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?

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.

1. 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.

2. Biblical Protocol: The Four-Steps of Discipline (Matt 18:15–17)

   • Private confrontation.

   • Witness-supported confrontation.

   • Church involvement.

   • If unrepentant, treat as an outsider.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

• 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.

• 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

Guided Question

How firmly is your spiritual foundation built on Jesus Christ, and are you living according to the biblical blueprint for faith and maturity?

Summary

This sermon focuses on the foundational truth of the Christian faith as laid out in Galatians 1, emphasizing that the gospel Paul preached came directly by revelation from Jesus Christ and is not based on human opinion or cultural trends. True spiritual life and maturity start with a personal response to who Jesus is—His death, resurrection, and role as the only hope for eternal life. The church must continually return to this foundation to avoid spiritual decline and carnality. Believers are called to build carefully on this foundation with faithfulness to biblical truth, knowing that their works will be tested by God’s judgment and rewarded accordingly. Every believer’s daily choices have eternal significance, and spiritual growth requires intentional attention to Scripture and God’s revealed will.

1. Introduction: The Gospel’s Divine Origin (Galatians 1:11-12)

   • Paul received the gospel through revelation, not from man.

   • The gospel foundation is Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

2. The Foundational Question: How Do You Become a Christian?

   • Many have incorrect or incomplete answers.

   • True salvation is a personal response to Jesus Christ.

3. The Danger of Substituting Works for the Savior (Galatians 1:6)

   • Churches and individuals can drift away from the gospel.

   • The foundation must be clearly understood and continually emphasized.

4. The Need to Follow the Biblical Blueprint Carefully (Galatians 1:10)

   • Spiritual maturity is built on biblical revelation, not cultural ideas or feelings.

   • Don’t “exceed what is written.”

5. Divine Evaluation and Eternal Rewards (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

   • Believers’ works will be tested by fire; only those built on Christ will remain.

   • Rewards vary based on faithfulness.

   • A warning against focusing on temporary or worldly things.

6. Conclusion: Self-Examination and Commitment

   • Are you focused on the foundation?

   • Are you committed to living by God’s word and serving others?

   • Be aware of the coming divine evaluation and live accordingly.

• The gospel is not man-made but received directly through Jesus Christ’s revelation.

• Salvation and spiritual life start with a personal trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the only hope.

• Many misconceptions about becoming a Christian do not address this foundational truth.

• Churches and believers can become spiritually lifeless when they replace the gospel with works or cultural norms.

• Spiritual growth requires disciplined adherence to Scripture and biblical principles.

• God will judge the quality of each believer’s work, and eternal rewards will vary.

• Daily life and choices have eternal significance—faithfulness matters.

• Self-examination is vital: Are you building your life on Christ’s foundation?

• Galatians 1:10-12 — The gospel received by revelation, not from man.

• Galatians 1:6 — Warning against deserting the gospel for another.

• Galatians 2:2 — Paul’s focus on “Christ Jesus and Him crucified.”

• 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 — The divine evaluation of each believer’s works.

• Romans 10:17 — “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Implied in the sermon)

• Revelation 1:14 — Reference to Christ’s eyes like flames of fire in judgment.

Recorded 8/16/81

Have I genuinely embraced spiritual maturity, or am I still living under the drives of spiritual infancy or willful carnality?

Dr. Lewis examines the essential difference between indwelling and control by the Holy Spirit, challenging believers to evaluate the authenticity of their faith. Using 1 Corinthians 3 and Romans 8, he differentiates between the “babe in Christ” (spiritually immature but growing) and the “carnal Christian” (willfully fleshly despite time invested in the faith). Through Scripture and a powerful personal testimony, he warns of the emotional emptiness—pain, numbness, and futility—that accompanies a spiritual walk dominated by the flesh. The message ends with a heartfelt appeal to pursue the “spiritual life”—marked by spiritual disciplines, transformation, and true peace—rather than settling for milk or stagnancy.

• I. Life in the Spirit vs. the Flesh (Romans 8:9–14)

  • Distinguishing believers by the presence of the Spirit.

  • The call to put sin to death and live as God’s children by the Spirit.

• II. Spiritual Infancy vs. Carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1–3)

  • Infants in Christ: Growing, learning, not yet spiritually mature.

  • Carnal Christians: Willfully controlled by the flesh, not progressing spiritually.

• III. The Inner Struggle: A Testimony

  • A young believer’s heartfelt confession of spiritual emptiness and conflict.

• IV. Maturity Through Discipline (Hebrews 5:12–14)

  • Moving from milk to meat requires practice, discipline, and spiritual training.

• V. Final Challenge (Romans 8:5–6)

  • Choosing between a mindset of the flesh (death) and a mindset of the Spirit (life and peace).

• True spiritual maturity is more than surviving—it’s being Spirit‑controlled, not just Spirit‑indwelt.

• Spiritual infancy is forgivable, but prolonged carnality reflects a serious choice of the flesh.

• Emotional and spiritual emptiness among believers can reveal deep internal conflict.

• God calls us to train our spiritual senses through disciplined practice and obedience.

• Peace, purpose, and transformation come when our minds are set on the Spirit, not the flesh.

• Romans 8:9–14 – Life in the Spirit vs. life in the flesh.

• 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 – The contrast between spiritual infancy and carnality.

• Hebrews 5:12–14 – The call to grow from spiritual milk to solid food.

• Romans 8:5–6 – The consequences of mindsets set on the flesh versus the Spirit.

Recorded 7/19/81