Sermon Tone Analysis

Two beliefs of the Corinthian Christians:

(1) all things are permissible/lawful for those in Christ;

(2) what happens in the physical body is not important because the body is temporal and will be destroyed in the end.

Paul gives four responses:

(1) the body is not ultimately destroyed, for God will raise the body again someday (vv.

13-14)

(2) our bodies are united with Christ, therefore what we do with our body matters (vv.

15-17)

(3) our body is the temple, and God’s spirit dwells inside us (vv.

18-19)

(4) our bodies (and our entire lives) belong to the Lord Jesus; therefore, we should use our bodies for glorifying and honoring God (vv.

19b-20)

1 Corinthians 8:9-13,

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?... 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

1 Peter 1:18-19,

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Sending Word:

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.

May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Questions for Discussion:

1.

How should this passage impact the way we talk about issues related to the “body” (i.e., sexuality, food, health, dress, etc.) within the church?

2. Paul’s ethic here cannot be understood apart from the “lordship of Christ.”

How might this awareness impact the way we talk and interact with non-believers?