Sermon - "SIN IN THE CAMP"

“SIN IN THE CAMP”

First Corinthians 5.1-13

Turn in your Bible to First Corinthians 5.1-13 and stand for the reading of God's Word:

¹ It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

² And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

³ For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

⁴ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

⁵ To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

⁶ Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

⁷ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

⁸ Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

⁹ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

¹⁰ Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

¹¹ But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

¹² For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

¹³ But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

I have been the pastor of this church since December of 1985. In the 15 years that I have been your pastor our church has excommunicated more members than I can remember for their refusal to repent of testimony destroying sins. Sometimes the sin is public drunkenness, but most of the time the sin has been fornication. Were I given the awesome privilege to look into the future, as was John the beloved, I am sure that I would see too many additional occasions in which members of our Church, loved by one and all, are put out for their flagrant sin. What flagrant sins? Sadly, but predictably, I think it would be fornication.

Today’s text records the instructions of the apostle of Jesus Christ to the Corinthian Church to do the same thing we have done on a number of occasions, and I dread we will someday have to do again. My friends, a church such as ours has a holy obligation, a solemn duty, to remove such testimony destroying sins in the camp as are mentioned in this passage we've read when we become aware of them. How is this to be done? What specific steps are we to take to effectively and obediently and efficiently address sin issues in our church, and to remove such sins from our midst? By taking three steps:

STEP #1 IS REALIZING THE PROBLEMS (5.1-2)

¹ It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

² And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

In the Corinthian situation there was not a problem, there were problems. There were two, quite distinct, problems. The first problem to be dealt with was the man’s flagrant immorality. The problem, of course, was fornication. The word fornication is a bit of a puzzle to many who read the Bible, since the word is used in two ways. When used generally, the word fornication refers to any kind of sexual sin. That being true, adultery, sodomy, bestiality, incest, as well as sex between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman, is considered fornication in the Bible. When the word is used specifically, as it is in a number of New Testament passages, the word fornication refers to sexual conduct by an unmarried person with a member of the
opposite sex. Thus, a married man committing sexual sin with an unmarried woman is committing adultery, while that same woman is committing fornication, specifically, and they are both fornicating, when the term is used generically. But the Corinthian Church member wasn't just committing fornication. He was committing fornication with the wife of his father, which was sin of such a base nature that not even the Gentiles, for all the wickedness and sexual sins that they committed, would stoop to. Was the woman his mother or his step mother? Was his father still married to her or not? Was his father alive or deceased? We are not told. The point is, we are told of a supposed child of God who is committing such vile and selfish acts that even lost people are shocked by them.

However, that is not the only problem Paul deals with. The second problem he addresses is the Corinthian Church member’s prideful toleration of the man’s sin. Look at how Paul describes them in verse 2: “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” They are puffed up! Remember what I said last Sunday night about this phrase “puffed up?” These people are puffed up because they are really proud, they are downright arrogant. The word “mourned” refers to mourning the way you would grieve over the loss of a loved one. But the Corinthians are indicted by Paul for not mourning! Folks, these Corinthian Church members are so carnal, they are so stinking backslidden that they are proud of their ability to tolerate sin that shocks the unconverted people in town, when they ought to be grieved. Do you see the two problems that are revealed here? There is the individual problem of sin in the man’s life. And it is a wicked sin, to be sure. But there is also a second problem, at the corporate church level. An entire church has confused love of the sinner with toleration of the sin. They mistake license for liberty. Let us be careful not to do the same. Amen? Step #1 to dealing with this kind of a situation is realizing what the problems are.

