Counter Culture: Living for Christ when Culture Invades the Church
1 Corinthians 5:1 (5/2/2021) Pastor Joel Dover
Counter Culture
Living for Christ when Culture Invades the Church
1 Corinthians 5:1
Getting Started:
1. Let’s start by rereading 1 Corinthians 5:1 and by recognizing three main ideas
from this verse…
a. The Statement of their sin. What was the reported issue at Corinth?
b. The Severity of their sin. What made this so unusual at Corinth?
c. The Specifics of their sin. What was the specific nature of the sin?
2. The one thing that really stood out to me from this week’s message was _____?
3. Did you learn anything new from this week’s message that you want to share with
the group?
4. Was there anything that you heartily agreed or disagreed with in this week’s
sermon...and why?
Exploring the Text:
1. We started this week by defining the Greek word Porneia...which is translated in
our English Bibles as Sexual Immorality. This is a general catch all term for any
sexual behaviors that are outside of the parameters that God has established for
us. Why would God establish these boundaries? What authority does God have
to tell us how we should behave in these areas? What is the responsibility of a
Christian in obeying God’s Word?
2. We compared the acceptable sexual boundaries to driving on the highway. As
long as we stay between the lines...stay in our lane, everything is fine. However,
when we disregard the boundaries or drift out of our lane, a crash is certainly
coming. Have you seen examples in your life of how others have experienced a
crash in their life because they strayed from these principles? How does
something like this impact individuals, families, churches, and communities?
3. We are all aware that our culture today has an agenda that is embracing sexual
immorality more and more. This is very evident in the media, and in politics.
Counter Culture: Living for Christ when Culture Invades the Church
1 Corinthians 5:1 (5/2/2021) Pastor Joel Dover
How should a Christian navigate these cultural shifts when there are clear
conflicts between our faith position and the new norms of culture? How can we
deal with cultural pressure in light of our calling to holy living?
4. God’s boundaries are often challenged by the culture at large. With a spirit of
grace, let’s explore these ideas further from God’s Word. Again, our agenda is
not to condemn, but to embrace God’s truth.
○ Heterosexual Relationships: These verses expres God’s regards for
alternative lifestyles.
i. Leviticus 18:22
ii. Romans 1:27-32
iii. 1 Corinthians 6:9
○ Monogamous Relationships: Here are some examples of Biblical families
that ignored this, and paid the price. Let’s study and discuss the family
dynamics that ensued. Can we learn anything about God’s love from this
command?
i. Deuteronomy 17:14-17
ii. Genesis 16:1-10 Abraham and his wives.
iii. 1 Samuel 1:1-8 Elkahah and his wives.
iv. 1 Kings 11:1-8 Solomon and his wives.
○ Marital Relationships: Marriage was God’s idea. Let’s explore God’s intent
for marriage a little more.
i. Hebrews 13:4
ii. Ephesians 5:3
iii. Ephesians 5:23-33
iv. 1 Corinthians 7:2
v. 1 Corinthians 6:18
○ Lifelong Relationships: There are only two Biblical reasons that a person
would be permitted to get a divorce, and yet, these reasons to not demand
it. Let’s explore this further.
i. Matthew 5:31-32
ii. 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
iii. Matthew 19:3-9
5. Everyone deals with fleshly appetites and temptations. How should we address
the proclivities and desires of men in relation to God’s Word. How does our sin
nature need to be kept in check when we have appetites for things that are out of
bounds? Should we make exceptions to God’s standards when we have valid
excuses...or when we can justify our decisions?
Counter Culture: Living for Christ when Culture Invades the Church
1 Corinthians 5:1 (5/2/2021) Pastor Joel Dover
6. According to Matthew 15:19, how is sexual immorality, and other related sins, a
symptom of a heart issue? What should a Christian do if he/she discovers
spiritual heart disease?
Digging Deeper:
1. We learned this week that the church at Corinth was tolerant of this sinning
brother, whose sin was far worse than what was tolerated openly in Greek
culture. What is the responsibility of the church whenever a Christian is living in
an open lifestyle of sin? Hint: Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20.
2. When a Christian realizes that he/she is caught in sin, the Biblical response is to
confess the sin and to repent. What is the difference between being sorry over a
sin and repenting of it? How is this like a U-turn on the interstate?
3. What are some practical ways that Christians can avoid the sin of sexual
immorality? What are the danger zones that we need to be aware of? Are there
tactics that the enemy consistently uses to ensnare us?
