Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
The Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
This week we continue our study focusing on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
Today we are talking about Is There No One Wise Among You?
Text
1 Corinthians 6:5 NKJV
5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 6:1-8 NKJV
Do Not Sue the Brethren
6 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?
5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?
8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
Is it right or wrong for Christians to go to court against one another?
Perhaps this has never crossed your mind as a believer in Jesus Christ, but it is a thought that needs careful consideration.
The implications are that Christians should settle their differences out of court.
- Each Christian should consider the situation at Corinth.
Corinth’s situation was somewhat different from today.
Greeks in general were fond of going to the law.
They were not only argumentative, but the suspense and uncertainty of cases before the courts brought excited pleasure to their frivolous nature.
Their courts were different from modern courts.
It seems as if Paul’s discussion is not about crimes but civil cases.
Christians should not take legal action toward one another.
The fact that Paul was not talking about crimes does not lesson the importance.
Every implication of Paul’s argument in this passage is that suing one another is wrong.
The same argument points out that when Christians do sue each other, they are the losers.
2. Every Christian should consider their privileges and responsibilities.
Paul said that the saints will judge the world.
If saints are to judge the world, then pagan or civil courts should not be used to make decisions for Christians.
Here Paul makes his argument from the greater to the lesser.
He moves from the “world” to the “smallest matters.”
The proper use of the Word of God judges the world, and that honestly, in the last days, the saints shall be associates of Christ in the matter of judging.
Paul’s whole argument is that anytime a Christian goes before the court to settle an issue, they are going from the highest court to a lesser one.
3. Every Christian must consider what is wrong with going to court against another Christian.
The first wrong is the admission of a lack of competence on the part of those who have the light of Christ.
The second wrong is recognition of defeat.
The scale on which these matters work is a descending one.
To have disputes is bad.
To go to court with one another is worse.
And to do it before unbelievers is even worse.
The very question of courts indicates there is something wrong.
Disputes shouldn’t arise, but if they do, they should be settled by a mutual friend, or Pastor.
It should be done in the spirit of love and forgiveness.
The third wrong is that it causes an adverse effect on the church.
Christians cannot go to court against other Christians without having harmful effect on the fellowship of the church.
The fellowship of the church should always be based on love, brotherhood, and forgiveness.
Conclusion.
In modern society some things must be settled in civil courts, but Christians should take every precaution to avoid using them.
They should never do so unless it is the law of the land.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.
So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us
2022 IS A YEAR OF REPENTANCE AND BLESSINGS
© www.refinerylife.org 2021 All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968, no part of this Article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission.
Visit us at
@PastorGaryHoban
@RefineryLifeGC
@PastorGaryHoban
@RefineryLifeChurch
@gary_hoban
@refinerylifechurch
YouTube
Gary Hoban
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxvrTCsjg98vGjMTObxJhtQ
Refinery Life Church Australia
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvD9z50SuKWxhSw0TPQkgQ
