A Few Thoughts about God’s Repentance

1 Samuel 15:35 KJV And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Does God repent?

The word repent

B1 The Hebrew word translated mourn is אָבַל ʼâbal. It means to be languid, to walk with the head cast down (Source is Gesenius’s Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon). It has the idea of mourning, wailing in sorrow, and lamenting. It was not a happy day for Samuel. This isn’t a one-time short emotion; it is much longer period of grieving. See 1 Samuel 16:1 and note below.

B2 The Hebrew word translated repent is נָחַם nâcham. It means to breathe deeply, thus any strong emotion bringing this physical response, so pity, comfort, grieve, be sorry for, repent. When used about humans it signifies repent as in turning from sinning to not sinning and from sin to God. When used about God it signifies repent as in turning from happiness and joy to sorrow. God wants to communicate His feelings so humans can understand Him better.

C1 Genesis 5:29 NIV He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed. See also Genesis 37:35

C2 God does not change His mind on His unconditional promises, His worldview, His lifestyle, or laws. Numbers 23:19 NIV God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

C3 Psalm 90:13 KJV Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. The word repent in this passage refers to pity or have compassion (still the idea of breathing deeply). See other translations here.

I understand 1 Samuel 15:35 as follows. You study it for yourself.

B1 Israel wanted a king (as the nations around them had). Thus, rejecting God as their king. 1 Samuel 8:5 NRSV and said to him, "You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations. It would be helpful if you read the context (1 Samuel 8:3-9).

B2 Granting them a king is punishment on one hand, yet a fulfillment of prophesies about the coming Messiah. A king was allowed.

B3 A king was chosen from the nation of Israel. God choose Saul son of Kish. This shows

C1 God is still sovereign over Israel and does the choosing, not the people.

C2 God choose Saul.

C3 God’s promises to Saul were conditional. 1 Samuel 12:14-15 NLT “Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. 15 But if you rebel against the LORD’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.

B4 God knew Saul’s future choices and actions. God knew that eventually Saul would disobey, and Saul would be unchosen. God was not surprised about Saul’s disobedience and disbelief.

B5 God’s repentance would be understood as God having emotions of being sad that His chosen would rebel and sin. God is not sad that He choose Saul. Saul had a choice to believe and obey or not believe and disobey. Choices have consequences. Saul had made feigned repentance several times, but God is not deceived by such action.

B6 1 Samuel 29 and verse 35 are not contradictory.

C1 Believer’s Bible Commentary notes:

Verses 29 and 35 seem to be contradictory. The first says that God does not change His mind or relent, while the second says that He regretted making Saul king. Verse 29 describes God in His essential character. He is unchanging and unchangeable, the immutable One. Verse 35 means that a change in Saul's conduct required a corresponding change in God's plans and purposes for him. To be consistent with His attributes, God must bless obedience and punish disobedience.

C2 College Press commentary notes:

We understand that it repented God that He had made Saul king when we look upon the act as man would look upon it. This is what we call an anthropomorphism—putting things in the form that man can understand. Most certainly we do not look upon the occurrence as a mistake on God’s part. God was grieved on account of Saul’s failure. Inasmuch as grief is a part of our repentance, God’s attitude resembles this part of repentance.

B7 Note 1 Samuel 16:1 LEB Then Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn about Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel! Fill up your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for myself among his sons. There is a difference between the mourning (אָבַל ʼâbal) of Samuel and God’s change of mind (נָחַם nâcham). Samuel still mourns, but of God, there is no mention of mourning.

B8 Note Jesus’s attitude of grief. Matthew 23:37 EMTV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Compare Matthew 26:37.

B9 The Holy Spirit grieves. Ephesians 4:30 EMTV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

C1 Grieve here has the idea of distress, sorrowful, and vex. (Mounce)

C2 The fact that He can be grieved shows that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a mere influence. It also means He loves us, because only a person who loves can be grieved. The favorite ministry of God's Spirit is to glorify Christ and to change the believer into His likeness (2Co_3:18). When a Christian sins, He has to turn from this ministry to one of restoration. It grieves Him to see the believer's spiritual progress interrupted by sin. He must then lead the Christian to the place of repentance and confession of sin. (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

C3 See Spurgeon’s devotion.

Jonah 3:10

B1 Translations

C1 Jonah 3:10 KJV And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

C2 Jonah 3:10 NRSV When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

B2 God said He would destroy Nineveh but had an unstated condition that if they would repent (they did), He would not destroy the city. Jonah 3:4-5 NRSV Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

God grieves when we disbelieve, disobey, and bear the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). God is pleased when we believe, obey, and bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Articles

B1 Does God repent?

B2 Does God repent?

B3 Repentance of God

A Few Thoughts About Repentance

D. L. Moody lists 5 things that flow out of true repentance:

B1 Conviction

B2 Contrition

B3 Confession of sin

B4 Conversion

B5 Confession of Jesus Christ

(Source: The Overcoming Life by D.L. ©Moody Moody Bible Institute 1994 (originally published in 1896)

Conviction

B1 Conviction is the feeling of guilt and being convinced of it. An example would be Psalm 51.

B2 The foundation of sin is not believing God. If Adam had believed God, he would not have eaten the fruit. Hebrews 11:6 BSB And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

B3 The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to convict of sin. We learn from John 16:8-10 ISV When he comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment— 9 of sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 of righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;

C1 The Holy Spirit convinces/convicts of sin.

C2 Sin is related to unbelief.

C3 Jesus is the standard for righteousness.

B4 Sin is seen in rebellion against God and His ways by breaking His laws.

Contrition

B1 The 1913 Webster’s defines contrition as The state of being contrite; deep sorrow and repentance for sin, because sin is displeasing to God; humble penitence; through repentance.

B2 Proverbs 14:9 KJ2000 Fools make a mockery of sin: but among the righteous there is favor.

B3 Psalm 34:18 KJ2000 The LORD is near unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.

B4 Adam Clarke writes:

A broken heart - לב נשברי nishberey Web, the heart broken to shivers.

A contrite spirit - רוח דכאי dakkeey ruach, "the beaten-out spirit." In both words the hammer is necessarily implied; in breaking to pieces the ore first, and then plating out the metal when it has been separated from the ore. This will call to the reader's remembrance Jer 23:29 : "Is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord? And like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? " The breaking to shivers, and beating out, are metaphorical expressions: so are the hammer and the rock. What the large hammer struck on a rock by a powerful hand would do, so does the word of the Lord when struck on the sinner's heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. The broken heart, and the contrite spirit, are two essential characteristics of true repentance.

Confession of sin

B1 Recognizing the truth that I have sinned. Psalm 51:4 NIV Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

B2 Making no excuses. Compare Adam accusing Eve and God for his sin. Genesis 3:12 NIV The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

Conversion

B1 The apostle Paul described the conversion experience to the Romans when he wrote, “Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you” (Rom. 6:17). Conversion does not involve learning a catechism or knowing the doctrine of Christ. It embraces the total person, which means conversion is related to all three powers of man: the intellect, the emotions, and the will. A person muse know certain things to experience conversion, but a knowledge of these facts alone will not save him. Conversion also involves the emotions, but it is far more than an emotional experience. Conversion is not complete until an act of the will has taken place, but even an act of our will is not enough to save if it is done in ignorance or without a heart desire. The intellect. The conversion of a man to Christ is different from a conversion to another religion or commercial product. Though many have tried, conversion cannot be passed off as a mere psychological phenomenon. (Source).

B2 Acts 26:17-18 NIV I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

B3 Conversion is not what we do; it is something God does.

B4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. (Source: 3^rd stanza of “And Can It Be” by Charles Wesley).

Confession of Jesus Christ

C1 Not ashamed to acknowledge Jesus, Christianity, and our faith and trust in Him.

C2 Confession

D1 Romans 10:9 NLT If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

D2 1 John 4:15 NLT All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

C3 Not ashamed

D1 Luke 9:26 NLT If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

D2 Romans 1:16 NLT For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile.

D3 2 Timothy 1:8 NLT So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

God’s grace initiates salvation, brings salvation, keeps salvation, and completes salvation. Without God’s grace, we are nothing. Acts 15:11 NLT We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus."

Titus 2:11-14 NLT For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

A quote from Precept Austin: True faith that saves one's soul includes at least three main elements (1) firm persuasion or firm conviction, (2) a surrender to that truth and (3) a conduct emanating from that surrender. In sum, faith shows itself genuine by a changed life.

