1 Cor 7:1-40

• Paul qualifies his remarks, by telling us what is his opinion versus something that comes directly from God. I don't know of any other place in scripture that we see this, except for Proverbs, which Solomon calls "wise sayings." Maybe also Ecclesiastes, which for the most part is life viewed under the sun
  

  1 Cor 7:1-7 (NIV) Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
  

• As we start out this chapter, what has precipitated the discussion here as opposed to the previous chapters?
  
  • Previous chapters were things Paul had heard about
    
  • The rest of the book seems to deal with issues raised by letter from the Corinthians (six times -- "now concerning")
    
  • It is very likely, that rather than asking a question, they were suggesting some point -- i.e., "why can't we?"
    
• What is the real issue or the statement that Paul is replying to?
  
  • He appears to be agreeing with one part and disagreeing with another
    
  • In chapter 6, he dealt with sexual libertines, in chapter 7, he deals with sexual ascetics
    
    • Some seem to be arguing that sex is to be avoided
      
    • Maybe, some of the divisions revolve around sexual liberty versus sexual abstention
      
• So is singleness or marriage better?
  
  • He doesn't actually say, at least in terms of a comparison
    
  • He says "it is good for a man not to marry"
    
  • He says (paraphrase) "because of so much immorality, each man and woman should have a spouse"
    
• Now this whole section is caveated, what is the caveat and what is the implication?
  
  • Paul says that his rules about marriage and sexual abstention (only for a time) are by way of concession and not as command
    
  • So, we need to be careful in using this section of verses to justify marriage doctrine
    
• Also, what does Paul say that singleness and marriage have in common, at least by implication?
  
  • Both are a gift
    

  1 Cor 7:8-16 (NIV) Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
  

  10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
  

  12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
  

  15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
  

• This section also begins with the phrase "pertaining to," suggesting that this was also in the letter
  
• Paul breaks this section up into three groupings, what are the groupings?
  
  • Unmarried and widows
    
  • Married, both believers
    
  • Married, one a believer, one is not a christian
    
• Paul also differentiates the authority of his comments for each group. And let's also list the main instruction to each group
  
  • 
    

Unmarried and widows	"it is good… it is better"	Stay unmarried or marry if burning with passion
Married, both believers	"not I, but the Lord"	Do not separate. If must, remain unmarried or reconciled. No divorce
Married, one a believer, one is not a christian	"I, not the Lord"	If unbeliever willing to stay, do not divorce. If unbeliever leaves, let them. A man or woman is not bound

• Let's discuss the group "married, both believers"
  
  • What did Jesus teach?
    
    • Jesus did say that adultery is a cause for divorce. So this statement is not a complete statement, but either a subset of the total teaching or more likely, the general principle, that is God hates divorce
      
    • There is some controversy regarding our understanding of Jesus' statements in regard to divorce since the were made to a specific question that ran counter to years of Jewish practice. Jewish culture always required the man to provide for, care for, and love his wife. Failure was a grounds for divorce. And because of the fallen nature of man, sin, God (through Moses) allowed divorce in the OT law. The problem is that the Jews re-interpreted Moses statement to mean "no-fault divorce," that is, a man can divorce his wife for any and every reason. This was the accepted but controversial position of the majority of scribes at the time. So when Jesus is asked if a man can divorce his wife for any reason, Jesus is responded to a very specific question of practice, and not to the question of whether there were reasons for divorce. Jesus responds that divorce was never God's intention when he made man and woman, although at that time, there was no sin. And Jesus dismissal of "any and every reason" could also be viewed as a return to the more standard reason for divorce, there had to be a cause. This is a very difficult issue.
      
    • Some argue separation only, on the basis of this verse. One problem with that view, is that the term separation in the Greek is commonly seen as divorce. So Paul does seem to concede that divorce can happen among unbelievers
      
    • I think since it ignores adultery, it must be viewed as the basic principle
      
    • I think there are potentially some other grounds for divorce, such as physical abuse, which clearly fall under the previous Jewish interpretation
      
• Regarding marriage where one is a believer and one is not, what is the "advice?"
  
