Faithful In Your Freedom | Messy Church, Part 12

Faithful In Your Freedom | Messy Church, Part 12

1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This“knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Should we eat meat that has been sacrifice to idols?

You can be right in your beliefs, but wrong in your approach.

3 filters to help us be faithful in the grey areas of life (Christian liberty)

1. Look to God as your authority

1 Corinthians 8:4-5

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,”and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—

Psalm 96:3-5

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

Numbers 33:4

while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them. On their gods also the Lord executed judgments.

1 Corinthians 8:6

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

2. Listen to your conscious as a guide

1 Corinthians 8:7-8

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

Conscious – an internal compass giving direction for what is personally right or wrong.

Our conscience needs to be informed and shaped by scripture.

“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.” – Martin Luther

Romans 14:5

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Eachone should be fully convinced in his own mind.

Romans 14:19

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

3. Take the community of believers into consideration

1 Corinthians 8:9-10

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not been enouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?

Knowledge

Freedom

Rights

Their Knowledge

Their Freedom

Their Rights

1 Corinthians 8:11a

And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed….

1 Corinthians 8:11

And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

1 Corinthians 8:12-13

Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble,I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

If Christ sacrificed for me, how can I not sacrifice for others?

My knowledge

My rights

My freedom

1 Timothy 1:3-5

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

The question is NOT how can I exercise my rights BUT how can I serve others in my freedom?

Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Corinthians 8:13

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

What does Scripture say?

What does my conscience say?

How does this impact the community?

Alcohol

Voting

Weddings

Employment

Education

Tattoos