Faith on Display

I mainly cycle alone....becuase I am slow, don’t look great in the gear but mostly becuase I am embarrassed about who little I really know about bicycles…I watch youtube video, I read articles but I know that while those are great nothing beats the experience of those that love cycling.

Over the years...I learned good habits and bad by watching other cyclist…Then I found out that I was picking up some very bad habits so I started talking to bike shop owners and at some point I may become part of a cycling group.

Why? Becuase if I want to be better I need the help of those that are already sold out to the sport.

The same is true for those seeking truth.

The perceptions of new believers or even perspective believers are developed by their observation of people they know who walk with Jesus.

This is a heavy burden for the believer. If we say that our faith is the most important aspect of our lives but we plan our lives around secular pursuits instead of Spiritual pursuits we give the perception that the local Church is not vital to our spiritual development. Our involvement or lack of involvement in the life of the Church influences more than we think.

We are going to talk about the fact that as followers of Jesus we are all subject to the perception of others

1 Corinthians 8:1–13 NLT

1 Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. 3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 4 So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. 5 There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. 6 But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. 7 However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. 8 It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do. 9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. 13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

Paul is pointing out that Sin is not in the eating of the meat that was sacrificed to idols but in the idols themselves. In other words sacrificed meats are a problem whenever people believe the power of the idols are equal with the Power of the one true God.

So if the perception non believers get about faith comes from believers our journey does not start with behaviour modification but our belief system. What we believe about God will dictate our daily behaviors. Inside out not outside in....

Paul emphasizes the that there is only one true God.

6 But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.

He also warns that even though most mature believers understand this…not every believer is mature.

7 However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.

Becuase of this we must be careful not to act in ways that would support that idea that idols are on par with God.

9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.

In other words people are watching how you live as a follower of the one true God and our actions have consequences both negative and positive.

If this is true then: Our lived out priorities are a snapshot of what we really believe about God. And what we think others should believe about God. If we are mature believers in the one and only God we should not allow the priorities of the world to infringe on our need to draw close to God so God can draw close to us.

Probably the most important public priority we can develop is to be an active part of the ministry of a local church.

You wouldn’t think this to be a controversial thing to say but even as I say this I know there are one or two of us that tense up automatically. The thought goes through our minds that we are doing the best we can and to ask for more is actually not fair. After all Church or ministry is not the only things in my life.

You would be right…we all have a lot of other responsibilities. Kids, school, work, extended family, and of corse we have to take some time for ourselves. These are all great things…these are all important…but how does prioritizing all of these things over worship, service and discipleship point to a belief in the one true God?

Now before you tune me out for the rest of our time let me tell you a story of a man I respect and know that has not done a good job of prioritizing “Church Work”

We will call him Bill...Mark Bane story being gone from Family 40 weeks out of the year…This is not what God is calling us to do…even though this man really does love God I do not think God is pleased with losing connection with family and sabotaging his health.

In fact I would say the my friend no matter how well intended has made church ministry an idol instead of a priority.

While we have to make sure the church ministry does not become an idol we also have make sure that our secular pursuits do not become an idol. I think in an effort to maintain balance some go too far in the other direction where they fill them and their families available time with more secular priorities.

Meaning they often fill life with pursuits that are not really designed to move us to a closer relationship with God. In fact and honest look at their lives would indicate these priorities often replace time in church, small group and service to others with things that while not evil could be classified as an idol.

Paul continues to talk about reason to be careful about eating meat that was sacrifices to idols in chapter 10…he does not forbid it but he does say it may not be good for you.

1 Corinthians 10:23

New Living Translation Chapter 10

23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

I am a big believer in enjoying life. I think that vacations are from God. I think family gatherings are treasures. I think that sports are a great way to exercise and enjoy time together.

I also think that engaging in your faith community is probably one of the most beneficial priorities of our life and the most public way to communicate your love of God to others.

This is one of our core values as well…Involvement in ministry through the local church: Involvement in the ministries of our local church speak volumes to others and advance the mission God has given.

Each of us has something to contribute, and together we strengthen the church to do God’s good work.

Response: This Develop priorities that illustrate your commitment by replacing one thing that if you were honest is taking time away from your faith development with a ministry of our local church.

Communion: