In this sixth installment of the UnFiltered Church sermon series from First Christian Church in Brazil, IN, we delve into 1 Corinthians 5, where Paul addresses the critical topic of church discipline. This episode unpacks the Corinthian church’s struggle with pride and tolerance of sin, specifically a shocking case of sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1). The sermon highlights how church discipline, rooted in love, aims to restore believers to holiness, not to condemn them. Drawing from Hebrews 12:6-11 and Matthew 18:15-17, the message emphasizes God’s desire for His people to live as a holy, set-apart community, reflecting Christ’s transformative grace.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Corinthian Crisis: Paul confronts the church’s prideful tolerance of sin, particularly a man’s relationship with his stepmother, which even pagans found shocking (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).

What is Church Discipline?: Discipline is a loving process to correct sin, restore believers, and protect the church’s integrity, as seen in Hebrews 12:6-11.

Judging Rightly: Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1 and Matthew 18:15-17 clarifies that discipline involves confronting sin within the church, not hypocritical judgment or judging outsiders (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).

The Leaven of Sin: Paul warns that unaddressed sin spreads like leaven, urging the church to live in sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

Restoration and Holiness: Discipline is about shaping lives in God’s grace, encouraging believers to live out their identity in Christ, who is our Passover Lamb.

Timestamps:

Introduction: Setting the stage for 1 Corinthians 5 in the UnFiltered Church series.

The Corinthian Crisis: Exploring the shocking sin and the church’s prideful response.

Defining Church Discipline: Its purpose, rooted in love, with insights from Hebrews 12:6-11.

Jesus’ Process for Discipline: Unpacking Matthew 18:15-17’s three-step approach.

The Leaven of Sin: How unaddressed sin impacts the church (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

Judging Inside, Not Outside: Paul’s call to accountability within the church (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).

Final Challenge: Embracing discipline as a path to love, restoration, and holiness.

Additional Notes:

The sermon draws on quotes from Charles Spurgeon, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and John MacArthur to underscore the importance of discipline for holiness and the church’s witness.

Listeners are challenged to reflect on personal sin, community accountability, and living as God’s chosen people.

For further study, explore related sermons on 1 Corinthians at The Gospel Coalition or SermonAudio.

Connect with Us:

Website: fccbrazil.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fccbrazil/

Email: office@fccbrazil.org

Podcast: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for more sermons in the UnFiltered Church series.

Explore Paul's message to the Corinthian church, urging humility, graciousness, and sacrificial living empowered by God's Spirit. This sermon from First Christian Church in Brazil, IN, delves into 1 Corinthians 4, challenging believers to live intentionally for God's mission.

In this fifth installment of the UnFiltered sermon series from First Christian Church in Brazil, IN, we dive into 1 Corinthians 4, where the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church's struggles with pride, judgment, and complacency. Drawing from the sermon outline, Chris Gregg explores Paul's deep relational equity with the Corinthians, built over a year and a half of ministry in the vibrant, yet morally complex city of Corinth. The episode emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel and the need for God's Spirit to live graciously, intentionally, and sacrificially in a world prone to criticism and division.

Key Topics Discussed

Paul’s Mission in Corinth: Introduction to Paul's church-planting efforts in Corinth, a wealthy, sex-obsessed city, and God’s encouragement to him in Acts 18:9-10 to persevere in sharing the Gospel.

Relational Equity: The importance of building trust and proximity in relationships to share hard truths, as Paul did with the Corinthians, rooted in love (1 Corinthians 4:20).

God’s Empowering Spirit: How the Corinthian church forgot their need for God’s power, becoming prideful and judgmental, and Paul’s call to humility (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Living Graciously: Practical steps to live graciously by embracing brokenness, trusting God’s strength, and staying curious to avoid toxic narratives and gossip.

Intentional and Sacrificial Living: Paul’s sarcastic rebuke of the Corinthians’ complacency (1 Corinthians 4:8) and the call to live sacrificially for the Great Commission, as exemplified by Paul’s hardships (1 Corinthians 4:9-13).

Conviction vs. Shame: Paul’s fatherly admonition (1 Corinthians 4:14-16) to follow his example, distinguishing between shame from the enemy and Holy Spirit-led conviction.

Additional Notes

This sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own spiritual complacency and embrace God’s power to live out the Great Commission. Pastor references J.D. Greear’s insight on deepening one’s relationship with Jesus through helping others and encourages intentional living that sparks curiosity in others. The episode closes with a call to action: evaluate whether following Jesus is costing you anything, as inspired by Romans 12:1.

Links and Contact Information

Church Website: First Christian Church Brazil, IN

Sermon Podcast: First Christian Church Sermons on Apple Podcasts

Social Media:

Facebook: @fccbrazil

Instagram: @fccbrazil

Contact: Email office@fccbrazil.org for questions or to connect with our ministry team.

Further Reading: Explore more on 1 Corinthians with resources from The Gospel Coalition or BibleProject.

Discover the powerful connection between American freedom and Christian liberty in this inspiring July 4th weekend sermon! 🌟 Recorded live, this message dives deep into the heart of freedom—drawing from the solemn white crosses of Arlington, the roar of F-16s over Hulman Field, and the timeless truth of John 8:32-36: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Learn how to develop bulletproof character through integrity, responsibility, and accountability, as inspired by the Apostle Paul’s teachings in 2 Thessalonians 3 and 1 Corinthians 15:33. 🇺🇸✝️ Explore how your influence can spark church growth, honor God, and transform lives. Don’t miss this call to embrace your freedom as a Christian and a citizen with purpose! #July4thSermon #ChristianFreedom #BulletproofCharacter #FaithAndResponsibility