Discipleship: External Living

Intro

Brennan Manning. Likely never heard of him. Not a football player. Authored Ragamuffin Gospel. Explains how the gospel is for broken people. Shares his struggles.

“The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door but deny him with their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” - Brennan Manning

Need: We can become numb to the idea that our actions impact those around us. Whether it is expressed or not, people are watching. There are two groups of people that represent every category: Christians and non-Christians. How you act around both groups impacts their understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Main Idea: How you live can lead to or away from Christ

Paul is dealing with some very hard things in Corinth. He is writing to Gentile people who are trying to figure out how to live with each other and with unbelievers. They have been found suing each other and being hostile with each other. He gives instructions on specific instances.

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Command #1: Live for the good of others (23-24)

Exp. Not only the good, but the benefit or best of others. Verse 23. All things are lawful = Corinthian/Roman proverb. He is speaking into a cultural issue. Not everything is a benefit.

Ill. We live in a free society and allowed to do nearly anything. But not all things are helpful. I could move and divorce my wife and go anywhere. Lawful, but in no way benefit or building up.

Arg. Instead, he gives command. Verse 24. We must consider others more important than ourselves.

Christ - Why? Jesus laid down his life for the good of others.

App. What do we do?

Do what is beneficial to others.

Do what builds others up.

Lay your needs down for others.

Command #2: Live in freedom (25-30)

Exp. This part of the text is a little tricky. Verse 25-26. Often meat sold in the market has been offered to pagan idols. He says to eat. Why? Quotes Psalm 24:1, the earth is the Lord’s. Pagan idol worship is not real, therefore it should have no bearing on your conscience.

Ill. Going into a mosque in Texas. First, I thought bad idea. But missionary reminded me that it’s not real. The food sold in the meat market is meat given by God even if man used it for pagan purposes. Enjoy it.

Exp. He continues in verse 27. Disposed = desire. Eat what they give you without making a stink. He switches here. Verse 28. The someone in this verse is likely referring to another believer. In chapter 8, he dealt with young believers eating this food still. He says do not eat it on account of that person. Lead them away from thinking this is what Christians do. Clarifies in verse 29. We have the freedom to eat without it affecting our conscience or to abstain for the good of others. The sin is not eating the meat, but how you act around those whom you eat with. If eating idol food causing someone to fall, you can simply abstain. If no-one’s conscience is at stake, then be free. Verse 30. We are to give thanks either way.

Christ - How do we do this? We only have freedom because of Jesus. Jesus brings us freedom from sin and depraved conscience.

App. What do we do?

We acknowledge all of creation is God’s good gift to us.

We care well for the consciences of others.

Command #3: Live for God’s glory (31-33)

Exp. The verse that most people know and quote. Verse 31. Now you have the context. All that has been said leads to this. We do everything for his glory. Verse 32-33. Jews, Greeks, and church = everybody. Contextually people groups around the Corinthians. Please everyone = seeks advantage of everyone. Paul does not live to please man, but seeks their advantage for the end = salvation. To live so others may be saved is for God’s glory. To offend any of them is a stumbling block to understand the gospel.

Ill. This is why we would rather meet a need for someone. It opens opportunities for the gospel. At the very least, it displays the gospel.

Christ - The gospel is the only reason we can live for his glory. Jesus gives us the power to live for his glory. He gives us the motivation.

App. What do we do?

Seek God’s glory above all.

Put no stumbling blocks in the path of salvation.

Command #4: Live for others to imitate (1)

Exp. This is the key. The Corinthians need to see what this looks like. Verse 11:1. Notice who the final example is: Jesus. Paul isn’t wanting people to look at him, or he would be going against what he is telling them to do.

Christ - He wants them to look to Jesus. Jesus is the model who Paul is living after. We see Paul, but we imitate Christ.

App. What do we do?

We find and follow godly role models.

We model our lives to be like Jesus.

Conclusion

Does your life reflect Paul’s instructions?

Where do you need adjustment?

Imagine what could happen if we all lived these things out?