STEP #2 IS RESPONDING TO THE PROPOSALS

Realizing that there are two problems to deal with, Paul makes two sets of proposals. First, proposals directed to the man as the object of church discipline. In verse 3, we see the apostolic determination: “For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed.” Paul is saying that although he is not there physically, he was there in spirit, and he has made a decision in this matter. And what gives him the right to make those kinds of decisions? You forget, he is the apostle of Jesus Christ. He represents, in a most personal and intimate way, the King. In verse 4, we see authority delegated: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice the two authority phrases in this verse. “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul, with the authority of the Son of God Himself. Then, “with the power of our Lord Jesus.” That word “power” is the same word as is found in the Great Commission. That word “power” refers to authority, or the right to decide, or issue commands. So, we see that there is a tremendous emphasis on authority in this verse. Not something people of our generation are real comfortable with, are they? Now, notice the phrase right in the middle of the verse: “when ye are gathered together.” This authority is not delegated to an individual, but to a group. What group? The congregation. My friends, what you and I have not the right to do individually, which is judge sin in the life of a church member, we do have the right and authority and obligation to do as a church. And it is the same right, the same authority, the Lord Jesus Christ gave to the Church in Matthew 18.15-20. Read that passage sometime. So, we have apostolic determination, we have authority delegated, and in verse 5 we have appointed disfellowship. “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Notice three things in this verse: First, deliverance. The person who has committed this terrible sin is actually being delivered to Satan. The word is paradounai, an aorist active infinitive word that means to deliver over, to turn over, and is used in a judicial sense. So, this fellow is to be placed outside the protection and comfort of the church in a formal, judicial type action. Second, destruction. Does this refer to physical death? On some occasions, I am sure. The Greek phrase is eiV olewron, referring to destruction and sometimes even death, oftentimes in connection with God’s judgment, such as we have here. One thing this must refer to, I believe, is the consequences of a possible Satanic attack on both the physical body and the man’s personality, such as we find in the Gospels when people were suffering demonic assault. So, the man might wish he had never been born after Satan has done his work. Truly, the way of the transgressor is hard. Finally, destiny. There is much confusion about this man's spiritual state as a result of preachers studying commentaries instead of God’s Word. Let us see how much light the Word of God sheds on the commentaries. There are two ways in which the Greeks of Paul’s day referred to the future. They had the future tense of the verb at their disposal, and they had what's called the subjunctive mode. The future tense declares what will happen in the future, insofar as it is predictable or controllable by an individual. But the subjunctive mode is the hypothetical type of expression. It's what you hope will happen, but have no assurance of happening. Since the word which is translated “may be saved,” swqh, is in the subjunctive mode, we know that Paul had no confidence that this man’s spirit would, for sure, be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. And since every believer’s destiny is sure, this can only mean that Paul knew the Corinthian fornicator to be a lost man. You see, according to First Corinthians 6.9-10, saved people do not commit such sins as this. But if you are a decisionist, you will think you can engage in any pattern of sin and still be saved. That is because decisionists believe Jesus saves people in their sins, not from their sins, as the Bible teaches.

Now, Paul’s proposals directed to the church as the administrator of discipline. First, regarding their attitudes, he wants them to realize the danger of even a little sin, 5.6: “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” It may be that the Corinthians were proud of their toleration of this sin, and that they felt comfortable because such wickedness was not widespread. In fact, this man may have been the only Corinthian church member who was committing sexual sin. But Paul hastens to compare sin to leaven. And like leaven, sin spreads and contaminates, just like a very small amount of leaven, or yeast, will affect an entire lump of dough. In this regard, sin must be thought of as very dangerous to your Church, or to your life. Second, regarding their actions, sin must be removed to maintain purity, 5.7-8:

⁷ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

⁸ Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

At this point Paul draws on his knowledge of the Jewish Passover to really drive a point home. You see, according to the Law of Moses the Jewish home was to be thoroughly purged of all leaven prior to the celebration of the Passover. And if the leaven was not completely removed from each household they could not celebrate the Passover, and would be cut off from the commonwealth of Israel. Now, what Paul is suggesting is that Christ is our Passover Who has already come, and yet the Corinthian Church still has the leaven of sin in their household. For that reason, they need to really get with it and purge out the leaven so they can celebrate the Passover feast, which is the Christian life, properly; free of such sin. What did Paul want the Corinthian Church to do? He wanted them to realize the problems and to then respond to his proposals. And if the sin is seen as serious action will be taken. Amen?

Finally, And This Is STEP #3, WE HAVE THE RENEWAL OF PREVENTIONS

In verses 9 and 10 we see Paul reviewing previous instructions he had given to them: “wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.” What we have here is incontrovertible evidence that only those writings of Paul's which were actually inspired of the Holy Spirit were preserved, being God’s Word. I say that because those writings of Paul which were not inspired, which indeed were not portions of God's Word, including a previous letter to the Corinthians, were not preserved. That proves that what we have is God's Word and what we don't have is not God's Word. Amen? But the essence of what Paul writes tells us that in a previous, uninspired, letter to them he had warned them to stay away from fornicators and those who committed other kinds of gross sins. In other words, they were exhorted to practice separation from ungodliness and ungodly people. But not absolutely. Not in every single case. You see, we are in the world, though not of it, and the only way to be completely clear of such as are listed in verse 10 is to be dead. But we don't have to run with them. When you want to go fishing you don't have to go with an extortioner, or a fornicator, or with an idolater, do you? Of course not. Then don’t. That is what Paul had told them, by way of instruction, in his letter that was not inspired, from his review of his previous instructions.

