20 and, as you read, mark the words: sexual immorality, sexually immoral, immoral, sexually ...... put a BLACK CIRCLE around each occurrence of these words or words used to mean these things. (These are the words used in the NIV. If you are using KJV. NAS, or some other version, they may be expressed with some other term, but you are a smart person and can identify those words as used in the other versions. So, whatever version you are using, put a BLACK CIRCLE around the words used to identify this sin of sexual immorality which Paul is now confronting.)

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Ok! Now, based on what you have read and marked, let's think about what Paul is telling these Christians (believers, brothers) in the Church at Corinth.

? What was the SPECIFIC problem of sexual immorality that was occurring in their church?

(5:1) ________________________________________________________________

Were they upset and grieving over the fact that a fellow church member was engaging in sexual

immorality? (circle your answer) ......................YES......................NO

How do you know they were not upset? (5:2) __________________________________

Yes, you are correct. They were NOT upset and, indeed, they were proud. They didn't care !!!

Why? Why didn't they care? Did they think that it was OK to be sexually immoral? Did they not know that this immoral behavior is a SIN ?! What do YOU think? Do you agree with the Church at Corinth that immoral behavior such as is described in 1 Cor. Chapters 5 & 6 is OK? Or, do you agree with Paul that it is a sin? Well, to tell you the truth, it really doesn't matter what they think or what Paul thinks or what you or I think. What IS important is what GOD THINKS. So, let's see what the Bible says about this type of behavior.

But first, write again what it was that this Church member was doing:

(5:1) ___________________________________________________________________

Now list some of the other immoral activities that Paul mentioned in these 2 chapters:

(5:9) ___________________________ , __________________ , __________________ ,

_________________________ , _________________________________ .

(6:15-16) ____________________________________________________ .

Hmmmmm. Those are serious but common activities, aren't they? And, for your information, my answers to that last question were that the immoral activities they were committing were that they were sexually immoral, immoral, greedy, swindlers, idolaters, and uniting with a prostitute.

Now, let's see what the Bible has to say about such immoral activities. We are NOT going to do an exhaustive study of this. But we will look at 3 of the many verses in the Bible which tell us in no uncertain terms that such behaviors as those mentioned here are indeed SIN and are an abomination to God!

So, read the following 3 verses, and, as you read, underline IN RED what the Bible says concerning this sin of sexual immorality.

Leviticus 18:8 Do not have sexual relations with your father's wife;

that would dishonor your father.

Deuteronomy 22:30 A man is not to marry his father's wife;

he must not dishonor his father's bed.

Deuteronomy 27:20 Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father's wife,

for he dishonors his father's bed. ...

Hmmmmmm! Is it obvious that what this man was doing was absolutely and positively forbidden by God! (Circle your answer) .........................YES..............NO

? So, what did Paul say about this? What had he (Paul) decided was the course of action that should be taken? (Write your answer in the space provided below.)

(5:3-5, 11, 13) ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

? And, what did Paul specifically tell them (the members of the church) to DO about this sin of sexual immorality in the life of a Church Member (believer, brother)?

(5:4-5) ___________________________________________________________

(5:11) ____________________________________________________________

(5:13) ____________________________________________________________

But WHY? Why should they "hand this man over to Satan.... and "expel the wicked man from among you (the church)" Why should they "not associate" with him and not even "eat" with him. Why should they exert this Church Discipline and disfellowship (excommunicate) this church member ? (Hint read 5:5-8 before you answer this question.)

_________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Yes! Since Paul knew that the scriptures absolutely forbade such practices, it was, therefore, obvious what to do. This sin must be confronted and nipped in the bud before it began to permeate the entire Church. The illustration that Paul gives in 5:6-8 explains WHY this action had to be done. Let's look briefly at that illustration and see what it pictures for us.

Read 1 Cor. 5:6-8, and, as you read mark the following words: (I will suggest a symbol and color for you to use to mark these words, but, as always, if you prefer to use some other color or symbol, please do so.)

................yeast................. put an orange circle around every occurrence of this word.

