Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
If God has not forgiven us, we are still in our sins. If God has not forgiven us, we are awaiting the fearful wrath and judgment of God. But because God has forgiven us through the unmerited favour of God through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we no longer are at enmity with God but was reconciled to the Father in a blessed familial relationship enjoying peace and joy in our hearts.
William MacDonald observed well, “Paul’s concern in this matter was not simply personal vindication or primarily that an erring brother be brought in line but that the Corinthian congregation could demonstrate the strength of their commitment to Paul (cf. 7:2). Their love and devotion to him would be affirmed by their being obedient to his directives (cf. John 15:14).”
The repentant is to be received with love. The prodigal son came to himself and came back to the father. The father confirms his love towards him by conferring the best clothing the household could offer, the best meal and a ring to restore his position in the family.
Hymns: RHC 3 Love Divine, 474a O Perfect Love, 143 O Holy Night
Psalm 148
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
TRIBUTE TO OUR MAKER
OUTLINE
From the Heavens Above (v1-6)
From the Earth Below (v7-13)
From God’s people (v14)
William MacDonald said well, “Paul had reason to believe that their pendulum might swing too far (cf. 7:11). They were no longer dispassionate spectators of the wrongdoer, and might become impassioned prosecutors. In that case he would be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (lit., “grief”).”
Hendricksen said, “For this particular person, the punishment inflicted on him by most of you is enough.” The church had to deal with a sinner who had committed an offense that affected the entire congregation and hampered its work. We assume that the church applied the rules for discipline that Jesus prescribed (Matt. 18:15–17).”¹
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
William MacDonald observed, “The event that made his visit painful (v. 1) and prompted the severe letter seems to have centered around the action of a certain man at Corinth. Whether he was a member of the Corinthian church or someone visiting them is not clear. Paul did, however, regard him as a Christian. What this individual did to cause grief is uncertain.”
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
John 10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Emily Elliot was born at Brighton, England, on July 22, 1836. Throughout her life she was associated with the evangelical faction of the Anglican Church. She gave of herself tirelessly in working with the rescue missions and Sunday Schools in her area. Emily was a niece of Charlotte Elliott, author of the hymn “Just As I Am”. For six years she edited a magazine called the Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor. Forty-eight of her hymns were published in a book entitled Under the Pillow, a book of verse for the special use of people who are ill in hospitals, infirmaries or at home.
The Apostle Paul agonised and with many tears as he penned the words of this necessary epistle to direct the church in Corinth to the godly path. He speaks of the anguish of his heart as he sought to express his thoughts because the gospel’s progress was at stake – Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.