Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The Apostle Paul seeks to impress upon the hearts of the Corinthian Christians that it is foolish for them to seek settlement for their disputes outside of the church in the civil courts. He acknowledges that there is indeed a need for settlement. But he is seeking restrain from them so that these disputes may be amicably resolved among peacefully in church amongst the brethren.
The Apostle Paul reasons with the Corinthians establishing the basis that God has given them a spiritual foundation and the wisdom through His Word and the Holy Spirit to run their lives well including the wisdom to handle disputes among themselves.
William MacDonald said well, “Paul reminds the Corinthians that they will judge angels. It is almost astounding to consider the manner in which the apostle injects such a momentous statement into the discussion. Without fanfare or build-up, he states the tremendous fact that Christians will one day judge angels.”
Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
The Christmas Story
-The Star In the East (…Continued)
Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
What a beautiful picture of God’s grace guiding the wise men to worship the Saviour of the world.
Consider the gifts that these wise men brought to worship the King – gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
We all know that gold is the most precious gift fit for kings. But what is frankincense? And do you know that frankincense is more expensive than gold by gram?
Frankincense was one of the consecrated incenses fitted and used for the worship of God in the tabernacle.
The people in Israel were not allowed to make incense for themselves. It is only to be used for the worship of God.
The Apostle Paul highlights that the matters arising among the saints are “the smallest matters”. In other words, the saints are equipped with the wherewithal to settle these disputes among themselves. There is no cause to refer them to unbelievers to judge their petty disputes. It is incompatible with their spiritual stature and standing before God that they will need those without God’s Spirit indwelling them to guide them in resolving their differences.
Luke 2:1-14 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Apostle Paul is alluding to the true worth of the believer having the capacity and ability to make judgments in the future. As such, he is worthy even now to be a judge in an matter of disputes among God’s people. There is the leadership of the church that should be able to help resolve differences between brethren. And for the gravity of the matter at hand, the Apostle Paul is confident that the believer with the indwelling Holy Spirit and the counsel of God’s Word would have the ability to resolve differences between brethren.
The Apostle Paul now addresses the matter of settling disputes among believers. He has come to know that there are individuals in the church in Corinth who are seeking redress for disputes in the gentile civil courts. Is there no mediator in the church for the dispute that it has to be filed for hearing with unbelieving judges? He asked. This must not be!
He is not making a judgment concerning one that is outside the church. That he tells us in God’s prerogative. But for one that is within the church, there is a moral responsibility within the church to keep the purity of the body by dealing with sin through church discipline. He is urging the church to exercise their God-given duty to help this errant one to come back to God. And the verb “to put away” comes with it a sense of urgency, duty and command. The church is ” to put out the evil person from among its members” and it is to be done in love and great sorrow. It seemed from indirect evidence from 2 Corinthians 2:1 that this brother was reclaimed.[Zodhiates]