1 CORINTHIANS 5

Heart Issues
This is a hard chapter for all of us struggle with some of the things that Paul talks about here and if we expelled people for such behavior we would all be expelled ourselves. I do agree with the main crux of his argument and the actual person in question. There is such a balance that we must show as Christians of truth and grace. We do not need to condemn others, but help them through their struggles and call them to a holy life. I struggle here because I have never seen church discipline done well or really at all in my lifetime. If ever executed it has been by people within the church condemning others although they seem to condemn hypocritically very often. We need to forgive as Christ forgave us, but not be ran over by some that would take their liberty way too far. This chapter presents the challenge and the balance of grace and truth to me. The obvious focus though is on those in the church and not those outside the church. We need to deal differently with those that do not know Christ yet as we lead them to a relationship with Christ.

Notes
-Even pagans don’t try to have sex with their own mommas/daddy's wife, that is gross.
-They were not proud of the fact that someone in their congregation was with his father’s wife, they were proud nonetheless. This is a problem with churches today who do not carry each others’ burdens. We are proud even though sitting right down the aisle from us there are people struggling with heinous sins and unbelief. We can enjoy our church, but never be too comfortable with where we are and the state of our people.
-This is an evidence of church discipline which does not happen in our churches today. We are much more consumer sensitive than to do that. I am not quite sure what Paul means by his spirit being saved, but his flesh being destroyed. This could mean a couple of possible things. The church could excommunicate him in such a way that he longs to be a part again and is restored, or they banish him with no hopes of return to cleanse their church and hope for his eternal security in Christ.
-Yeast actually consumes sugar and puts out carbon dioxide and alcohol. It can be harmful if you only think about the sugar, but it can enhance with flavor and make the dough rise. Paul uses this illustration here to point out that even a little sin can corrupt the church. It works throughout and it is better to be completely without than to let some work throughout the dough.
-He reveals here that we should not hold non-Christians to a Christian standard. We know that they naturally walk in this way, but we are called out as a people to represent Christ and we should not fellowship with those that call themselves Christians and live like the world.