Examples Pt. 3

Some Principles of Christian Liberty We’ve Already learned

The Purpose of Liberty

Never to harm our brethren - Chapter 8

The Limitations on Liberty

Paul used himself as a living illustration as to why we should limit our liberty - Chapter 9

The Harm of “Over-indulging” in our Liberty

Examples of what “not to do” - Chapter 10:1-22

What it Comes Down To...

Four simple principles to live your life by:

Be Mindful of Your Brethren 23-24

Don’t be Too “Picky” 25-27

Live to Glorify God 28-31

Seek to Win People to Christ 32-11:1

Be Mindful of Your Brethren 23-24

1 Corinthians 10:23 KJV 1900

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

This of course refers to “non moral” issues

There are indeed certain things which are not lawful for Christians to participate in.

Question?

How do we limit ourselves regarding things which are lawful?

Ask two simple questions:

Is it Expedient?

Does it Edify?

Expedient = does this offer to me or to my brethren some advantage, or will it cause harm?

Edify = does this build me or my brethren up, or will it cause harm?

It is our responsibility as Christians to mindful of how our actions affect other people.

How?

1 Corinthians 10:24 KJV 1900

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Wealth = well being

This principle goes against both our human nature, as well as our American culture!

The truth:

Christ left His throne in glory and lowered Himself to become a human

We are to follow in His footsteps

Our goal every day should be to be more like Christ today than yesterday

Don’t be Too “Picky” 25-27

These verses go back to what we discussed in chapter 8, regarding meat purchased in the shambles

Shambles = meat market

Ref. Meat most likely sold in worship to an idol…what were they to do?

Simple

Don’t ask questions.

Ultimately the meat came from the One true God 1 Cor. 10:26

1 Corinthians 10:26 KJV 1900

26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

What if?

What if a Christian had been invited to a feast in an unbeliever’s home?

Go if you want to, but don’t question where the meat came from

If the host tells you this meat was sacrificed to an idol, don’t eat it! 1 Cor. 10:27-29

1 Corinthians 10:27–29 KJV 1900

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

Why not eat it? Becasue they most likely sacrificed it themselves to the idol, and if you knowingly eat of it you are putting your approval on idol worship.

Another principle to remember is we should...

Live to Glorify God 28-31

What is (should be) the goal of every believer’s life?

To glorify God!

Paul was challenging the Corinthians to put this into practice

They had the liberty to eat what they pleased, but the question is, would they be willing to make a sacrifice to keep from harming their brethren?

Paul urges them to view everything from the view point of 1 Cor. 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV 1900)

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Is God glorified when we do something that will cause harm to our brethren?

NO!

If we are living our lives to bring glory to God then we will with our lives...

Seek to Win People to Christ 32-11:1

Our purpose is to be more Christ like

Our Goal is to glorify God

Our duty is to win others to Christ

Have you ever asked this question:

How many types of people are there in the world?

There are three. 1 Cor. 10:32

1 Corinthians 10:32 KJV 1900

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Jews - unsaved Jews

Gentiles - anyone who is not a Jew. The obvious reference here is to unsaved Gentiles

The Church of God - made up of both saved and Jews and Gentiles.

It is the duty of each Christian to reach the lost people around them and make “New Christians”

It is the duty of the church to reach out and “rescue the perishing”

By not doing so, we are not obeying Christ

This was Paul’s desire in verse 33 and it should be our’s as well. 1 Cor. 10:33

1 Corinthians 10:33 KJV 1900

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Take Away

This section does not conclude with 10:33, but with 1 Cor. 11:1

1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV 1900

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

What is needed in our church today is three things:

Godly leadership

Godly people to follow that leadership

Hard work