July 13, 2008
Morning Service

I Cor. 8

 

Review:  Issues discussed so far:

1. Division.
2. Fornication.
3. Going to law against one another, and that before unbelievers.
4. Then more concerning fornication.
5. In chapter 7;  Married life,  the married believer,  abiding in God’s call, principles for the unmarried, and principles for remarriage.
6. Today Paul deals with eating food offered to idols, and weak consciences.

 

Let’s begin:

 

1Co 8:1-13 KJVR  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 

• The principal deity worshipped in Corinth was Venus;  So animal sacrifices were offered to her statue, or idol, and there were probably others.
• This was said concerning Corinth;  Every part of literature was cultivated there, so that before its destruction by the Romans, Cicero (prolege Man. cap. v.) scrupled not to call it - the light of all Greece.

So Paul let’s them know, that he knows, they are intelligent people.

• Knowledge puffs up, or makes one cocky, or proud, however, the love of God will keep this in check, and allow you to be pleasing to God, and man.
• But charity, or love edifieth;  uplifts, and encourages.
• Remembering that the Apostle established this church on his second missionary trip.  He is writing the letter from Ephesus around the year 52AD.  This subject had already been dealt with at the first council meeting of the church in Acts chapter 15, at the end of Paul’s first missionary journey.    It is interesting to think why the Apostle didn’t use this.

NOW NOTICE: 

(2)  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 

• And the longer we study, the more we find this to be true.  Our lack of knowledge in certain areas should humble us, and help us not to think to highly of ourselves.

(3)  But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

• A person could speak hours on this subject alone, but this is not the time.

(4)  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.  (5)  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)  (6)  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

• An idol is nothing.  There is none other God but one.  Many claim to have their own God.  However, to us ( Christians ) there is but one God, the Father, OF whom are all things, and we are in Him, and ONE Lord Jesus Christ, BY whom are all things, and we BY Him.
• You do not want to wrestle with the thought of the Godhead.  It will drive you nuts.  Just accept what the Scriptures say, for it is the revelation of God to mankind.  This is what is revealed.  Jesus always taught that He had a heavenly Father, who the people, and He, called their God.
• This God, or object of worship, was Spirit;  Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: 
• He was also the Father of Jesus; Mat 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
• It is difficult for us to grasp the understanding of the Godhead;  Paul says this concerning it;  Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  We don’t have too understand it, just accept it.

(7)  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge:

• Howbeit signifies that not everyone understood that an idol was nothing.  Some believed it was a god, and they were instructed not to eat anything offered to an idol.  And that there was only one God.

NOW WE GET TO WHAT REALLY AFFECTS US TODAY:

for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.  (8)  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.  (9)  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  (10)  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;  (11)  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  (12)  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.  (13)  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

 

Weak consciences in Christians.  Notice how we are to deal with it.

 

• We don’t have this problem of offending Christians by eating meat offered to idols in our country, but we do have Christians with weak consciences concerning other things.  Such as:

1.      The clothing we wear.

2.      The amount of jewelry we wear.

3.      Some of the habits we have.  Such as the use of tobacco, the use of alcohol.

4.      The lack of certain gifts of the Spirit, such as;  healing, speaking in tongues, etc.

5.      The day we keep holy to God.

6.      Yes, and even some of the food we eat today, that is not in line with Lev. 11.

7.      The church structure.

8.      Music in the church.

You get what I mean.  There are many ways we can offend a weak brothers conscience ( one who would judge others on what they do ). 

So, how is this corrected?  God is trying to correct this problem right now!  By giving all Christians the knowledge, that it is through knowledge of the Scriptures, that we have freedom from all such things that would create judgmental situations.  Jesus said, “ You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” 

• You shall know the truth, that an idol is nothing.  Coming from one who has the authority to say this.
• The Scriptures also gives us the knowledge that we are not to judge one another, in any matter.  It is up to the called ministers of God, to point Christians to the Lamb of God, ( the Word ) for the answers to every question that might arise, concerning the things of God.  Peter said, “ all things that pertain to life, and Godliness have been given unto us.”  We have them right here in the Bible. 

• But let’s notice verse 9; But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
• Until all come into the full stature of Christ this is what we must do:  “ Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
• Because we do not want our weaker brother to perish.  To perish means to eventually fall away from his faith, and the church.
• It goes without saying that most Christians are weak in this area.  We are not willing to sacrifice our knowledge of being set free from all the shall nots, of religion, to be concerned about our brothers, and sisters in the Lord.

WE CAN SUM UP THIS MORNINGS STUDY BY SAYING, WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED TOWARD OUR BROTHERS, AND SISTERS SPIRITUAL NEEDS.   1Co 6:20 KJVR  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

If we do this we shall do well.