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1 Corinthians Copyright 1999. John Creamer. All rights reserved. Questions: What is the purpose of the judicial branch of our government? What is a court of law intended to do for us as citizens? Why do people sue other people or companies? How have lawsuits affected our economy? …our insurance
rates? …our society? (1 Corinthians 6:1-11 NIV) If any of you has a dispute
with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead
of before the saints? {2} Do you not know that the saints will judge the
world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge
trivial cases? {3} Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much
more the things of this life! {4} Therefore, if you have disputes about
such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!
{5} I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among
you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? {6} But instead,
one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers!
{7} The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been
completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather
be cheated? {8} Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do
this to your brothers. {9} Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit
the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor
idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
{10} nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers
will inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And that is what some of you were.
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. Paul seems to be appalled in verse 1…over what? (The
godly taking their disputes to the ungodly to have them resolved.) Perhaps
a good analogy would be to question why a close knit family would take
their family’s differences to an outsider to have them resolved. Whom did he say in verses 2-5 was better qualified to do
the job? (Even men of little account in the church.) Who did Paul say was watching their inability to get along?
(Unbelievers.) Why is this a problem? (Among other things, it adds fuel
to their arguments of ‘Why I don’t go to church.’) In fact, what did he say in verse 7 that the lawsuit meant?
(Already defeated.) What do you think he meant by ‘already defeated’? In verses 9-11, Paul seems to change subjects…but does
he really? Perhaps the next passage explains why these three verses follow
the admonition to avoid the court of law: (1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV) We know that the law is good if
one uses it properly. {9} We also know that law is made not for the righteous
but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and
irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
{10} for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and
for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine {11} that conforms
to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. Who is the law made for? (For the lawbreakers, rebels, ungodly,
sinful, unholy, irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers,
murderers, adulterers, perverts, slave traders, liars and perjurers—and
for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine) So, what does it mean when fellow Christians sue each other?
(They have publicly accused each other of being one of the aforementioned
dirtbags.) (Matthew 5:21-26 NIV) "You
have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and
anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' {22} But I tell you that
anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again,
anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin.
But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
{23} "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, {24} leave your
gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother;
then come and offer your gift. {25} "Settle matters quickly with
your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with
him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may
hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. {26}
I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paidthe last
penny. Many Christians today feel it is their responsibility to
try to avoid going to court with another Christian, but that it is O.K.
to go to court against a non-Christian. Jesus identifies two groups of
people with whom we need to reconcile our differences. Who are they? (Both
brother—and adversary, i.e., we need to avoid going to court with
anyone.) According to verses 25 and 26, what did Jesus say can come
out of a courtroom experience? (Ecclesiastes 3:16-18 NLT) I also noticed that throughout
the world there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law
are corrupt! {17} I said to myself, "In due season God will judge
everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds." {18} Then I realized
that God allows people to continue in their sinful ways so he can test
them. That way, they can see for themselves that they are no better than
animals. Although this was written 3000 years ago, do you think it
is possible these conditions could still exist in some courtrooms today? Why does verse 18 say God allows this corruption to continue? Have you known anyone who ‘fought like dogs and cats’
in the courtroom? (Ever witnessed a divorce trial?) (Proverbs 25:7-10 NIV) What you have seen with your eyes
{8} do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if
your neighbor puts you to shame? {9} If you argue your case with a neighbor,
do not betray another man's confidence, {10} or he who hears it may shame
you and you will never lose your bad reputation. What does verse 8 say is possible if you sue your neighbor?
(You lose.) What does verse 9 say to do instead? How long does verse 10 say you will be remembered for doing
this the wrong way? (Micah 7:2-7 NIV) The godly have been swept from the
land; not one upright man remains. All men lie in wait to shed blood;
each hunts his brother with a net. {3} Both hands are skilled in doing
evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful
dictate what they desire-- they all conspire together. {4} The best of
them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day
of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you. Now is the time of
their confusion. {5} Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend.
Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words. {6} For
a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a
daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies are the members
of his own household. {7} But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,
I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. This passage isn’t as old as the one from Ecclesiastes—it
is only 2700 years old! However, have we not seen some of these same conditions
concerning justice today? Are there men lying in wait to shed blood? (Watch the nightly
news.) Are rulers on the take? Are all judges free from the power of a bribe? Do the powerful ever dictate what they desire? Verse 5 even talks about the threat from a marriage partner…what
is the divorce rate today? Statistically, how true is verse 5 today? (50%) According to verse 7, where should we place our hope instead? (Proverbs 29:9 NIV) If a wise man goes to court with
a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. What might you run into if you go to court? Things to do to try to avoid litigation… Many go
to court as a retaliation. Consider these verses as alternatives to the
retaliatory response. (Romans 12:17-21 NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. {18} If it is
possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. {19}
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it
is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
{20} On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning
coals on his head." {21} Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good. According to verse 19, whose responsibility is it to insure
justice? Will those who do evil get off ‘scott-free’? According to verses 20 and 21, what is our responsibility? (1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV) Make sure that nobody pays
back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone
else. What does this tell us not to do? …to do? (Proverbs 20:22 NIV) Do not say, "I'll pay you back
for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. What does this tell us to do rather than strike out on our
own? Is this more faith than some have…to leave justice
in God’s hands? (Proverbs 24:28-29 NIV) Do not testify against your neighbor
without cause, or use your lips to deceive. {29} Do not say, "I'll
do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." What three things do these verses tell us not to do, any of which could put us in court? Many lawsuits begin with people who refuse to resolve issues… (Proverbs 17:14-15 NIV) Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. {15} Acquitting the guilty
and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both. Two verses, in sequence…same topic, two different points offer advice
about the courtroom. What does verse 14 tell us is a good way to avoid
a dispute that could escalate to litigation? (Proverbs 20:3 NIV) It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every
fool is quick to quarrel. Strife leads many to the courtroom. What does a man of honor do in the
threat of strife? Who ‘takes the bait’ when there is the possibility of strife?
(Notice this says ‘every’ fool, not just some…i.e., quarreling
is a defining quality of every fool.) Is there a difference between the rich and the poor receiving justice
in court? (Proverbs 29:7 NIV) The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern. What sometimes happens to the poor in court? Why do the wealthy stand a better chance sometimes in the courtroom? (Exodus 23:1-3 NIV) "Do not spread false reports. Do not help
a wicked man by being a malicious witness. {2} "Do not follow the
crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert
justice by siding with the crowd, {3} and do not show favoritism to a
poor man in his lawsuit. What does verse 3 say not to do? Why would someone show favoritism to the poor man in a lawsuit? According to verse 15, who deserves more justice…the poor or the
rich? (Neither.) What the courtroom is supposed to be… (Proverbs 24:23-25 NIV) These also are sayings of the wise: To show
partiality in judging is not good: {24} Whoever says to the guilty, "You
are innocent"-- peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.
{25} But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing
will come upon them. How fellow believers are to resolve issues… (Matthew 18:15-17 NIV) "If your
brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the
two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. {16}
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every
matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
{17} If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he
refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or
a tax collector. (Deuteronomy 17:6-13 NIV) On the testimony of two or three witnesses
a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony
of only one witness. {7} The hands of the witnesses must be the first
in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must
purge the evil from among you. {8} If cases come before your courts that
are too difficult for you to judge--whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults--take
them to the place the LORD your God will choose. {9} Go to the priests,
who are Levites, and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire
of them and they will give you the verdict. {10} You must act according
to the decisions they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful
to do everything they direct you to do. {11} Act according to the law
they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from
what they tell you, to the right or to the left. {12} The man who shows
contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there
to the LORD your God must be put to death. You must purge the evil from
Israel. {13} All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not be contemptuous
again. (Exodus 20:16 NIV) "You shall not give false testimony against
your neighbor. (Deuteronomy 19:15-21 NIV) One witness is not enough to convict a
man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must
be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. {16} If a malicious
witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, {17} the two men involved
in the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests
and the judges who are in office at the time. {18} The judges must make
a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving
false testimony against his brother, {19} then do to him as he intended
to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you. {20} The
rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will
such an evil thing be done among you. {21} Show no pity: life for life,
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Bottom Line: Close With Prayer. |