Another quote from the same source: Henry Morris Comments: Note the superior category of faith of the disciples to that of the "many" who believed "when they saw the miracles," (John 2:23) but soon fell away. The disciples did not believe because of the miracles but because of the Scripture and Jesus' words. It is far better to place one's faith in God's Word than in signs and wonders." (Defenders Study Bible Online)

1 & 2 Corinthians Teaching Outline Part B

B1 Basic Outline

C1 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Salutation, sufferings, and Paul’s motivation

C2 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 Regarding repentance, forgiveness, comfort and truth

C3 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Competent but not boastful and contrasting the old with the new covenant

C4 2 Corinthians 4 Contrasting the Devil’s Ways with God’s Ways

C5 2 Corinthians 5 Contrasting earthly sorrows with heavenly joys and inward character with outward show

C6 2 Corinthians 6 Day of Salvation, the apostle’s persecutions, and contrasting idols with God (Yahweh)

C7 2 Corinthians 7 Purify our hearts and body, and the joy for repenting

C8 2 Corinthians 8-9 Financial giving instructions

C9 2 Corinthians 10 Judge the Heart Not Appearance

C10 2 Corinthians 11 Contrasting false apostles with true apostles

C11 2 Corinthians 12 Paul’s vision, thorn, God’s grace, and proofs he is true apostle

C12 2 Corinthians 13 Final advice and greetings

B2 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Salutation, sufferings, and Paul’s motivation

C1 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 MKJV Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, He comforting us in all our trouble, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in every trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

D1 Empathy

D2 All believers are one family. we suffer and rejoice together. We are to pray, listen, help, comfort our fellow believers who are suffering. Galatians 6:10 NIV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

C2 Hope. Our first and greatest hope is in God. Faith is believing God. Hope is expectation.

D1 Psalm 31:24 NIV Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

D2 Psalm 33:17-18, 20 NIV A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, ... 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

B3 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 Regarding repentance, forgiveness, comfort and truth

C1 Repentance is change is attitude and action. Consider King Manasseh:

D1 2 Chronicles 33:9 NIV But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

D2 2 Chronicles 33:13, 15-16 NIV And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. ... 15 He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.

C2 Forgiveness is turning an issue over to God and not seeking personal revenge. If a crime is committed, it must be reported to law enforcement.

B4 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Competent but not boastful and old and new covenant

C1 “We have done a great work, but if it wasn’t for God’s help and blessing, we are nothing but failures.”

C2 Colossians 3:12 NIV Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

B5 2 Corinthians 4 Contrasting the Devil’s Ways with God’s Ways

C1 Truth and transparency are God’s way of ministry. Any other is not God’s way. Importance of truth (note, I don’t agree with Muehlenberg in everything). Importance of transparency in ministry. (A couple of sources here and here (Be cautious with Thom Rainer as he promotes his products, etc.)

C2 Correctly interpreting the Scriptures.

B6 2 Corinthians 5 Contrasting earthly sorrows with heavenly joys and inward character and outward show

C1 The longing believers have for our new body that God will give us after we die.

C2 What is your goal in this life? What is mine? 2 Corinthians 5:1 ISV We know that if the earthly tent we live in is torn down, we have a building in heaven that comes from God, an eternal house not built by human hands.

C3 It is important we understand that we are a new creation. Our heart has been recreated. Its motives are different. It worldview and desires are godly.

B7 2 Corinthians 6 Day of Salvation, the apostle’s persecutions, and contrasting idols and God (Yahweh)

C1 If we are new creations, then it must show in the way we think, talk, and act both in private and in public. 2 Corinthians 6:6 GW People can see our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, our sincere love.

C2 We must take this verse very seriously: 2 Corinthians 6:14 GW Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?

B8 2 Corinthians 7 Purify our hearts and body and joy for repentance

C1 We need to think, talk, and live as Christians. We have a new worldview and lifestyle. 2 Corinthians 7:1 GW Since we have these promises, dear friends, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit and live a holy life in the fear of God.

C2 We need to speak the truth, not to hurt people but for their repentance.

B9 2 Corinthians 8-9 Financial giving instructions

C1 We need to help our brethren if we are able, whether by prayer, work, money, listening, assisting, etc.

