Video preaching

The unrighteous shut out of Heaven

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Sermon notes 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

I was made to think of this passage by two unconnected pieces of information.

In the past week, the Okanagan Pride society has held various events in Kelowna as part of a week-long celebration of wicked and immoral lifestyles that are contrary to the Law of God. Part of the week’s schedule involved a spiritual service last Sunday provided by the Centre for Spiritual Living, Kelowna—an organization decidedly foreign to the gospel of Christ. Cp 1John 4:1.

The second thing was a news report of a prominent British ‘Christian’ rock singer Vicky Beeching who is very popular on the American Christian rock and mega-church scene, having announced that she is a lesbian but that God still loves her. She brands herself as a “theologian, religious commentator, broadcaster and musician”. She has become yet another ‘Christian’ celebrity pushing for sodomite marriage. She stated in Christianity Today (Aug 14-14): “I think God has very much walked me through this, hand in hand. I do not feel I left God in back there, in the evangelical church. I feel like he’s become closer and closer. I feel I was in the desert, making this decision, and he’s been in the desert with me, that this is something he’s led me towards, something I am supposed to do.” There is a growing chorus of such assertions, that an immoral lifestyle of one kind or another, is perfectly compatible with calling oneself a Christian.

Because such concepts are becoming more mainstream in our society there is a danger of God’s people becoming acclimatized to such views. Already there are so many of God’s people ambivalent and tolerant of error in this regard. The spirit of Lot is alive and well in the modern Sodom in which we live.

I HEAVEN IS CLOSED AGAINST WICKED MEN.

The word of God is very clear on this matter. Cp Rev 21:27.

The unrighteous, v6. This is a legal term to describe those who are condemned by the Law of God. It simply indicates those who have broken that Law. It is a legal description of what it means to be a sinner. Cp 1 John 3:4. All men by nature are in this condition. Cp Rom 3:19-20.

A long list of crimes. Paul gives a list of crimes against God’s law in these verses. That is how these activities are presented: crimes against God’s law! It is by no means exhaustive, and likely is shaped by what he knew of the influences on Corinthian society—even among the judiciary they were foolishly turning to, v1 unjust (same Greek). For this reason there is a heavy emphasis on immorality of various sorts. The sins which Okanagan Pride revels in are here.

Not inherit, v9. There is an important implication in this expression which becomes clear from Rom 8:16-17. This too is a legal term that expresses the rights of a child. Those who practice/endorse/promote such sins are not the children of God. They have never been born of the Spirit.

II A DANGEROUS DECEIT BUILT ON IGNORANCE.

Ignorance. Know ye not…Ignorance of even such a basic gospel tenet is a tragic and widespread reality. It can even affect saints! Obviously ignorance is subjectively defined. The Centre for Spiritual Living in Kelowna and Okanagan Pride will condemn me as ignorant for holding to the Bible. This is ignorance of a particular kind. It is ignorance of God, His Law, His justice etc. This is ignorance in its absolute and ultimate form. The saints in Corinth were acting as if they did not know this basic gospel truth. They had forgotten. Cp Heb 5:12.

Delusion. These believers were deceived on this matter. Ignorance always makes men vulnerable to deceit. These Christians had adopted views on this subject that were a lie. Today the visible church is filled with those who peddle such lies and even genuine believers may be disposed to accept this lie. Cp Ezek 13:22, Jer 23:14, 17, 1Tim 4:1-3, 2Tim 3:13-14. It is a delusion to accept/teach that God endorses sin.

A rebuke. Paul is rebuking this error to counteract its effect in the life of the Corinthian church. He does so in plain terms, pointing out the reasons why it gains ground—on the basis of ignorance and deceit. He insists on the basic truth of the gospel that Heaven is shut fast against the wicked.

III THE GLORIOUS CHANGE GRACE CAN MAKE.

Some of these believers had a history of these very sins. They are now part of the Church of Christ. The tense used here is striking: …such were some of you… They were no longer living in this way! A complete change of life and status before God. Cp Rom 1:24, 26, 28. Clearly, this giving up is not irreversible. Such sins are not unpardonable. These saints had forgotten the vileness of their own sin which led them to carelessness about separation from the sins of their society.

The change described:

Washed. Sin is a filthy, polluting thing. Here is an experience of cleansing. It is the analogy of pardon. Cp Jn 3:5, Titus 3:5

Sanctified. They are set apart to the Lord in salvation. They become his, v19-20.

Justified. This is also a legal term which contrasts directly with unrighteous. A new legal verdict! They are delivered from condemnation, accounted righteous and made an heir of Heaven as a child of God. The Lord Jesus… Brought into submission to the Saviour and His rule having once been wicked rebels against His word.

The change effected.

By the Spirit. The Holy Ghost works to regenerate the sinner so that God becomes our God. It is the Spirit’s work to change filthy sinners into holy saints with access to Heaven. It is not a human work that is required but Divine.

On the basis of Christ’s person and work. Clearly, it is for His sake! In the name of…implies this. There is the suggestion that sinners assume the identity of Christ before the Law of God. What Christ has done in providing a surrogate righteousness and being a substitute to suffer the penalty of our sin is the basis of justification. Cp 2Cor 5:17, 21.

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