1 CORINTHIANS 10:23-11:1

Hector Mora

Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

0 ratings

· 124 views

Notes

Transcript

LAST WEEK

We continued through .

We looked at ways to slow down the process of sin.

We looked at temptation as a W waiting to be grasped.

We were encouraged to flee from idolatry.

THIS WEEK

We are going to continue to to look at ways for us to be better representatives of Christ

Ways for us to show the world what it means to be a follower of Christ.

QUESTIONS

When we consider our liberties, freedoms, and “normal” behaviors

Are there some things that are questionable?

Do we say certain words . . .

Do certain things . . .

Entertain certain comedy . . .

Participate in certain freedoms . . .

THAT WE LATER FEEL BAD ABOUT

They are not inherently bad in the moment

But, for some reason, we feel a little guilty, a little convicted, a bit embarrassed.

LET’S TURN TO

1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 NKJV

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

PRAY

1 CORINTHIANS 10:23-

1 Corinthians 10:23–24 NKJV

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

CHURCH WE HAVE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH A SAD TRUTH

THE TRUTH THAT

PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW JESUS HAVE MISREPRESENTED JESUS IN THE MIDST OF THOSE WHO MOST NEED JESUS

WE . . .

All of us

Have fallen short of the glory of God

Not just in private

But in public

This truth does many things

It exposes our weaknesses

It exposes our lack of attention to our own testimony and character

It shows us that sometimes we don’t consider the message that we are sending about us and God when we sin

SO HOW CAN WE RECTIFY THIS?

HOW CAN WE, PRESS INTO THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

HOW CAN WE, LIVE IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT?

FRIENDS, IN THE MIDST OF TEMPTATION,

IN THE MILLISECONDS BEFORE WE MISREPRESENT JESUS

WE MUST ASK OURSELVES.

Is this action helpful?

Will this behavior encourage someone?

Notice how the thought of the action being lawful is not in question

It is your testimony that is in question

It is the message that you’re sending that is in question

It is how you are representing Christ that is in question

Can I smoke cigarettes?

Can I vape?

Can I watch inappropriate movies?

Can I drink?

Can I gamble?

Can I _____________________

We must follow up these practical questions with a better question:

AM I CONSIDERING THE WELL BEING OF OTHERS?

AM I STUMBLING ANYONE?

IS THIS ENCOURAGING MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS?

Before I roast someone in class

Am I considering them above all else?

Before I judge someone

Am I considering that I too am I sinner and will be judged by the same standard?

Before I entertain gossip

Am I considering that this may not be true and that person may need help?

Before I lust after riches

Do I consider what less time with my children looks like?

Before I ______________________________

Do I consider the well being of those that I love?

CHURCH, WE MUST REALLY CONSIDER VERSE 24

THIS IS PROBABLY TOP 3 MOST PRACTICAL VERSE FOR ALL CHRISTIANS

LET NO ONE SEEK HIS OWN WELL BEING

BUT EACH OF US, SHOULD SEEK THE WELL BEING OF OTHERS.

NOT ONLY IS THIS PRACTICAL

IT IS THE EXAMPLE CHRIST LEFT US WITH

THIS IS CHRISTIANITY

THIS IS HOW WE SHOW PEOPLE WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

FRIENDS, IT’S NOT EASY

IT’S NOT FUN

BUT IT’S THE BEST WAY TO REPRESENT CHRIST TO THOSE WHO NEED HIM MOST.

WHAT LED PAUL TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND USE THIS LANGUAGE?

1 COR 10:25-

1 Corinthians 10:25–27 NKJV

25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.

TO THOSE IN CORINTH, A HUGE STUMBLING BLOCK WAS THE MEAT THAT THEY CONSUMED.

