A Church in Crisis: A Study of 1 Corinthians

July 9, 2023

Guest Preacher: Dr. Michael Cook

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Sermon Text:  1 Corinthians 15:1-8

  

The Church in America is in crisis today. Sectors of the Church in America are characterized by false teaching, by celebration of sexual depravity, by weak and failing leadership, and by an embrace of worldly philosophy.  


In 1 Corinthians, we learn that the Church in America was not the first to suffer a crisis from many of these same things.  


In 1 Corinthians, “Doctor” Paul will diagnose the problems of the Corinthian church and will offer solutions.  Like a diseased tree, he will identify the bad fruit and the root issues that are the source of their problems.  In doing so, he also identifies what a healthy tree – that is, a healthy church – should be like. 

 

FRUIT ISSUES (CHARACTERISTICS)
DISEASED CHURCHHEALTHY CHURCH
ROTTEN FRUITPASSAGEGOOD FRUITPASSAGE
Division1:10-4:21 (1:11-13)Unity1:10
Sexual Depravity5:1-13 (5:1-2b); 6:12-20 (6:15-16)Discipline & Purity5:2c—5, 11; 6:18a & 19-20.
Conflict6:1-8 (6:1)Dispute Resolution & Repentance6:5 & 6:9-11
Confusion about Relationships (Marriage, Unmarried, Widows, Slaves & Betrothed)7:1-40 (7:1)Live Faithfully as Called7:17, 20 & 24
Abuses of Liberty8:1-11:1 (8:9-12)Self-Control8:13, 10:31 & 11:1
Disorderly Worship11:2-14:40 (11:20-22, 14:23Orderly Worship14:26 & 14:40
False Teaching15:1-58 (15:12-14)Steadfastness in the Truth15:58
ROOT ISSUES
ROTTEN ROOTSPASSAGEGOOD ROOTSPASSAGE
Lust (Fleshly Desires)3:1-3Love13:1-14:1a & 16:14
Weak Elders1:10, 4:17, 5:6Strong Elders16:13
A “Gospel and ---” Foundation3:18-19aA “Gospel Only” Foundation1:18, 2:2 & 15:20-22

 

The Church in America is in a state of confusion, chaos and crisis.


If there is conflict and division in the church, check your love.

If there is confusion and false teaching in the church, check your leadership.

If there is perversion and depravity, check your foundation.


Pollution of the Gospel will always lead to problems and perversion in the church.

 

What is this Gospel?  Paul identifies it for us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.  Some scholars think that vss. 3b – 5 may be the earliest creed of the Church.   

 

What about you, believer?  Is the Gospel your only foundation?  What about you, non-Christian?  Will you believe this good news – that your sin has created an infinite moral debt to God, that Jesus Christ in His crucifixion signed the check in His blood to pay off your sin-debt, that He will not only pay your debt but He will transform the debtor from sinner to saint – will you make this Good News your foundation, today?