................Christ, lamb ... put a blue Cross on or a circle around each of these words

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Great! I see you have finished again. Now let's look at that passage in some detail. First of all, you noticed that Paul began with the phrase: "Your boasting is not good." what do you think he is referring to when he said this? (Hint: read 5:2 and 6:12)

_________________________________________________________________

Yes! You are absolutely correct ! Paul had already told them that instead of being filled with grief over this sin by their fellow (brother) church member, that they were, in fact, proud! Gasp! PROUD! In other words, they were so "into" exercising their "rights" as children of God (believers, Christians, brothers) that they mistakenly thought that their "freedom in Christ" allowed them to do anything (including breaking explicit commandments of God) and the grace of God would forgive them!

Well, the grace of God does cover all sins BUT God also expects His people to live and act in a way that brings honor to Him and not dishonor. And, Paul is reminding them that God does have guidelines and rules that He expects His people to follow and obey. So, even though a believer (brother, fellow Christian) is saved and lives in the light of this new "freedom", it is still not a license to do evil and to break God's Divine guidelines and rules. Just as being a believer does not give one the "right" to harm someone because they stepped on your grass or broke your toy, in the same way, a person who is a believer does not have the "right" to live a sexually immoral lifestyle!

Paul will explain about "rights" in more detail later in this letter, so we will wait until then to consider this further. But, for now, just know that Paul is telling them that they are NOT to be PROUD over this sin of immorality and they are NOT to tolerate it BECAUSE, if they do, it will, like YEAST, permeate the entire body (dough) of the church. But , I am getting ahead of myself. Let's see what Paul is saying to them about YEAST and what it does and the correlation of this illustration with "real life."

YEAST (leaven), as you know, is used to make a batch of dough rise when you are making bread. But, you may or may not know that Yeast is also frequently used in the Bible to represent SIN. In fact, let's look at some of those other passages that speak of yeast (leaven) as being symbolic of SIN. ( And, as you read these verses, put an orange circle around every occurrence of the words yeast, leaven, or words used in place of those words and underline in orange any information that defines, explains, or describes the significance of Yeast.)

Galatians 5:7-9 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

Matthew 16: 11-12 How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Mark 8:15 "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod."

Exodus 12:14-20 This (Passover / Feast of Unleavened Bread) is a day you are to commemorate for the generations to come, you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -- a lasting ordinance. For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat -- that is all you may do. Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. for seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. and whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. Eat nothing made with yeast. Where ever you live, you must eat unleavened bread.

Hmmmm. The Bible has a lot to say about "Yeast", doesn't it! And the Bible is NOT a cookbook, so it is obvious that there is, as you have noticed, something very significant about "yeast."

And, speaking of Passover, (which was the occasion referred to in that last passage you just read), it is a Jewish festival which is an annual event. It recalls and commemorates the escape and Exodus of the Jews from their time of captivity in Egypt. As Easton's Bible explains: Passover is "the name given to the chief of the three great historical annual festivals of the Jews. It was kept in remembrance of the Lord's passing over the houses of the Israelites (Ex. 12:13) when the first born of all the Egyptians were destroyed. It is called also the "feast of unleavened (made without yeast) bread" (Ex. 23:15; Mark 14:1; Acts 12:3), because during its celebration no leavened (made with yeast) bread was to be eaten or even kept in the household (Ex. 12:15). The word afterwards came to denote the lamb that was slain at the feast (Mark 14:12-14; 1 Cor. 5:7)."

If you have the time, you might want to read Exodus Chapters 11 and 12 to better understand Passover and its significance. But, for now, the verses we read in Exodus 12:14-20 give us considerable insight into the significance of the illustration of YEAST (leaven) and how it is symbolic of SIN and evil.

Now, based on what you have read in I Corinthians 5:6-8 and in those other scriptures (cross-references), answer the following questions:

? What does yeast do to a batch of dough (1Cor 5:6, Gal. 5:7-9) ______________________

? How much yeast does it take to work through a whole batch of dough? (Circle your answer)

.......... .....................a very little (small) amount ......................a large amount

? In Matthew 10:11-12, what does the "yeast" of the Pharisees and Sadducees represent?

______________________________

? And what did Christ think of these "teachings" of the Pharisees? Specifically, what did He call their teachings in Luke 12:1? ________________________________________.

? And, what are we warned to do concerning the hypocrisy of their teachings ?

