1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

MAP

Mr X: How do I make good decisions?

Jesus: Good decisions glorify God by seeking the salvation of others

INTRODUCTION (Relevance Persuasion | Resonate)

(A) Tell you a story about my experience in decision making.

15 year old. Teenage romance. Deciding whether to be with a girl. How to decide? What was God’s will?

(A) Watch. Casio. Digital. Yes odd. No even.

No. can’t be. “isn’t she the love of my life?”

No. again. one more time.

(A) Someone else walking by - teenager. flipping his wrist.

(A) Pause. Anaylse the psychology of a 15 year old.

Good? Wanted to honor God. Have his confirmation.

Bad? Probably I want him to confirm what I wanted. Also didn’t want to be responsible for the decision.

Clueless - didn’t have the necessary framework or sensibilities to make a decision.

(L) Our topic: How do I make good decisions as a Christian?

We are in age of a decision-making conundrum

So many decisions compared to the previous generations.

More mobile. more connected. more flexible.

Small decisions and Big decisions

living location, marriage, job, children education, church?

Many suffer from decision paralysis.

Many make poor decisions - without the right framework.

Understandable

Fear of disappointing people

Fear of getting it wrong

Fear of dishonoring God

(pause)

But passage today.. we have the apostle Paul’s advice on how to make good decisions.

He writes to the CC, where living in a Pagan environment makes decision making especially tricky.

How do we make good decisions?

Our key take home for today: Good decisions glorify God by seeking the salvation of others.

1 Corinthians 10:31–33 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”

We glorify God by seeking the salvation of others.

(L) second half important.

Hear - “Glorify God”, like me, You may think Paul is affirming a kind of Christian rubber stamping.

Back home. Christian culture… use “all glory to God” as a rubber stamp on your hobbies.

for doing something you want to do, but just to make sure you don’t look self-indulgent, you rubber stamp #“all glory to God.”

(A) Insta post. Luxury Holiday. Villa. #“all glory to God!”

(A) Sky diving “Hell ya!” #“All Glory to God!”

To be clear : that is NOT what Paul means.

Good decisions glorify God BY seeking the salvation of others.

CONTEXT (Orientate | Situate)

Explain how the passage breaks down.

Dominant issue in C8-10. Food offered to idols. Permitted or not?

v23-24 - Decision making framework

v25-30 - applies it into a specific example

V31-v1 - overarching principle

Framework.

ARGUMENT (Texture | Unity | Coherence | Development)

THE FRAMEWORK (v23-24)

1 Corinthians 10:23–24 ““All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”

To be precise Paul’s is correcting their framework of how to make decisions.

“All things are lawful”- quoting the CC. Paul provides a cavaet. Not all things are helpful.

“All things are lawful”- quoting the CC. Paul provides a cavaet. Not all things build up.

Reframing the way they think.

Synthesise for our benefit

Does the bible permit it? (Is it lawful)

Does it help generally?

Does it build others (Christians) up?

Am I seeking the ___good / salvation____ of others?

progression outwards

(^) Worth noticing that the order matters

We first need to start with recognising whether the bible permits is.

Some might start with question 3 - does it build others up?

And assume that affirming people in their sin

or not causing offense at all to people, is to build others up.

And after deciding that this activity builds others up, they revert because to the first question and twist the bible to permit sin.

no.

First start, with...

As we do so, we glorify God by seeking the salvation of others

(L) So here’s the framework. But what does that look like when dinner is on the table?

in practice? Paul applies it to everyday.. eating and drinking.

2. THE EXAMPLE: EATING FOR THE SALVATION OF OTHERS (v25-30)

Decision: Eat or not to eat meat from the meat market?

(L) why does this matter?

Bit of 1st C context helps:

Meat expensive. Very common to be used as offerings to idols in the temples.

Also often that temples would have great dinning halls to organise gatherings. Also meat use in Temple restaurant.

Also meat will be sent to the meat market to be sold along with others.

(A) Go to your local butcher. Different cuts

Slabs of meat hanging from iron hooks. Rack of ribs stacked on one side.

How do you know which was used at the temple? Almost impossible.

(L) do?

1 Corinthians 10:25–26 “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.””

Just eat! with a clear conscience.

Does the bible permit it?

If it’s a religious context… don’t eat it!

1 Corinthians 10:20 “what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.”

If you eat the meat in the context of an pagan worship service, that is participating in the worship of demon. No!

Once the meat is removed from it’s religious setting… it’s no longer functioning as part of idol worship.

Eat!

