The Unrighteous Will Not Inherit the Kingdom of God Lessons From the Courtroom 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

The Issue at Hand Specifically, members of the Lord’s Church at Corinth were taking their disputes to the pagan courts of Corinth for resolution This issue was representative of a much larger concept that the Corinthian brethren needed to learn – the Church was to be different than the world!

2 Corinthians 6:17  Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

To Judge or not to judge?

To Judge or not to Judge? From Vine’s Expository Dictionary: “KRINO” – to separate; to pronounce judgment (c) to give sentence (d) to condemn This is how we think of the word “judge”; it is one who decides right or wrong and then executes a sentence.

To Judge or not to Judge? “KRINO” – to separate; to pronounce judgment (f) to be involved in a lawsuit, whether as plaintiff or as defendant DEFENDANT WITNESSES PLAINTIFF JUDGE

What is the Difference? JUDGE (Arbitrator): To hear from two sides, consider the law, and then render a judgment and final verdict. (Matthew 7:1) JUDGE (Plaintiff/Defendant): To offer evidence that proves they have followed the law. (1 Corinthians 6:2)

The Saints will Judge the World The saints serve as an example to the world through: Words they speak (or do not speak) Scriptural lives they lead Examples they share Saints judge in the role of the plaintiff by offering Scriptural evidence against sin.

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.  The judgment of the world began with the preaching of the gospel and it continues until this day!

The Word of God will Judge John 12:47-48 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Self-Judgment Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. Self-Judgment

Judgment of Christians Galatians 2:11-12,14 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. Judgment of Christians

Judgment of Christians Galatians 2:11-12,14 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel… Judgment of Christians

Judgment of Non-Christians 1 Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Judgment of Non-Christians

Sin will not Inherit the Kingdom Notice the sins catalogued here in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, Homosexuals, Sodomites, Thieves, Covetous, Drunkards, Revilers, Extortioners

Similar Lists Galatians 5:19 Ephesians 5:5 1 Timothy 1:9 Romans 1:18-32 **

The Problem of USA, 2015 NONE OF THE LAW OF CHRIST CONSIDERED SOME OF THE LAW OF CHRIST CONSIDERED ALL OF THE LAW OF CHRIST CONSIDERED

THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER Sin is sin, and it will not inherit Heaven! The Church should be separate from the world – In the world, not of the world! Congregations that straddle the fence will eventually be forced by their own precedence to accept more liberal ideas. The conservative New Testament church should see benefit from this!

Watershed Moment: Same-Sex Marriage I agree with the manner that many are using to defend this practice against the “Christian” community! Church Sign Apostle Paul The practice is condemned by the Apostle Paul (who also happened to condemn women teachers)! I’m sorry if my same-sex marriage offends you, your wife, and your girlfriend.

The Problem of USA, 2015 NONE OF THE LAW OF CHRIST CONSIDERED SOME OF THE LAW OF CHRIST CONSIDERED ALL OF THE LAW OF CHRIST CONSIDERED

How should the Church respond? Judge by the way we live, in the role of plaintiff, not arbitrator. Offer Scriptural evidence for what we believe, and never waver. Refuse to “support” non-Biblical ideals, regardless of their cultural popularity. Remember that the Church and the world will always be at odds. Allow Jesus to be the final judge.

How/When will Christ judge the world? 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

How will Christ judge the world? 2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. On the Day of Judgment, Jesus will serve in the role of final judge!

WE MUST JUDGE IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER! The Key to Judgment WE MUST JUDGE IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER! DEFENDANT WITNESSES PLAINTIFF JUDGE

One Final Thought Is calling a Christian “non-judgmental” a compliment?