1 Cor. 6:9-20

One of the Major purposes of the Church is to Win Souls and Disciple believers. Others include the Worship and Praying to the true God, Yahweh, world Wide Evangelism, community building, etc. Wining souls and discipling others may not be the ultimate as worship but it is the first purposes whose activities help to establish the local assemblies through which the rest of the Purposes are carried out. Today, we have call for discipleship among men who seem to be aloof and absent to the activities of the Kingdom of God.

The Call is more urgent because we have fewer discipled Men in local assemblies. Men are missing! Godly and readily available men for service are missing. The Text we have in 1 Corinthians 6 is very plain but brutal. 

It speaks of believers who are being discipled. A disciple is a devoted follower or adherent to a person, system, or teaching, and we as Christians are commanded to be daily dedicated followers of Jesus Christ. A few things that are obvious about a disciple:

1. Character Formation
   Disciples are people who are in process of growing and ever changing from glory to glory. Their character driven by the fruit of the Spirit is evident by observers
2. Accountability
   Party of being discipled is to be accountable to the demands of God and his Kingdom. Accountability may include being accountable to relationships, to leadership and having other men and having a support system. 
3. Builders of Great Relationships
   A well discipled man ensure that they build healthy relationships with family, friends, and others.
4. Consistent Devotional Life
   Part of the journey of discipleship is to be consistent with the practice of spiritual disciplines, which include prayer, Bible study, and fasting.
5. Walking in Holiness
   A disciple is not perfect but is one who walks in holiness. They have the biblical view of holiness that begins in the finished work of Christ. 
   • Part of walking in Holiness is knowing how to handle Passions
   • Part of walking in Holiness is knowing how to overcome addictions. A disciple also works serious on preventing going into addictions by avoiding addictive behaviors and lifestyles and finding healthy ways to cope with stress and temptation. We have many men that need recovery from addictions so that they may find healing in Christ and His community.
   • Part of walking in Holiness is overcoming temptation and finding strength in Christ
   • Part of walking in Holiness is learning to repent when it is necessary. Repentance is recognizing our sin and turning away from it.
6. Developing the lifestyle of Service
   A disciple serves God, the Church and the World

1 Cor. 6:9-20

This passage looks at the life of the Disciple in three Time Dimensions

The Passage talks about the Past, Present and future state of a believer

First, it tells the Past status of a believer who at the time could not inherit the Kingdom of God. It is those who continue to live and practice sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). 

Second, it shows the present reality of a believer who now belongs to God. They have passed from the stage of damnation to the glory side where they now belong to God.  On this side of life, God:

Washed them: cleansed and purified them

Sanctified them: Made Holy and dedicated to God

Justified them:  Made legally free, Right with God and acceptable before Him (6:11)

Third, it shows the present continuous reality of a believer, who is becoming Christ-like in the process of maturity. (6:12-20)

In the third stage we are confronted in how we view the Body in the process of Discipleship

Truth 

1. Be careful with all forms of Relativism
   • The belief that we don’t judge other beliefs based on our convictions. Therefore, we find the good in all cultures. 
   • There are issues and activities that are lawful but to believers such things are not helpful at all. Ensure that such worldly accepted beliefs and activities don’t dominate you (6:12).
2. Cherish and the Sanctity of Your Body
   • The Body should be viewed as a medium to worship God and serve humanity (6:13)
   • Ensure that you do not use the body for Sexual intimacy with prostitutes (others 6:14).
   • Understand that you create soul ties with the People you share intimacy with. Just as we share our spirit lives with Christ, so do you share the spirit with the one you sleep with. It is not just a casual activity; It is a controlling bonding act (6:15-17)
3. Respect the Owner of the Body
   • Your body is not your own. It belongs to God. It is the habitation of the Holy Spirit (6:19). You were bought with the price therefore, ensure to glorify him