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This is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Building Up’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
This is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Building Up’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 7
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.
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.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 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.
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. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 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? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 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.
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECT: How could you use your circumstance - right now - in more focused devotion to the Lord?
WARM-UP
Have you met a “know-it-all”? Why can they be so difficult to be around?
What governs the food you eat? Have you ever had to make cultural choices when travelling?
Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
In Paul’s time, why was food offered as a sacrifice to idols? Do you see a difference between eating food you know is offered to idols compared with eating food that probably was offered to idols?
What are the benefits of knowledge? What are the dangers of knowledge?
Do you think that you’re ever in danger of being ‘puffed up’ by knowledge?
What is better than knowledge? How is it better?
Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-8
Why was it okay for the Corinthians to eat food sacrificed to idols?
What does say Paul say about the difference between idols and God who we worship?
What did Jesus say about food (see Mark 7)?
What does it mean when Paul writes that “not everyone has this knowledge”? How are their “consciences defiled"?
Read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13
Why should we be careful about what we do around others? Are we living according to others’ convictions instead of our own?
Should we be willing to sacrifice our enjoyment for others? If we misuse our freedom, what are we doing?
Should loving others ever be at the expense of truth? How do we work this out?
What did Christ do for us? As a consequence of that, what should be willing to do for others?
What other areas, besides food sacrificed to idols, does this principle apply to?
APPLY: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to be mindful of the experiences and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we don’t cause anyone to stumble but rather build each other up in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: Are there any other Christians on your frontline that you could encourage, as you serve Jesus together?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
WITH CHILDREN
Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.
Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray
High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook
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