  • Don't seek divorce
    
  • Stay together, if possible
    
  • You might be able to save your unbelieving spouse
    

  1 Cor 7:17-24 (NIV) Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you — although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
  

• Interesting, Paul uses the word "called" to describe everyone
  
• What is Paul's basic or general principle
  
  • Stay in the situation you are in
    
• Now we need to understand this principle a little more clearly or I think we can misinterpret it
  
  • First of all, the context refers to what? Marriage and singleness
    
  • Second. Paul adds circumcision -- a key issue in a number of churches where Judaizers were saying that a person needed circumcision
    
  • Thirdly, Paul adds slave -- but what does he really say?
    
    • Don't let it trouble you
      
    • If you can gain your freedom -- do it (which actually violates his basic rule to all the churches, so he is not saying to stay a slave if you can get out of it)
      
    • A slave is a freeman in Christ
      
  • Lastly, he talks to the freeman
    
    • You are Christ's slave (your life has already been bought)
      
    • Don't become a slave
      
• Why might someone become a slave voluntarily?
  
  • To pay off debt
    
  • To purchase something
    
• APPLICATION: As freemen, we all need to be careful in regards to debt, because debt does make you a slave to someone else
  

  1 Cor 7:25-40 (NIV) Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. 27 Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
  

  29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
  

  32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs — how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world — how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world — how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
  

  36 If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin — this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.
  

  39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is — and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
  

• How is this last group different from the other groups?
  
  • One last group that may have been mentioned in their previous letter, and that would be virgins. So there are not just unmarried, but never-married-unmarried
    
• First of all, Paul qualifies the teaching to this group
  
  • He has no command from the Lord
    
  • He gives his judgment
    
• How is it different?
  
  • It is the same, don't change, but it is no sin to change your status
    
  • Essentially his argument is singleness has advantages in regards to serving the lord
    
• What is his reasoning?
  
  • The time is short
    
  • This life is ending -- seems much more true today than in Paul's time, but the point is valid. We should live for eternal things ant temporal things
    
• Implications?
  
  • If you buy something, use it, but don't think it is yours to keep (example of a one car family this last week -- Luke's car went to Sarah; drove 6 hours to deliver it and then 6 hours to get back; yesterday travelled 12 hours to retrieve it. The last part of this month and first part of next, some missionary friends needed to borrow our 2010 van. Result: one car for three drivers. But the cars are not ours anyway.)
    
  • It is okay to use the things of the world, just don't get engrossed in them. Today, that would probably apply to technology, television, software, etc
    
• APPLICATION: The key is that the most important thing is always our relationship to God. Some things necessarily impact that: work, marriage, children; but that does not change their importance. The key is finding the balance and not trading God for the world

1 Co 5:1-6:20

1 Cor 5:1-6 (NIV) It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?

• Let's start with the issue, which is incest, but we know a little bit more about the issue as well, what do we know?
  
  • Some of this is based on the Greek words used
    
  • Probably step-mother, since does use the word "mother"
    
  • Probably separated or divorced from the Father, since it does not appear to involve adultery
    
  • Probably, woman is not a member of the church, but son is a member
    
  • Probably living together, since he does mention married
    
  • Not accepted under Mosaic law, Greek culture, and prohibited by Roman law (Fee, 1987, pp. 199-200)
    
• How are the Corinthian church viewing this event?
  
  • Evidence of their liberty in Christ
    
  • Extending freedom in Christ toward sexual restraints
    
• What is the problem in the church?
  
  • Lack of discipline
    
• Notice that the issue is public, known, and accepted in the church. Church is proud of the event. Paul uses this episode to claim his authority over the church. What is his response?
  
  • The person should be confronted
    
  • The person should be cast out of the church (example: share issue in CMA church and how the person needed to be forgiven)
    
  • Should treat the believer as an unbeliever -- key point, it does not say the person is not saved or that the person loses his salvation
    
  • Let Satan discipline the man. Like the hedge around Job, the hedge is completely removed around this man. Turned over to Satan, could also mean death, the complete destruction of the flesh. I actually have know one case of this happening
    
  • APPLICATION: I wonder if each of us has a hedge around us, and if our refusal to deal with sin can result in the removal of the hedge. In some cases, our circumstancse are the result of our sin -- BUT not in all cases
    

  1 Cor 5:9-13 (NIV) I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
  

  12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
  

• First of all, how does these verses fit with Paul's earlier statement in 4:5?
  
  • 1 Cor 4:5 (NIV) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
    
  • We are not to judge others as a general rule. But what is different in this case, is that it is blatant sin in the church. But, who decides when something is blatant sin?
    
    • Most times, it is obvious
      
    • I believe it falls upon the spiritual leadership of the church. Therefore, the Corinthians had a problem with the leadership administering spiritual discipline
      
• Even today, many people have misunderstood these verses. As believers, they have separated themselves so much from the world, that many Christian cannot identify one single non-Christian friend or acquaintance
  
• We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. Now this does pose some problems, what are they?
  
  • Sometimes being in the world can lead to temptation -- we do need boundaries
    
  • Sometimes we let the world influence us instead of our influencing it -- we need to identify with our faith early, or it becomes harder the longer we are in the setting
    
    • Example: work. Do you place a bible on your desk or not?
      
    • Example: Do you bring up some aspect of God's work in your life even with simple statements like, "God was gracious …; I thank God …, etc"
      

  1 Cor 6:1-8 (NIV) If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 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? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another — and this in front of unbelievers!
  

  7 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? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
  

• What is the problem and why is it a problem?
  
  • What: believers are taking other believers to court
    
  • Why: there is a lack of spiritual leadership
    
  • Why: it exposes your petty squabbles to the unbeliever and shows them that Christ doesn't make life any different
    
    • Actually, this is true statement from the point of the Corinthian church, but what is the false logic behind it
      
    • People who truly are living for God do have lives that are different. The fact that some carnal believer's lives are not different from the world does not dismiss the fact that God can change lives
      
• What is the reason for Paul's statements in verses 7-8, "completely defeated" and "why not be wronged … (or) cheated?"
  
  • Complete defeat is because we have the wrong value system
    
  • We see our reward here on earth and not in heave
    
  • We are more interested in getting than giving
    
  • If we truly are focused on the unseen and eternal things, what does it really matter anyway?
    
    • If we want the person to be disciplined for his good -- that is probably a good motive
      
    • Example: I knew a couple of Christians who were in a great dispute over some money that one invested in the other. It was a very difficult situation. The one person was overly optimistic and oversold things (which could be a fault). The other person saw it as lying and realizing it was unlikely he was going to get any of his money back. If you are going to invest money with a believer, I think you need to realize, even more so than with an unbeliever, that you may lose it all -- that is probably the best advice
      

  1 Cor 6:9-20 (NIV) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. 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 "Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"-but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"-but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
  

  18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
  

• So the leadership has failed to deal with an issue of blatant sin and to resolve disputes between members. But there is another issue here, and this issue is directed to believers. What is the issue, and how do we know Paul is talking to the believer?
  
  • Sexual immorality is the issue
    
  • Paul talks about their freedom in Christ, but draws the line on sexual immorality
    
  • Sexual immorality and our bodies being united with Christ
    
  • Sexual immorality and our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit
    
• Paul starts with the obvious, that those engaged in the lifestyle of the world, who do not know the savior will not inherit the kingdom of God. Many in the church came from this background, but what had happened?
  
  • They were washed -- sins take away
    
  • They were sanctified -- God worked in their hearts to change their desires and motivations. They are a changed people
    
  • The were justified. Their sins are no longer held against them
    
• But what happened?
  
  • It appears that they let teaching about their freedom in Christ allow them to let these sins back into their life
    
  • Argument goes -- "If there are no restrictions on food, one appetite of the body, why must there be in sexual things, another physical desire (Johnson, 1962, p.1238)?"
    
  • Some apparently argued that prostitution is okay. Some commentators have suggested that maybe it was allowed in the church as was in some Greek Temples
    
• The quotes maybe quotes from Corinthian culture that were used as arguments
  
• What are the arguments against sexual immorality?
  
  • The body is the Lord's. He will raise the body to life someday (some did not believe in the resurrection, a point he will deal with later in the letter)
    
  • Our bodies are members of Christ himself. Uniting our self with a prostitute makes us one with the prostitute
    
  • Sexual sins are unlike all other sins, because they are committed against the body
    
  • The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
    
  • The body was bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. We do not own our body
    
• APPLICATION: Sexual sins are unlike any other sin a Christian can commit. We need to fully understand that our bodies were bought at a price, they are not our own, and they are a temple for God
  

  Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New
  

  Testament series. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987.
  

  Johnson, S. Lewis, Jr. "1 Corinthians." In The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, pp. 1227-60. Edited by Charles
  

  F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison. Chicago: Moody Press,1962.
  

Class Notes, 1 Cor 4:1-21

• Potential order of events
  
  • Paul's founding visit // His "former letter" // The Corinthians letter to him // First Corinthians //
    
  • Paul's "painful visit" // His "severe letter" // Second Corinthians //Paul's anticipated visit
    

  1 Cor 4:1-5 (NIV) So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
  

• Paul used a different word for servants here (hyperetai) than he did in 3:5 (diakonoi). This word means an under-rower, a figure taken from the galley ships of the time. Slaves who rowed under the authority of the man who coordinated their individual efforts propelled the ship (Constable, 2010, p. 38)
  
• So, first of all, what is Paul's concern?
  
  • That he is faithful to God
    
  • That he gives God's message (and not his) to those tom whom he has been entrusted
    
  • Why does he say that, or what is the point?
    
    • He is not trying to curry favor
      
    • He is not trying to tell people what they want to hear
      
• Are there any other clues to Paul's motive for writing this paragraph?
  
  • "God will expose the motives of men's hearts." -- God will judge Paul for why he taught what he did
    
  • "At that time each will receive his praise from God." -- Paul is not trying to please men but God
    
• Constable speculates that the Corinthian church was disillusioned with its minister because he lacked "charismatic" qualities
  

  1 Cor 4:6-7 (NIV) Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
  

• The word "arrogant" or "puffed up" appears a number of times in this letter, and gives us a clue to the church's primary issue
  
• Paul begins to deal with this of pride. What are his main points?
  
  • First of all, they should not go beyond the scripture
    
  • There were truths (secret and hidden) which God reveals in the NT. Paul says that he is one of those individuals that God has entrusted with those truths
    
  • But ultimately, even the mysteries of scripture were hinted at in the OT
    
  • Paul makes three points regarding the Corinthians using questions
    
    • They are no different than anyone else
      
    • Everything they have they have received (including knowledge). It did not come from within
      
    • Since they received it, why are they boasting? If the knowledge came from God, then why take pride in the knowledge
      

  1 Cor 4:8-13 (NIV) Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings — and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
  

• Paul does not often use irony and sarcasm, although that was a common mode of discourse in Greco-Roman antiquity (Keener, 2005, p.45)
  
• Why is verse 8 so over the top; what is he saying?
  
  • One, they are so prideful
    
  • Two, they are living lives as if their already experiencing their reward here on earth
    
• How, on the other hand, is Paul living?
  
  • They are like fools at the end of the process. The bottom of the pit. People laugh at them
    
  • Paul contrasts the apostles to the Corinthians
    
    • We are fools for Christ -- you are so wise (problem one: they aren't, they just think they are)
      
    • We are weak -- you are so strong (actually, life might be good, but that does not mean they are strong. In fact, their faith is probably very weak)
      
    • We are dishonored -- you are honored (they look distinguished and important, the apostles look unimportant)
      
  • Paul lived
    
    • Hungry, thirsty, in rags, brutally treated, homeless, working with their own hands
      
    • Blessing those who curse them
      
    • Enduring persecution
      
    • Answering kindly to slander
      
    • Being treated and the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world ("dog poop")
      
• APPLICATION: Paul is contrasting his role and an under-rower (and servant) to the Corinthian's role as victors enjoying the plunder. God has put us all in unique situations and we need to use whatever situation he has put us in for good. But the real danger is when we begin to think we are experiencing our reward on earth. Or when we love our life so much more than we love serving our savior.
  

  1 Cor 4:14-17 (NIV) I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
  

• Now we are getting to the heart of what Paul is trying to say to them. What is his main point?
  
