Cross City Church
Christianity can be confusing, it certainly was at Corinth. The catastrophe that was the church at Corinth was so bad because they were confused about many things! They were confused about their faith, their world, and how the church should operate. They needed to focus on living out the gospel. Our new message series, "In Focus” will help you have focal points that clarify how we live out our faith in an otherwise strange world.
1 Corinthians 8:8-13
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. 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. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
Confusion comes from Culture v. 1-2
Clarity comes from Christ v. 4-5
Caution comes from Caring v. 7
"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." v. 1
Know Your Liberty in the Lord
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. v. 8
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Romans 14:17-18
…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Show Your Liberty in Love
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you… v.9
Who is a weaker brother? It’s not someone who objects to a practice, but someone who might fall into sin because they see you doing it.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.
Your friend is more important than your freedom.
And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. v.12
Your testimony is more important than your tastes.
Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. v.13
1 Corinthians 8:1
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.