Knowledge & Freedom

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1.           INTRO:  Thanksgiving-Freedom n USA,  Knowledge = power, two values.
These are Biblical values too, but when given too high a priority they can lead to ignorance & destruction.

2.          Scripture 1 Co. 8:1-13; 10:23-11:1

3.          It’s not knowing stuff, but loving, and being known by God

Ø Knowledge & Freedom can lead to ignorance & destruction

Ø Everybody knows stuff.  Maybe different stuff, maybe from another point of view, but we all know stuff.

Ø However, knowing just puffs up.  It helps our confidence.  Gives us stuff to say, and sometimes a chance to “one up” somebody.

Ø  Knowledge alone makes us more prideful.  When we know we’re right, and we trust in our knowledge, then we really don’t know.

Ø Bridge to Spain, but really love is more important than “knowing-it-all.”

Ø Love builds up; us & others.

Ø When we love God we are known by God.

1.     Mt.7:22-23, Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

2.     John 14:19, Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Ø     There is a connection here: Love leads to action, and Loving God leads to the action of loving others.

1.     1 John 4:7-8, Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

4.          Paul’s case study: eating idol meat

Ø “So then, to apply this to idol meat…” is the idea of the transition to the next paragraph.

A.          The stuff they know, vs.4-6

1.        There’s only one God, so idols are nothing.

2.        Whatever power stands behind those idols, it’s not a rival to God.

§    1 Corinthians 10:19, Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?  20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

3.        All things were created by the one true God, for whom we live, and were created through Christ through whom we live.

§    SOME DON’T KNOW THIS

§    Though eating or not eating certain foods doesn’t directly affect our relationship to God, those who aren’t convinced of what we know about this, are doubtful of the rightness of eating it, and so feel guilty when they eat it.

§    As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

B.          What they do & why

1.        Eat when not a problem, refuse when failing these tests.

2.        Edification of self (Flee immorality) (No doubt)

Ø Paul says in 10:18ff. that we cannot eat at the altar of demons w/o participating with demons (they think gods, but we know demons), so there’s a limit to freedom there.

3.        Edification of others

§    Our freedom to eat, does not give us freedom to harm our brothers by causing them to stumble.

§    Our brothers may see us exercise our freedom, and then do what we do, but feel guilty and estranged from God afterwards.

§    Our knowledge of freedom leads to their destruction.

§    This is neither love for them or for Christ who would feed and care for the sheep.

4.        Principal then…

§    We must consider the conscience of all, without while avoiding a return to slavery to rules.

§    The principal is to restrain the selfish use of knowledge &  freedom to pursue the glory of God, and the good of others; their coming to Christ & growing.

5.          Our case study: going to bars

A.          The stuff we know

Ø Jesus went into places identified with sin, such as tax collectors parties.

Ø He turned water into wine and drank it at the last supper.

Ø No drunkenness, leading to loss of control, but filled with the Spirit.  Eph.5:18

B.          What we do & why

1.        Go when not a problem, refuse when failing these tests.

2.        Edification of self

§    Flee immorality: Are you tempted to get drunk, or other sin?  Would Jesus have gone to the places he did to court temptation?

§    No doubt: Are you sure and at peace?

3.        Edification of others

§    Are we causing brothers to stumble?

§    What about Jesus’ offending the Pharisees through hanging out with prostitutes and riffraff, healing on the Sabbath, etc.  He did not let their scruples keep Him from reaching out to the lost.

§    If we are going, why are we going, truly?  Is it to seek lost sheep as Jesus did?

§    Is it always one or the other?  Bad company corrupts good character.  Is it the same for everyone at all times in their xian growth?

6.          Invite: Train graffiti, varied, make a mark; Your Mark?