Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. It is a joy and a privilege to stand before you today, sharing in the love and grace that our Heavenly Father so generously pours out upon us. As we gather in this sacred space, let's remember that we are not just attendees, but active participants in God's grand story of redemption and restoration.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a passage from 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, verses 1 through 13. This passage, penned by the Apostle Paul, speaks directly to us, as it did to the early church in Corinth, about the importance of maintaining purity in the presence of immorality, the perils of tolerating sin, and the urgency of purging the evil within.

Purity in the Presence of Immorality

As we consider this passage, let us remember the words of Charles Spurgeon who once said, "Sin is the dare of God's justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love." Indeed, sin is not to be taken lightly, nor is it to be tolerated within our midst.

As we turn our focus to the Scripture, we find ourselves confronted with a situation of grave immorality within the Corinthian church. A man is involved in a relationship that is not only sinful but also shockingly so, even by the standards of the surrounding pagan culture. This is a clear violation of God's law and a blatant disregard for His holy standards. Yet, the church doesn't respond with grief or repentance. Instead, they are filled with pride.

This pride is not just a simple arrogance. It's a dangerous complacency that allows sin to persist unchallenged. It's a pride that blinds the church to the severity of the sin within their midst and prevents them from taking the necessary steps to address it. This pride is a barrier to purity, a stumbling block that prevents the church from living in obedience to God's commands.

The first aspect we need to understand is the destructive nature of sin. Sin is not a trivial matter. It's not a minor inconvenience or a small flaw that can be easily overlooked. Sin is a serious offense against a holy God. It's a rebellion against His authority, a rejection of His love, and a violation of His law. Sin damages our relationship with God, disrupts our fellowship with others, and destroys our own spiritual health.

In the case of the Corinthian church, the sin of one man was not only damaging his own relationship with God but also affecting the entire church community. The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of yeast to illustrate this point. Just as a little yeast can leaven an entire batch of dough, a single sin can influence and corrupt an entire community of believers.

The second aspect is the necessity of confronting sin. Ignoring sin or pretending it doesn't exist is not an option for the church. Sin must be confronted and dealt with decisively. In the case of the Corinthian church, Paul instructs them to remove the sinful man from their fellowship. This is not a punishment, but a corrective measure intended to bring about repentance and restoration.

The third aspect is the importance of maintaining purity within the church. The church is called to be a holy community, set apart for God's purposes. This means that the church must strive for purity in all areas of life, including our relationships, our actions, and our attitudes. Purity is not just about avoiding sin, but about actively pursuing righteousness. It's about living in a way that reflects God's character and brings glory to His name.

The fourth aspect is the role of the church in promoting and preserving purity. The church is not just a gathering of individuals, but a community of believers united in Christ. As such, the church has a collective responsibility to uphold God's standards and to confront sin when it arises. This requires vigilance, courage, and a commitment to truth. It requires the church to be a place of accountability, where sin is not tolerated, and repentance is encouraged.

In all of these aspects, we see the importance of maintaining purity in the presence of immorality. We see the destructive nature of sin, the necessity of confronting sin, the importance of maintaining purity, and the role of the church in promoting and preserving purity. These are not just abstract theological concepts, but practical realities that have a direct impact on our lives as believers. As we strive to live in obedience to God's commands, let us remember the importance of maintaining purity in the presence of immorality.

Perils of Tolerating Sin

As we continue our reflection on this passage, we find ourselves confronted with the stark reality of sin's presence within the church ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO