Especially when stakes are high, we are called to extend each other grace. (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)
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SERMON NOTES:
Take the High Road
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Especially when stakes are high,we are called to extend each other grace.
Legal battles between Christians are off-limits. (1)
Legal battles are off-limits because:
- Christians are best qualified to handle disputes themselves. (2-5)
- Legal battles damage our witness for Christ. (6)
- Nobody wins; everybody loses. (7-8)
- We are Christ-followers. (9-11)
study questions:
For the Next Lesson: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
1. Read verse 1. This verse summarizes the problem Paul addresses in the rest of this passage through verse 11. How would you summarize the problem in your own words?
2. Read verses 2-6. What is Paul’s argument for why Christians should not settle disputes between themselves in the secular court system? How does suing one another impact our Christian witness and reputation? What should our reputation be (see also John 13:34-35)? What would Paul recommend as a better course of action to settle a dispute between Christians (see also Matthew 18:15-17)?
3. Read verses 7-8. Why is suing one another already a defeat? What point is Paul making in these verses? What is at the heart of their problem (see also 1 Corinthians 4:6, 18-19; 5:2)? Why do you think people sometimes throw aside all restraint and do whatever it takes to win an argument or conflict with another person? How should each of us respond to hurts and offenses with/from another Christ-follower (see also Ephesians 4:32, Romans 12:14-21)? How can we cultivate a Christ-like attitude with each other? Why is this so hard?
4. Read verses 9-11. Why do you think Paul reminds the Corinthians of who they used to be versus who they are now in Christ? Notice the words “washed”, “sanctified” and “justified” in verse 11. What does each of these words mean and what does each word teach us about our identity in Christ? How should each of these three realities of being a Christ-follower motivate us to treat each other?
5. So what. How do you handle it when you are hurt or offended by another Christian? Do you tend to love and forgive or want to fight to make things “right”? How would describe your heart and motivations in these situations? What is one thing you can take from this passage that will encourage you in how you relate to other Christians?