1 Corinthians | June 23rd, Session 8 | Honoring the Weaker Members of the Body 8:1-13; 10:23-33 Big Ideas: • Don’t be selfish • Don’t be a stumbling block • Don’t be short-sighted His Presence 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 1 Corinthians 8:4-8 4 Therefore, concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. Defiled-To soil or smear with dirt. Matthew 15:16-20 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” 1. Don’t be selfish (view others perspectives) What rights do you have as a follower of Christ? (give me a biblical response for your belief) • What does God’s word say about my rights? (not Constitution or bill of rights but Bible) • Our rights can become idols if we don’t understand the proper biblical context—the context of the biblical community and the Body of Christ. • What hill am I willing to die on? (metaphorically) (for me, Gospel) • Christian liberty comes with responsibility. 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. The most important thing is making Christ known. 2. Don't be a stumbling block (doing something that directly causes another to fall) 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. • What I allow in moderation may give others license to do in excess The most important thing is making Christ known 3. Don't be short sighted (Think about the long-term soul health of the individual) 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. • Just because I have a legal right does not mean God wants me to do it. (legal vs. lawful)(be led by the Holy Spirit) Just because it is not sin does not mean it is a good thing. • Christian liberties are not an allowance for sinful behavior. • Walking in humble caution is not the same thing as hiding sinful behaviors. (alcohol in private vs. in front of a former alcoholic) 1 Peter 2:16 -17 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Galatians 5:13-15 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Religion tries to do just enough to be in good standing, while love seeks to have the heart governed by God, and His standards are fruits of His love in us. The most important thing is making Christ known Jesus summed it up: • I came not to be served but to serve and give my life a ransom • Do as I have done, be like me. John 13:12-17 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. • We are not Jesus’ doormats, but rather, we trust our lives and service to the one who judges rightly. • This is truly walking by faith and not by sight. This is truly living in the spirit. This is truly walking in love. This is truly following in the steps of Jesus as he directed us. Romans 12:9-13 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. • If you have faith, exercise it to walk in love and servanthood. Take Away: · Have I viewed my liberty in Christ as a license or permission to sin? · How have I allowed my freedom in Christ to become a stumbling block to others? · What is God asking me to lay down in love to serve others and Make Him known?