(Luke 12:1) ______________________________________________________

(Mark 8:15) ________________________ and __________________________

? Why? Why are we to be on our guard, and be careful, and watch out concerning the teaching of the hypocritical pharisees (or of anyone who is not teaching and living the truth of God's word...). What was wrong with their teachings? (Hint: before you answer this, reread Galatians 5:7-9 for a clue as to what wrong (false / in error) teachings cause.)

_______________________________________________________________________

? And, in Exodus 12:14-20, what were the people told to DO during Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened bread concerning eating bread or anything made with yeast?

(Circle your answer from the choices below. More than one may be correct.)

........1. eat it and enjoy it

........2. eat only bread made without yeast (unleavened)

........3. don't eat anything with yeast in it (leavened)

........4. celebrate the Feast of Unleavened bread by eating bread without yeast in it

? And what is to happen to a person who eats bread or anything made with yeast during the Feast of Passover and Unleavened bread?

(Circle your answer from the choices below. More than one answer may be correct).

..........1. Nothing, it is ok to eat bread or anything made with yeast

..........2. They must be cut off from Israel

..........3. They must be cut off from the community of Israel.

..........4. Nothing if they are not a Jew (ie if they are an alien).

..........5. Nothing if they are a native born Jew.

..........6. They must be cut off from the community of Israel whether an alien or native born.

? What kind of bread were they to eat during the feast of Passover & Unleavened bread.

...........1. Unleavened bread (bread without yeast.)

...........2. Leavened bread (bread with yeast).

...........3. Either leavened or unleavened bread. Both are ok because they are "free" people.

? What did the "Yeast" in bread represent (1 Corinthians 5:8)

(Circle your answer from the choices below. More than one answer may be correct).

............1. Malice

............2. Wickedness

............3. Sincerity

............4. Truth

? What did "bread without yeast" represent (1 Corinthians 5:8)

(Circle your answer from the choices below. More than one answer may be correct).

..............1. Malice

..............2. Wickedness

..............3. Sincerity

..............4. Truth

? How was Christ described in 1 Cor. 5:7? _______________________________

? So, bottom line, what did "yeast" represent? ___________________________

? And what did Paul (in 1 Cor 5:7) tell the Believers (Christians) to DO concerning the "yeast" (the sin) in their lives? ____________________________________

Hmmmm. And, in case you are wondering, my answers to that last series of questions were:

(2,3) - (2,3,6) - (1) - (1,2) - (3,4) - (Passover Lamb) - (sin) - (get rid of it).

And, speaking of "sin" and "getting rid of it".....

? WHY were they to get rid of the sin in their lives? Specifically, what did this "yeast" (sin) represent? And what did the life without sin represent. And, why were they to put that man, who was living a sexually immoral life, out of the church? This is a "thought" question, so think about this and about ALL the scriptures that you have read and marked. Then, in the space provided below, summarize, in your own words, what Paul was teaching them about letting the "yeast" of the world come into their lives, both individually (as in the case of the man in 1 Cor. 5:1) and into the church as a whole though this man or through any other individual. What would happen if this was allowed and if it was allowed to continue? .

Hmmmmm. Yes. Very thought provoking and convicting, isn't it ! And, now you can better understand why the Passover is to be observed with bread made without yeast (leaven). And you

can now better understand why it is so essential that the Christians (believers) in the Church at Corinth were to NOT allow the sexual immorality of this man to permeate the entire church with its insidious influence. Therefore, if he refused to obey the clear teachings of God and if he refused to renounce and forsake (turn from) his sin, then they were to put him out of the church and not associate with him. Why? Because if they allowed him to remain in the Church, others in the church would also begin to sin sexually and immorally in this and in other ways. And, soon, just as a little yeast works its way through the entire dough, the entire church would be affected by sin and they would become hypocrites, sinning, and living in rebellion toward God.

God desires that our lives be without sin, to be as unleavened (sinless) bread. Therefore, they, and we, are to "get rid of the old yeast (sin) so that you may be a new batch without yeast..."

All of this was pictured and illustrated through the Observance of the Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. These feasts served as types (pictures, illustrations) of the fact that Christ Himself, the REAL Passover Lamb would one day provide our rescue (escape from the sin bondage of "Egypt") through His substitutionary death for our sins.

