Introduction- ONE OF THE MOST PRACTICAL EPISTLES IS I COR. - AS IT TOUCHES THE PROBLEMS OF THE SOUL

1. Paul did not ask Galatians or Corinthians to pray for him- 1st was apostate, 2nd was carnal -lost prayer
2. The solution to almost every Church problem is found in I Cor- 45 min read. when in need
3. Paul urged all Christians to exercise the Mind of Christ-2:16 and to Judge in a Spiritual way, desiring that they choose the best Spiritual gifts

I.- WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY SAY RE: JUDGING

Matt 7:1-5 presents a greatly misunderstood concept- Can you escape Judgement?

A.- WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP OUR NEIGHBOR- SO GET BEAM OUT OF YOUR EYE & HELP HIM

1. 1 Cor 2:15-"He that is spiritual judgeth all things"
2. Rom 14:13-Don't Judge re: meat or days- but do judge not to put stumbling black before others
3. Rom 16:17 -Judge divisive ones, and avoid them-
4. I Cor 4:2,3 Paul refuses to Judge himself, yet maintains as a steward- Faithfulness required
5. 1 Cor 4:5 Judge nothing before the time comes- the final judgement sees hearts!
6. 1 Cor 4:6 The reason that no one be puffed up - key - any Judgement that puffs up is sin
7. I Cor 5;9-12 We are to Judge, and part company with a brother that is in SIN- even covetous
8. I Cor 6:2-5- We are told that we will Judge Angels- so why can't we Judge on earth?

B.- THE BIBLE SHOWS TWO ERRORS IN OUR JUDGEMENT TODAY THAT MAKES IT DANGEROUS-

1. If we Judge in error- we can condemn ourselves or others-John 7:24-"not appearance-but right"
2. If we fail to Judge- we can leave ourselves and our loved ones subject- I Cor 11:31

So let's examine I Cor carefully so that we let nothing fall to ground.

II.- WHY DID PAUL WRITE TO CORINTH?

The key is in 1:7- He loved them, and did not want them lagging in any spiritual gift

A-BY THEIR DIVISIONS, ARGUMENTS, FALSE IDEAS, CARNALITY, AND STUBBORNESS THEY MISSED BLESSINGS

1. 1:10-13a they misunderstood the ministry- and pitted one pastor against another-All God's men
2. 2:2 they gossiped, & destroyed the effectiveness of even the Apostle who loved them
3. Paul insisted 3:13 that they all would be judged,- & 4:2 God required faithfulness

B.- BUT THEY WERE PUFFED UP WITH THEIR OWN SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS, DOING NOTHING ABOUT SIN IN THE CHURCH

1. 5:1,2 they permitted adultery in the church- not judging it, but gossiping about it-
2. 6:1-2 They went to court of law with Christians-refusing to allow Church officers to settle it
3. 7:1-2 They argued over monasticism or marriage-both OK if God leads individual-
4. 8:1 they argued over meat offered to idols, while if a person loved the Lord- v.3 World sees
5. 11 over the length of hair, and woman's place in the church- So Paul declares -v. 16
6. 15:12 they argued over the Resurrection- and without it there is no faith- 17
7. 16:1,2 even as simple a thing as an offering in the church- & storehouse tithing

But Paul summed the whole matter up in the final words- 16:22-1 any love not the Lord-

III.- PAUL PLEAD "I  WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT" 12:1

Here comes the biggest problem in the church, and one still prevalent today-

A.- THERE ARE MANY SPIRITUAL GIFTS, 12:8-10, 28-30 AND WE ARE TO COVET THE BEST ONES

1. Paul listed 13 different gifts- are they still in church now? Apostles? Miracles?
2. Perhaps God would revise the list today-Ushers, Trustees, S.S. Supts, Electricians,-etc.
3. But the basic principle still persists- 12:31a -Covet the best- not fight over least

B.- PAUL DECLARES HE WILL SHOW THEM A MORE EXCELLENT WAY, BETTER THAN A GIFT IS A FRUIT OF SPIRIT

1. 12:31a the more excellent way- fully defined in 13 called Charity or LOVE- Faith Hope Love
2-Had they been obedient to the command of Christ- to Love- the church would not be carnal
3. But they insisted on being divided, arguing over tongues, leaders, doctrines,-14:33 Confusion

C.- EVEN GRACIOUS PAUL HAD TO GIVE UP ON SOME OF THEM- 14:38 IF YOU WISH - STAY IGNORANT REV 22:11

1. No matter how Paul pleads, or I plead, -some will willfully, arrogantly,-refuse God's love
2. If you want your own way more than you want God's blessing- I, Paul, nor God can help you-Kaput
3. If you WON'T love the Lord- 16:22- Be accursed? for the Lord cometh- He will judge & test

Until He comes- 16:13 "Watch ye, Stand fast in the faith, Quit you like men, Be Strong

Conclusion- THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN JUDGE IN SPIRIT AND FIND GOD'S BEST IS TO HAVE MIND OF CHRIST

1. How can you have the mind of Christ if you are not Born Again? -Inner Witness of Spirit?
2. How can you have the mind of Christ if you are not surrendered to His leadership?
3. How can you have the mind of Christ if you are not Working for His Glory?

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