Now, in verses 11 through 13, we see Paul revealing present instructions. And his present instructions are inspired:

¹² For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

¹³ But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

We see three statements followed by a conclusion: First, Paul tells the Corinthians that now he does not want Christians to keep company with one who is called a brother and who does these things. That means, even if he says he's a believer, if he does these things, don't hang around him. And to what extent should we not hang around him? Don't even sit down and eat a meal with him. This is the essence of verse 11. Boy, does the ecumenical and compromising crowd hate this verse. As well, there are a number of mommies and daddies who hate this verse. They hate this verse because they don't want to consider the implications of what Paul has written in their own homes. Think about it. If Paul wants these sinners out of a Church because of their effect on Christians, what might you think would be the impact of such wicked people on unsaved children, who these wicked people rub shoulders with night and day? Paul then asks two questions that are very revealing. The first question suggests that his authority to give directions to people does not apply to those outside their church. The second question suggests that, “Yes,” the Corinthians are to judge them that are within the church. This is found in verse 12: “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?” Then, in verse 13, Paul points out that God will judge those that are without. My friend, I am hereby led to conclude that if we, as a church, want to make sure that God does not judge our congregation, then we as a congregation must judge sin within our midst, putting away sin out from our midst, so God can freely deal with it outside without the church suffering for it. And what is the conclusion that Paul comes to here? For the reasons just stated, put away that wicked person from among yourselves.

In a nutshell, Paul is saying that a Church is to remove ugly and dangerous sin from its presence by taking three steps:

First, realize the problems that exist. If sin is in the camp you have at least two problems. There is the problem in the life of the person who commits the sin, and then there is a problem in the church for tolerating sin in her midst.

Next, respond to Paul's apostolic proposals. Regarding the sinning member who will not repent of the sin, or who cannot because he is lost, remove him. Kick him out. Excommunicate him or her. And do it right now. Regarding the church, understand that sin, any sin, will grow and infect others if it is not excised. And anyone who thinks that sin which is not repented of will just go away without a surgical procedure actually removing it is simply naive. Sin does not just go away.

Finally, to make sure that this kind of problem doesn't crop up frequently, make it a practice of not hanging around people who commit these kinds of sins, especially if they say they are Christians. Are we not the salt of the earth? Therefore, should we not express our disapproval of sinful habits and practices which are just plain wrong? Of course we should.

“But pastor, what about the feelings of those poor people who are being kicked out? Shouldn’t we show them love and tender compassion? What about their innocent children who won't understand our actions? What about their unsaved friends and relatives who will think we are judging them?”

Folks, I grow so weary of this bleeding heart nonsense that I feel nauseous sometimes. For those who think that church discipline will hurt the poor feelings of those who are fornicating or getting drunk or stealing, I have only one comment: What about the feelings of the Lord Jesus Christ? Where is He in our sentiments?

Should we show the wicked that are wrecking our church’s testimony and who are destroying the credibility of the gospel some tenderness and compassion? Yes. I always tenderly and compassionately urge them to forsake their sin. After they have thrice refused, the time for tenderness and compassion is over.

And the family members and children of those who are excommunicated? I think it is about time that those kids were given the opportunity to grow up with the memory that there are some Christians in this world who will stand up for what is right and take a stand against sin. Do not you?

As for the friends and relatives of excommunicated former members, why don’t we testify, by our actions, that we are the children of the Holy One of Israel? Why don’t we show them that our Father hates sin, and that we are trying as hard as we can to hate sin as much as He does?

Folks, this old world has seen just about enough of this puke and slop that passes for Christianity. Don't you think so? "But the Bible says that vengeance is God's." Yes, it does say that. And when God’s people are judging sin and wickedness according to the dictates of the infallible Word of God, it is God Who is at work judging sin.

And that is where the Calvary Road Baptist Church stands. If you refuse to repent of one of the sins listed in verse 11, we are going to kick your tail out of here. And if I refuse to repent of one of the sins listed in verse 11, I hope to God that you kick my tail out of here, as well.

Folks, in Paul’s day they were so proud they did nothing to remove sin. In our day we are so merciful we do nothing to remove sin. What's important is not our reason for not removing sin, but the fact that we're disobeying God by not removing sin.

I move that we obey God. All those in favor shout “Amen!”