C2 Our financial collection is not a tax (tithe) but of a willing heart whether 5%, 10%, or 50%. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

B10 2 Corinthians 10 Judge the Heart Not Appearance

C1 When a Christian fights for his/her faith, it is not with military weapons, or anger, yelling, force, bullying, etc. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 GW The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people's defenses, that is, their arguments and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.

C2 2 Corinthians 10:12 GNB Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!

D1 Proverbs 12:15 ESV The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

D2 Galatians 6:3 GNB If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself.

B11 2 Corinthians 11 Contrasting false apostles with true apostles

C1 A difference between natural gifts and spiritual gifts: 2 Corinthians 11:5-6 GW I don't think I'm inferior in any way to your super-apostles. Even though I'm not good with words, I know what I'm talking about. Timothy and I have made this clear to you in every possible way.

C2 The suffering of a true apostle.

C3 Weakness or acknowledgment of God’s grace? Jeremiah 9:23-24 GNB The LORD says, "The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. 24 If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me, because my love is constant, and I do what is just and right. These are the things that please me. I, the LORD, have spoken."

B12 2 Corinthians 12 Paul’s vision, thorn, God’s grace, and proofs he is true apostle

C1 Sometimes special blessings lead to the temptation of pride, but God knows what we need. A problem, a suffering or a difficulty, may actually be a blessing. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 GW especially because of the excessive number of revelations that I've had. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan's messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited. I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me. But he told me: "My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ's power will live in me. Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It's clear that when I'm weak, I'm strong.

C2 When I am weak, God is strong. Isaiah 40:29-31 GNB He strengthens those who are weak and tired. 30 Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. 31 But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

B13 2 Corinthians 13 Final advice and greeting

C1 Do we do this? We must. 2 Corinthians 13:5 GW Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don't you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you're failing the test?

C2 Psalms 26:2 GNB Examine me and test me, LORD; judge my desires and thoughts.

Pure in His eyes

Theme: Purity in Christ

Scriptures:

• 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: God desires His church to be pure, withdrawing fellowship from those who continue in sin.

Think: Live with the awareness that purity is vitally important, both in my life, and in the church.

Do: Repent of personal sin, and support the church’s efforts to encourage repentance in others who profess Christ.

Notes and questions:

B1 Which are pure?

C1 Depends on the definition.

C2 Is this a definition?

C3 There is a blessing: Matthew 5:8 NRSV  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

C4 Our actions may be pure, but God considers the attitude and motivation as well. We may give to others but if our attitude is wrong, say, to bring honor to ourselves, our gift will not be considered good. God can still use such gifts, but it is not a pleasing sacrifice. Proverbs 16:2 NRSV  All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

C5 Philippians 1:9-11 GW  I pray that your love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight.  (10)  That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.  (11)  Jesus Christ will fill your lives with everything that God's approval produces. Your lives will then bring glory and praise to God.

D1 Prayer that love will continue to grow.

D2 Growing because of increase of knowledge and insight (understanding, discernment).

D3 With that love (for God) from spiritual growth,  it will result in a greater ability to make a decision that pleases God.

D4 When we do what pleases God, it leads into purity and being blameless.

D5 Doing things God’s ways and in honor to Him will bring spiritual blessings.

D6 This brings God glory and praise.

C6 So we need a definition and a standard of purity.

D1 What would be a good definition?

D2 What would be a good standard?

B2 2 Corinthians 5:1-13,

C1 Based on this passage, how have these individuals and church not met the good standard of God?

C2 Why is fornication wrong in God’s view?

D1 Love is

E1 a choice

E2 loyalty, faithfulness

E3 commitment

E4 a oneness

F1 The oneness between spouses is different than

F2 Oneness as Christians with God: John 17:20-23 NKJV  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  (21)  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  (22)  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  (23)  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

D2 Fornication

E1 Usually is based on fleshly desires, not love.

E2 In the case in 1 Corinthians 5, there are loves that are not lawful before God, and most governments, as incest.

E3 The Bible has this relationship to be adultery

F1 Father living: Genesis 35:22 GW  While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went to bed with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had 12 sons.

F2 Father living or dead: Leviticus 18:8 GW  Never have sexual intercourse with your stepmother. She is related to you through your father.

