Meat Sacrificed to Idols - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Meat Sacrificed to Idols South Bay Christian Church, Jan 27 I Cor 8:1-13 Michael McNally Introduction to I Cor 8 ● What was the conflict? ● What does the NT teach about the topic? ● What are idols today? ● What are similar issues today? ● What is the root of the problem? [selfish pride] ● Lessons for Christian conflict resolution Carnivores Conflict OK Vegetarian s Forbidden Sacrificed Meat God Disrespected Carnivores Hindered Conflict OK Vegetarian s Forbidden Sacrificed Meat God Disrespected You Hindered Conflict One side Another Opposite side An Issue 1 Cor 8:1-3 ● Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ● Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; ● but anyone who loves God is known by him. 1 Cor 8:4-5 ● Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." ● Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as in fact there are many gods and many lords-- 1 Cor 8:6-7a ● 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. ● It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. 1 Cor 8:7b-8 ● Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ● "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 1 Cor 8:9-10 ● But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. ● For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 1 Cor 8:11-12 ● So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. ● But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 1 Cor 8:13 ● Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall. Meats-to-idols: Is there an overall verdict? Who Where Verdict Comments Paul 1 Cor 8 OK, but Don’t offend other’s consciences [Gentile] Paul Rom 15 OK, but Don’t create stumbling blocks James Acts 15 Abstain Resolve early church crisis [Jewish] Jesus Rev 2 Reject Symbolic of defilement 2024: Meat sacrificed to these is a non-issue What are our idols, today? What are we most committed to? What takes our - Time? - Energy? - Money? - Emotional investment? What do we first turn to? What’s our last resort? You This really matters to you! An Issue God Less important? You More important? An Issue God Disrespected You Hindered Conflict Your Idol Another Opposite side An Issue What are parallel issues today? ● Attending Same-Sex Weddings ● Drinking Alcohol ● Participation in Secular Entertainment Lev 18:22; Rom 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-10 Prov 20:1; Eph 5:18; Prov 23:31-32 1 John 2:15-17; Psalm 101:3; 2 Cor 6:14 ● Celebrating Halloween (or other days) 10:2-4; 1 Cor 10:20-21 ● Use of Social Media ● Tattoos and Body Art Matt 6:1; James 3:5; Prov 4:23-25 Lev 19:28; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Pet 3:3-4 Deut 18:10-12; Jer What are parallel issues today? (Pt 2) ● Yoga and/or Meditation ● Sports or commerce on Sabbath / Sunday Exo 20:3-5; 2 Cor 10:5; 1 Tim 4:1, 7 Exod 20:8-10; Isa 58:13-14; Neh 13:15-18 ● Financial Investments in alcohol, tobacco, or gambling, or weapons. ● Engaging in Political Activism or Protests, merging faith & politics ● Dating non-Christians Prov 23:20-21, 1 Tim 6:10; Prov 1:17-19 Rom 13:1-2; 2 Tim 2:4; James 4:4; Phil 3:20 2 Cor 6:14; 1 Cor 7:39; Deut 7:3-4 Kinds of errors ● Lax/worldly, to the point of sin ● Rigorous, to the point of legalism ● Proud of your knowledge or conduct ● Judgmental of others ● Creating a stumbling block / insensitive One key root of the problem? Selfish pride. 1 Cor 8:1-2 …knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. One key cure of the problem? Service in love. Rom 15:1-2 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Love and accept others, whatever side they take 1 Cor 8:8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Rom 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Love others sacrificially 1 Cor 8:9, 13 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak…Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. Phil 2:3-4 be motivated by the mind of Christ God Honored above all You Your side Relationship Aided Humility, acceptance, compassion An Issue Another Opposite side