MEATS SACRIFICED TO IDOLS

1 CORINTHIANS 8-10

THE END AT THE BEGINNING

Some things are always wrongSome rights must be given up

for others

KNOWLEDGE & RIGHTS

CHAPTER 8

KNOWLEDGE & RIGHTS• Some had knowledge, but no love

(8:1-6)

– Idols are nothing (8:4)

– One God – The Father (8:6)

– One Lord – Jesus Christ (8:6)

• Some had a lack of this knowledge (8:7-8)

– Consciousness of the idol (8:7)

KNOWLEDGE & RIGHTS• Danger & consequence of abusing

these (8:9-13)

– Stumbling block (8:9)

– Embolden the weak brother to eat (8:10)

– Destroy your brother (8:11)

– Sin against the brethren (8:12)

–Wound a brother’s conscience (8:12)

– Sin against Christ (8:12)

PAUL’S APPROACH & RIGHTSCHAPTER 9

RIGHT AS AN APOSTLE & MINISTER

• The other apostles (9:5-6)

• Every day examples (9:7)

– Soldier– Farmer– Shepherd

• The Law of Moses (9:8-13)

– Oxen (9:8-10 cf Deut 25:4)

– Priests (9:13 cf Num 18:8-32)

THE LORDCOMMANDE

D IT(9:14 cf Mt 10:10)

YET PAUL FORFEITED HIS RIGHT

• Endured all things not to hinder gospel (9:12b)

• Did not abuse his right in the gospel (9:18)

– Felt the necessity to preach (9:16 cf Acts 26:16-

18)

–He was in fact a steward (9:17 cf 4:1-6)

– Yet willingly preached for free (9:18)

PAUL’S APPROACH• Servant to all men (9:19-21)

• Self-discipline (9:27)

– Athletes for a perishable crown (9:25)

– Christians for an imperishable crown (9:23)

• For the gospel’s sake (9:23)

• To be a partaker with the Corinthians (9:23)

• Not to disqualify himself (9:27)

THE DANGERS OF IDOLATRYCHAPTER 10

LOOK AT ISRAEL

• They had spiritual blessings (10:1-5)

– Baptism, food, drink and Christ

• Yet with most of them God was not well pleased (10:5-11)

LOOK AT ISRAEL1. Lusted after evil (Nu

11:4)

2. Idolaters (Ex 32:6)

3. Immoral (Nu 25:1)

4. Tempted God (Nu 21:5)

5. Complained (Nu 11:1-4)

Very great plagueAbout 3,000 killed23,000 in one dayMany diedFire of the LORD

Beware of over confidenceGod provides a way of

escapeFlee Idolatry

FELLOWSHIP WITH DEMONS OR

CHRIST?• Judge for yourselves….– The Christian’s spiritual drink & food?

(10:16)

– Israel eating from the altar? (10:18)

– Gentile sacrifices? (10:20)

ATTEMPTING BOTH PROVOKES THE LORD TO JEALOUSY (10:21-22)

ARE WE STRONGER THAN HIM?

PAUL DEALS WITH OBJECTIONS

1. ‘All things are lawful’ (10:23)

– ‘Not all things are helpful or edify’ (10:23)

– Seek the benefit of others, not self (10:24)

2. In the meat market (10:25-26)

– Eat asking no questions: the earth is the Lord’s

3. In an unbeliever’s house (10:27-29a)

– Eat unless told it was offered to an idol (9:28)

PAUL DEALS WITH OBJECTIONS

4. ‘Why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?’ (10:29b)

–Do all for the glory of God (10:31)

–Give no offense to anyone (10:32)

– Seek the profit of many (10:33)

– Imitate me as I imitate Christ (11:1)

THE END AT THE END• Some things are always wrong (10:6-11)

– Lust, idolatry, immorality, complaining, tempting

• Some rights must be given up for others–Will this glorify God? (10:31)

–Will this cause another to stumble? (10:32)

– Is this for my benefit or another’s? (10:33)

–Would Christ do this? (11:1)

DISCUSSION PERIOD:

QUESTIONS

PUTTING THESE THINGS IN PRACTICE