1 Corinthians 8 & 10: 23-33

Food sacrificed to idols.
a. Review: What was Corinth like?
a. Sexual immorality
b. Wealth / luxury
c. Wisdom

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. 1 Cor 8:1-2

Knowledge can “PUFF” up.
Arrogant, insensitive, judgemental, look down on others.

Paul says:
You need to understand that your knowledge of Christ that leads to freedom, you can exercise that in a way that may become a dividing point in the church.

The greater thing to aspire towards is LOVE!
Love BUILDS up!

LET THE EXERCISING OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN CHRIST, AND THE FREEDOM YOU GAIN WITH IT, GO THROUGH THE LENS OF LOVE.

v. 4: 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.

Put v4. & 7 together…
“We know that …. But not everyone possesses this knowledge”

The word ASSUME!
Assume someone should just know better.
Assume someone will just conform to your beliefs.
Assume someone will just understand.

v. 7-8
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.

Who cares right?!…
let them figure it out and mature in faith.

This is what many of the more mature followers chose.
There was tension because of this.

Paul’s response: (Peterson’s The Message). V. 9-10
God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a fellow believer still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track.For instance, say you flaunt your freedom by going to a banquet thrown in honor of idols, where the main course is meat sacrificed to idols. Isn’t there great danger if someone still struggling over this issue, someone who looks up to you as knowledgeable and mature, sees you go into that banquet? The danger is that he will become terribly confused—maybe even to the point of getting mixed up himself in what his conscience tells him is wrong.
-The knowledge you have and the freedom you’ve gained and now practice, can actually influence someone else in the wrong way.
Stumbling block…I tripped him up and he fell into sin.

11-13 Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn’t you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him—because, as you say, it doesn’t really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin! When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn’t worth it at the cost of even one of these “weak ones.” So, never go to these idol-tainted meals if there’s any chance it will trip up one of your brothers or sisters.

*I don’t ever want to push others into liberties they’re
not ready for or to cause any vulnerability. *

BIG POINT: LOVE ONE ANOTHER

***DO YOU LOVE PEOPLE MORE THAN YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO?***

Love is:
1. Considerate and humble
“I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Cor 10:23-24

2. Sacrificial
27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. 10: 27-29

Jesus is the answer!