1 Corinthians 10:25 “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.”

Meat market = safe zone.

Is it helpful to you?

Yes! you acknowledge the truth that everything belongs to the LORD

1 Corinthians 10:26 “For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.””

God owns everything in this world.

Food is morally neutral. Nothing is unclean in of itself.

Not own partly by some local deity. As if when offered to Idol, it’s now his.

To eat is to express the truth that this world is the Lord’s.

If don’t eat, it is a believe that idols have converted this actual piece of meat even in the meat market

Meat is spiritually contaminated.

No they don’t. Just eat.

Summarise: Eat!

By yourself?

Bible permits. Yes!

Helpful? Yes! You recognise that all things come from the LORD!

glorify God by recognising his ownership over everything.

enjoy! give thanks! Tuck in!

(L) Decision number 2

Decision: Eat or not to eat meat at an unbelievers house?

1 Corinthians 10:27 “If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go (Disposed = strange word choice by the translators. Basically, if you want to go? go!), eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.”

Do you like the person? No?

“Oh how very kind of you. But unfortunately I have another diary clash”

If you like the person? Wanna enjoy a meal?

“Oh how very kind of you. I’d love to be there. Would you like me to bring anything?”

Go without worry. “eat whatever is set before you with raising any questions”

“do you have any dietary requirements?”

“no.. but can you give me the history of each of piece of meat? Has it been offered to idols?”

You don’t need to trouble the host.

Does the bible permit it? sure! outside the religious context..

Is it helpful? sure, you can partake in thankfulness.

Does it seek the salvation of others? probably.

To be like those outside the law, to win those.

Jump at an opportunity to relate with non-Christians.

(A) Bring a bottle. Attend.

“Ah hello! Thanks so much for inviting me.” “Food smells wonderful.”

Eight gathered around the dinning table. Delicious spread.

Glorious looking rack of ribs. coated in BBQ sauce. Meat falling off the bone.

Hand plate over.. reach out

“Best cut. Should try. Amazing quality meat”

“After all this meat was offered to the Baals.”

(L) do? Next bit kicks in.

Does this build others up if I eat?

Does this seek the good of others?

1 Corinthians 10:27–29 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his.

“Oh, in that case I should pass.”

Why?

Not that, the physical rack of ribs suddenly becomes unclean at that point

Not that, the rack of ribs is suddenly under the ownership of demons.

no! 1 Corinthians 10:26 “For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.””

But the unbeliever has the impression that the ribs offered to idols belongs to the idol.

By eating,

You appear to have divided loyalty.

You can worship God and idols at the same time.

Idolatry is no big deal for the Christian.

I do not mean your conscience but his.

We are free to eat! Everything belongs to the Lord.

But if eating creates the risk of showing disloyalty to the Lord.

Paul say, put the rack of ribs down, for the unbeliever’s conscience.

Good decisions glorify God by seeking the salvation of others.

Also notice that Paul provides a further clarification as we consider how to think about others.

1 Corinthians 10:29–30 “I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?”

These are confusing verses -

Paul just seemed to say, care about someone’s conscience.

Then why does he suddenly seem to say that my liberty shouldn’t be determined by someone’s conscience.

Paul could suddenly change his mind mid verse, but that’s unlikely if not impossible.

Spend much of this week deciding between options:

Best take: reinforcing his rationale for considering the conscience of others

For why should be liberty or freedom, be condemned by someone else?

(determined = judged/condemned)

Why should I allow my freedom to be unnecessary condemned by someone else?

Freedom in the LORD is good.

I’m free, but if i choose to express it in a way that promote disloyalty to the Lord, my freedom be a cause for condemnation.

If I eat food with thankfulness, why should I allowed myself to be denounced?

Thankfulness to God is good.

I can eat all food with thankfulness. But if i choose to express it in a way that promotes disloyalty to the LORD, my thankfulness is denounced.

Summarise: Decide to eat?

Does the bible permit it? Yes

Eat! Give thanks!

Does it help? Sure

Does it build others up? Is it for the good of others.

The moment it portrays divided loyalty to the LORD.

Don’t eat!

Good decisions glorify God by seeking the salvation of others.

Apply

Food to idols niche. But useful to observe Paul’s thinking on this issue. How about other issues?

two areas

(1) Firstly, not for many but certainly for some in this congregation.

East asian context - idol worship or ancestral worship is a live issue.

For those unfamiliar: ancestral worship or funerals, pay respects to your elders in cultural filial piety huge.

Different practices, but for e.g.

