2024.01.28 This Isn't About Food
Notes
Transcript
This Isn’t About Food
This Isn’t About Food
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
3 But whoever loves God is known by God.
4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”
5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),
6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
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.
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 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.
This Isn’t About Food
This Isn’t About Food
Today’s sermon is really more of a Bible Study than a typical sermon. Sermons are intended to compel action or change, and most Bible studies are designed to emphasize knowledge and understanding. I think studying this passage, though, will compel at least a consideration of actions.
Admittedly, we often look at Scripture from a simplistic perspective, which is not always a bad thing. Some of you may be familiar with Occam’s Razor…
►►►CLICK [Occam’s Razor]
Occam’s Razor is a problem solving principle that is commonly expressed: “The simplest explanation is usually the best one.” The actual principle is very similar to this, but ironically … this common understanding is an oversimplification of Occam’s Razor. :)
►►►CLICK [Occam’s Razor real]
The principle of Occam’s Razor actually suggests we search for an explanation that is constructed with the smallest possible set of elements.
Fewer moving parts make for an engine that’s easier to repair.
Don’t try to prove a theory with 7 steps when 3 steps will do.
Don’t look for the complex answer, when a simple one is sufficient.
I can see how we got to “The simplest explanation is usually the best one.”
But today’s Scripture proves that the simplest explanation is not always the right approach. Today’s reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians in its simplest form is all about food. But I would propose what Paul is saying ...
►►►CLICK [Is not about food!]
This Isn’t About Food
This Isn’t About Food
When we write a letter, or a speech, or a sermon, the point of the message is usually found at the END of the message. So I’d like to begin our “walk” through this passage at the end.
►►►CLICK [1 Corinthians 8:13]
13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
Now, I’ve already told you this isn’t really about food. So, as you read this single statement, what’s Paul’s actual topic? Paul’s topic is recognizing how our actions impact fellow believers!
If my diet causes somebody to stumble, then I should change what I eat … at least in front of them. Does that sound preposterous to you? It does a little to me. It gives other people a level of control over me that I’m not totally comfortable with - how ‘bout you?
So why should we be okay with this? Anybody want to take a stab at that one?
Simplest answer is usually true - “because God’s Word says so” - okay, perhaps … but there’s a logical reason we should be okay with this. Is Paul telling us we should all become vegans because some vegans in our society are militant? Is this saying no one should eat sugar because someone is surely enticed by sweet stuff (like me)?
The first thing that makes this okay, is that it’s not telling us to let just anybody control what we eat.
►►►CLICK [OTHER CHRISTIANS]
13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
The ‘other people’ involved are other Christians. All Christians are yoked to each other whether we like it or not, so what one of us does impacts the rest of us in one way or another.
So, what’s the impact we’re trying to avoid here?
►►►CLICK [STUMBLING]
13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
We’re trying to avoid causing a fellow Christian to stumble and perhaps fall into sin.
That sounds laudible, doesn’t it? Honorable? Even reasonable enough?
“But, Pastor Chris,” I can hear you saying, “the issues around food restrictions were settled a long time ago. Why should I have to adjust my choices just because somebody else doesn’t understand it?!”
Well, friends, pardon the pun, but here’s where we get into the real meat of this passage.
The dietary restrictions Paul is referencing find their beginning in the book of Leviticus. Now, I know you sit up late nights and read Leviticus because it’s such an uplifting, exhilarating read, but humor me for a moment, and let’s look at this particular restriction that I’m sure is already on your regular reading plan multiple times each year:
►►►CLICK [Leviticus 7:22-27]
22 Then the Lord said to Moses,
23 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. You must never eat fat, whether from cattle, sheep, or goats.
24 The fat of an animal found dead or torn to pieces by wild animals must never be eaten, though it may be used for any other purpose.
