September 6 2020

Drift; A broken church

We can learn from this

Not any idol shrines for miles, none serving steak - can I skip this chapter

The scripture at times seems to lack relevance to a Zoom meeting world

At least at first glance

1 Corinthians 8 NASB95

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

“things sacrificed to idols”

This was their question and a point of contention or disagreement among the members of the church of God at Corinth

“Knowledge makes arrogant”

The core of the problem

A teaching point

No definitive answer to the original question

This is where it now becomes a tangible lesson for us

“love edifies”

desired response

Grow in knowledge not superiority

knowledge for superiority has the focus in the wrong place

knowledge to grow your relationship with God has a right focus

How can I edify, build up, invest in someone else?

To the church