SERMON OUTLINE:
• Love verses knowledge (vs 1-3).
• Proposals and people (vs 4-8)
• Make a point, or make a difference? (vs 9-13)
SERMON BODY:
ill:
• YouTube News Clip:
• This past week Germany celebrated 25 years since fall of the Berlin Wall
• http://youtu.be/3toiPAt--t8
Ill:
• The Berlin Wall was a barrier that existed from 1961 through 1989.
• It was constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany);
• On 13th August 1961.
• The wall completely cut off (by land);
• West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin.
• The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls,
• Which bounded a wide area (later known as the “death strip”)?
• The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population;
• But in reality all it did was in-prison them.
• On the 9th November 1989 something incredible happened.
• Political unrest lead to unimagined changes;
• The wall was breeched and bit by bit torn down.
• This past week celebrations have taken place in Berlin;
• To mark the 25th anniversary of the most significant event in recent German history:
• The Fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989.
• At last the people could experience freedom of speech,
• Freedom of the press, and freedom of religion
• TRANSITION: However, some of the first "freedoms";
• Also included indulgence in prostitution, drug abuse and organized crime.
• For many people their freedom from one oppressive system;
• Gave rise to bondage in another.
• TRANSITION:
• Some Christians think freedom allows them to believe or act exactly as they please.
• But all they end up doing is swapping one type of bondage for another.
Ill:
• Someone has described Christian freedom to be;
• Like a kite attached to a string.
• If you cut the string the kite will crash to the ground;
• Or flow aimlessly to who knows where.
• With the string attached the kite has the freedom to soar in the air;
• To be guided and helped and to even perform acrobatic tricks.
• The string does not hinder the kite but actually allows the kite to be truly free!
• TRANSITION:
• Some Christians think freedom allows them to believe or act exactly as they please.
• They are ‘free in Christ’ to do whatever they like!
• But they are like a kite whose string has been cut.
• Christian freedom is doing what is right out of love not out of REGULATION.
• The freedom we read about in these New Testament letters;
• Is the freedom to live a life that is pleasing to God.
• Christian freedom is not living how I want;
• Rather it is living how CHRIST wants.
• Or as 1 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 31 puts it:
• “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
So in chapters 8 to 10 of this letter;
• The apostle Paul gives principles and guidelines;
• To help Christians make personal decisions regarding the ‘grey’ areas of life.
• There are many areas of behaviour mentioned in the Bible that are very ‘black & white’;
• i.e. the Bible explicitly condemns: adultery, murder, theft, lying and so on.
• These areas are very clear, very ‘black & white’.
• But the Bible does not address every area of behaviour;
• For every Christian there are situations that arise;
• Where we are not clearly told in the Bible if something is right or wrong;
• What we often call them the ‘grey’ areas;
• Because we must be guided by our conscience and common sense;
• If something is permissible or not. If something is beneficial or harmful.
Ill:
• Two of the most famous preachers in nineteenth-century England;
• Were Charles Haddon Spurgeon and Joseph Parker.
• They were close friends who sometimes held evangelistic meetings together.
• But they also had disagreements.
• On one occasion, Spurgeon learned that Parker had attended the theatre in London.
• Spurgeon confronted his friend and said,
• ''A truly spiritual Christian knows that it's worldly to attend the theatre."
• Parker chuckled.
• "Tell me, Charles-what's that hanging out of your mouth?"
• Spurgeon puffed on his cigar.
• "Surely, you don't suggest there's anything wrong with having a smoke?"
• Parker said,
• "Many Christians would say that a truly spiritual Christian should know that it's worldly to go around smoking like a chimney!"
Now both men eventually agreed that:
• There was not a word in the Bible against either;
• The attending a show at the theatre or smoking a cigar;
• And that they would have to tolerate each other's Christian liberty;
• In these ‘grey’ areas of life.
TRANSITION: Reasonable and godly Christians can and do disagree on many issues.
• In my time as a Christian I have been told;
• Christians should not play card games;
• Christians should not go to a public house,
• Christians should not go to the pictures.
• Christians should not watch TV on a Sunday.
• Christians should not drink alcohol (whatsoever!)
• Christians should not go to a football match.
• Christians should not have tattoos or body piercings.
• Christians should not listen to rock music or go to a concert.
• Christians should not… you can fill in the blanks.
• Some believers seem to have a very, very, very long list of things,
• That Christians should and should not do!
• And unless you stretch and bend and misquote Bible verses (and people do);
• There is not a single command in the Bible to say you can or cannot do these things!