  • You need to listen to and imitate me, and not those who think they are so knowledgeable
    
  • In their arrogance, they have gone beyond the word. They have created doctrines that are wrong. In context, it really sounds like the health and wealth gospel, at least given the contrast that Paul is making between his life and theirs
    
    • It sounds like -- "God wants to bless you materially; God wants you to be rich; God wants you be healthy"
      
    • Paul says -- "I am warning you, imitate me"
      
• Paul is sending Timothy to remind them (they already heard it once) of
  
  • Paul's way of life in Christ Jesus
    
  • Teaching that agrees with what has been taught in all the churches (but doesn't seem evident in Corinth any more)
    
• APPLICATION: I wonder if wealth and sexual immorality, which Corinth had as an environment, is a breeding ground for this type of thinking. If so, America should take heed to this message
  

  1 Cor 4:18-21 (NIV) Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
  

• Obviously, the heart of the problem is what?
  
  • Arrogant teachers who have a different wisdom than Paul, some great hidden secret, that they are teaching others, and they believe is better teaching than Paul's teaching
    
  • Paul promises, Lord willing, to come and confront the teaching and the teachers
    
• What is Paul suggesting to them?
  
  • They should confront it themselves, rather than wait for Paul to come for an unpleasant visit
    

  Keener, Craig S. 1—2 Corinthians. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

1 Cor 1:1-3:23

• Roman colony; capital of Achaia province; commercial center; reputation for sexual vice (to act like a Corinthian means to commit fornication); most licentious city in the empire
  
• Paul spent 18 months there, AD 51-52, as part of his second missionary journey
  
  • When he left he took Priscilla and Aquila with him to Ephesus
    
  • On his third missionary journey, he made it a base of operations for three years, AD 53-56
    
• Potential order of events
  
  • Paul's founding visit
    
  • His "former letter"
    
  • The Corinthians letter to him
    
  • First Corinthians
    
  • Paul's "painful visit"
    
  • His "severe letter"
    
  • Second Corinthians
    
  • Paul's anticipated visit
    

  1 Cor 1:1 (NIV) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
  

  Acts 18:12-17 (NIV) While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."
  

  14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law — settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
  

• We don't know for sure if this is the same Sosthenes, but it would seem to be a major coincidence
  
• It is easy to mistake who God will bring into the kingdom
  
  • Here is the synagogue ruler
    
  • A very devout Jew
    
  • Very upset about Paul's teaching
    
  • Apparently was the leader of the attack on Paul
    
  • And yet, he is the one who receives grace
    

  1 Cor 1:4-7 (NIV) I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way — in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
  

• What do we learn about this church?
  
  • They have all the spiritual gifts
    
  • They have been enriched in every way (speaking and knowledge)
    
  • And yet, this is a church with serious problems and issues
    
  • And also, having strong charismatic elements does not appear to make them any more godly of a church. On the other hand, stoic churches are not any better
    

  1 Cor 1:10-13 (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
  

  13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
  

  1 Cor 1:20-31 (NIV) Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
  

  26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
  

• What is the first problem addressed?
  
  • Pride by association (or pedigree)
    
• Why is that important?
  
  • Possibly more spirituality
    
• How might have Paul ranked in a list of Peter and Apollos?
  
  • Apollos was a very gifted person and knowledgeable person
    
  • Peter was a legend
    
  • The ramifications of Paul's work would not be known for years
    
• But the real answer to this problem of pride by pedigree is addressed in the verses that follows. Why does Paul discuss what he does, …, ie, what is the point?
  
  • By associating with someone famous in our conversion, we have missed the whole point
    
  • God wasn't calling the famous or trying to create rock stars
    
  • God's plan is to use the simple to shame the wise, to use the weak to shame the strong
    
  • When we boast about our spiritual heritage, we tear down the very thing that God is trying to do
    

  1 Cor 2:1-16 (NIV) When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
  

  6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
  

  "No eye has seen,
  

  no ear has heard,
  

  no mind has conceived
  

  what God has prepared for those who love him"—
  

  10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
  

  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
  

  16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord
  

  that he may instruct him?"
  

  But we have the mind of Christ.
  

• First of all, in sharing our faith, what is required?
  
