Choices

Finding Freedom in the Choices We make

Introduction

We make choices all the time right, we make decisions all the time, we have big ones and we have small ones. We have to make choices when we wake up, we choose what we are going to wear today, when we are going to do our homework. Who we are going to hang out with during break time. We make choices on the things we say to others, the things we choose to do or don’t do for others. We make choices, we have to choose what subjects we have to take, or if we want to go to university or not, and also what we want to do one day. We have ethical choices to make, can I watch this movie or not? Should I listen to this music? We have big and small choices to make, some bigger than others. Tonight we are going to look at what Paul who wrote to the Corinthians have to say about our decision making.

But first we need to work through a couple of things, I will give you a little map of how we are going to look at Paul tonight.

Have you ever heard this? Or have you ever said this to yourself?

1st we are going to look at this passage, and then I am going to explain to you all the weirdness of it, and yes it is weird. You guys like weird stuff right?

I can watch this movie or t.v. series that might have sexual scenes? I’m almost old enough.

I hope you do because we will be looking at some interesting things that people did about 2000 years ago.

After we did that we will look at what Paul is getting at in that weirdness, basically how we ought to make our decisions in life. What things we should consider in our decision making.

These are the types of things Paul is going to help us with tonight.

So lets look at a couple of verses that might make us scratch our heads.

Historical Background

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The First Epistle to the Corinthians 2. Union with Christ and the Theology of the Body (6:12–20)

Liberty to do anything”—but I will not let anything take liberties with me

Gossip

Look at v. 25

Look at v. 25

English Standard Version Chapter 10

Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

and v.27

English Standard Version Chapter 10

If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

Why would this be a concern ?

Have you ever heard this? Or have you ever said this to yourself?

Why do you think Paul is being weird about buying meat at the shops, and eating at the homes of unbelievers?

It almost seems like Paul is speaking to some vegetarians, maybe something like. You guys should really try some of this meat, believe me, it will change your life, it really is ok, you won’t be sinning for eating meat. I promise!

This is not really Paul’s intention, although meat really is good! In order for us to understand why Paul sounds so weird, and why he is not weird at all, but is actually teaching us something valuable, we need to first go back in time. We need to go back to about 2000 or so years ago.

We need to go back about 2000 or so years ago.

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The First Epistle to the Corinthians 2. Union with Christ and the Theology of the Body (6:12–20)

It is a well-known paradox that if everyone claims unqualified autonomy, no one can be free, for everyone is threatened by the freedoms of the other.

I want you to sit back, relax and close your eyes.

I can watch this movie or t.v. series that might have sexual scenes? I’m almost old enough.

Imagine walking with Paul in a massive city, but the highest buildings are old school two story buildings, no big churches, erase any idea of big roads, think of dusty brick roads. Get rid the idea of cars driving around, think of people are walking around with donkeys to carry their goods. Think about markets like the ones you see in movies, with tents with people selling meat and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, and weaved baskets, and carpet. Think about ancient looking temples.

Open your eyes again

Can you picture what this world looked like even if it’s just a little bit? An ancient city.

Now in those ancient temples, they slaughtered animals and sacrificed their best meats to all sorts of gods, many people and religions still do that today, 2000 years later. Well, back then the best meat was sacrificed to the gods, while the rest of the meat was sold at the markets like the ones you just imagined, along with other meats that was not sacrificed of course.

Be, the Christians and Jews really struggled with the idea of possibly eating meat that was sacrificed to false gods and idols thinking that they somehow participate in the worship of that idol or god.

Because of this, the Christians and Jews really struggled with the idea of possibly eating meat that was sacrificed to false gods and idols thinking that they somehow participate in the worship of that idol or god.

Think about Halal foods for example: Have you ever wondered why Muslims only eat halal food? For them when animals are killed, it has to be done in a certain way in order for it to be halal. The animal has to be killed by a muslim with a very sharp knife and while cutting the throat of an animal the person must say the following in Arabi: “In the Name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest.”

