Paul's Emphasis On Christlike Obedience Series

Sermon Brief

Date Written: August 7, 2014

Date Preached: August 10, 2014

Where Preached: OPBC (AM)

Sermon Details:

Series Title: A Series in 1 Corinthians

Sermon Title: Paul’s Emphasis on Christlike Obedience

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 10:14-33 [ESV] – read now

14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. [clear screen after finish]

Essence of the Text: Paul used these verses to give direction & guidance to not abuse the spiritual freedoms we have in Christ!

Essence of the Sermon: These verses give us direction & guidance in not abusing our spiritual freedoms in Christ!

Main Question(s) of the Sermon: How do you use your spiritual freedom? What is the focus of your spiritual freedom? Is it what YOU can do or is it what YOU can do for Christ?

Applicable Objective of the Sermon: You will hear:

WORD PROCLAIMED: Paul states a basic premise about spiritual freedom & then gives 3 principles for living out our spiritual freedom.

WORD EXPLAINED: Paul’s premise & 3 principles focus on what we can do FOR the kingdom and NOT so much what can be given to us…

WORD MADE PERSONAL: Am I adhering to this very basic premise from Scripture? Am I applying these 3 principles of God’s word in my life?

Introduction

Basic biblical Premise for spiritual freedom for believers… Paul sets a premise for the people, in v14 he says: 14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

[read v14 here]

I want us to look at a few words from within this spiritual teaching …to help us in understanding what Paul was saying AND how it applies to believers even today!

Paul uses the term ‘beloved’ which is the Greek word

ah-gahp-ay-toss – this the same word as Paul uses in

4:14 (describing the fellowship) &

15:58 (describing the fellowship)

How special is this term of endearment? It is the same word God used when He describes Jesus after His baptism & on the Mount of Transfiguration. On both occasions God said,

“This is My beloved Son …”

Paul not only loved this fellowship but wanted others to know how deep he cared for them and believed they were useful in the kingdom of Christ! LIKEWISE, this also shows how we must love and care for one another… just as God loved and cared for His Son!

Paul also uses the word Flee here. It is the Greek word –

fyoo-go – this is the same word Paul also used in:

1 Cor 6:18 (describing the what the fellowship must do when faced with sexual sin/immorality – they were instructed to remove themselves with haste from the situation)