Believers Freedom

Believer’s freedom

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Prayer-

Introduction-

Sermon title-Believer’s freedom- that will have different meaning to different people.

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

John 8:36-

So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

We see from these scriptures that our freedom is in Christ.

What Christ has done for us.

That as believers in Christ we should not abuse our freedom to sin in the flesh.

We are humbly to love one another.

Amen. Thanks for coming.

Today we live in a time that most people are searching to find their individual freedoms, there rights and find what they are willing to stand up for and die for.

There is always a cause that needs your help and a group of people that feel slighted and are rallying an army of people to defend them and give them a voice.

There are people passionate about their causes and there are people who just love to fight and cause trouble.

There are doors that need to be opened and I believe some doors that need to be closed.

In the midst of all this, we as Christians have to determine what battles to fight, what stands we will take, and what voice we want to have to be heard no only for ourselves but just as important our expression of faith in Jesus Christ.

The sermon and the text today are not about your rights. Sometimes it is not about you.

Question

How do we as believers use our God given freedoms and not trip up weaker Christians.

How we exercise our freedoms as God intends so that we can move the cause of Christ forward and also be an example of His love.

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 read

At first reading, I think of this passage like Cat in the Hat- like reading about Green eggs and ham.

Apostle Paul- Roman 7:15- “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

After reading, I want to say just do what you are suppose to do! If only that it would be that easy!

For us all to interpret laws and rules the same, and be willing to accept the authority of who gave the rule or the law would be a stretch.

To understand this passage, you have to look at the context. Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth had a lot to say about believers freedom.

He is talking to them about idol worship and what is to be offered on the altar to God. The sacrifices that are given to God must be pure and untainted and not something that is left over from another God or from your extra. He won’t accept seconds. He demands first fruits and is a jealous God.

He has disciplined them for their behavior concerning running the race of life and finishing strong for the Lord. They cannot be like boxers air fighting and not hitting anything, they are to be Purposeful, and preparing for the tasks on hand for the Lord.

They are to be in the race for the long haul and to finish... not just start but finish and finish strong and accomplish all they were created to do while they are running.

He warns them of Israel’s history of coming and going away from the Lord and calling them to a consistent life of service to God.

I can picture him in that conversation reminding them of the times that they have stumbled and what had caused them to stumble.

If we would be honest, the things that have caused most of us to stumble are other people not doing what they are suppose to do. Professing one thing and doing another. Having double standards.

Kind of like when your parents look at you and say don’t do as I do, do as I say. That will cause us to stumble… apostle Paul said follow me as I follow the Lord.

Everyone is after freedoms, we all like our freedoms and not many of us can handle the freedom when we get it.

So let’s look at this passage and see if we can take away some truths this morning- (23) “I have the right to do anything, you say- but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything, but not everything is constructive.”

Some versions say I have a right, some say I am allowed, some say it is permissible- you get the picture here. There are some things that you can do but they are not beneficial and some things are not constructive.