Church Matters: Disciple

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ESV

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

A community that takes discipline seriously will do more for your spiritual growth than any interesting sermon will.

This message will not be popular with the culture around us.

How it is the mark of a gospel centered church

Paul is not surprised that this man is in a relationship with his step-mom. This was so beyond the pale even the pagans didn't tolerate it. Corinth is known for wild behavior, but even this is something they didn't tolerate.

Paul is appalled by how the church is acting in this situation. The church in Corinth had a gospel with grace that had no bound in behavior. It doesn't challenge or call people to live differently. This gospel does not call us to hate sin and cheapens grace.

The motivation of church discipline

We are God's holy people.

"Cleansing the old leaven" means instead of using yeast they used spoiled dough to make their bread rise. Why get rid of all the leaven? Because this can cause effects to the entire batch of dough. A little sin can cause contamination to the whole of the dough. We are not cleansing to become pure. God calls us pure, therefore cleanse yourselves of find. We are holy, so act accordingly.

We are God's family.

The LORD disciplines those he loves. All good discipline comes from love. We also need to be willing to cause some pain in the cause of loving them. We discipline those within the family, not non-believers. "Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? Our lifestyle is to match the faith we profess.

We are God's ambassadors.

Whether we like it or not, we represent God on earth. Non-believers look to the church for a glimpse of God. What appeal do we have for the glory of Christ to those who don't know Him? To act otherwise is to dirty the image of God to unbelievers.

The method of church discipline
Kicking people out and handing people over to Satan is not the first step of church discipline. This is the last resort.

How you go: gently and humbly

Galatians 6:1 ESV
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

This should happen informally and privately on a regular basis, especially within community groups.

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence 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, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

The process looks like this:

One-on-one (informal)
Bring one or two along (informal)
Tell it to the church (formal)
Treat them as unbeliever (formal)

To get from informal to formal discipline,  judgement comes from an unrepentant heart, as a characteristic. Not just fighting greed, but just straight greedy. There is not  any attempt to fight sin. There is no fruit that is found in those who have the Spirit. No evidence of life-saving faith. Then we are called to treat them as unbelievers; one in need of the gospel. The reason to push him out of the church is to show him or her that they have strayed from the path of Christ. We are not to be mean to them. We are to call them to repentance, just like any unbeliever. To follow the one LORD and Savior.

Church Matters: Division

1 Corinthians 3:1-9, 16-23 ESV

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

John Calvin, John Piper, Armenian?

Division impacts both those within as well as those without the church. It hurts people who are a part of the church. It adlai hurts the reputation of the church.

The character and cause of division

The corinthian church felt it was a theologically sound church. But Paul calls them children. He was looking at how they were acting and said this  spoke of their maturity. The division and contention  starts from this: Natural preferences become Exclusive Absolutes.

We see this often in worship. From traditional hymns to contemporary christian music, there is contention over the proper way to worship. Or introverted vs. extroverted christians. Or in myers-briggs, judging vs. perceiving.

What does all this come from? The need in our hearts to justify ourselves.

The consequence of divisiveness

Paul speaks of not only the church, but also the consequence for those who act divisively. "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him." The person who acts in a way to destroy the unity  and peace of the church will DESTROY this person. We should not soften the language here. God will destroy this divisive person. The church is called the children of God, the bride of Christ, and the body of Christ. God cares much more for the church than we can imagine.

The cure for division

How do we guard against division? The us vs. them mentality comes from worldly wisdom which is foolishness to God. Paul tells them that Paul, Apollos, and Cephas are all of the church and sent by God. They all have something to share, something to give. One LORD, one faith, one baptism. Whether presbyterian, pentecostal, or baptist, they are all given to us through Christ.

ABANDON ALL ATTEMPTS TO PROVE THEIR WORTH IN WORLDLY WAYS AND REST IN THE INFINITE WORTH WE HAVE IN CHRIST.

We are always striving to find sanctuary from insecurity. We want  someone to look down on. We want self significance. This is us trying to prove ourselves. God is unimpressed; it all seems so silly.

Church matters: Weak Fools

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 ESV

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

What mattered to the Corinthians

The city of  Corinth had a reputation for riches and worldliness. It was like Las Vegas and New York. They were concerned about image and reputation. People were about being self-sufficient and working hard. They were  proud of their philosophical history, being wise.

This concern about image and reputation lead to the rise of factions. People started saying they followed different people, Paul or Apollo. They divided the church.

What really matters

The church has forgotten the gospel. This is what really matters. The gospel acts as a rebuke to the world. "has God not made foolish the wisdom of the wise" But this applies just as much to us. We are also caught up in promoting ourselves.  This applies even to pastors and their sermons.

There is a spirit of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. It is not just a Corinthian thing, not just a 2012 thing; it is a human thing. We want glory for ourselves. So we look at the gospel and find the complete opposite. We find a humiliating and embarrassing way of salvation. Jews were looking for a messiah of power and might.  Greeks were looking for a glorious God. And they find a Jesus who submits himself to a shameful death. God is saying that His weakness is still stronger than man's strength. God picks the weak, the lowly, the despised.  This shows the world that reputation, wisdom, and image count for nothing in the kingdom of God.

What a church that matters looks like

1. A church that accepts looking foolish.

The church looks foolish to the world when it is preaching the gospel properly.

2. A unity in diversity.

The church should have a diversity of race, culture, socio-economic, status... What binds us is salvation though grace, a gift from God. We are unable to boast.

3.  Be willing to speak of our weakness

In true community, we are ready to speak of our weakness.  It is only in our willing vulnerability that true community, true accountability happens.We no longer need to hide.

