Guided Question

How does our approach to sin and church discipline reflect the biblical balance between restoration and purity—what does that mean for our local church’s health?

Summary

This sermon unpacks 1 Corinthians 5, where the apostle Paul shifts from theology to urgent, practical church governance. Responding to a case of church immorality—incest so shocking it stunned even those outside the faith—Paul calls the Corinthian believers to act decisively. Rather than offer excuses or remain indifferent, they are to remove the unrepentant offender from fellowship. This isn’t punitive isolation, but disciplined redemptive action: "deliver such a one to Satan… that his spirit may be saved." Furthermore, Paul emphasizes collective purity, using the imagery of removing leaven to keep the church spiritually authentic. Finally, he clarifies earlier counsel: not associating with believers who persist in unrepentant sin is an internal call to uphold holiness, not isolation from the world. Discipline, inherently difficult, remains necessary for spiritual health—both for the individual and the body.

Outline

Introduction: Immorality Report (1 Cor 5:1–2)
- A case of incest within the church, unbelievers scandalized.
- Paul rebukes the church’s arrogance and failure to mourn or act.
Biblical Protocol: The Four-Steps of Discipline (Matt 18:15–17)
- Private confrontation.
- Witness-supported confrontation.
- Church involvement.
- If unrepentant, treat as an outsider.
Executing Discipline: Delivering to Satan (1 Cor 5:3–5)
- The church assembles under Christ’s authority.
- Removing fellowship allows the flesh to collapse and hope for a repentant return.
Purifying the Church: The Leaven Metaphor (1 Cor 5:6–8)
- A little sin influences many; the church must cleanse itself to live in sincerity and truth.
Clarifying Association: Not a Call to Isolation (1 Cor 5:9–13)
- Previous instruction misunderstood: avoid unrepentant members, not unbelievers.
- "Not even to eat with" expresses social separation to maintain gospel integrity.
- Christians must judge within, leaving final judgment of the world to God.

Key Takeaways

Church discipline is redemptive, not merely punitive.
It’s about waking the conscience, not casting aside.
Spiritual integrity matters corporately.
Tolerating unrepentant sin invites decay—“a little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
Love and truth are not opposed.
Protecting the purity of the church body is an act of mercy.
Distinguish between the world and the unrepentant believer.
We engage the world with grace but must guard the church with discipline.

Scripture References

1 Corinthians 5:1–13 – The case at Corinth, discipline, leaven metaphor, clarity on association.
Matthew 18:15–17 – The four-step process for confronting sin in the church.
1 Corinthians 4:6 – Warning against exceeding what is written (human reasoning over Scripture).
1 Corinthians 3:12–15 – Works tested by fire; foundation choices have eternal consequences.
Luke 15 (Prodigal Son) – Cultural illustration of spiritual realization following separation.

Recorded 8/23/81