Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Self-limited Liberty” 1 Cor 8
Review
I. Reproof for fleshly behavior 1-6
A. Reproof for a divided church 1-4
B. Reproof for a defiled church 5
C. Reproof for a defeated church 6
1. Defeated by lawsuits
2. Defeated by misuse of God’s temple (immorality, sensuality)
The last section of chapter 6 introduced three principles on how to evaluate certain behaviors or activities. We will discover six more of them on to the end of chapter 10.
The first question to ask yourself is, “Will it actually benefit me or others?” 12a
The second question is “Will it control me or become additive?” 12b
The third question is, “Will it violate God’s design?” 13-20
Introduction
Paul moved from reproof for specific issues in the church to responses to specific inquiries of the church. You can tell when he switches questions by his use of the words “now concerning” and sometimes just “now”.
II. Responses to specific inquiries
A. Concerning marriage 7
There is a point amidst all the marriage advice in chapter seven. Paul presented another principle of making decision. This one had to do with weather to get married or not. The point to ponder asks about extreme devotion. Paul argued that remaining single allows us to offer our full undivided devotion to serving the Lord. Those who get married are obligated to serve their spouse and the Lord. Those who get married will have extra trouble in this world.
The decision making question to ponder is, “Will it distract from full devotion to God?”
We live in a self-centered society. Our culture has become dangerously self-focused. What are some of the signs of a self-centered, me first society? We are reaping the consequences of a “Me First!” emphasis. All the way to chapter eleven, Paul presents a case for voluntarily limiting our freedom for the sake of the kingdom.
B. Concerning the voluntary limitation of Christian liberty 8-11:1
Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death through His sacrifice. Our sin is no longer a factor in determining our eternal destiny. Where sin abounds grace much more abounds. We are no longer under the law of sin and death.
Sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14
The logical question might come from those with twisted thinking,
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Romans 6:15
Paul suggested here in this section of his letter that though all things may be lawful or nothing is unlawful not all things promote kingdom purposes. There is a place for self-denial for higher purposes. There is a place for discipline for greater gain. There is a place for limiting our liberty for the sake of the Gospel.
Paul used his own choice to relinquish personal liberty in order to further the gospel.
1. Limit liberty to avoid ruining a weaker brother 8:1-13
The first of a list of six areas has to do with restricting his diet in order not to cause a weaker brother to stumble.
a) The case for Liberty 8:1-6
The issue has to do with eating meat that had previously been sacrifice or offered to idols or the gods of the day. When individuals came to pay homage to their chosen deity, they brought a sacrifice of some sort. Sometimes it was produce but generally it was meat of some sort.
1. Part of the offering would be burnt on the altar.
2. Part of the offering would be given to the presiding priest.
3. Part of the offering would be taken home.
Because of the number of people bringing their offering, the priest had more meat than they could eat themselves. Therefore they sold the surplus to the meat markets. The controversy then was whether it was sinful to eat that meat or not. The principles learned here could apply to a multitude of issues that scripture neither condemns, commends or forbids. Paul first stated a case for liberty to freely devour Filet-minion sacrificed to idols based on logic.
What did many of these believers know?
SINCE:
1. There is really no such thing as an idol or a god behind them.
2. There is only one God.
3. Food will not bring favor or disfavor with God.
THEN:
1. Eating meat sacrificed to idols or gods has no moral consequence.
2. I am free to eat meat sacrificed to idols.
Yet Paul urges them to consider another factor along side of their logic. We may know these facts concerning reality. Such knowledge without love produces arrogance. Love considers factors outside of my right to eat questionable meat.
The focus of knowledge is abundant accurate information that makes me smarter.
The focus of love is meaningful relationship that makes me aware.
Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
The minute you think you know it all or even know more than those around you, you have missed the point. You have become arrogant. That was the Corinthians. Paul used this word six times in his letters. When you think you know it all you really don’t know the most important thing. Just because I can doesn’t mean I should. Knowledge must always be accompanied by love.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Cor. 13:2
Legalism focuses on the pure facts of the matter. Love focuses on the effect of the facts on relationships.
Legalism justifies the assertion of my rights no matter what. Love concentrates on the effects of my choices on my relationship with God and others.
Knowledge puffs up. Love builds up.
A few brief thoughts on the facts of the argument.
Idols are nothing in the world.
Psalm 115:1-8 Isaiah 40:18-20
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords… I Cor 8:5
People may call other things gods. People may even worship other things and sacrifice to what they call gods.
Demons may deceive people to worship them as gods. The reality is no matter what they are called and how fervently people believe in them, they are still not God. There is only one God. Then listen to this stunning statement of truth concerning God.
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Cor. 8:5-6
One God – the Father from whom are all things and we exist for Him
One Lord-- Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we exist through Him.
The Father we worship is the original source of all things and we exist for Him.
The Lord we worship is the original means of all things and we exist because of Him.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Rom 11:36
Paul affirmed the accuracy of their knowledge. Their logic was undisputable.
Next Paul challenged them concerning the application of their logic with love.
b) The case for limiting liberty 7-13
Paul presents a case for limiting their freedom in the name of love and for the sake of the Kingdom. Paul stated the case for limiting freedom. The Paul shared his own commitment to limit his freedom for the sake of the weaker bother.
However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 1 Cor. 8:7
Paul encouraged them to think about the body. There are some who knew the facts. There are others who had not yet realized the implication of their new found faith. They had lived among idols and had seen demonic manifestations all their life and had not yet gained full confidence in the true nature of the God they now embraced. For them to knowingly eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols they saw as real would damage their conscience. To try to convince a recovering alcoholic that in Christ they are free to drink and the Bible does not command us not to drink when they have experience the devastating that misuse of alcohol can do would bring great harm to their maturing conscience.
• There is no such thing as an idol.
• There is only one God.
• Food will not bring favor or disfavor with God.
But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 8:8
Here is Paul’s logic for limiting freedom. Be careful how you practice your liberty before others.
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 8:9-12
• When a weaker brother sees you eating in the pagan temple diner.
• Then he will be prematurely encouraged to do the same.
• But having a weak conscience, the brother in Christ will be ruined or corrupted.
• You will have sinned against the Christ who bought him.
Paul finished his argument for limiting freedom by sharing his own commitment.
Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. 8:13
Application
In our self-centered, self-indulgent society, we don’t understand such choices. We are so concerned about our rights, our comfort our, benefits, our success, our life that there is little though given to how our actions affect others. If we hurt any of God’s children by our choices, we hurt Christ. We have a moral obligation to serve not to be served just as Christ did not come to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom on behalf of many. What are we willing to give up in order to build-up others? I know the Bible doesn’t require me to do that! Perhaps not but such knowledge ignores love. The Bible does require us to love one another and serve one another.
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 1 Peter 2:16
Consider to Paul’s similar admonition the Romans in Rom 14:13-15:2.
The last days will reveal greater and great selfishness. 2 Tim. 3:1-5
The application of this message really has to do with love. Am I willing to limit my liberty for the sake of a weaker brother or sister? Jesus was willing to die for our weakness. What would I be willing to sacrifice?
When we make choices we need to consider these things.
1. “Will it actually benefit me or others?” 12a
2. “Will it control me or become additive?” 12b
3. “Will it violate God’s design?” 13-20
4. “Will it adversely affect those around me?”
Point: Limiting my liberty in Christ for the benefit of others demonstrates love for God and others.
Question: What am I willing to sacrifice for the good of another brother?