And, indeed, Christ has now done that! He has paid the death penalty for all sin. And if anyone (you, I, anyone) will accept His free gift offer of salvation (as our Passover Lamb), then, we will be saved from the penalty of death which we deserve, because His death is our substitute. And, not only that, but, amazingly and astoundingly, He also gives us, as Believers, His resurrection life (life without sin, pictured by the Unleavened bread -- bread without yeast). God desires us to live a sinless (without yeast) life.

That is why this man who was living in overt and unquestionable sin MUST be put out of the church. For, if his sinful influence remained, it would permeate and involve the entire Church just as a small amount of yeast permeates the entire loaf. Tolerating even a small amount of sin can NOT be allowed in the Church (or in an individual) because it will ultimately infect the entire congregation.

If you are like that man and are living in sin, in disobedience to the Laws of God, whether it is in this same sin or in some other sin, you now know that your sin MUST be renounced and forsaken! God will NOT tolerate SIN! God will not turn His head and ignore your disobedience. Either you will judge yourself or your Church (if it is correctly applying the Word of God) must judge you. Sin must not, can not be tolerated.

So, before we continue in this Bible Study, stop now and examine your life. Ask yourself, "Am I living in an immoral life? Am I doing something that I know is sin; that I know God forbids?" (And this does not just apply to the specific sin of that man in their church who was living with his father's mother. This applies to ANY act or deed of immorality or ANY OTHER sin or lifestyle in which you are actively engaged or doing and includes such things as lying, stealing, cheating, cursing, .... you know the list... so... the question is: Are you doing ANYTHING that you know is sin and that you know that God forbids?)

Circle your answer.............YES..............NO

If you answered "yes" to that question, then the next question is: What are you going to DO about it? Are you willing to forsake (renounce, give up, stop doing) that sin and return to a life of obedience to God?

Circle your answer.............YES..............NO

Do you WANT to forsake (give up / stop doing) the sin, whatever it is, but you fear that in your own strength you can't because that sin has such a powerful foothold in your life?

Circle your answer.............YES..............NO

Well, if you answered those questions with yes, yes, and yes -- I have great news for you! You CAN give up (forsake, renounce, stop doing) that sin (whatever it is) and GOD WILL HELP YOU. You can't do this in your own power, BUT, IF you let God help you, you will be able to forsake this sin.

How???!!! You ask.

Well, let's look at what God has to say about this and discover how He can and will help us and how He will enable us to turn from our sin(s) and to live a life pleasing to Him (God.)

Read the following verses, and, as you read them, highlight or underline (in yellow, green, or any color of your choice) the words or phrases which tell you WHAT TO DO so you can overcome (stop doing) your sin(s) and which show you HOW God can and will help you in forsaking the things you are doing which are WRONG and which He declares that you must NOT do.

Galatians 5:16. So I say, live by the (Holy) Spirit (of Jesus), and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Galatians 5: 24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the (Holy) Spirit, let us keep in step with the (Holy) Spirit.

Romans 6:11-13 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

Colossians 3: 2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Romans 6:6-7 For we know that our old self was crucified with Him (Jesus) so that the (our) body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Galatians 2: 20. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Hebrews 2:18. Because He (Jesus) Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Proverbs 23: 26. My son, give Me (God) your heart and let your eyes keep to My ways,

Romans 13:14. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One (Jesus) Who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Gal 5: 16. So I say, live by the (Holy) Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me.

1 Peter 5: 7. Cast all your anxiety on Him (Jesus) because He cares for you.

Hebrews 7: 24-25 ... but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God (the Father) through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.

Galatians 5: 25 Since we live by the (Holy) Spirit, let us keep in step with the (Holy) Spirit.

Hebrews 4: 6-10 But He (Jesus) gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Psalms 28: 7. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.

Isaiah 41:10. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

1 Peter 5: 6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Heb 13: 5b- 6a. ...because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; ...

1 Cor 10:21. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Psalms 25:8-9 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.

Romans 8:26a In the same way, the (Holy) Spirit helps us in our weakness. ...

Ezekiel 36: 27. And I (God) will put My (Holy) Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.

