July 21, 2020
Over the next 16 days we will be reading through the book of 1 Corinthians together. The church in Corinth was an absolute mess! They were plagued by serious issues of arrogance, division, sexual immorality, and confusion concerning doctrine as well as the particulars of their moral living under the gospel. This church needed a wake-up call, a call to repentance and purity, to renewed devotion to Christ, to love and unity, and to zeal for the gospel. The church has changed little over the last 2,000 years, but praise God that there is abundant grace for the mess! Each of us needs this same call to humility faithfulness, unity, and fervor today as much as they needed it then. Let’s heed this call which God gave the church at Corinth through the apostle Paul and let it shape the way we live as Christ’s body!
Paul is here distinguishing between the supposed “knowledge” the Corinthians possess, which he says only puffs up in arrogance, and love, which builds others up. Paul’s point here is that, even though there is nothing inherently sinful about eating the food offered to idols, since idols are not true gods, it becomes wrong as soon as it becomes a stumbling block in the spiritual life of another believer.
The problem is not that the Corinthians were wrong in their knowledge or that they did not have the right to do as they pleased in this matter. The problem was that they were asserting their rights in a way which hindered the growth of other believers! In the church, we are to be those who put the interests of others before our own, and sometimes that means laying down our rights for the edification of our brothers and sisters.
We who live in a culture obsessed with having our rights acknowledged and honored by others. In the midst of this, we are called to follow after the One who laid aside all His rights, even His rights as God, to serve and to love and to give His life for the good of others (Philippians 2:5-11).
May we be a church full of people who look to the good and the upbuilding of others before ourselves, who take our eyes off of ourselves and lay down the rights we cling to so tightly for the sake of seeing the gospel advance in other’s lives!
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
8 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.
4 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”— 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.
7 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. 9 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 be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 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.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How do we live this way in a culture so obsessed with asserting our rights? How can we live as citizens of a heavenly kingdom in this way rather than citizens of an earthly one?
Heavenly Father, enable us to place the same value on others that You place on them. May we live this day to honor You and to benefit others. Find us faithful at the end of this day, which is truly a gift of Your grace. We love You! In Jesus’ Name
Gracias padre por el día de ayer gracias por hoy y por el día de mañana que tú poder y tú gloria estén siempre sobre todas las cosas de este mundo ayúdame a serte fiel y a valorar a cada persona como tú nos enseña ser luz para todos aquellos que no te conocen y puedan venir a ti con un corazón humilde dame sabiduría para no apartarme nunca de tu presencia llámame de tú espíritu santo bendice nuestras naciones y en tus manos dejamos toda preocupación porque sé que tú tienes el control de cada cosa en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén ?
Amen‼️
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!!! I couldn’t of said this any better. In Jesus name Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
As the years go by, I can see how the world has become more consumed with “self”. People want more and more and never seem to be satisfied. Like little children they say “mine” or ” claim the biggest piece”. We do not show love for others in this way, but for ourselves. As Christians in a fallen world we have to remember who we worship and adore. You, LORD, are our master and we serve You. Help us to put others before ourselves as You have taught. The 2nd commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves. We have to set an example before others. The only right we have is to live a life pleasing to You. In so doing, we will be given our rightful place in heaven. Looking forward to that day. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.
Lord, let me not be a stumbling block to the weak. For me, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and for whom I exist, there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom I exist.
Do we remember the JOY, the order of priority, preference ? Jesus. Others. You.
We all should know that all people are equal, but some people go too far with it. There are riots everywhere! “Black Lives Matter!” Is all that the riots are about. Why not “Everyone’s lives matter!”?
Everyone’s lives matter. We can show that by loving people, and showing that we care. Pray with those who need it, talk to others about Christ, and about how he died on the cross for us.
be care how you use the term Black Lives Matters
Here is the problem if the organization goals are mixed with good goals and goals that are contrary to Bible doctrine.
In a conversation with Ron Kasik he related to me a conversation he had with his brother-in-law who is a pastor and he said this.
You are asking me two questions. One question is about a true statement phrase and the other question is about an organization.
First let’s hear what Pastor Stephen’s answer is to the first question.
“Both Pastor Averri and I as well as CFBC would affirm that black lives matter to God and to us”
Let’s hear what Pastor Stephen’s answer is to the second question.
“nor do we align with the movement known as Black Lives Matter, Inc. We do not align with nor affirm the organization’s expressed beliefs and expressed agenda”.
Note of Pastor Stephen Trammell on the phase
The interview our pastors had on a Wednesday over this topic should be revisited. It is in the church archive of sermons. There was Godly wisdom and knowledge in that conversation. I pray it guides us in this matter.
Help me not to be a stumbling block
Father, you are creator of all, ruler of all. May I bow my knees only to you. Show me how to live and to worship. May I be a light guiding others to your love and may I be salt in this decaying and dying world. Light will hurt – salt will sting. Protect me from the fiery darts from the devil and his minions for the devil will not want me to be light and salt. When all is finish, may I be found standing on your word. I can come to the throne room by and through the name of your son, Jesus. Amen
Thank you God you are the one true God and I choose not to have any idols before me in my life,
Thank you my Father for another day in the land of the living. Thank you for your plan for my/our lives today. Father, I pray you cleanse me and use me to the glory of your Holy name. Please Father, I pray you open my spiritual eyes to hear you and to gain wisdom from your rich word. Help me Father to reflect on verse 13 of this text and to be able to say it “I will never eat “meat”, so it will not make my brother stumble”. I will never repeat those “words”, those “actions”, those “behaviors”, those “statements”, those “rights I hold on to”, if it will make my brother question the Christ in me, if it cause dissension in your world and among your people. Father help me to be a bridge builder in all I say or do. Please forgive my sin of self-righteousness. Thank you that you alone are God. ???????. I love you Lord, thank You for loving me first! It is in Jesus mighty name I pray?.
Like so many truths in the Bible, understanding runs on a fine line.
Believers need to be an example after Jesus’s own example. We are known by our fruits and by the love we have for one another. First, we have to stay in God’s word and seek Him diligently, also through prayer. In this way, we live the best example we are humanly capable of because of our relationship with the LORD. The more in tune, the stronger our spiritual senses. The Holy Spirit is within each one of us, guiding us, but the level of commitment to an intimate relationship with God correlates to our receptivity and the fruitfulness of this whole transaction.
God’s number one desire is to be in a love relationship with us. Think of the story of Martha and Mary. Our hearts and time are more important than anything we do. Check out Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby for a very tangible development of understanding!
Love and blessings sweet church family❤
Nadia
Lord, help me put others before myself and not be a stumbling block to anyone, but instead encourage others in their faith.
Romans 14:13 says “Let us not therefore judge one another but judge this rather that no man put a stumbling block in his brothers way.” Lord Jesus that is my hearts desire! Help me be a stepping stone for people to come to Christ…
Lord, help me to think of others before myself & to not be a stumbling block to anyone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
This is a wonderful devotional, calling the believer to a high level of commitment. It points out how we should not do anything that might cause someone to stumble, even though that action might not be harmful to us personally. In my opinion, it includes having a glass of wine, for example. We should seek to live lives that are above reproach, always putting the interests of others above our own. May God give us the grace to do that!