scripture: 1 corinthians 8:1-8:13

Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ are more important than our individual rights. Being devoted to traditions and preferences will keep us divided while focusing on loving God and others will bring us together. We must take what the Bible says as literal and authoritative, but elevating our preferences to the level or above “inspired” scripture is dangerous and divisive. Do not let the freedom in Christ that every believer enjoys become a stumbling block for our brothers or sisters in the faith. Sermon Outline @ http://bible.com/events/49070889

The children of Israel watched miracle after miracle in the wilderness. They saw God overcome Pharoah, part the red Sea, kill the Egyptians behind them. They ate manna that appeared out of nowhere, drank water from a rock. Got directions from a cloud and a pillar of fire, yet "With most of them God was not pleased" 1 Corinthians 10:5. We can grow accustomed to the presence, provision and purposes of God and begin to live for ourselves and ignore the Lord. 1 Corinthians 10 gives us insight and direction how to live in response to that.

How can you be right and be wrong at the same time? 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 gives instructions about whether it is okay to eat meat sacrificed to Idols. We don't have that issue in today's society, but there are many issues in the church where we could apply the same principle. My right does not trump my responsibility to serve God by preferring and serving you. Although some activities may be acceptable for me, if they cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble, for the love of God and the love of my brother or sister, I should give up my right and instead sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom.

How can you be right and be wrong at the same time? 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 gives instructions about whether it is okay to eat meat sacrificed to Idols. We don't have that issue in today's society, but there are many issues in the church where we could apply the same principle. My right does not trump my responsibility to serve God by preferring and serving you. Although some activities may be acceptable for me, if they cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble, for the love of God and the love of my brother or sister, I should give up my right and instead sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom.

In this chapter, Paul instructs us that knowledge without love can be harmful to weaker believers. We need to set aside our freedoms to not offend our weaker brothers and sisters. Paul went to a great extent to not stumble those who were weak in the faith because of his concern for their eternal souls. If we stumble them because of our "knowledge" we can destroy someone for whom Jesus died!

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Sermon Date: January 16th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Sermon Date: January 16th, 2022 Speaker: Brian Crawford

Audio recording of the Sunday morning Bible Teaching given by Andrew Burt at Enniscorthy Christian Fellowship, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland on 11th July 2021

Audio recording of the Sunday morning Bible Teaching given by Andrew Burt at Enniscorthy Christian Fellowship, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland on 11th July 2021

Respect for the conscience of others

Respect for the conscience of others

How do you best preserve the unity of the gospel community? You might be forgiven if you believe that just telling fellow believers the truth is enough. Paul remind us that we need love as well as truth.

A in-depth, verse-by-verse, expositional study examining the book of Corinthians.

If we have no regard for the welfare of others, then we have no regard for Christ's love. This compelling statement should move us to ask, "What would I be willing to give up for the love of my brother or sister in Christ?"

As we enter 1st Corinthians chapter 8, Paul is trying his best to get the Corinthians on the same page about a variety of issues from resurrection to spiritual gifts! In the past few weeks we have hammered out chapter 7 (via a mini-study we titled "Questions about Marriage"). Now we come to a new section and another conflicting issue for those Corinthians believers. The next few chapters begin with a discussion of “meat sacrificed to idols”. While this was a big issue for the Corinthians, I am certain it is not for us! I can’t imagine that, before sitting down for Thanksgiving turkey, any of you asked your host, “Hey, where did you get this meat? Was this sacrificed to an idol?” Have you ever felt weird about going out for Indian food — all of the statues and pictures of Hindu gods? (Especially the weird elephant-looking one, Ganesh to be exact). Probably not! OK, so their specific issue was a little different than what we face today. But, while I will make sure to paint the cultural picture so we can all understand their issue, we will focus on the underlying principles that help Paul answer their dilemma. Those principles are ever so relevant to us today! The reality is that in our lives as Christians we are so secure in a loving parent/child relationship with God. There is no judgement and no condemnation and no fear of God withholding love. So our decisions don’t affect that relationship at all. We do not talk in legal terms, but in loving terms! We want to please our father because we love him. We don’t obey because we are afraid of Him, but because of love. But our actions affect the quality of our own lives and the ability of others to know the God who loves us. “All things are lawful, BUT NOT ALL THINGS ARE BENEFICIAL”. Step one in decision making: Is it good for me? Does it bring health and godliness to me? Does it draw me closer to God? A second question will arise in this chapter: Is it good for others! I may be free to do it, but what will it do to others? Will doing this thing help them draw closer to God? Will it bring benefit to their lives? Listen in and see how a discussion of meat and idols leads to freedom and decisions!

A right knowledge of God should lead to a real love for your neighbor.

Connecting People to God in Christ

Paul addresses the Corinthian's concern about eating meat offered to idols. The Corinthians had knowledge, but were lacking in love. Love is the key!

Southeast Baptist Tabernacle

...yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. This is my rule in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 8:6