June 22, 2012
TRANSFORMED: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
1 Corinthians 6
David Hargrove
Central Truth
We no longer have to be tied to our past. Christ freed us to move into His design for our lives.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 6:11
Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
1 Corinthians 6
Lawsuits Against Believers
1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! 1 6:8 Or brothers and sisters
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous 2 6:9 Or wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 3 6:9 The two Greek terms translated by this phrase refer to the passive and active partners in consensual homosexual acts 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Flee Sexual Immorality
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined 4 6:16 Or who holds fast (compare Genesis 2:24 and Deuteronomy 10:20); also verse 17 to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin 5 6:18 Or Every sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 6
Growing up with a twin brother made having an individual identity a challenge, even though we were as different as night and day. As we grew into our teenage years, our lives really began to diverge, and I saw it as a chance for freedom from a part of life I didn't like. But in reality, it only opened the door for my retreat into self-sufficiency and insecurity.
I was raised in a Christian home, and even though I believed Christ died for my sin, I never learned how to grow in my relationship with Him -- to seek my identity in Him. While my insecurities kept me silent, and my actions drove me further into isolation, I convinced myself that I shouldn't bother anyone, including God. Eventually, it became very easy to identify myself outwardly by whatever I was involved in, or whatever I could "do." While on the inside, it was easy to rationalize away the hurts, temptations, and sexual struggles as things no one needed to care about.
But God had other ideas! Through His people He led me headlong into re:generation, a recovery ministry of Watermark Church. As I finally began to really apply His Word to my life and to work through my hurts, habits, and hangups, I finally understood that all God really wanted from me was me! (Romans 12:2) Because He loves me! Not for what I can do, not for my gifts, just me! All of the ugly things I saw as my identity faded to nothing when compared to who He says I am; I am valuable enough to send His Son to die for me.
Just a few years ago, if you had asked me who I was, I would have given you a list of the very things I didn't like about myself: introverted, divorced, insecure, single father, and sexual struggler. But Christ's love has slowly and graciously changed my identity to a loved and cherished man falling more in love with my Heavenly Father.
Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the ways you identify yourself?
2. Is there anything from your past you are still holding on to or allowing to identify you?
3. Do you find it difficult to accept the truth of who God says you are? Why?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
1 Corinthians 2-6 (June 18-22)
Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
* If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, who lives in you?
* What do these verses say your body is?
* How would you expect someone to take care of a temple?
* What does it mean that you were bought with a high price?
* How do you treat something that is very expensive?
* How can you honor God with your body? (Make a list of at least 10 things.)
Activity: Go outside and use sidewalk chalk to draw a body for each family member. Be sure to include the eyes, ears, mouth, brain, heart, hands, feet, and stomach. Now for each of these parts, discuss ways that you can honor God with them.