Dealing with Sin In the Body of Christ 1 Corinthians 5

Why is This Such a Big Deal? A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.

Why is This Such a Big Deal? Believers are part of the body, not just individuals. “Just as each of us has one body with many members … we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5

Why is This Such a Big Deal? We are not free to redefine sexual ethics.

How Should Sin Be Dealt With? The last resort is removing someone from fellowship.

How Should Sin Be Dealt With? “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17

How Should Sin Be Dealt With? “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

How Do We Get This Wrong? We often have it all backwards. We expect non-believers to act like believers. We communicate a “behavior modification” gospel.

How Do We Get This Wrong? We get too concerned about the sins of others. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3

How Do We Get This Wrong? We overlook the sins of others. “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5

How Do We Get This Wrong? We only deal with certain sins. We wimp out and do nothing.

We Must Be Open to Giving and Receiving Correction “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.” Proverbs 15:31

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1 We Must Be Open to Giving and Receiving Correction

“He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” Proverbs 10:17 We Must Be Open to Giving and Receiving Correction