1 Corinthians 8:5-6
Wednesday Night Prayer and Praise • Sermon • Submitted
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For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
What are some “so-called gods, whether in heaven or earth?”
“So-called” indicates unreality.
all are dismissed-whether they are thought to be in heaven or on earth.
both gods and lords reference the same idea
in a couple of references, particularly the OT, gods and lords are referring to judges and rulers
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.
“Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the “gods”:
“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
Jesus clarified this for us:
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—
Then He points out that He is distinguished.
what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
The translators of the Bible make the distinguishing in capitalization between little g and big G.
Another reference Paul makes helps clarify this:
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
In our text for tonight, Paul makes the ultimate declaration:
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
YET indicates a sharp contrast.
Christians are monotheistic, meaning we serve ONE GOD.
Pagans divided up the creation among their gods and goddesses.. Paul declares ONE God is responsible for all things, we came from Him, we live for Him. He is our origin and our goal is to live for Him. The word for “for” is indicative of “the set of life.”
However, what do we put in front of God that we make a god?
Another emphasis here is that Paul places on THE FATHER.
Here, he is pointing out the relationship of the Son.
In doing so, Paul is pointing to the deity of Christ.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Greater Vision has a new song out:
Walkin’ on the Water He Has Made