• So when we are NOT clearly told in the Bible if something is right or wrong;
• What we often call those ‘grey’ areas.
• Then we must be guided by our conscience and common sense;
• And as we pray these things through, we can then take the appropriate actions.
Now at the time of the apostle Paul one of those ‘grey’ areas;
• Had to do with eating food sacrificed to idols.
• Because the best place to buy a good roast or a good steak in Corinth,
• Was the market right next to the pagan temple.
Ill:
• In these pagan temples, they did like the Jews did in the Old Testament days;
• They offered living animals as sacrifice.
• And like the Jews, the priests reserved, they kept some of the meat;
• For the benefit of the priests;
• And excess meat for they always had too much;
• Was sent to the market place for public sale.
• Now remember that only the best animals were used in sacrifice;
• So this meant that the best meat markets in Corinth;
• Were right next door to a pagan temple.
• And everyone in town knew, it was common knowledge;
• That, if you purchased meat from that market and you ate some of that meat,
• Then you were eating meat that had once been offered to an idol.
Therefore, the question arose among the Christians was:
"If a Christian eats meat offered to an idol is he not participating in some way in the worship of that idol?"
• So the apostle Paul deals with this topic in chapters 8, 9 & 10.
• So (be warned) you have got another two sermons coming up related to this issue!
• But in case you are thinking this is not relevant;
• Think again!
• Because you and I are always, constantly facing these ‘grey’ areas;
• Situations that require us to make choices with no scriptural insight;
• Situations where we have no biblical commands or guidance.
• So the principles that we will find in these three chapters (8-10);
• Should be of great relevance to everyone one of us!
Ill:
• I know that for most of us eating meats is not a common problem in churches today,
• Of course if you have Asian friends and they invite you to a wedding celebration;
• Just as at a Christian wedding,
• At the reception we will say grace and give thanks to God for the food we will eat.
• The same thing will happen at a Hindu wedding;
• Only they will be praying to Krishna, Brahma or Vishnu or some other false deity.
• Or if we are guests in the home of a Moslem;
• Or if you go for a curry at your local Indian restaurant,
• I can guarantee they will be serving and you will be eating halal meat;
• (Halal food is that which adheres to Islamic law, as defined in the Koran).
• Now in these situations should you as a Christian eat the food placed before you;
• Or should you politely decline it? Or not go to an Indian restaurant?
Ill:
• Another example of how these verses affect us:
• Is in about six weeks’ time we will be celebrating Christmas.
• In this building and in most of our homes we will have a Christmas tree.
• But a quick search of ‘Google’ will show that this practice of trees in our homes;
• Clearly derives from Paganism.
• The modern Christmas tree originated in Germany.
• But the Germans got the idea from the Romans. Who got it from the Egyptians.
• During the Roman celebration of the feast of Saturnalia,
• (Which honoured Roman deities i.e. Saturn, the god of farming).
• The Romans decorated their houses with clippings of evergreen shrubs.
• They also decorated living trees with bits of metal and replicas of their God, Bacchus.
• It was only years later when the Roman Catholic Church;
• Was unable to wean their converts off these pagan festivals;
• That they had to come up with another solution;
• They decided to absorb it and convert it and its traditions into a Christian holy day.
But move on a few hundred years from the Romans and we find that;
• The Germans (Germanic peoples) celebrated Yule or Yuletide ("Yule time").
• This was a pagan not Christian religious festival;
• So we got the practice of tress in our homes from a Germanic pagan festival;
• They got the idea from a pagan Roan festival,
• Who got the idea from a pagan Egyptian celebration.
• Doesn’t sound very Christian does it?
Now if you look at Church history over the years:
• There has been much opposition to not just Christmas trees;
• But the whole festival of Christmas.
Ill:
• The second-century Church leader & theologian Tertullian condemned those Christians;
• Who celebrated the winter festivals,
• Or decorated their houses with laurel boughs in honour of the emperor.
Ill:
• In 1644 the Puritan Oliver Cromwell;
• Enforced an Act of Parliament banning Christmas celebrations.
• Christmas was regarded by the Puritans as a wasteful pagan festival;
• That threatened core Christian beliefs.
• TRANSITION: And yet most of us here today will celebrate Christmas;
• And all our homes will have a decorated Christmas tree!
• We may even follow a variety of other pagan customs;
• i.e. Holly wreath on your door.
• So please don’t think these chapters are not relevant for us today;
• The details may vary but the principles mentioned in these chapters are very relevant!