John 14: 26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My (Jesus) name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Heb 13:20-21 May the God (the Father) of peace, Who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalms 73:26. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 41:13-14. For I am the LORD, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

James 5: 16. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

James 4:6. But He (Jesus) gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

John 14:18. I (Jesus) will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Isaiah 58:9a Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I. ...

2 Corinthians 6:18. "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Isaiah 30:19. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious He (God) will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you.

Wow! That was an awesome collection of verses, wasn't it!? And, there are many more!!!

Now, thinking back on these verses which you have just read, answer the following questions:

1. Does God approve of a person continuing in sin after they have been saved (redeemed become a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.)?

Circle your answer..........................YES.....................NO

2. Does God expect His children (the saved / redeemed/ believers / followers of Jesus) to obey His commands?

Circle your answer..........................YES.....................NO

3. Has God provided a "way of escape" when / if we fall back into sin after having been saved?

Circle your answer..........................YES.....................NO

4. In the space below and based on the verses you just read, list some of the ways that God will help us overcome any sins which we are doing.

Ok! Great! And, now, let's summarize what we have learned and see if there is any application for us today.

In Corinth there was a man in the church who was a blood bought, redeemed, Christian but who was living a life of sexual immorality. What did Paul tell the Church to DO about this? Write your answer in the space below. (Hint, you might want to reread 1 Cor. 5:5,11, 13 before you answer this question.

Why? What would happen if they didn't? (Hint, Read 1 Cor. 5:6 before you answer.)

Similarly, IF YOU are now living in sin or committing any sin, what should YOU DO?

(Write your answer in the space below.)

Yes, you MUST forsake it (give it up / stop it)!

Why? What will happen if you don't? (Write your answer in the space below.)

So, what ARE you going to DO about the sin(s) in your life? Are you going to continue to disobey God and continue to sin? OR are you going to forsake (renounce, give up, stop) sinning and turn back to obeying and serving God?

IF it is your desire to forsake all your sins and to fully and completely obey and follow God, then YOU CAN! Jesus's death not only paid the penalty for the sins you committed before you were saved, but also for the ones you are committing now and that you will, sadly, commit in the future. Jesus paid the penalty for ALL your sins -- past, present, and future!

But, Jesus' payment of the death penalty for us was not intended to give us a "license to sin." Rather, it was because He knew that as long as we have our bodies of flesh, we will be subjected to the desires of the flesh (adultery, lying, cheating, stealing, etc, etc, etc.)

So, if we are truly His children, we will NOT want to yield to these desires. And any such yielding, when it occurs, has its many consequences (loss of fellowship with God, loss of joy, loss of peace, loss of rewards, etc. etc. -- just to name a few.)

So, what to do?

Well, first of all, when you sin, don't be proud and arrogant as that man in Corinth was and as the Church members were. And, don't refuse the Lord's discipline and instructions.

Instead, he and you and I, when we sin, should, as we are told in 1 John 1:9 and 2:4

"If we confess our sins

He (Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive our sins

and purify us from all unrighteousness."

"The man who says, "I know Him"

but does not do what He commands

is a liar

and the truth is not in him."

If you are a believer (a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ) but are living in sin or if you have ANY unconfessed sin, spend the final minutes of this study time in prayer to God! Confess your sins to Him. (He already sees them and knows what they are, but He wants to hear you and me acknowledge them.) Ask for His forgiveness and agree with Him that these are wrong and tell Him that you desire to stop doing them. Ask Him to help you (and He will IF you ask in genuine earnestness and sincerity.) And, if you are going to have to make changes in your lifestyle, or pay reparation to another, or ask forgiveness or whatever to another person concerning these things, talk to God about this also. Ask Him what to do and how and when and.... Well, you get the idea.

So, let's end this lesson here. And, take as much time as you need. This is VERY important and VERY serious. And this MUST be dealt with thoroughly before you can continue on in life or in this or in any Bible Study or ministry. So, continue on in Prayer. Take as much time as you need. And, We'll see you again in Lesson 6.

Scriptures unless otherwise indicated are taken from

the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.

Usedby permission of Zondervan Publishers.

This material is Copyrighted,

but you may copy and freely distribute it,

as long as NO fee for profit is charged and it is NOT changed in any way.

This is for the Glory of God and NOT for the financial profit of man.

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