Now, we eat halal food, we don’t care. But for someone back in those days, eating halal meat would have meant that they are worshiping Allah, instead of the one true God.

And Paul reminds the Christians, don’t worry about this. All is ok. God owns the world, he created everything, and everything is his. Food sacrificed to idols is no big deal, because those gods do not exist. Therefore eat, it’s God’s gift to you.

v.23 “All things are lawful,”

English Standard Version Chapter 10

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

“All things are lawful,”

But Paul knew that this will be controversial in two ways:

People would struggle with their consciences

And unbelievers might think that Christians are hypocritical and are basically worshipping other religions, and therefore weakening the Christian witness to them.

These are the types of things Paul is going to help us with tonight.

For these reasons Paul tells the Christian that they should make their decisions wisely.

Preaching Class and Greek in the morning wanted to skip

Making Choices for the Glory of God

The Christian’s Foundation for Making Choice

So the reason I want to start by

“For in him we live and move and have our being.”

For in him we live and move and have our being.

Anon, 2011. The New International Version, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Let’s look at verse 23 for a second:

English Standard Version Chapter 10

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

God is too many times pushed to the side when we make our choices in life.

Let’s look at verse 23 for a second,

English Standard Version Chapter 10

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

The little saying “All things are lawful,” was a common saying in the world of Corinth.

The little saying “All things are lawful,” was a common saying in the world of Corinth.

The Corinthians would have said "All things are lawful” in order to justify themselves if they did something that was socially questionable.

maxim is a short sentance that captures a general rule of conduct. In this case, the Corinthians would have said "All things are lawfull” in order to justify themselves if they did something that was socially unacceptable or wrong.

Like for example today if someone turns 18 drinks a beer, some might say to the person that they shouldn’t, they would would then say something like, I’m 18 don’t tell me what I can and can not do. Now in ancient Corinth they would say “all things are lawful” in order to justify their questionable behaviour.

Now the problem was that the church in Corinth made this part of their theology, they would say Jesus forgave my sins and now I am not bound by the law any longer, Jesus made us free, so everything is lawful.

I can watch this movie or t.v. series that might have sexual scenes? I’m almost old enough.

I can watch this movie or t.v. series that might have sexual scenes? I’m almost old enough. Even I avoid those and I’m 26. It’s not about the boundaries that the people set on it, you should ask yourself

These are the types of things Paul is going to help us with tonight.

And so Paul edits this common saying into two new sayings:

Paul takes this little saying, “All things are lawful,” and he edits it by turning it into two new sayings:

A“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build And now Paul is going to show us how we should make our choices in two practical ways, firstly we must consider how our choices influences our neighbour, and secondly and most importantly, our choices ought to glorify God.

All things are lawful, but not all things build up.

And now Paul is going to show us how we should make our choices in two practical ways, firstly we must consider how our choices influences our neighbour, and secondly and most importantly, our choices ought to glorify God.

Application

Spreading the Gospel

What Music we listen to

What Movies we watch

Invited to a party and you know there is going to be alcohol

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The First Epistle to the Corinthians 2. Union with Christ and the Theology of the Body (6:12–20)

It is a well-known paradox that if everyone claims unqualified autonomy, no one can be free, for everyone is threatened by the freedoms of the other.

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The First Epistle to the Corinthians 2. Union with Christ and the Theology of the Body (6:12–20)

Liberty to do anything”—but I will not let anything take liberties with me

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful.

A

“All things are lawful,”“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,”

“All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”

So with this newfound freedom of being able to eat these meats and dining at the homes of unbelievers, came a responsibility.

Look at v.28

English Standard Version Chapter 10

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

If the Christian were informed by someone else that it actually is food sacrificed to idols, then they should’t eat it.

and that was that

Why do you think that when someone informs them of the food being sacrificed to idols now makes it wrong?

Because of what it looks like for the other person. If the other person believes the Christian is participating in idol worship it will look like he is compromising his faith, and that therefore it isn’t a serious faith.