25 Anyone who eats fat from an animal presented as a special gift to the Lord will be cut off from the community.
26 No matter where you live, you must never consume the blood of any bird or animal.
27 Anyone who consumes blood will be cut off from the community.”
So, you see the restrictions Paul is talking about come directly from the Old Testament:
►►►CLICK [Animals who have been sacrificial animals are off-limits — and STRICTLY SO!]
25 Anyone who eats fat from an animal presented as a special gift to the Lord will be cut off from the community.
But go back to the beginning … who’s giving this command?
►►►CLICK [Look at the source:]
22 Then the Lord said to Moses,
►►►CLICK [God tells Moses to give instructions … to whom?]
23 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. You must never eat fat, whether from cattle, sheep, or goats.
I can’t tell you the number of times someone has asked me why Christians don’t follow the Levitical dietary restrictions, and it’s usually an attempt to convince me I should be willing to reject other Old Testament standards because I don’t hold this standard. But there’s a very good reason Christians don’t hold to the Levitical diet, and it’s not just that bacon is amazing! Here it is:
Are any of you “the people of Israel”? No? Then this is not an instruction to you! The dietary restrictions are given specifically to Jews … and it was settled in Acts 15 that Christians DON’T have to be Jewish in order to be Christians.
Christians are FREE from the dietary restrictions because we’re not Jews first, so we can eat what we want — bring on the ham sandwich for lunch, BABY! And you can use this information to lord over ignorant people who don’t know any better!
Oh … wait a minute:
►►►CLICK [Going back to our passage from Corinthians…]
9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.
So, this is all about protecting weaker believers!
Are we free to eat whatever we want? Absolutely! … except when doing so may cause a weaker believer to stumble. The Greek word here indicates stumbling involves offense or struggle. So, don’t eat anything that would cause offense to a fellow believer, especially if they are a weaker believer. And that means,
►►►CLICK [it’s not really about food!]
This Isn’t About Food
This Isn’t About Food
It’s about protecting weaker believers.
Let me give you an actual example:
I was raised in a German Catholic family … so … um … I’ve been known to indulge in a beer or two from time to time. I was also raised in Kentucky … so sometimes it’s bourbon instead of beer. Am I free to drink those? As long as I’m not drinking for the sake of getting drunk … yes! Scripture is much clearer than church tradition on the topic of alcohol consumption. But I have studied the issue, and I know others have not. So, although I’m free, I exercise caution around alcohol.
I wouldn’t consume alcohol if I’m eating dinner with an alcoholic … or the child of an alcoholic. I wouldn’t want to cause a struggle for a young believer, so I am careful when and how I exercise my freedom — you see that in this scripture, right?
“But, Pastor Chris,” I can hear you saying, “I know better. I know the restrictions aren’t really in place for Christians, so why should I give up my rights just because someone else is ignorant?”
Again … Occam’s Razor - because the Bible says so … but Paul also gives us the reason behind this instruction:
►►►CLICK [Look at how the NIV translates the beginning of Paul’s teaching here —
1 Corinthians 8:1]
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
Our task in making disciples of Jesus Christ involves not only telling people about the grace of Jesus. It also involves encouraging others to deeper relationships with Jesus. And Paul knows human nature. If I wallow in my knowledge, eventually I become an arrogant … um … piece of work … an arrogant piece of work … yeah, that’s how I’ll say that.
But if I set my sights on building up my fellow believers, I will willingly give up my rights because I love my fellow believers. Because I want them to see a bigger picture of Jesus’ grace, I’m willing to give up a bourbon over supper. It’s insignificant to me, but it helps edify them. It helps encourage them further down the road.
A lot of people see the Bible as a book of rules and restrictions, and they aren’t wrong. But the heart behind those restrictions is helping people find Jesus, and loving them enough to do whatever it takes to help them find Him and develop a deeper relationship with Him.
Friends … choose wisely how you exercise your rights and your freedom.
Knowledge makes us arrogant. But love builds us up.
Let him who has ears hear. Let’s pray.