  • The simple gospel message
    
• Paul does not advocate Gnosticism, in verses 6-10, but something quite different. What is he saying?
  
  • There is a wisdom of God, that is not understood by either unbelievers or by the immature
    
  • God teaches truth and wisdom to those who love him and pursue him
    
  • Some people never mature in their Christian walk, because they never get to that next level. They are content with their immaturity in the faith
    
    • Luke 19:26 (NIV) "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
      
• What is the key to understanding the truths of God?
  
  • The Spirit of God
    
• How does the man without the Spirit of God respond to truth?
  
  • He does not accept
    
  • They are foolishness
    
  • He cannot understand them
    
• Paul is not finished with his argument …
  

  1 Cor 3:1-9 (NIV) Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?
  

  5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
  

• So, what has Paul been addressing this whole time?
  
  • Spiritual immaturity as evidenced by jealous, quarreling, and worldly actions
    
• Consequently, what is the primary need of the Corinthians?
  
  • Spiritual maturity
    
• Based on this passage, how does one evaluate success? For a church or a Pastor, how does one evaluate success -- and what is the wrong way to evaluate success? Let's start with the wrong way?
  
  • Wrong way
    
    • Numbers or buildings
      
    • If Paul planted and Apollos watered, whose ministry resulted in their large church? Neither, because God made it grow
      
    • So if it doesn't grow, who is at fault? The respondents and God
      
  • Right way
    
    • Labor -- each one will be rewarded according to his own labor
      
• APPLICATION: The measurement of our success is the effort and obedience we put into the work, not the results of the work. The results are God's business, not mine
  

  1 Cor 3:10-15 (NIV) By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
  

• But it is not just my work or effort, is it? What else is required?
  
  • God expects us to be expert builders
    
  • God expects us to be careful how we build
    
  • God expects us to use good material
    
  • Finally, God will test the quality of each man's work
    
• So, the measure of success is the quality of my labor that I put into God's work, not the results. The results is God's business, not mine

Lev 25:1-27:34

• Review of the Feasts of the Lord (source: Constable, Leviticus, 2010). Interpretation (www.ariel.org/feasts.html, as of 29 May 2010)
  

  
  

• NT Context
  
  • Passover -- Jesus' death on the cross as the lamb of God
    
  • Unleavened Bread -- the application of the blood to the NT saints (removal of sin stain)
    
  • First Fruits -- Jesus' ascension into heaven as the first fruits of those who fall asleep
    
  • Pentecost -- The giving of the Holy Spirit upon the believers; writing the law on the hearts of believers
    
  • Trumpets -- rapture of the saints
    
  • Atonement -- Jesus' second coming, his judgment, and the redemption of Israel
    
  • Tabernacles (or Ingathering) -- The wedding Feast
    

  Lev 26:3-12 (NIV) "'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.
  

  6 "'I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.
  

  9 "'I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. 11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
  

• Very similar to a legal treaties during that time. Also seen in Exodus 23:25-33, Deuteronomy 28:1-68, and Joshua 24:20. Exodus 23 concerned the conquest of Canaan; Leviticus 26-27 concern the time after the land is conquered
  
• A key component of the OT law is the conditionality aspect, seen in verse 3. What is the conditional statement exactly and does it require perfection?
  
  • "If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands ..."
    
  • What is the difference between the two conditions?
    
    • The word careful seems to suggest that one does not have to be perfect, and in fact there a decrees to follow when you fail. So you follow the decrees, but be careful to obey the commands
      
• What are the results of following the decrees and obeying the law (remember: to the person under the OT Law)?
  
  • Rain, crops, fruit, long harvests, food (sustenance)
    
  • Safety, peace, no fear (individual safety)
    
  • Removal of wild animals, no armies marching through, victory in battle (national safety)
    
  • Increase in population, abundance (growth and material blessing)
    
  • God's presence, God's approval (spiritual blessing). Verse 11, "dwelling" is where we get the word "shekinah"
    
• Is any part of the new covenant conditional?
  
