“I speak this to your shame” 1 Corinthians 15: 33-34

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (NKJV) Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. 34 Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame. (ASV)

Purpose of preaching “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 2:4) – “Convince, rebuke, exhort” “All Scripture… profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) – “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” The Lord: “As many as I love” (Revelation 3:19) – “I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent”

The reason for their Shame They did not believe in the resurrection (vs ) The cause of their lack of faith was closely attributed to the company they were keeping (vs. 33) –A worldly mind often leads to materialistic thinking and apathy with regard to the Word of God –Cure: (vs. 34) “Awake to Righteousness” ; “Do Not Sin”

We Should Be Ashamed… … When we participate in ungodliness Romans 1:28-32; Galatians 5:16-17; Philippians 3:18-19

Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Philippians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.

We Should Be Ashamed… … When we participate in ungodliness Romans 1:28-32; Galatians 5:16-17; Philippians 3:18-19 … When we lack knowledge 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Hebrews 5:11-14 … Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We Should Be Ashamed… … When we participate in ungodliness Romans 1:28-32; Galatians 5:16-17; Philippians 3:18-19 … When we lack knowledge 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14 … When we uphold those who teach error 2 John 9-11; Romans 16:17-18

2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Conclusion When gospel preaching convicts a good heart, it brings shame and sorrow. This sorrow brings repentance and renewal. Consider your heart! 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.