Tips for giving a good testimony.

Topic: Tips for giving a good testimony.

Text: 1 Corinthians 10.23 – 11.1

General purpose: Consecrate

Specific purpose: Learn together through Paul's exhortation to the Corinthian Christian people to lead a life that in everything gives glory and honor to God.

Sketch:

v.23 – 26 – Seek the good of others.

v.27 – 31 – Do everything to glorify God.

v.32 – 11.1 – Be imitators of Christ.

Transition Prayer: In this part of the Scriptures, we find the key elements to lead a life of good testimony that, instead of making others stumble, help them build a spiritual life based on faith in Christ that we believers model.

Introduction:

In this era of “my first” and “seeking to be number one,” Paul teaches us a statement that is a good standard to live by in these times.

“The Christian should not consider only what is lawful, but what is expedient and edifying to others.” (first, thinking of our family) ---

There are many parents who lead a superficial Christian life and do not realize the damage they do to the lives of their children.

When these parents want their children to live consecrate to God, these children cannot, because they have not learned from a firm example in the Christian convictions that they should have seen in their parents. (Or in other Christians)

The worst damage that exists for the Christian church: ---

They are not the attacks of the enemy

They are not the trials and temptations that come into people's lives

They are not the laws that are being approved by the government… no!

The worst damage is the superficial Christianity (not to mention the bad testimony) that Christians carry.

The greatest danger for the church has been and is today the bad living and apostasy of its members.

A church in such circumstances cannot allow itself to have members who do not leave the Christian faith in a good place. Its members have to be faithful.

A great preacher of the last century spent most of his life preaching in the open air to people hostile or indifferent to the church.

From his questions, discussions and criticisms, he said he had learned that “the greatest harm he finds to the church is the unsatisfactory lives of those who profess to be Christians.”

That is what undermines the very foundations of the church. ---

Let us remember that we are like “open letters”

All Christians, whether we like it or not, are an announcement of the Gospel. ---

When we go out into the world, we have the terrifying responsibility of being open letters of recommendation from Christ and His Church.

When doing well to others is a priority for us, we develop a servant's heart that pleases God.

This is what Christianity is all about.

God wants us to not only consider ourselves, but to be sensitive to others.

Development:

v.23 – 26 – Seek the good of others. ---

The question a son of God must live with is: Does what I am doing (or am about to do) edify my life and the lives of others?

The great fact of the Christian faith is that it sets us free, not to sin, so as not to sin. ---

There is something we must be aware of as people who desire to seek more of God.

“Just as our spiritual lives affect our bodies, so our physical lives affect our spiritual area.” ---

Example:. Seek the spiritual perspective of what we practice.

The Apostle advised the Corinthians that the purchase of meat that had possibly been sacrificed to idols should not present any problem to their consciences.

Of course, the reason for Paul's advice was Christian freedom.

Under this, eating meat bought at a butcher shop was a trivial matter.

When purchasing meat, a Jew had to ask if the animal had been killed by a Jew.

Second, he had to ask if the animal had been sacrificed on the altar of an idol.

It is very likely that the Apostle himself had seen the dilemma in which some of the Corinthians found themselves regarding their relations with their neighbors.

When we cut off contact with neighbors and family, we are wasting a great opportunity to witness to your faith. ---

If the city's relatively few Christians cut off contact with neighbors, they would be wasting a great opportunity to testify to their faith.

For this reason the Apostle recommends that believers not think twice about accepting an invitation from their neighbors to eat with them.

There was no need to even ask about the origin of the food served.

The best good we can do for our family, friends and acquaintances is to introduce them to the way of the gospel. ---

In a personal situation or social occasion of a non-religious nature, you can eat what is offered to idols, unless it affects the conscience of a brother.

The Christian must not only consider what is lawful, but also what is convenient and edifying to others. ---

v.27 – 31 – Do everything to glorify God. ---

Other circumstances, however, may require other actions.

Let us remember that the purpose of the Christian is to honor God in everything he does.

First let's notice that v.27 says “if you want to go” ---

Let us remember that the apostle Paul has been explaining about the growth in maturity of the believer.

And then v.28 sounds more like a test of the believer's firmness to his convictions.

There is a possibility that he is not only aware, but is testing the believer's adherence to his principles.

Ex.: One of the great tests during Christian persecution has always been a moral test for the person.

Therefore, what would happen if we looked at every invitation to sin as a test of our firmness in faith?

Are you living to glorify God in everything?

The glory of God should be the primary interest in the mind of the believer.

He cannot be glorified if one participates in idolatrous festivals; nor does God receive the glory if the weaker brother is offended.

Why should we be limited by another person's conscience?

Simply, because we do all things for the glory of God, including our eating and drinking. Nothing we do should cause others to stumble.

v.32 – 11.1 – Be imitators of Christ ---

Paul's criterion was not what he liked best, but what was best for those around him.

Example: Many believers may think, “But for me there is no problem practicing this or doing that.”

The issue is implicit in thinking that becomes selfish.

It's not about what seems good to us, it's about what we affect others. ---

Let us remember that we have obligations to ourselves; but the most sacred are those that affect others.

There is an obligation on the believer... and that is to be an example of good. (Be an example of what is good)

For those who do not believe. Be an example of a godly life that reflects the character of Christ in all your social behavior. ---

For the new believers. Be an example of firmness and conviction, ensuring that those who are still growing in spiritual maturity do not fall into sin.

Christian freedom has not been given to us exclusively to enjoy, but also to help others

Let's not just tell others “look to Christ” as an excuse for not leaving sin.

Christ himself has put us in the path of others so that they see him in us. ---

Our life may be the only bible that others read.

Let us not only preach the doctrine that should be believed, but let us live a kind of life that everyone should live.

What do we learn? ---

To not consider our own good, but to be sensitive to the spiritual growth of others.

That the freedom that Christ gives us is not to sin, but to not sin.

Just as our spiritual lives affect our bodies, so our physical lives affect our spiritual area.

That everything we do we must do to glorify and honor God.

Be imitators of Christ.

That the obligation of the believer is to be an example of good.