Be More Concerned About

I Corinthians 8: 1-13 “Be more concerned about”

What was not so good at Corinth was some of the rascals there

Corinthian Christians composed of converted idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, thieves, drunkards, and swindlers (6:9-11). The church made up of people from such backgrounds soon encountered a thicket of problems.

Some Problems they faced, should the women ware a veil or not

Eating Meat sacrificed to idols, visions in the church, lawsuits, immorality, the single life, the extent of Christian freedoms, differing views of worship, and the place of tongue-speaking and other spiritual gifts.

Now concerning Food sacrificed to idols

1. Paul claims instead of being concerned about food sacrificed to idols one should be more concerned about having Godly Love.

:Paul says We know that we all possess knowledge.A Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

A. Paul believes Love builds up your faith and builds up others Faith consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

B. John says one needs to build Up Love 1 John 4:7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love

C. James says Love builds up those that are in Distress James 1:27Religion that God accepts is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

2. Instead of being concerned about Food sacrificed to idols it is better to be concerned about being known of God (or being Saved) 3But the man who loves God is known by God.

A. Remember the Importance of being known by God

Jesus said, depart from ye workers of iniquity I never knew you.

B. How do we become known by God? Romans 10: 9confessing with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your

heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

C. Being Known by God is striving to live the Faith.

. 6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or . known him.

3. Instead of being concerned about food sacrificed to idols Paul also believes one should be concerned about Trusting the True God.

: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one.

4. Paul claims instead of being so concerned about food sacrificed to idols understand, it does not help us get closer to God

. 8But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do.

A. Put Christ First, will get one close to God.

Matthew 10:32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge

him before my Father in heaven.37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is

not worthy of me; . 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my

sake will find it.

B. Following Jesus' teaching help one get close to God

John 8:31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you

are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

C. Having Love for one another will help get closer to God

John 13:34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,

so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another."

5. Finally Paul says instead of being concerned about food sacrificed to idols be more concerned about your Brother who might be falling.

13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that

I will not cause him to fall.

A. Christ's main work was to save the Falling Ones.

10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

B. David had fallen but God Restored his fallen brother

Amos 9:11"In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. (His house or his dynasty)

I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be. .

C. Jesus seen the prostitutes who had fallen, get up, go, and sin no more