4. Boast in weakness to show God's greatness.

The church speaks of weakness rather than our own strength. This gives glory to God.

The Apostolic Gospel

2 Timothy 1:13-15 ESV

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

2 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 3:1-5, 10-15 ESV

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ

Rev. Ed Gross

This letter was written by Paul from prison to one who had struggled in the faith with him, Timothy.  Paul was passing the torch.

The disciple were  pledged to follow their masters. Wherever they went, how they understood the scriptures. The disciples were challenged in their hearts. They would be called to tough places and tough decisions.

Timothy is charged to protect and preserve the gospel with the help of the Holy Spirit. The gospel is not to be generalized or altered. In trying to be relevant, the temptations are to change the focus from Christ. The gospel is more than just words. We are guarding a pattern.

We are to pass on and entrust others with the gospel. It is not done at a distance; it is done up close. We are to invite people into our lives to see the gospel at work in our marriages, our workplace, our personal lives. This is the gospel we are called to pass on.

Training happens this way: Watch me, Do it with me, Show me, and finally, do it alone. This is how discipleship works.

We are called to live in the  gospel. By living in the word: memorizing, obeying, and meditating on it. This  is the path to victory over Satan.

The Spirit's Mission

Acts 2:1-4, 14-15, 22-24 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Rev. Bruce Finn
(PCA church planting coordinator)

Our mission is the mission of God, of Jesus. Understanding our roles will be helpful for us. The movement of the gospel moved throughout Judea, then to the next state, Samaria. Finally to the ends of the earth.

Wimps into witnesses

We are all wimps in sharing our faith. We do not have boldness in sharing our faith. We see Peter transformed into a powerful witness by the Spirit. Peter denied Jesus. He hid when Jesus was crucified, in great fear for his life.

Turns crowds into communities

The church is a motley crew of people. People who would not usually get along or like each other become a fellowship. A group of people who don't speak the same language and are from different places come together to celebrate a festival. When the Spirit comes, the people, the motley crew comes together into a mission-centered community.

Turns cities into saturation points

Jerusalem had 600,000 people. On pentecost, 3,000 became followers. Later 5,000 became believers. In meeting at homes, this would mean that there were at least two hundred house churches in the city of Jerusalem in a very short period. There was access to the gospel throughout the city in a very short period of time. The Spirit desires to saturate the city with Christians.

The Spirit of Witness

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Every Christian is empowered and commissioned to this, sharing the Good News.

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

We are also called to make disciples.

But how? How are we to do this?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Witness

It tells us of our Father, our Abba. We are saved. It speaks of God's love.

The power of witness

When the Spirit is poured out, people testify and witness. Sure, there were miracles. But those miracles were for the sake of witness. The end is not a miracle, it is the verification of the disciples' witness. The spirit is living and working to open hearts to God and Jesus.

When we consider the phrase "do not grieve the Spirit", we generally think of overt sins. But if we are not living a life of active evangelism/witness, we are grieving the Spirit. Half of what the Holy Spirit desires is for Jesus to be known in us and through us.

By ourselves, we are apathetic. We don't want to be witnesses. Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Spirit. The implication is that we are powerless without the Spirit.

The power of conviction for witness comes from the Spirit. We get this heart for witness from the Spirit. Otherwise, our witness is half-baked. It has little conviction behind it. It gives us boldness to share. It gives us wisdom to dispute. It also orchestrates opportunities to witness. The eunuch and phillip is an example of this. There is also the power of conviction for salvation. People are convicted of salvation through the Spirit. We do not convict people by our arguments or actions. The Spirit does it.

The Holy Spirit wants all the world for Christ

To stay in step with the Spirit, what do we do?

We are to be both locally and globally oriented. Glocally, as they now call it. We are living out our lives here in active evangelism and we are supporting overseas missions.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Holiness: Invincible Love

Romans 8:29-39 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

One of the hardest things is not just understanding God's love, but knowing in our hearts.

God's love Secures our holiness

Anyone who has fought sin knows how hard it is. It seems like an uphill battle. We don't need much for or hearts to wander from God.

But God holds us tightly in His hands. It does not depend on our grip on Him. He holds us securely.

Before we were even born, God loved us. Like a pregnant couple, loving and caring for a baby yet unborn.

God is the one who wants us holy. He always accomplishes what He promises. Our holiness is secure.

God's love Fuels our holiness

Even through big failures and trials, God is working through it all. Knowing this, we can keep going.

Before preaching on sin, there is all this talk of love. Why? They need to know the enormous greatness of the love of Christ.

Threats only work for the short term. Outward conformity does not work. Love is what we need. That is what grows us into holiness like Christ.

Sin struggles and life struggles make us doubt the love of God. We think that because of sin, we are less, we are condemned. But that is a lie. We are not second rate; we are God's chosen. We are bound by the guilt of our sins and struggles. Jesus wants to set us free from them. He paid for those sins.

Trying to assess God's love through our circumstances is how we run into trouble. He loves me, He loves me not. God gave us His most precious treasure, His son. That is how we assess God's love of us. Jesus is the love of God. In His life and death and resurrection, we see the love of God.

God's love Shapes our holiness

Holiness is not the same among all religions. We are to be shaped into Jesus' likeness. His defining work is humbling Himself according to will of the Father for the sake of others. That is holiness. We are called to suffer for the faith, for the will of God. It is not some sort of abstract concept. We are to suffer according to the will of Father for the sake of others. We are not to devote our lives to earthly comfort, rather we are to move towards need. We are secured in God, even when we lose comfort, we suffer.