The Glory of God
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
AG:
TS:
RS:
Flee Idolatry
Flee Idolatry
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Urgency of Paul’s Command
Urgency of Paul’s Command
Paul uses the word Flee here. It is the Greek word –
This is the same word Paul also used in:
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
(describing the what the fellowship must do when faced with sexual sin/immorality – they were instructed to remove themselves with haste from the situation)
How strong is this command by Paul?
Looking at the teaching of Jesus we find that flee is the same word Jesus used when speaking about the end of the world in Mark 13 when He said when you see the Abomination of Desolation, you must FLEE from Judea. This was a dire warning to get out quickly because danger was overwhelming …
Paul uses that SAME term in reference to FLEEING from the idolatry… It seems as if these believers may have had an issue with this OR that they had become comfortable with any idolatry that was going on within the fellowship…
Paul urges them to flee as I their lives depended upon it.
Temptation to return to idolatry is a dire spiritual danger
God makes a way of escape in temptation.
HOWEVER, we must make the choice to turn away!
Flee from anything that reeks of idolatry
in other words remove yourself from the situation, take yourself away from the activity.
Rationale for Paul’s Command
Rationale for Paul’s Command
He uses the illustration of the Lord’s Supper to point out their lazy attitude toward their personal holiness in Christ.
Paul, as a master teacher, asks questions to prompt their thoughts.
The questions are found in v16-19: [read 1 Cor 10:16-19 here]
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
The cup of blessing he refers to is the communion with Christ through the Lord’s Supper Jesus established to remember what He did on Calvary!
It is the proper name given to the third cup of wine during the Passover Feast. At the last Passover with the disciples, Jesus used the third cup as the symbol of His blood shed for sin. That cup became the one used to institute the Lord’s Supper. He set the cup apart as a token of salvation blessing before passing it to the 12
Basically, what Paul is asking is:
When we partake of the Lord’s Supper aren’t we participating it the ‘blood of Christ’? Referring to the cup…
When we partake of the Lord’s Supper aren’t we participating in the ‘body of Christ’? Referring to the bread…
Paul says that our communion in Christ is a communion of ONE body partaking in ONE bread… or celebrating ONE savior… the inference here is that we should NEVER add to this by offering sacrifices or honor to any other ‘god’ or idol.
Essentially, Paul is saying that the Lord’s Supper identifies us with Christ and other believers who worship the One and only God.
Paul reminds them that the idols are nothing and do nothing to their food
HOWEVER, Paul IS saying that as believers we cannot mix our worship, even if it is unintentional… false idol worship has NO place with Christ!
However, He also reminds them about their commitment to Christ and that they are to be different from the world.
No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
We must flee idolatry because there is no room for straddling this fence.
Do all for the Glory of God
Do all for the Glory of God
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
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.
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—
I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience?
If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,
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.
Just because you are free to do it…It does NOT mean it is wise TO do it!
Paul’s implication here is that our spiritual freedom is not for our desire or pleasure, but it has a greater purpose!
The filters we use when deciding on our actions:
Does it BUILD up others?
Does it BUILD up others?
Although we have liberty in Christ and, “all things are lawful” not all things are good to do.
Is it helpful?
Does it lift up the brothers and sisters around us?
Does it lead others to grow in their walk with Christ?
If not, it isn’t a necessary part of our lives.
Does it IMPACT your Testimony?
Does it IMPACT your Testimony?
Paul describes a scenario of sharing a meal.
If the host doesn’t point out that it had originally been offered to idols, eat and enjoy it.
However, if the host makes a point of letting you know about the idols, don’t eat.
It is about your testimony before them.
If they see it as an issue, go along with them
If they don’t see it as an issue, refrain from eating and keep your distinctiveness.
Does it GLORIFY God?
Does it GLORIFY God?
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Seek their salvation
Seek the glory of God
We are free. However, our freedom must be put to use for the glorification of Christ & the advancement of His Kingdom. It cannot be used for our own personal pleasures or desires!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