• Now after that lengthy introduction;
• Let me encourage you with the words that chapter 8 divides into 3 sections.
• So let’s look at the first section.
(1). Love verses knowledge (vs 1-3).
“Now about food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.”
• As we have seen already the problem in Corinth was:
• Can a Christian eat food that has been sacrificed to an idol?
• The reason the Corinthian’s were divided on this issue;
• Was down to their knowledge, or for some their lack of understanding.
THE CHRISTIANS IN CORINTH BELIEVED ONE OF THREE THINGS.
One group believed:
• The spirits of pagan gods were absorbed into the meat that had been sacrificed to an idol,
• So if you ate the meat you could be possessed by an evil spirit.
• So these people were abstainers of eating this kind of meat;
• But.. what if they ate it unknowingly?
Another group believed:
• You could not actually be possessed by eating this meat;
• But they still didn't want to do anything to do with this food;
• Because contact with this food;
• Reminded them of their lives before they came to faith in Christ.
• So this group of people boycotted these temple meat markets.
The third group believed:
• Than an idol was just a block of wood or stone;
• Therefore it had no power over (and therefore couldn't contaminate) the meat;
• That had been sacrificed to it.
• So they believed if it was the best meat available and at a good price;
• Then it makes perfect sense to go ahead and enjoy it!
Now of these three opinions, the apostle Paul undoubtedly belonged to the third group:
• As a Jew, he didn't have a pagan past to be reminded of if he ate "idolized" meat.
• As a worshiper of the one true God, he knew that "an idol is nothing" (vs 4).
• So he could have pressed the point;
• And told those who had a problem with eating meat sacrificed to idols;
• To get over themselves and concentrate on more important issues.
• He might have even argued that they should eat the meat as a sign to the world;
• That the pagan gods had no power over the believers in Christ.
Note: Paul’s reasoning in this first section is to contrast love and knowledge:
• Think about an issue or topic you know a lot about;
• i.e. Football or Cricket. Music or literature.
• i.e. Computers or Cooking or even the Bible.
• Sometimes we look down on people who aren't as well informed as ourselves;
• We can feel a bit of an expert compared to them and we can even feel superior.
• So if we are not careful your knowledge can ‘puff you up’
• And give you a big head.
• Make you into a ‘know-it-all’.
• TRANSITION: Let’s apply that idea to Corinth.
• Think about those in Corinth who "knew" that these idols had no power.
• Do you think they looked down at those Christians;
• Who were worried by the idea of being possessed by an evil spirit;
• Because they had eaten meat sacrificed to an idol?
Note Paul’s advice:
• The apostle Paul reminds these knowledgeable Christians;
• That they cannot solve every argument by logic!
• i.e. The little child who is afraid of the dark will not be reassured by arguments.
• Especially if an older brother or sister adopts a superior attitude.
• They do not want information even if it is correct;
• They simply want a light left on!
Ill:
• Reminds me of the story of a mother was tucking her small son into bed.
• It was dark and outside there was a violent thunderstorm.
• She was about to turn the light off and kiss her son goodnight;
• When he asked in a trembling voice,
• "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?"
• Smiling the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly,
• "I can’t dear, I have to sleep in Daddy’s room."
• A long silence followed.
• At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!"
• TRANSITION: You cannot solve every argument by logic!
• Some people need to be won over by love and not by knowledge.
• Knowledge may make us look good;
• But love is more concerned with the other person.
• Our aim must always be to help and encourage one another;
• Not to feel superior or look down on another Christian.
(2). Proposals and people (vs 4-8)
“So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one.’ 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’),
6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”
If you scan these verses you can see 6 important truths that the apostle teaches:
• FIRST: An idol is nothing just a piece of wood or stone (vs 4).
• SECOND: There is only one true God (vs 4-5)
• THIRD: God and Jesus are one (notice the repetition of phrases in verse 6);
• Notice the apostle Paul gives the same attributes to both the Father and the Son.
• FOURTH: Christ is the source of all things and we live our lives through Him (v. 6)
• Therefore eating meats sacrificed to an idol cannot hurt or harm us;
• Because idols and false gods do not exist.
• Our lives are in Christ!
• He alone is the one who indwells us and influences our lives.
• FIFTH: Not everyone knows this truth (v. 7).
• Some Christians who have spent all their lives believing idols to be real;
• When they come to faith in Jesus Christ;
• They struggle to shake off the baggage of their old idolatrous lifestyles.
