The BBQ Next Door

Introduction:

· The BBQ next door: What do you do?

· Another divisive issue in Corinth– and the symptoms are different but the pboelm the same

LET’S LOOK AT HOW OUR WEAKNESSES CAN DIVIDE US, HOW GRACE CHANGES US, AND HOW LOVE STRENGTHENS THE CHURCH.

I) Our Weakness that Divides us

A. The Weakness that Defiles Conscience (vv. 7)

i. Weaker believers & The problem of “idol-food”:

1. New converts & resistance to idol meat because of pagan association

2. EXAMPLE: Christmas tree? Harry Potter?

ii. Weaker believers & the problem of a scrupulous conscience

1. “weak” conscience: no gray area, but all morally B/W issue

2. EXAMPLE: A lens: Wearing? Children in the cold? Eating? Politically correct?

B. The weakness that lacks love (vv. 1-3, 10-13)

i. Knowledgeable believers & their lack of love

1. But: Paul isn’t speaking to them, but to theologically sound, smart…

2. Theological soundness àothers violate conscienceà sin! (vv. 10-11)

3. EXAMPLE: Having a beer that leads another person to do soà

ii. Knowledgeable believers and their insistence on rights (VS. 9)

1. While it is unloving to be morally hypersensitive…

2. …It’s also unloving “my rights!” as your guiding moral principle

HOW DOES THE GRACE OF GOD CHANGE THIS?

II) The Grace that Changes Everything

A. The Problem with Scruples & The Problem with being “in the know”

i. A shocking idea: Food or Drink doesn’t really matter! (vs. 8)

1. Shocking: dietary rules seemed to govern relationship with God!

2. This is the problem with moral scruples: Performance-basedàto God!

ii. The problem with “being in the know” (vv. 1-3)

1. Knowledge can be a “false self” that we construct to hide from God

2. EXAMPLE: Read theological tomes, but God’s love hasn’t transformed you

B. Christ is the one Whom We Serve (vv. 4-6)

i. God’s grace radically reorients those “in the know”

1. The “Shema” reminds us that to know God is to Love & serve Him

2. This destroys pride: God sees past our façade, as we truly are, loves us!

i. God’s grace radically changes those who are scrupulous

1. We are far worst than our scruples know…

2. But Jesus is our righteousness who will “commend us to God” (vs. 8)

HOW DOES GOD’S GRACE TRANSFORM RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE CHURCH?

III) The Love that Strengthens our Church

A. For Those with A Weak Conscience:

i. “Eat the meat” (vv. 4, 10:25,

1. On many matters, ask: Is this a moral absolute or personal preference?

2. We may receive God’s good gifts with gratitude! (10:26)

3. EXAMPLE: Harry Potter? A beer?

ii. Don’t eat the meat” (vv. Vv. 11-12)

1. However, we should not do what violates our conscience

2. EXAMPLE:

B. For those “In the Know”

i. Eat the meat (vv. 29, 20)

1. Those who are morally scrupulous can’t impose their preferences on the whole group

2. EXAMPLE: you aren’t bound by the convictions of others

ii. “Don’t eat the meat” (vv. 28-29)

1. However, if you know that your actions are going to cause a moral conflict for others, loving them means refraiing

2. ASK: Even if I have a right – am I building others up? Being elpful? Seeking the good of my neighbor?

Transition:

Conclusion

Apocryphal story about Jesus: “