Sermon Discussion Guide Sermon Discussion Guide


[PDF]Sermon Discussion Guide Sermon Discussion Guide...

0 downloads 203 Views 73KB Size

Sermon Discussion Guide 1 Corinthians– Corinthians– In Christ in Corinth Wk 5 SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 INTRO Questions: Excursis: THIS body!?! Perhaps you heard Tim’s teaching about the resurrection of our physical bodies for the first time on Sunday. Maybe it troubled you because your experience with your current body is painful. Maybe you feel unattractive, un-athletic, unfit, chronically in pain, etc. Many people hate their own bodies. If you feel this way, know that God will perfect your body at the resurrection, he’ll remove every source of shame and pain (Rev 21:4). Excursis 2: Monogamy Tim alluded to an article about the sociological link between monogamy and creativity. To read it click here (begins on p. 38): http://chlcdnpubs.s3.amazon aws.com/JCRv04n02%20L. pdf Here’s an excerpt: “The records of history show a series of different societies, in different places, each rising to civilization as they become absolutely monogamous, achieving high culture while that absolute state is preserved, and falling into decline as it is modified or discarded….The whole of human history does not contain a single instance of a group becoming civilized unless it has been absolutely monogamous, nor is there any example of a group retaining its culture after it has adopted less rigorous customs.”

Do you believe that our physical bodies matter to God? How do the ways we use our bodies answer that question for us? (Background): In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul again confronts the Corinthian church about specific sins—worshipping pleasure through misuse of food and sex—sins which we often encounter in Austin, and in our church family. Paul uses an ancient rhetorical technique, the dialogue (imaginary conversation), to expose flaws in the Corinthians’ justification and their theology of the body. The Corinthians embraced the platonic disconnect between the body and soul, in order to justify hedonistic behaviors and pretend these bodily acts didn’t affect their souls/spirits. Paul rubbishes this notion. READ the text aloud. DISCUSS: Paul exhorts the church in v. 15: “your bodies are members of Christ,” to help them see they are united with Christ in spirit and body. Christ took on flesh to redeem us in the flesh. Our bodies are objects of redemption to be raised, like Christ’s. 1) Paul says the unrighteous won’t inherit God’s kingdom and lists examples (vv.9-10). How should we understand these verses since they indict most all of us (e.g. greed)? Hint: Ongoing repentance is a necessary part of the Christian life and sanctification. 2) In v. 11 Paul says believers have been washed, sanctified and justified in Christ’s name by the Spirit. Why does he state these as objective facts, using past tense verbs? Hint: Paul knows the Corinthians continue to sin, so he’s calling them to live into their new identity, in Christ, and their inheritance of righteousness accessible by faith. 3) Discuss the Corinthian slogans that Paul quotes in vv. 12-13 and his rejoinders. How can our appetite for food, sex, pleasure enslave us? How do we break free? Hint: We’re made for desire, so we must replace sinful pleasures with righteous ones, e.g. sex in marriage, healthy enjoyment of food/drink, etc. But we must also seek pleasure in loving others by serving, encouraging, supporting, discipling, etc. 4) Paul deems sexual sin unique, for it unites us in body and soul (vv. 15-18). This is a mandate to teach and practice abstinence outside of marriage, even when society and our own pasts might make it seem passé. DON’T succumb to shame for your past sins, but DO accept that repentance is often a long, painful process for you and your spouse. Conclusion/Application: Your bodies are each “a temple of the Holy Spirit within you (v. 19),” and moreover “you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (v. 20).” This is a strong call to abstain from harmful bodily acts (sexual sin, gluttony, drunkenness) and pursue healthy bodily acts (healthy eating, fitness, sufficient sleep). Our bodies matter. We must treat them like temples, temples that belong to God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-20 English Standard Version (ESV) 9

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 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. 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 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 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.