Glorify God In All Things Series

SERIES: “OVERCOMING OBSTACLES THAT OBSTRUCT OBEDIENCE”

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-20

TITLE: “GLORIFY GOD IN ALL THINGS”

INTRODUCTION: A. The apostle Paul asks the Corinthians church to take a look at everything they’re

saying and doing and then evaluate it based on whether it brings glory to God or

dishonors God.

1. The Christians in Corinth had damaged their witness and testimony to that area

because of the divisions and immorality in their midst.

2. Throughout the entire letter, Paul is asking the Christians at Corinth to do one

important thing: Stop thinking about pleasing yourselves and concentrate on

pleasing God

B. Paul is simply reminding the Christians at Corinth of a basic scriptural principle

1. Ps. 34:3 – “Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.”

2. Rom. 15:5-6 – “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a

spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart

and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

3. Col. 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of

the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

D. Paul cites three areas in which we need to remember to glorify God

I. GLORIFY GOD EVEN IN YOUR DISPUTES

--1 Cor. 6:1-8 – “If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment

instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge

the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How

much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges

even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among

you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against

another—and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have

been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8Instead, you

yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. “

A. An Amish farmer and his son were traveling in their horse and buggy down a lane that had room for

only one vehicle to pass through at a time. They met a car coming from the other way. There was no

room to pass for two miles in either direction.

The motorist was in a hurry and started beeping his horn. The Amish man waited until there was

silence. He jumped down off the buggy, rolled up his sleeves, and said, “If you don’t back up, I won’t

like what I’m going to have to do.”

The surprised motorist put his car in reverse and backed up two miles, allowing the Amish man and

buggy to pass. The Amish man’s son asked, “Father, what was it you would not like to have done back

there?” The Amish man said, “Back this buggy up two miles.”

1. Disputed and conflicts between the Christians at Corinth had gotten so bad that they were suing each

other in civil court.

a. Paul wants to know why those who are supposed to be godly are going to the ungodly for justice

b. He wants to know: Isn’t there one believer who’s capable of making even simple judgments?

--Where are those who are supposed to be spiritually mature and you leaders?

2. Side note

a. The U.S. has become a “lawsuit-happy” nation

b. There are over 1 million lawyers in the United States

c. As of a few years ago, there were over 200,000 civil suits filed in federal courts and over 12 million

civil suits filed in state courts

--that number increases every year!

B. Paul points out three distinct tragedies in this situation:

1. The Christians were presenting a poor testimony to the lost

a. If we can’t even get along with ourselves, how can we expect others to want to join us?

b. If there is no difference in what happens in the church and what happens in the world, it’s not a

church

--It’s just a social club

2. The Christians had failed to live up to their full position in Christ

a. Paul asks a very bold question: “Since we as saints will one day take part in the judgment of the

world and of the fallen angels, why can’t we settle our differences here on earth?”

b. As we’ll see in just a short while during our study of 1 Corinthians, the Christians at Corinth