When Minnesota Nice Isn’t So Nice
February 19, 2023
KEY SCRIPTURE
Corinthians 5
Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church
5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.
THEME
The essence of the term “Minnesota Nice” is that in order to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, you avoid telling that person how you really feel. The first century Christians in Corinth, were doing their best “Minnesota Nice” impression. There was deep-set sin happening in the flock and they were too proud to be exposed. So, they let it continue. Because of their nonchalant attitude, the future of their fellowship was threatened. We can’t let that happen at Ridgewood Church. When it comes to dealing with sinful behavior, being “Minnesota Nice” isn’t so nice after all.
1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.
Sinful Behavior Will Be Found Out Even if You Are Afraid to Disclose It
1 Corinthians 5:2
And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
The Failure to Disclose Sin is a Means of Self-Protection, Based on Pride
Genesis 3:4-5
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
1 Corinthians 5:2b-13
Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Commitment to “Minnesota Nice” Will Cause You to Disobey God’s Commands
Dealing With Sin within the Church
- Take action to protect the church (vv. 6, 13)
- Cast the sinner out of the fellowship for the purpose of restoration (v. 5)
- Do not associate with a Christian who is caught in sin (v. 9)
- Welcome back a repentant sinner (Luke 15:11-32)
- More scripture: Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10-11
When it Comes to Sin in the Church Act Now, Before it is Too Late
1 Corinthians 5:7
Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
When it Comes to Sin, there Are Practical Ways to Avoid the Snare of Being Minnesota Nice:
The End Game is a Spiritually Healthy and Effective Ridgewood Church