What this section is not talking about…..
1. It is not talking about Christians going to court with unbelievers.
The Bible does not prohibit Christians from settling matters in court with unbelievers.
Any legal matter with an unbeliever should be approached very prayerfully and lovingly.
The main concern for the Christian should be to do the will of God and to represent Jesus Christ in a fashion that shows the beauty of the gospel.
2. At times, it may be necessary for a Christian to go to court w/unbelievers.
The Apostle Paul was a Roman citizen, being wrongly accused of being rebellious against the government of Rome, and of instigating riots.
Since Paul was innocent and a Roman citizen, he used the court system to his advantage.
Acts 25:11 If I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
3. Christians who divorce. A carnal Christian who endangers others should be taken to court.
I. The Problem
A. The Corinthians Believers Were Suing One Another V. 1a
1. The Apostle is going to show them the wrongness of going to court.
B. They Were Asking Unbelievers To Judge Their Cases V. 1b
1. Paul will also show them to wrongness of who they went to have judge their cases.
II. The Inappropriateness Of Their Actions
A. Christians Will Take Part In A Future Judgment V. 2a
1. Judgment of the world
a. The Bible says that the saints will have a part in judging and ruling the world.
b. The Bible doesn’t make every aspect of that clear, but it does say that it will happen.
c. 2 Tim. 2:12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
d. Revelation 5:9, 10 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
2. Judgment of angels V. 3a
a. There will be a judgment of angels. It isn’t clear how we will be a part of that.
b. 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…
c. Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day…
B. Christians Are Sufficient To Judge Earthly Matters Vs. 2b, 3b
C. Why Go To Those Who Are Less Esteemed By The Church? V. 4
1. We are not told to look down on civil authorities.
2. But God’s standards are higher in truth and in motive than are man’s standards.
3. Christians thinks differently than non-Christians.
4. The Christian embraces the truth of God’s word.
5. Why should we settle for a lower standard in a civil court?
6. Paul had previously explained to them re: the mind of Christ. Review 1 Cor. 2:9-16
D. It Doesn’t Make Sense For The Christian To Go To The World For Judgment
1. If the Christian lives according to a higher moral standard than the unbeliever…
2. If the Christian has deeper understanding of life than the unbeliever…
3. Then why would two Christians go to an unsaved man or woman for judgment?
4. A judge or a lawyer may have more knowledge of the laws of the land.
5. But we should never be looking for a legal advantage over another Christian.
6. The goal between two disputing Christians should be to please God and love each other.
E. The Reason For Their failure Was Carnality
1. V. 5-What they were doing was a shameful thing, and they didn’t even realize it
2. V. 6-They were trampling the name of Christ in front of unbelievers.
a. Our lives are supposed to bring a beauty to the Christian gospel.
b. Titus 2:10 …that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
c. Christians who sue other Christians do not adorn the doctrine of Christ. They stain it.
3. V. 7-They were already failing because this problem never should have existed.
4. V. 8-They were wronging and cheating their brothers and sisters.
III. The Godly Solution
A. Seek Godly Counsel Instead Of Worldly Counsel V. 5
1. V. 5-God has placed godly men and women in His church to assist Christians with these kinds of problems. Read Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24.
2. Never follow the leadership of a man who doesn’t base his counsel on God’s word.
3. I do not believe in the infallibility of church leadership. Leaders do make mistakes.
4. But realize that it is God’s design to provide those within the church who have different giftings for the purpose of helping the Body of Christ.
B. Have An Attitude Of Giving Up Your Rights V. 7
1. A story from the life of Harry Ironside
2. When he was only eight years old, or so, his mother took him to a meeting of the Brethren. There was some terrible injustice that one felt others had done. Ironside did not know what the trouble was, but it was clear they were deeply disturbed. He said that one man stood up and shook his fist and said, “I don’t care what the rest of you do. I want my rights! That’s all! I just want my rights!” There was an old half-deaf Scottish brother sitting in the front row, and he cupped his hand behind his ear and asked this man, “Aye, brother, what’s that ye say?” And the fellow said, “Well, all I said was that I want my rights. That’s all.” The old man said, “Your rights, brother, is that what you want, your rights? Why the Lord Jesus didn’t come to get his rights. He came to get his wrongs, and he got them.” Harry Ironside said, “I’ll always remember how that fellow stood transfixed for a little while. Then he dropped his head and said, ‘You’re right, brother, you’re right. Settle it any way you like.'” And in a few moments the whole thing was settled.
3. Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
C. Remember Who You Were And Who You Are Vs. 9-11
1. Paul reminds them about who will not enter the Kingdom of God.
2. He reminds them that they were formerly unacceptable to God.
3. He reminds them that Jesus died for them.
4. They are washed, set apart for God, pronounced not guilty. They are Christians!
5. If they would simply live like Christians, all this would fade away.
6. When we consider how Jesus saved us, we should be motivated to suffer wrongdoing.
7. We should try to settle things, but if they are not settled, be willing to suffer the wrong.
8. Read 1 Peter 2:21-24.