• This immaturity can often hinder them for many years;
• Until they mature in their faith and appreciate their freedom in Christ!
Ill:
• Child who is old enough to go to school;
• But afraid to leave home.
• They need a parent or older brother or sister to hold their hand and take them.
• TRANSITION: Some who are immature;
• Need a mature Christian to ‘to hold their hand and lead them on’.
• SIXTH: Since we live our lives through Christ (Verse 8).
• What we eat won't bring us any closer to Him.
• In other words there is no such thing as spiritual food;
• Nothing that enters the body can pull us closer to or further away from God.
• It simply goes in one end and out through the other.
• (i.e. Mark chapter 7 verses 14-23)
(3). Make a point, or make a difference? (vs 9-13)
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”
IN THIS FINAL SECTION THAT APOSTLE PAUL MAKES FOUR POINTS:
(1). Don’t encourage someone to sin against their conscience (vs 10).
“For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?”
Ill:
• A converted Moslem is free in Christ to eat a ham sandwich;
• But having never had a ham sandwich all his life he may be reluctant to do so.
• He may also be aware that his unconverted family would find this action;
• To be scandalous.
• And may hinder him when he returns home and tries to witness to them.
• So although he may be free to eat a ham sandwich;
• Remember that he is also free in Christ NOT to eat a ham sandwich;
• So that he has a clear conscience.
• TRANSITION: We must allow some believers the dignity of following their conscience;
• We might have no problem consuming a ham sandwich etc.
• But if they do then let them follow their conscience;
• Until their conscience tells them it is alright to also enjoy certain foods.
(2). Don’t destroy your weaker brother, for whom Christ died (vs 11).
“ So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.”
• You can have a big head and win an argument – that’s knowledge;
• Or you can have a big heart and win a friend – that’s love.
• Let me repeat that:
• You can have a big head and win an argument – that’s knowledge;
• Or you can have a big heart and win a friend – that’s love.
Note:
• The apostle Paul tells the stronger Christian not to crush the weaker Christian;
• Just because he has a greater understanding and insight regarding Christian freedom.
• Some Christians are like a bull in a china shop;
• They might be right in their understanding and words;
• But just look at the damage they leave behind!
• So that apostle Paul says;
• Don’t use your knowledge and freedom destructively to hurt people;
• Rather use it wisely to build people up.
(3). To sin against your brother is to sin against Christ (vs 12).
• N.I.V.:
• “When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ”.
• The Message:
• “When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ”
• Wow! What a great and challenging verse!
• If we took to heart the principle that what we do to other believers is actually hurting Christ.
• What a difference that would make in our fellowships.
• It would surely cut down the gossiping, the moaning, the fault-finding;
• That sadly too often exists in various Church fellowships!
• Challenge for this month:
• Next time you are tempted to gossiping, or moan, or find fault in someone;
• Stop and remember verse 12: “When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ”
(4). Exercise self-limitation for the sake of your brother (vs 13).
“So if eating meat offered to idols is going to make my brother sin, I’ll not eat any of it as long as I live because I don’t want to do this to him.”
• The apostle Paul is not talking about pleasing those legalistic Christians;
• Who seem to have a list off does and don’ts;
• Those people you will never please, they will always have a longer and longer list!
• The apostle Paul is talking about protecting the conscience of a weaker believer;
• Not tiptoeing around the legalistic scruples of sanctimonious believers!
• In a nutshell he is telling us that;
• The extent of our love is determined by the attitude with which we restrain our freedom.
• We may be free to go to certain places and eat certain food;
• But we are also free not to go to certain places and eat certain food;
• And if at times not going to certain places and eating certain foods;
• Will not hinder a weaker Christian;
• Then that may be the best course of action to take!
• At times the stronger Christian defers to the weaker Christian in love;
• So that he may help that Christian become more mature.
• That process may take weeks, months or even years – but that’s our goal;
• To the weaker Christian become more mature.
• The stronger Christian does not pamper the weaker Christian;
• The stronger Christian seeks to edify the weaker Christian, to help them grow;
• Otherwise, both will become weak.
PRAYER
• Thank you, dear Father, for words of wisdom and love that will guide us.
• Help us to act in love in what we do and not act merely in knowledge alone.
• We thank you for the knowledge and the truth that sets us free,
• But also for the love that still restrains us;
• And makes us give consideration to someone else's welfare, not just our own.
• May we reflect that love as our Lord Jesus himself did.
• We ask in his name, Amen.
