Aphrodite’s Brisket

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1–4, ESV)

In the light of God’s complete knowledge of our thoughts and actions, let us confess our sins.

Congregation: Father in heaven, we thank you for the freedom you have given us through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. But we confess today that we often live like slaves.

Instead of living like you delight in us, we avoid you in shame and guilt.

Instead of receiving your favor as a gift, we try to earn it with our efforts.

Instead of pursuing your purposes, we cling to our own agendas.

Forgive us. Embrace us. Cleanse us. Heal us.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

CONTINUAL READING OF SCRIPTURE

Exodus 6:14-30

Pastor Austin Prince

THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND OUR GIFTS

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

†HYMN OF PREPARATION #265

“In Christ Alone”

SERMON 1 Corinthians 8 Food Offered to Idols Pastor Austin Prince

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy scripture to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such a way hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our savior Jesus Christ.

Text:

1 Corinthians 8 ESV

1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

AFTER SCRIPTURE

As for God, His way is perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless.

Intro:

Our brother’s keeper

Genesis 4:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.

The haunting and heartless words of Cain that echo through the ages: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

This question to us in another sense:

As Christians, those who have brothers and sisters in the family of God, what are our obligations to one another?

As has been so much our study in 1 Cor. so far, this text is teaching us what life is like under grace, not only for ourselves, but life in the body.

Outline:

One overarching principle from this text: Love Builds Up (and specifically, love builds up the brothers/sisters around us)

Love Builds Up

1 Corinthians 8:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Notice that “all of us possess knowledge” is in quotation marks

What were they talking about? Remember from the reading that they were concerned about eating food offered to idols. Some felt just fine about it and it made others feel guilty. We’ll look at that in more detail in a minute.

But there is a principle here that Paul begins his address with: “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.”

Knowledge, by itself, isn’t sufficient. Even when something is true, it must be applied in love. We cannot wield even the truth as a club.

Knowledge (truth) and Love must be joined together.

One example of two chemicals that are dangerous on their own but become safe when combined are sodium and chlorine. Individually, sodium is a highly reactive metal and chlorine is a toxic gas. However, when combined, they form sodium chloride, which is commonly known as table salt and is safe for consumption

Love without truth is dangerous flattery.

Truth without love is immature and imperfect

We are to teach the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Look to Christ here! Magnificent.

We are not to become jerks for Jesus, dedicated to the truth. We are ambassadors of Him who served us.

Known by God

What does it meant to be known by God? “If anyone loves God, he is known by God…” (v.3)

That phrase is repeated once more in Paul’s letter to the Galatians

Galatians 4:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

The movement from knowledge to love is key here. It comes not by us merely knowing more things about God, but being known by God.

Similar to this:

1 John 4:7 (ESV) — 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:9–10 (ESV) — 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Principle: Knowledge which serves the self “puffs up” but love which knows Christ serves through love. We come to love by being united to God, not merely informed about Him. Our doctrine serves, obeys, and edifies.

Here is what they claimed to know

God Is One

1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (ESV) — 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

There are more quotation marks here.

“an idol has not real existence” (Isa. 41:24)

“There is no God but one” (The Shema: Deut. 6)

Their theology was correct. The idols of the temple weren’t real, and therefore they were free to eat meat offered to them or meat that they had purchased that had been dedicated to an idol.

They were truly safe to consume a sandwich made from Aphrodite’s brisket, but they were not safe to consume their brother, which was the real problem.

How is this love applied?

Take care that this right of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak

1 Corinthians 8:7–13 (ESV) — 7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Not all possess this knowledge

But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

What defiles the conscience? So much of their lives had been lived in fear and devotion to these idols, particularly through participation in food (feasts, festivals, trade, sacrifice).

They couldn’t separate the food from the practice. It violated their conscience.