Burn different items for grand parents to have passed away.

Car, house -> afterlife.

Don’t join in? Don’t care about your grand parents.

bring real shame to family.

Such cases? Does the bible permit?

No! In the context of a religious rite, the paper house has significance.

Don’t join in, even though costly.

Same for other practice of religions.

(L) Second area. grey area.

(2) Yoga.

Should Christians do yoga? Here’s my assessment. Q&A think through.

Yoga, I think has religious roots. Hinduism.

At the same time, today yoga classes in the gym. Stretching. flexibility.

Does the bible permit it?

If it used in the context of religious activity, or has overtones of a religious worship - don’t do it.

If not, it’s ok.

Is it helpful? Does it trouble your conscience

If it doesn’t it’s ok.

Does it build others up? Does it seek the good of others?

Along side some exercise, you may see this as an opportunity for you to get to know other people. Opportunity for the gospel.

But If troubles and stumbles someone’s conscience, that it promotes the idea in hinduism that all gods are valid,

practice hindu ritual and be a christian

Don’t do it!

Q&A. discuss with one another. Good decisions glorify God by seeking the salvation of others.

3. THE PRINCIPLE: GLORIFY GOD BY SEEKING THE SALVATION OF OTHERS (v30-v1)

1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Do everything for God’s glory

Yes Food. But also everything. Small things and the big things.

All for the glory of God.

(^) The glory and worship of God has been an underlying theme running through this section, C8-10.

8:6 - Paul quotes from the Shema. “hear o Israel, The Lord your God, the Lord is one.” applies it to God the Father, and the Lord Jesus.

Point? Not primarily a doctrine lesson, though there’s much to glean from there.

Point - worship of the one true God.

Discussion about food and idols - really about worship.

Will we worship the one true God?

Will we call others to worship him?

or will we provoke him to jealously?

(L) But ultimately, glorifying God is to desire for all to turn to worship him. We seek the salvation of others.

1 Corinthians 10:32–11:1 “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

Paul does everything for the salvation of others.

^Glorifying God isn’t rubber stamping our leisure activities. Glorifying God is the chief end of mankind.

But if one is really captured by see God be glorified

The salvation of others becomes our primary activity.

read quote from JP. how glory and salvation of others relate.

Missions ( Salvation of others) exists because worship (glory of God) doesn’t.

When this age is over and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. Worship will abide forever.

Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions. It’s the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God’s glory.

“Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy” (Ps. 67:3–4). <- theme verse.. Worship is the fuel of missions.

MAIN POINT (Summarise | Wordsmith | 5 Syllable | Alliterate)

Q: How do we make good decisions? A: Good decisions glorify God by seeking the salvation of others.

REINFORCEMENT (Amp | Hearts Burning | STAR)

Finish another section in 1 Cor. 8-10. Next week, back in Genesis for three weeks.

Significant point in the letter - stretching the CC away from themselves to be concerned about others, in the church body and to the wider world.

1 Corinthians 1:9 “you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

C5-7 is discern their own physical body in light of being called into the body of Christ

C8 onwards, is to discern the wider body, the corporate body, in light being called into the body of Christ

(A) Stretch the CC out. Understand themselves… Understand the wider body.

The worship and glory of God among the nations is Paul’s great longing and the entire shape of the biblical story,

where on the final day, all the nations, tribe and people and tongue, crying

Revelation 7:10 “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!””

Revelation 7:12, Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

That is why, in the light of universal worship of God, idolatry , disloyalty to God is anathema. To Paul.

Do not provoke the Lord to jealously.

“Imitate me” says Paul “imitate me”

Imitate him, in his desire for the nations to turn from idols and self-reliance to worship the one true God.

1 Corinthians 10:26 “For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.””

Everything belongs to the LORD, and that also includes the worship of the nations.

Something for us as a church to ponder on.

Grace Church, we are deeply concerned for the honor and glory of God.. so we channel our efforts for the building up of the church and the salvation of others.

LAND (Worldview | Us)

Started by thinking about good decisions

(A) “At fifteen looked at my watch for guidance from God.

But a much better question would have been to ask…

Even if the bible permits

helpful? Build other up?

Seek the salvation of others?

how can I glorify God, by seeking the salvation of others.

Hopefully, you’d do much better than I did.

Great joy is that you can be part of it.

Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God.

Decision-making about big and small things.

Beauty is that even in the small things, as mundane as your lunch after church, you can do it to the glory of God.

Whatever you do, do it for his glory, by seeking the salvation of others.