  • The word "if" is used in arguments and a number of contexts, but few relating to a person's walk and the consequences of failure. Here are a few that I found:
    

    1 Cor 3:12-17 (NIV) If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. //16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
    

    Gal 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
    

    1 Tim 4:15-16 (NIV) Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
    

    2 Tim 2:11-13 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying: // If we died with him, // we will also live with him; // 12 if we endure, // we will also reign with him. // If we disown him, // he will also disown us; // 13 if we are faithless, // he will remain faithful, // for he cannot disown himself.
    

    2 Tim 2:20-21 (NIV) In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
    

    2 Peter 1:8-10 (NIV) if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. // 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
    

• APPLICATION: I cannot find any NT verse that offers material blessings like the OT law. I do believe, even from these that there are spiritual blessings to those who serve God well
  

  Lev 26:14-35 (NIV) "'But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, 15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. 17 I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.
  

  18 "'If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. 19 I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. 20 Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit.
  

  21 "'If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve. 22 I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted.
  

  23 "'If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me, 24 I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over. 25 And I will bring the sword upon you to avenge the breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be given into enemy hands. 26 When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will be able to bake your bread in one oven, and they will dole out the bread by weight. You will eat, but you will not be satisfied.
  

  27 "'If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, 28 then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over. 29 You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters. 30 I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars and pile your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and I will abhor you. 31 I will turn your cities into ruins and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will take no delight in the pleasing aroma of your offerings. 32 I will lay waste the land, so that your enemies who live there will be appalled. 33 I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out my sword and pursue you. Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins. 34 Then the land will enjoy its sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35 All the time that it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not have during the sabbaths you lived in it.
  

• So the conditions of failure are spelled out how?
  
  • Will not listen (inward rejection and stubborn)
    
  • (will not) carry out (stubborn)
    
  • Reject my decrees (outward)
    
  • Abhor my laws (heart attitude that affects outward actions)
    
  • Fail to carry out my laws (ultimately, disobedience)
    
• Moses revealed five levels or waves of punishment (Constable, 2009)
  
  • 26:14-17 The "terror" spoken of (v. 16) is probably a description of the Israelites' general feeling in response to the particular calamities that follow. These punishments were disease, lack of agricultural fruitfulness, and defeat by their enemies.
    
  • 26:18-20 The second stage of barren land might follow (one curse; cf. 1 Kings 17:1).
    
  • 26:21-22 The third stage would be divine extermination of their cattle and children (two curses).
    
  • 26:23-26 The fourth stage would be war, plagues, and famine (three curses).
    
  • 26:27-33 The fifth stage would be the destruction of the Israelites' families, idolatrous practices and places, land, and nation through dispersion (four curses).
    
  • In her history in the land Israel experienced all of these curses because she eventually despised the Mosaic Law. The record of this failure is not consistent. There were periods of revival and consequent blessing. Nevertheless the general course of the nation proceeded downward.
    
  • 26:34-39 The length of the Babylonian captivity was 70 years because the Israelites failed to observe 70 sabbatical years in the land (2 Chron. 36:21; cf. Jer. 29:10).
    
• These are particular aspects that are unique to Israel under the law
  
• Does the new covenant have any warnings?
  
  • 1 Cor 16:22 (NIV) If anyone does not love the Lord — a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!
    
  • 1 Cor 4:14-16 (NIV) I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
    
  • Gal 5:19-21 (NIV) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
    
  • 1 Thess 5:14 (NIV) And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
    
  • 2 Thess 3:14-15 (NIV) If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
    
  • 2 Tim 2:14 (NIV) Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
    
  • Titus 3:10-11 (NIV) Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
    
  • APPLICATION: A believer, who does not live rightly or is divisive, is to be treated unwelcome. And there is also a loss of reward in heaven (previous Corinthian passage)

Lev 17:1-22:33 (24:23)

Lev 17:1-7 (NIV) The Lord said to Moses, 2 "Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites and say to them: 'This is what the Lord has commanded: 3 Any Israelite who sacrifices an ox, a lamb or a goat in the camp or outside of it 4 instead of bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to present it as an offering to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord — that man shall be considered guilty of bloodshed; he has shed blood and must be cut off from his people. 5 This is so the Israelites will bring to the Lord the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the priest, that is, to the Lord, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings. 6 The priest is to sprinkle the blood against the altar of the Lord at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 7 They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.'