MOST OF THE GOOD MEAT WAS SOLD BY PAGANS

THE PROFITS AND MARKETPLACES WERE SATURATED WITH PAGAN WORSHIP

BECAUSE OF THE IMMATURITY AMONGST BELIEVERS, SOME OF THEM WERE STUMBLED

They were weak in the faith

They were easily stumbled

Because of this, Paul reminds them again what He had said in 8:4

He said it in 8:4

1 Corinthians 8:4 NKJV

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

Paul is reminding the Corinthians that the meat that they eat has been created by God

The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness

Church, if we truly believe the Biblical account of Creation

We know that we have been given dominion over all of the animals.

If we believe that the New Testament account of Peter in Acts 10

We know that God has enabled us to eat all animals to His Glory.

To consider what the secular has done with such animals

Not only discredits our biblical understanding

We give idols more attention than they deserve

Therefore, if you are ever at someone’s house for dinner

Just eat whatever is set before you

You don’t have to ask where the meat came from

Or if the source of the meat was pagan

Paul says, “Don’t ask any questions for your own conscience’s sake.”

1 Cor 10:2830

1 Corinthians 10:28–30 NKJV

28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?

1 Cor 10:

1 Corinthians 10:28–29 NKJV

HOWEVER!

IF YOU ARE MADE AWARE OF THE IDOLATROUS SOURCE OF THE MEAT BEFORE YOU

FALL BACK ON VERSE 24

Fall back on verse 24

WHY?

For the sake of the one who told you

And for the sake of their conscience

Yeah, the Earth is still the Lord’s and all of it’s fullness

But the weak don’t understand that yet

They are not at your level yet

They will be stumbled by your actions

Church we are to be blameless before God and man.

Though our conscience will remain uneffected by eating the meat

We must consider the well being of others.

We must consider what we are saying to the world when we call ourselves “Followers of Christ”

While eating things sacrificed to idols

IN TODAY’S WORLD, WE MAY NOT BE JUDGED FOR EATING MEAT

WE ARE JUDGED FOR SILLIER AND PETTIER THINGS

WHY? BECAUSE WE GIVE THE JUDGEMENTAL AMMO.

WE GIVE THEM REASONS TO JUDGE US

SOMETIMES IT IS OUR FAULT . . .

WHY? BECAUSE WE DON’T CONSIDER THE WELL BEING OF OTHERS

When we post stuff

When we say stuff

When we throw shade on others

But in context, when we participate in our liberties before people who don’t know Jesus

The conscience of the weaker christian judges our liberties.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT THIS?

1 Corinthians 10:30–33 NKJV

30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

:30-

THIS PART OF SCRIPTURE SHOWS A VERY COMMON FRUSTRATION FOR THOSE IN LEADERSHIP.

WE CAN DO EVERYTHING RIGHT.

WE CAN CARE FOR PEOPLE UNCONDITIONALLY.

WILLING TO DROP EVERYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS

YET STILL BE JUDGED FOR A PERMISSIBLE ACTION.

PAUL, GOES ON TO PRESCRIBE A GREAT SOLUTION.

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, USE VERSE 31 AS A FILTER

ASK YOURSELF

CAN I DO THIS

EAT

DRINK

WHATEVER

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

WILL THIS BE OFFENSIVE TO ANYONE?

JEWS?

GENTILES?

THE CHURCH?

WILL THIS BE APPROVED BY MEN?

AM I SEEKING MY OWN PROFIT?

OR AM I SEEKING THE PROFIT OF OTHERS?

WILL THIS LEAD TO MORE PEOPLE BEING SAVED?

CHURCH, I’LL BE HONEST WITH YOU.

SOMETIMES WE ARE WILLING TO CONSIDER THE WELL BEING OF UNBELIEVERS

Willing to do whatever it takes for them to be saved

BUT RARELY DO WE CONSIDER THE WELL BEING OF OUR FELLOW CHURCH MEMBERS

FRIENDS, MAY WE CONSIDER THAT OUR WORDS, ACTIONS, AND BEHAVIORS INDIRECTLY DISCIPLE THE PEOPLE AROUND US

Related Media

Related Sermons