I want to now shift gears, and move back to our world and see how we can apply this to our lives.

So we had the opportunity to walk with Paul and to see his world, but I want to now look and see what does it look like for us to give up our rights “to eat meat sacrificed to idols”? Meat sacrificed to idols now is an umbrella term for things standing in the way of the gospel.

Choices by loving our neighbour and for the Glory of God

Look at v. 24

Making Choices by Loving our Neighbours

English Standard Version Chapter 10

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Gossip

Jesus thought this is quite important when he said we ought to love our neighbours as ourselves. And so should we. Making choices for the love of one’s neighbour in order that we might not compromise the gospel is very important.

Preaching Class and Greek in the morning wanted to skip

And now we are going to get practical.

So who is our neighbour?

Your neighbour in this sense isn’t the person who lives next to your house, it’s your fellow man, your neighbour is basically anyone who isn’t you. Love them in the choices you make.

Look at v. 25

And now we are going to get practical.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

and v.27

English Standard Version Chapter 10

If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

Why would this be a concern?

Why do you think Paul is being weird about buying meat at the shops, and eating at the homes of unbelievers?

It almost seems like Paul is speaking to some vegetarians, maybe something like. You guys should really try some meat believe me it will change your life, it really is ok, you won’t be sinning for eating meat. I promise!

This is not really Paul’s intention, although meat really is good! In order for us to understand why Paul sounds so weird, and why he is not weird at all, but is actually teaching us something valuble, we need to first go back in time and understand something of the world that he spoke to.

We need to go back about 2000 or so years ago.

I want you to close your eyes guys.

Imagine walking with Paul in a big city, but no high buildings, no big churches, erase any idea of big roads, think of dusty brick roads. Get rid the idea of cars driving around, think of people are walking around with donkeys to carry their goods. Think about markets like the ones you see in movies, with tents with people selling meat and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, and weaved baskets being sold. Think about ancient looking temples, yes they are there.

Open your eyes again

Can you picture what this world looked like even if it’s just a little bit?

Now in those ancient temples, they slaughtered animals and sacrificed their best meats to all sorts of gods, many people and religions still do that today, 2000 years later. Well, back then the best meat was sacrificed to the gods, while the rest of the meat was sold at the markets like the ones you just imagined, along with other meats that was not sacrificed of course. But because the meat used in idol worship was mixed with the normal meat, the Christians and Jews really struggled with the idea of possibly eating meat that was sacrificed to false gods and idols thinking that they somehow participate in that idol worship.

So Christians and Jews really struggled with the idea of possibly eating meat that was sacrificed to false gods and idols thinking that they somehow participate in that idol worship.

Think about Halal foods: Have you wondered why Muslims only eat halal food? Well for them when animals are killed, it has to be done in a certain way in order for it to be halal. The animal has to be killed by a muslim with a very sharp knife and while cutting the throat of an animal the person must say the following: “In the Name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest.” in Arabic.

Have you wondered why Muslims only eat halal food?

Well for them when animals are killed, it has to be done in a certain way in order for it to be halal. The animal has to be killed by a muslim with a sharp knife and while cutting the throat of an animal the person must say the following:

“In the Name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest.”

Now, we eat halal food, we don’t care. But for someone back in those days, eating halal meat would have meant that they participated in worshiping Allah, instead of the one true God.

And Paul reminds the Christians, don’t worry about this. All is ok. God owns the world, he created everything, and everything is his. Food sacrificed to idols is no big deal, because those gods do not exist. Therefore eat, it’s my gift to you.

But Paul knew that this will be controversial in two ways:

People would struggle with their consciences

And people in the world might think that Christians are hypocritical and are basically worshipping other religions also, therefore weakening the Christian witness.

For these reasons Paul tells the Christian that they should make their choices wisely.

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”

Yes, “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”

Now Paul’s example about the meat is not really a problem for us , but the principle he is making will make us very uncomfortable, and that is all that matters.

