It's the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, that shows us how dangerous sin truly is, as well as that which enables us and motivates us to lovingly seek the purity of Christ's church.

1 Cor. 5:1-5 teaches us the utter importance of pursuing holiness in the fear of God --and not just individually, but together, corporately. For it is the calling and responsibility of all God's people to look out for one another, and to faithful maintain a righteous and holy community, even if difficult discipline is necessary. For it's only in this way is the witness of the church preserved, the distinction between the church and the world maintained, and the great commission is accomplished.

Sunday School Hour: The 1689 London Baptist Confession chapter 22 paragraph 8: the observance of the Christian Sabbath

Discipleship is a central part of the Christian and church life, and here we get a window into the loving, faithful model of discipleship that walks with the mind of Christ, builds up the church, and glorifies God.

Sunday School Hour: The 1689 London Baptist Confession chapter 22 paragraph 8: the observance of the Christian Sabbath

The Corinthian church had a strong theology of glory in that they favored the wise, the strong, the mighty, the eloquent according to the world's standards. Inevitability, they also then despised and looked down upon the simple, the weak, the humble, the lowly. They had a triumphant perspective on the Christian life, and this clashed with the way of the cross, which the apostle Paul now openly and blatantly exposes for how wrong it is.

How do the scriptures call us to look at the church and ministry and leadership and the pastorate through an eschatological lens --in light of the Day of Judgment? Here Paul dismisses frivolous criticism and instead calls us to look to Christ as Head of the church and what He will bring to consummation at the last day.

Sunday School Hour: The 1689 London Baptist Confession chapter 22 paragraph 7: the Christian Sabbath

Using both law and gospel, the apostle Paul seeks to lift our gaze above this world, and even above the leaders and the ministry in the church, that we might look to Christ and pursue the mind of Christ. For when we look to Christ and we see the wealth of riches and resources found in him, we won't have time or the care for the petty divisions that often turn the church inside out.