• There are two issues addressed here, what are they?
  
  • Verse 7: prostituting (spiritually) themselves to goat idols
    
  • Exclusivity of private worship
    
• A lot of people avoid church and say that they prefer to worship in private. Is that right or wrong?
  
  • It is wrong when it becomes exclusive or is used as an excuse to avoid public worship
    
  • This is an OT law, but not OT teaching only …
    
  • Heb 10:19-25 (NIV) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
    
    • What is the context of Hebrews passage?
      
      • Worship -- "let us draw near to God ..."
        
      • Faith -- "let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess ..."
        
      • Service -- "let us consider how we may spur on …"
        
      • Fellowship -- "let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing …"
        
• So instead of private sacrifices of freewill offerings in the field or at home, what is the instruction?
  
  • To bring it to the priest
    
  • To make it into a "fellowship offering." God (symbolically), the priest, and the worshipper all share and partake of the fellowship offering
    
• APPLICATION: God considers fellowship very important. God is not impressed by the excuse of "private worship" to avoid fellowship
  

  An interesting point is that chapters 17-27 concern private worship, or individual holiness, but the very first few verses discuss private worship in a negative manner.
  

  Chapter 18 details the marriage relationship. Incest, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, and the sacrifice of your offspring are specifically described and commanded against.
  

  Lev 18:24-28 (NIV) "'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25 Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27 for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.
  

• First of all, these practices are not new practices
  
• What was the result in the past and what is the promise for Israel in the future if they engage in these sins?
  
  • The people were vomited out of the land (pre-law)
    
  • The Israelites will be vomited out as well, just as the previous owners were
    
  • Rom 8:20-22 (NIV) For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. // 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
    
    • Why is the creation groaning? Sin brought about decay and pain
      
• APPLICATION: While these are OT law commands, they existed previously and from Romans exist today as well. What can we learn from this passage?
  
  • God will hold us accountable for our sexual sins
    

  Lev 19:16-18 (NIV) "'Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
  

  "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the Lord.
  

  17 "'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.
  

  18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
  

• We read these verses, because in context, this is the verse Jesus uses to answer the question of what is the greatest command. The first is to love God with your whole being, but the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Why is this so important to God?
  
  • First, relationships are important to God
    
  • Relationships are part and parcel to life
    
  • Selfishness, narcissism are antithetical to this way of thinking. Sin destroys relationships
    
• Also, loving your neighbor doesn't mean you always say "nice" things to him
  
  • You may have to rebuke your neighbor
    
  • Rebuke is better than holding a grudge
    
• APPLICATION: Finally, there are three things eternal in life -- God, his word, and people. If we are to live for eternal things, we will give ourselves to knowing God, following his word, and serving people
  

  Lev 22:1-3 (NIV) The Lord said to Moses, 2 "Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the Lord.
  

  3 "Say to them: 'For the generations to come, if any of your descendants is ceremonially unclean and yet comes near the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the Lord, that person must be cut off from my presence. I am the Lord.
  

• The priests have additional restrictions and rules places on them. Chapter 22 details many of them. Why are the priests and their families singled out?
  
  • Spiritual leaders have the additional responsibility of being an example to those around them
    
• In the new covenant, who are the priests?
  
  • We all are. 1 Peter says that we are a kingdom of priests
    
• The NT does not have many special rules for elders. It does have special qualifications for selection but few rules upon selection. I really only found three rules
  
  • Shepherd the flock willingly (not as a sense of duty or grudgingly)
    
  • Do not be greedy for money, but eager to serve
    
  • Do not lord it over, but be examples to the flock
    

  Lev 24:13-17 (NIV) Then the Lord said to Moses: 14 "Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. 15 Say to the Israelites: 'If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; 16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.
  

  17 "'If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death.
  

• This is an interesting combination of verses. The people want to know what to do with someone who blasphemed God's name. God tells them, he is to put to death. Then God describes what happens to any man who kills another man. What is the distinction?
  
  • Capital punishment is not murder but judgement
    
  • Murder is different than killing someone for a crime (or in war or in self-defense)
    
  • People have a philosophical problem. God sees the events at two distinctly different things. The fact that they are placed back to back highlights that distinction