And now we are going to get practical.

Making choices for the love of one’s neighbour:

As a Christian you should always want the best for your neighbour even at the expense of your own comfort.

Who did we say was our neighbour again?

Anyone that is not… YOU! To me it’s anybody that’s not me, and to you it’s anybody who’s not you.

A little story of my own, this week has been an incredibly busy week for me, we had assignments due and there was a large conference at college. And I had no time to really sit down and work on this talk until yesterday after 5, and I was tired. So, I planned to skip my preaching class this morning, because it’s only my class mates who were preaching, I’m only there as an audience member. But as I reflected on the message o this talk I realised, I am being selfish and unloving toward my class mates. And so I had to think what is the most loving toward them and not to me. And so I went to class, knowing that I’m going to have to work hard this afternoon.

Now this is an insignificant choice I made, but it was informed by what Paul wants us to see here.

Think a little about how your choices influences others?

What movies do you watch, when your friends look at what movies and t.v. shows you watch, would they think that you take your faith seriously? If our movies are making sexual jokes and contains explicit scenes, how will people take us seriously if we say we are Christians?

What music we listen to, does it glorify in the use and abuse of women? How is that ever going to reflect well on our faith?

If you get invited to a party and you know there is going to be alcohol and people smoking all sorts of things how will this reflect on your faith if you are associated to that?

If you gossip about someone else, what will people think about your faith?

We need to really think long and hard about our choices. Because we have a world looking at us, and if we don’t take our faith seriously, how do we expect them to become followers of Jesus?

Guys whatever we do in this world we should reflect and think how will the world perceive this? Am I being a hinderance to the gospel? How can I bring glory to God’s name?

English Standard Version Chapter 10

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,

33 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.

Making Choices for the Glory of God

making choices by glorifying God, is because we are to love God above everything, with our whole being. God is the central being of all creation. God created everything and everyone.

“For in him we live and move and have our being.”

God is too many times pushed to the side when we make our choices in life.

Look at verses 31 -33

English Standard Version Chapter 10

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,

33 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.

It’s about living lives worthy of the gospel, so that many may be saved.

Application

Now we have been in Corinth, we saw that world, that Christians have freedom to sometimes participate in things that might be deemed to be right, but in order to see the gospel advance, they sacrifice their comforts and rights.

Spreading the Gospel

We then looked at a couple of things in our own world that might prevent the gospel from advancing, some things that might not be wrong in and of itself, and other things that are obviously wrong, but creates a bad name for our Lord Jesus.

Now I want to conclude by looking into our great motivation.

Be Imitators of Christ

English Standard Version Chapter 11

11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

You see none of this matters without Jesus. Why should I care about the reputation of a religion by my actions. The reason we should happily sacrifice comforts in our lives is because we have the greatest example of all! Jesus sacrificed all that he had to become part of his creation, and to die on a cross to defeat death, in order that we may find life in him, life that will be an everlasting life. Have you ever signed up for something, and then realised you are in over your head and you ask yourself what have I done? Well Jesus didn’t sign up to die for the sin of man, he willingly gave himself up for us, so that we can find rest in him. What a saviour, what a comforter.

As Christians this is what we believe, without this there is nothing that motivates our faith. It will be dead, dry, religion. But Jesus! He is worthy of our worship. Only he. And his life of sacrifice for others, you, and me, should be our model. We should look at him and sacrifice our comforts for the advance of his kingdom, to see our friends find rest in him as well. To see our families find their rest in him.

May we always try and make our choices in a way that will not stand in the way of the gospel, the good news of Jesus, that he restores us, that heals our pain, that he gives us rest.

What Music we listen to

What Movies we watch

Invited to a party and you know there is going to be alcohol

Gossip

Have you ever heard this? Or have you ever said this to yourself?

I can watch this movie or t.v. series that might have sexual scenes? I’m almost old enough.

These are the types of things Paul is going to help us with tonight.