When You Have a Dispute with Another Believer Studies in 1 Corinthians Series [15] 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 September 14, 2014 Pastor Paul K. Kim

LITIGATION CULTURE THEN AND NOW Then: In 1 st -century Corinth, lawsuits were so rampant that it was a part of their lifestyle; the Corinthian church was influenced by this litigation culture. Now: In 21 st -century California [western world], there is also a rampant culture of litigation; churches/Christians also often ignore the biblical mandate for no lawsuits among believers. A real-life case: The Corinthian church didn’t intervene a dispute between the believers, resulting in the wronged believer’s lawsuit against the wrongdoing believer. Paul’s unusual approach: In cases like this, one would usually rebuke first the wrongdoer, then the suing person, then the church; but Paul’s approach was completely opposite. Why?

WHAT IS PAUL’S ANSWER REGARDING LAWSUITS AMONG CHRISTIANS? 1)To the Corinthian church: Christ-followers must NOT take each other to court because of the three truths about the church. 1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? (v. 1)

WHAT IS PAUL’S ANSWER REGARDING LAWSUITS AMONG CHRISTIANS? 1)To the Corinthian church: Christ-followers must NOT take each other to court because of the three truths about the church. 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers (vs. 2-5)  Truth #1: IDENTITY of the church—we will judge the world and angels; lawsuits against believers nullify this identity.  Truth #2: TESTIMONY of the church—we lose our testimony to the world concerning God’s love, grace, and reconciliation.  Truth #3: WISDOM given to the church—the Holy Spirit gives us competent wisdom/discernment as we mature in Christ.

WHAT IS PAUL’S ANSWER REGARDING LAWSUITS AMONG CHRISTIANS? 2)To the Wronged [suing believer]: It’s better for us to suffer wrong and unfair loss than taking another believer to court. 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? (vs. 5-6)  Reason #1: Christians are to overcome evil with good rather than paying back with evil (1 Pet. 2:23; Rom 12:19-21).  Reason #2: To have lawsuits with one another is already a defeat for us—we lose our testimony as well in so doing.  The way of Jesus is to bear the cross for one another—by losing to self, we experience true victory over evil and the Evil One.

A Lesson on Bearing the Cross In one controversy I had very good arguments. I felt that when I pointed them out, [Sister Barber] would see how my co-worker was wrong and would support me. But she said, "Whether that co- worker is wrong or not is another matter. While you are accusing your brother before me, are you like one who is bearing the cross? Are you like a lamb?" When she questioned me in this way, I felt very ashamed and I could never forget it. My speech and my attitude that day revealed that I was indeed not like one bearing the cross, nor like a lamb... It is only the spirit of a lamb that God takes delight in: the gentleness, the humility, and the peace. Your ambition, lofty purpose, and ability are all useless in the sight of God. I have been down this path and must often confess my shortcomings. All that pertains to me is in the hand of God. It is not a question of right or wrong; it is a question of whether or not one is like the bearer of the cross. In the church, right and wrong have no place; all that counts is bearing the cross and accepting its breaking. This produces the overflowing of God's life and accomplishes His will. — Watchman Nee

WHAT IS PAUL’S ANSWER REGARDING LAWSUITS AMONG CHRISTIANS? 3)To the Wrongdoer [sued believer]: be warned sternly against self-delusion of cheap grace—bear the fruit of repentance! 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. 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. (vs. 8-11)  The rebuke for the wrongdoing believer is the stern warning.  The warning is that unrepentant wrongdoers in all kinds evil will NOT inherit the kingdom of God—so don’t be deceived!  Rather than being complacent in cheap grace, we as Christ- followers are to bear the fruit of true repentance.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways are you more convinced that you must not use lawsuits to resolve a dispute with another Christ-follower? 2.What truth about the church/believers do you find most convicting reason for avoiding lawsuits against believers? 3.How will you seek to bear the cross rather than seeking your revenge and payback? How will you turn from cheap grace to true repentance?