Cause for Shame

1 Corinthians 1:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:17-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-6, 9-13

INTRODUCTION: The word shame in all its variations is found more frequently in Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians than in any other New Testament book. In order to get a full understanding of what this means, it should be understood that the word shame means a feeling of guilt or disgrace and one that should cause mankind to blush. It should be of no surprise that the church Paul called carnal possessed some characteristics that the apostle deemed to be shameful.

I. THE SHAME OF CONFLICT WITHIN (1 Corinthians 6:1-5)

A. The Problem of Conflict (1 Corinthians 6:1)

1. It is not uncommon for saints to have matters against one another.
2. These can even be “the smallest matters” (1 Corinthians 6:2).
3. These matters may “pertain to this life” (1 Corinthians 6:3-4).

B. The Source for Solutions (1 Corinthians 6:1-4)

1. They go before “the unjust” (1 Corinthians 6:1).
2. They “set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church” (1 Corinthians 6:4).

C. The Shame of Conflict Resolution (1 Corinthians 6:5)

1. “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you?”
2. To “be able to judge between his brethren?”

II. THE SHAME OF CONFUSION (1 Corinthians 11:1-16)

A. The Established Order (1 Corinthians 11:3)

1. The head of Christ is God.
2. The head of every man is Christ.
3. The head of the woman is the man.

B. The Established Laws (1 Corinthians 11:5-7, 13-15)

1. For a man to have long hair, it is a shame unto him (1 Corinthians 11:14).
2. For a woman to have long hair, it is a glory to her (1 Corinthians 11:15).

C. The Shame of Confusion

1. The lack of visible distinctions
2. The lack of emotional distinctions
3. The lack of understood distinctions

III. THE SHAME OF DISORDER (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12)

A. The Leadership in the Church (1 Corinthians 14:34)

1. Let your women keep silence in the churches.
2. They are commanded to be under obedience.

B. The Leadership in the Home (1 Corinthians 14:35)

1. The women can ask questions at home.
2. The men will be the leaders and educators at home.

C. The Shame of Disorder

1. Men have ceased to be leaders at home or at church.
2. Now women are leading both.

IV. THE SHAME OF IGNORANCE WITHOUT (1 Corinthians 15:34)

A. The Concern for Slumber

1. Awake to righteousness
2. Sin not
3. For example
a. Stop the infighting
b. Understand the simple laws of nature
c. Get your homes and churches in order

B. The Shame of Ignorance

1. Some have not the knowledge of God.
2. I speak this to your shame.

CONCLUSION: The New Testament needs to call itself to examination! Just as Israel’s final days prior to their captivity during the ministry of Jeremiah, the church has lost its ability to blush and feel shame. All the turmoil and confusion within has led to ignorance without.