F3 Probably living: Leviticus 20:11 GW  Whoever has sexual intercourse with his father's wife has violated his father's marriage. Both he and his father's wife must be put to death. They deserve to die.

F4 Father living or dead: Deuteronomy 27:20 LEB  'Cursed be the one who lies with the wife of his father, because he has dishonored his father's bed.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'

D4 This relationship is later recorded that he Corinthians and the individuals repented: 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 NRSV  For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly).  (9)  Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance; for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way by us.  (10)  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.  (11)  For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter.

C2 Does this passage mean that he will be damned by God? 1 Corinthians 5:5 NKJV  Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

D1 No

D2 It is for discipline.

D3 It is my understanding that this was done with Apostolic authority. We can’t do this today. 1 Timothy 1:20 NKJV  Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

D4 Is there a place for church discipline for impurity today?

D5 When a church disciplines today, what attitude are we to have?

C3 How do we avoid situations like the Corinthian church faced?

C4 How does this illustration by Ironside (in his comments on 1 Corinthians 5:5) help us?

The story is told of a man who wanted to hire a coachman. He lived in a mountainous region and the road to his home ran along a precipice. A number of men applied for the position. He said to one of them, "Tell me, are you an adept at handling fractious horses?"

"Yes, I am," he said.

"Can you drive a six-horse team?"

"Yes."

"How near can you drive to the edge of the cliff without going over?"

"I have a steady hand and my eye is pretty true; I can get within a foot of it and not go over."

"You step outside," said the man, and he called another and asked him the same questions.

He said, "I am an expert in handling horses; I can drive right along the edge and not go over."

"Step outside," and he called another and asked the questions.

"If you want a man to drive on the edge of the precipice," said this man, "you do not want me. When I drive, I keep as far away from the edge as I can."

"You are the man I want. I will take you."

Christian, be careful of the edge of the precipice. Do not get near it, for the first thing you know you will go over, and this will mean not only the ruin of your own testimony, but the sad thing is, you are liable to drag others over with you. Keep away from the edge, and do not resent it if those who watch for your souls as those who must give account try to impress upon you the solemnity of these things.

C5 What can we follow in our lives from this verse? Psalms 1:1-6 NKJV  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.  (3)  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.  (4)  The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.  (5)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  (6)  For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

C6 Consider: Hebrews 2:18 NKJV  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. What other verses can you think of?

C7 How do we know true from false repentance?

D1 Tears?

D2 Promises?

D3 King Manasseh is probably the best example of Biblical repentance. In 2 Kings 21, Manasseh was doing these: offered his son to be burned up as a sacrifice, killed lots of innocent people, and apparently other stuff so evil it is not recorded except to say he was more wicked than those who lived in the land before Israel came. In 2 Chronicles 33, the Assyrian king came into Judah, captured this evil beast, put a hook through his nose, made him walk to Assyria, and threw him into the dungeon where he prayed to God to forgive him. God restored him to his kingdom where he rid the land of all the evil things he could find. Then, he never did the evil again, which must be the standard of repentance.

C8 What can we learn about purity from this picture?

B3 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,

C1 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  (10)  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

C2 What is the warning?

C3 What can we be thankful for in this passage?

C4 Are believers being judgmental and intolerant to point out errors?

B4 James 5:19-20 NKJV  Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,  (20)  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

B5 Purity is required

C1 For public things as

D1 Paying taxes

D2 Employment and business

D3 Obey the law (as much as possible, for if the government passes a law that Christians must renounce Jesus, we must not).

D4 Drive according to the law

D5 Live at peace with all people as much as possible

D6 Do not deny Christ

D7 Not be ashamed of the Lord Jesus and following the rules He established

C2 For private things

D1 How we treat our family

D2 How we treat our spouse

D3 How we treat our animals

D4 How we act at home

D5 For devotions, etc.

C3 For personal things

D1 How we think

D2 What we look at on the internet, etc.

B6 A few verses about honor for all of us

C1 John 5:44 NKJV  How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

C2 Romans 13:7 NKJV  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

C3 1 Timothy 5:3 NKJV  Honor widows who are really widows.

C4 1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV  Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

C5 1 Peter 2:17 WEB  Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

C6 1 Peter 3:7 NLT In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

B7 Next week

C1 Truly Content

C2 Theme: Content in Christ

C3 Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7:1-40