Midweek 4.10.24
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1 Corinthians 8
1 Corinthians 8
1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
This whole chapter Paul is addressing the problem of Idol worship and things being offered to idols
Something that might seem remote to us
It was a huge part of culture in the Corinth
There was both public and private sacrifice
Private sacrifice:
Animal divided into three parts
first a part was burned on the alter
second the priest received their portion
third the “worshipper received the rest of the meat
For wedding ceremonies and feasts or parties this was a super common practice
What contributed and complicated matters was at this time, people believed strongly and fearfully in demons and devils
they believed that they inhabited food and other things and it was a literal act of taking in demons with food without offering the food to idols to bless them
All the religious systems of the day, except Judaism, worshiped multiple gods, and most of this was done in the form of idolatry.
They often offered sacrifices of food unto these idols and then sold these food sacrifices in the marketplace.
Apparently, there had been a debate among the Corinthian Christians over whether or not the believers could eat this food that had been sacrificed to idols.
Some felt that this was just food regardless of what it had been through, while others felt that this food was defiled because it had been offered to idols.
Paul revealed that they were arguing the wrong point. The real issue wasn’t the condition of the food but the conscience of the person who was eating it.
This is the same approach that Jesus took in:
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
Paul went on to stress that not just the conscience of the person eating the food was involved, but the conscience of the weak person who observed this was important too.
Modern Day applications:
Christians should judge the correctness of their actions not only on the basis of what is right and wrong but also on the basis of how their actions impact others
Our witness is more important than our personal liberties
If you’re having to hide it or make excuses for yourself you probably shouldn’t be doing it
Understand the difference between the fear of Man and the Fear of losing your witness
Are you doing it to please others or please God
I have to be careful what I listen to
Be careful what I endorse (band shirts)
Careful where you frequent
Careful who you surround yourself with
Even in christian camps
Even with Christians
Your personal liberties are not worth the expense of someones else’s eternity
Knowledge Puffs up:
(Greek - “PHUSIOO” - “to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty)”
Superior knowledge will always lead an individual into arrogance unless a deliberate effort is made to prevent it
It is true that knowledge gives people an advantage in many ways, but matters of the heart are more important than matters of the head.
Character is more beneficial than intellect
The pitfall of knowledge:
Their knowledge had become more important to them than walking in love with the brethren
There’s a temptation to want to impress with knowledge
If no one can understand you that’s not impressive
It is possible to win a theological battle and yet lose the war for a person’s heart.
Arguments over points of theology often distract from the more important issues. That was the situation here.
The condition of this food was insignificant compared to the issue of maintaining love and unity with the brethren.
Some of the Corinthian believers were “straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel
When you have enough biblical knowledge to be dangerous and condemn people without a love walk
Paul was stressing that walking in love is more important than being right
Seeking justice over love
Love is infinitely superior to knowledge
We should learn all we can, but we must make knowledge our servant to love.
2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
The more I start to understand about God the less I know
Same thing with science
They think they finally arrive at something with new discoveries and then that opens up a whole new world beyond that one
When it comes to God “Anyone who thinks they’ve arrived, just arrived at the wrong place”
3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
Known: GINOSKO-
Same word Matthew uses in
25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Literally to know him intimately
I’m going to start hammering this in every time I speak:
Culture at our church: We live to know God and make Him known
none of reading the bible or attending church matters if this isn’t relational
If it’s just done for knowledge
What are you doing to know Him daily?
You want to know what a win for you is everyday?
living to know and encounter the living God daily
That is your first priority
Are you in His word daily?
Do you spend time communicating with Him?
Daily?
We have to Love Him and know Him
If you Love God and truly know his heart, it’s impossible for other people to not see it:
Ask me what God is doing in my life no really ask me?
Let me tell you
He’s revealing his Will to me on a daily basis
He’s using other people to solidify and concrete his word in my life
He’s guiding my steps line by line, precept upon precept
He’s giving me favor into places and areas I didn’t even know existed
With people I’ve never met
That want to help me
He’s giving me a supernatural joy that is hard to explain
Peace in places that used to flood me with anxiety
He’s giving me a boldness to be confident in Him
Why because I’m in His will
You will have to kill me to get me out of it too:
How:
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
How many of you are good without Him?
None of us?
Love is not something that you do when you feel like it
This morning
I’ll do whatever it takes to hear His voice
Cause I love Him
I’ll do whatever it takes for him to guide my steps
I want to please Him
1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
And dwell forevermore.
28 For the Lord loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
We have to know him intimately!