Unity In Freedoms
Realigning for Unity • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsBig Idea: Do everything for the Glory of God and the good of others.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Paul is teaching major principles for making wise and spiritual decisions as followers of Christ in the absence of direct commands. He uses this question of eating food sacrificed to idols as an example for thinking through how to find God’s wisdom in other situations.
Eat food sacrificed to idols?
Eat food sacrificed to idols?
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
Now about food sacrificed to idols. Knowledge puffs up (arrogance) but love builds up (relationship). Answering the question of food sacrificed to idols with teaching on rights and freedoms.
Point – we think we know that God is the only true living God and idols aren’t real
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
Not everyone possesses this knowledge – not yet mature in faith.
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
do not let your rights cause others to fall. (in sin)
No, for the sake of new believers’ conscience.
No, for the sake of new believers’ conscience.
9:1-12 Paul talks about his rights as Apostle as example, plus soldier and farmer, plus Scripture commands.
12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
We did not use this right but tolerated for sake of Gospel.
9:13-22 Paul setting aside his freedoms and rights to reach others.
23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
I do all this for the sake of the Gospel.
No, for the sake of Gospel message to unbelievers.
No, for the sake of Gospel message to unbelievers.
23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
run the race with purpose and intentionality to win. Without the discipline you may be disqualified. Not about losing salvation or not earning salvation but about receiving the reward for finishing well or not. Sharing in the blessings of the gospel.
This passage, in the context of the teaching of 8-10 points not just to a general living out of our Christian life to be intentional and serve diligently. This is set in the context of setting aside our rights to bring others the Gospel, to not cause people to fall into sin, to exercise our freedom not for our own pleasures alone but to choose to love others.
1 Corinthians 10:1 Paul continues with conjunction connecting this to what he just said.
10:1-5 Israel all united as one under God’s direct care and leading (cloud and fire), crossed through the sea together, all participated in food and drink together (manna and water from rock). And Jesus was the rock.
10:5 God was not pleased with most of them – why? Idolatry. We can learn from them that we must not be idolaters.
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
10:11 examples and warnings.
12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
10:12 like 8:2 if you think you stand (are doing good), be careful or you will fall. (know in 8:2)
10:13 temptations are common, God is faithful, provides way of escape. = God will rescue you if you turn to him in temptation. (trial, test, temptation. Could mean difficulties, but context seems to say temptation) God provides avenue of escape/rescue, result, outcome. Endure it.
10:14 (10:7) right away after assurance that God provides the escape = Therefore flee from idolatry – escape from temptation, not really a difficulty.
10:15-17 participating in communion (eating bread, drinking cup) is participation in the sacrifice of Christ means receiving the covering of their sin and also shows participation in the sin/guilt.
10:18 Israel’s sacrifices in temple are consumed as participation in the altar = participation in the sacrifice to cover their sin also means showing participation in the sin/guilt.
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.
10:19-22 in the same way, sacrifices of pagans are made to demons and participation in their power. Do not participate with demons.
No, for the sake of your own relationship with Christ.
No, for the sake of your own relationship with Christ.
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
you have rights and freedoms but not everything you could do is helpful or constructive. Seek the good of others over your own good.
10:25-30 Answer to very specific eating question: already said don’t eat in the temple. but eat what is sold in the market or what you are offered at the home of an unbeliever without asking questions about where it came from, but if someone tells you the food was a sacrifice, don’t eat it for the sake of their conscience.
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—
Final restating of principle and big idea: Do everything for the glory of God and the good of others.
10:33-11:1 transition: Follow Paul’s example as he follows Christ.
Big Idea: Do everything for the Glory of God and the good of others.
Big Idea: Do everything for the Glory of God and the good of others.
What About You?
What About You?
In what situations today might we find ourselves grappling with this concept of setting aside rights and freedoms for the good of others?
Principles and practical examples.