Starting Block or Stumbling Block
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Starting block or stumbling block
Starting block or stumbling block
intro - chapter 8 - last week looked at relationships
looking at the church in Corinth - new Christians trying hard but getting some things wrong - taking the the issues at the time - and relating them and finding the relevance for you today
the bible is the inspired word of God right?
So just as real and relevant for us today
Caoching
This week Stumbling block
previously talked about little foxes little boxes - with issues being left which will unintentionally cause others to stumble
this is different this is primarily talking in house between believers new Christians rather than out house non believers
read
Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1 Corinthians 8
if you like a title - stumbling block or starting block?
if you like a title - stumbling block or starting block?
their issue - argument over meat - should they eat/buy it yes or no - yes free and the idols are not real - No - its taking part in acceptance of idol worship
where meat came from - safe to eat not safe dont eat its polluted - mumm love a bargain we are free
key in v1
Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.
1 Corinthians
Its feels good to be right doesn’t it - especially in a letter where they seem to be missing the mark so much -
root of the issue - is a foundation of knowledge and love and the right balance
coaching theme sports - junior church last week - role of coach - athelete blocks
show box
BLOCK
starting block gives you a steady start - holds you feet at the start of the race so you do not slip as you push out at the sound of the gun
firm foundation
stumbling block - opposite obstacle, hurdle, barrier, bar, hindrance, impediment, handicap, disadvantage, restriction, limitation;
snag, hitch, catch, drawback, difficulty, problem, issue, weakness, defect, pitfall, complication
foundation understanding
before anything else law, acts,prophecy, knowledge… LOVE
God is love -
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John
1
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 corinth 13 v2 have all knowledge but not love nothing… what is love? (stepping on toes...
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
think about it those who impose their wisdom on you, when it is not done in love with the interest of your growth in God it is wrong, will cause you to sin, it is self seeking , founded in self importance and not for the purpose to glorify God or his kingdom coming on earth.
when you speak are you puffed up or building up?
Knowledge is so important we need to know and understand the truth…
Its nice to be right isn’t it?
the guys in Corinth scoffed at the pagan idols and held tight to the one true God probably felt really good and chuffed with themselves when Paul confirmed their view v4-6
but that would have faded quickly when Paul reminded them .. and us that there is something more important than being right
That’s caring for the spiritual well being of others.
Paul handles this dispute beautiful and in a way we need to take fully on board - he does not ask the guys who are right to surrender their doctrinal insights, he doesn’t even ask them to surrender a steak dinner now and then. He just asks them to care enough about others to be more concerned with their well being than with either being right or exercising personal rights.
Here is the thing… eating the meat does not improve or harm spirituality - meat has nothing to do with that.... But sin has a lot to do with spirituality...
And it is sinful to knowingly wound the conscious of a weaker brother or sister in the lord
wound the conscious of a weaker brother or sister in the lord
Be glad if you have a mature grasp of theological issues… but be serious in your surrender of personal rights out of love for a less mature Christian
Stuarts bus analogy
using your knowledge and freedom as a way to appear more mature , above, beyond reproach is very dangerous ground
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
Do not be a stumbling block, but with love be a starting block for others
we are to walk in love
love allows knowledge to be used correctly
Knowledge puffs up, love builds up v1
do all you can to make the way free for others .. did you forget your starting block? did you leave it for others to stumble upon or pick it up ready to drop it at the feet of those coming alongside after you to be a firm start fr them to stop them from slipping.
(leave block - roll eye patronising here they go again - I’m not like that i’m more mature!)
love stains - loving others into the kingdom - being a people a church so tuned into Holy Spirit people experience Gods Love without us even mentioning His name
Ambassadors of God - people are watching not to condemn but they see something in you they want to receive something of Gods love from you.
You have more power than you realise and more influence than you think Ask God the father to give you His understanding of who you are and look out - for people who need an encounter with Jesus ask god what they need, listen and obey
It is not all about you and your walk.
running the race - next week
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
knowledge puffs up .. love builds up
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Romans 14
be careful in your debates - acceptance and love overrides all doctrinal disputes - some like to debate - 81 st peters avenue
For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
what we do has an affect on others
Changes in church - we never change something for the sake of change - but always led by holy spirit
change! exciting, worry, angry???? obedience focus love His kingdom
Don’t let knowledge puff you up but in love build up