A certain amount of tolerance is important in any church, as we all come to differing conclusions about matters of conscience. Should we partake of alcohol, or abstain? Should we homeschool, or send our kids to public or private schools? Such tolerance is an expression of bearing with one another in love (Romans 15:1; Ephesians 4:2) and is an aspect of being brothers and sisters in Christ. However, when it comes to things that the Bible calls sin, tolerating sin actually becomes sin (Romans 1:32). In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul rebukes the church for tolerating grievous sin among them. This passage demonstrates how the practice of church discipline can be used to restore people, and helps us to see the importance of purity in the local church.
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Restoration in Discipline
April 23, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 5
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1 Corinthians - Cartersville
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
February 12, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 1:1–9
Though the church of Corinth has some major issues that must be addressed, Paul begins his letter with some encouraging words. To center the entire letter of 1 Corinthians upon the gospel, Paul’s first words to the Corinthians are not rebukes but reminders. Paul wants the Corinthians to know that despite the messiness of their church, God’s grace hasn’t changed. These believers are being sanctified and sustained by Jesus for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
February 19, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 1:10–17
After addressing the church of Corinth with a warm greeting, Paul now directs his attention to a major problem that exists within the church. The warmth of his welcome is over, and his stern rebuke will now be heard. As a rope becomes unraveled when its cords are disunited, so the church in Corinth is on the verge of unraveling because of disunity. Paul addresses this now, and the other things he brings up in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians all stem from this topic. Therefore, it is best to view this section as somewhat of an introduction to the first part of the letter (1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21).
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
February 26, 2023 • Joe Burrows • 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
God’s chosen Messiah being crucified on a criminal’s cross is the greatest scandal in the history of the universe. Such a scandal cannot be understood or believed by the natural mind. That is why in 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul tells the church that when it comes to hearing and responding to the gospel, there are only two groups of people. Some find it to be useless—those who are perishing. And to some, the gospel is the power of God—those who are being saved.