by Roby Ellis
[Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8]
Introduction
A. As we have seen already, the church in Corinth needed to get rid of some things that were threatening to destroy them.
B. Are there some things we need to remove from our lives?
I. What is leaven?
A. Physically speaking, it is an agent that causes bread dough to rise (Matthew 13:33).
B. In spiritual applications, leaven often represents corruption (1 Corinthians 5:8; Matthew 16:6-12; Luke 12:1).
C. The effects of leaven become more apparent as time passes (cf. Matthew 12:33-35; 7:15-20).
II. We must purge out the old leaven.
A. We must do this because it will eventually leaven the whole if we do not remove it (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9).
B. We must purge it out because we are observing the Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; cf. Exodus 12:15).
C. We must remove the old leaven because we are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:15-20; cf. Revelation 21:27).
III. How do we purge out old leaven?
A. We begin by disciplining ourselves (1 Corinthians 9:27; 6:18).
B. We do it by practicing church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:9-11) and by maintaining order in the body (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; 14:23).
Conclusion
A. Is there any leaven hidden away in your life?
B. We must purge out the old leaven, no matter what it may take!