Why does that matter? (It isn’t from faith. See below)

Romans 14:13–23 (ESV) — 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died…17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit… 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble… 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Illustrations:

The Augustine movie suggested to me in seminary

Mocking theological positions as a rookie theologian in front of those who saw me as brash and arrogant.

If we see this situation like a parent and their children, this type of dynamic - of altering your actions to set a good example - is something that we frequently do to encourage and build up those under our care.

Alcohol, images & themes we promote

Now, are we held hostage to the weakness of others?

Colossians 2:16 (ESV) — 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

No, we stand before the Lord.

12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

Matthew 18:5–6 (ESV) — 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Paul remembered Jesus’ words to him: “Why are you persecuting me?”

13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Laying down of rites

Say someone was invited to eat at the temple by a non believer. The strong brother is free to eat. But what would their non-eating communicate? If they said they were not eating meat because they feared it was too honoring to an idol it would be in a sense legitimizing the idol, which is something that they don’t believe.

But if they refrain from eating and describe it as grace to a weaker brother, they both display their orthodoxy (that there is only One true God) and their orthopraxy (doing good to and loving their neighbor).

“The stronger brother can swim in that current, but by doing so he lures in brothers who can’t swim in it. The stronger brother therefore has a responsibility to stay on the beach.” - Wilson

“A pleasure or an indulgence which may be the ruin of someone else is not a pleasure but a sin.” - Barclay

“The law of love is clear—don’t sacrifice your brother on the altar of your liberty.:” - Wilson

Conclusion:

We are to seek not our own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).

So, yes, we are our brother’s keeper.

Christ is teaching us not simply about food laws but about how to love. And Christ identifies with the weaker brother, laying down His right to the throne in sacrificial service to us

We need Titus, two women who are blessing and serving young women, and new mothers, who are looking for help. This church does an excellent job with this sort of thing.

In 2024, let’s keep our eyes open, not only to how we will change and grow, but be our brothers keeper as well, especially here as covenant members at covenant of grace.

†HYMN OF RESPONSE #538

“Take My Life, and Let It Be”

THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Minister: Lift up your hearts!

Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Congregation: It is right for us to give thanks and praise!

Declaration of God’s Promises and Words of Institution

Let us hear the story of how this sacrament began. On the night on which Jesus was betrayed, he sat at supper with his disciples. While they were eating, he took a piece of bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

A little while later, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me.”

So now, following Jesus’ example and command, we take this bread and this cup, the ordinary things of the world, which Christ will use for extraordinary purposes.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Minister: Therefore, we proclaim our faith as signed and sealed in this sacrament. This is what we believe about the work of God:

Congregation: We believe that God - who is merciful, yet perfectly just - sent his Son to assume the nature of man, in order to bear the punishment for the sins of his own, by his most bitter passion and death.

Minister: This is what we believe about the work of Jesus Christ:

Congregation: We believe that Jesus Christ presented himself in our name before his Father, to appease his wrath with full satisfaction, by offering himself on the cross and pouring out his precious blood for the cleansing of our sins, as the prophets had predicted.

Prayer for the Work of the Spirit

Minister: Lord, our God, send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and cup may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we and all your saints be united with Christ and remain faithful in hope and love. Gather your whole church, O Lord, into the glory of your kingdom. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Congregation is seated.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS

INVITATION AND RESPONSE

Minister: Hear the words of our savior: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Come then, for all is ready.

Congregation: We come not because we ought, but because we may, not because we are righteous, but because we are penitent, not because we are strong, but because we are weak, not because we are whole, but because we are broken.

SHARING OF THE SUPPER

Take, eat and drink, remember and believe.

†OUR RESPONSE #248

“All Creatures of Our God and King”

Let all things their Creator bless,

and worship him in humbleness,

O praise him, alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

and praise the Spirit, three in one,

O praise him, O praise him,

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

†BENEDICTION: GOD’S BLESSING FOR HIS PEOPLE

Peace be to you, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord with love incorruptible. Amen.

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