Christians Interacting With Pagans.

1 Corinthians 10:16-22 NLT
¹⁶ When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. ¹⁸ Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?
¹⁹ What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? ²⁰ No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. ²² What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?

Examine the scriptures:

1 Corinthians 10:16-22 NLT
¹⁶ When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? 

Communion:

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NLT)
²³ … On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread ²⁴ and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”²⁶ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

¹⁷ And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body. 

Communion: “to have in common, to participate and have partnership with.”

A picture of unity.

Worship

• The collective worship of Christians at the Lord’s Supper is a picture of unity and worship as Believers all eat from one loaf of bread.

The common bond to all Christians, celebrated at communion, is the gift of salvation, adoption into the family of God, paid for by the blood of Jesus.

Our relationship with Jesus needs to be taken seriously.  This is not designed to be a causal relationship.

¹⁸ Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?

A similar picture of unity and worship was when the people of Israel ate the sacrifices at the altar.

The Israelites messed up.

 ¹⁹ What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? 

This issue is not about food.

It is not the food that is significant.

²⁰ No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God.

It is the recipients of the food that is significant.

This is about relationships.

• An offering to an idol is an offering to demons.

And I don’t want you to participate with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.  

• The Corinthians were eating at the table of demons when they participated in pagan feasts.

• When we participate in the evil behaviors of the world we are eating at the table of demons.

• Christians must flee from all forms of idolatry.

 Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

John 17:15 (NLT)
¹⁵ I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

• Christians are in a spiritual battle.

• Participation with demons is unthinkable.

• Participation in any form of idolatry is unacceptable.

Who would do this?

King Solomon

1 Kings 11:1-11 (NLT)
Solomon’s Many Wives
¹ Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. ² The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. ³ He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.
⁴ In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been. ⁵ Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. ⁶ In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done.
⁷ On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. ⁸ Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods.
⁹ The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. ¹⁰ He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. ¹¹ So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.

 Who would do this? We all did.

We did live in sin.

Ephesians 2:2 (NLT)
² You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

We were taken out of this lifestyle.

Colossians 1:13 (NLT)
¹³ For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

We are being renewed.  The process is not complete.

Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)
²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

We are in a battle.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT)
The Whole Armor of God
¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

²² What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?

1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (NLT)
²⁷ So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.²⁸ That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 

• Examine yourself.

Now our idols are things like pride, money, popularity, hobbies, careers, fame, status, education, houses, cars, and the like.

Are any of these causing you to eat at the table of demons?

You Decide

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. ¹⁵ You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
¹⁴ Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 English Standard Version (ESV)
¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 Common English Bible (CEB)
¹⁴ So then, my dear friends, run away from the worship of false gods! ¹⁵ I’m talking to you like you are sensible people. Think about what I’m saying.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
¹⁴ So, my dear friends, stay away from worshiping idols. ¹⁵ You are intelligent people. Judge for yourselves the truth of what I say now.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 Amplified Bible (AMP)
¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul]. ¹⁵ I am speaking as to wise and sensible people; judge [carefully and thoughtfully consider] for yourselves what I say.

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 King James Version (KJV)
¹⁴ Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
¹⁵ I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Examine the scriptures:

1 Corinthians 10:14-15 NLT

¹⁴ So,

In view of how God treated the Israelites, the Corinthians should learn from this. (Lessons from Israel’s Idolatry.)

my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 

Exodus 34:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.

Exodus 20:3 (NLT)
“You must not have any other god but me.

Jeremiah 25:6-11 (NLT)
⁶ Do not provoke my anger by worshiping idols you made with your own hands. Then I will not harm you.’
⁷ “But you would not listen to me,” says the Lord. “You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer. ⁸ And now the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Because you have not listened to me, ⁹ I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy you and make you an object of horror and contempt and a ruin forever. ¹⁰ I will take away your happy singing and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard. Your millstones will fall silent, and the lights in your homes will go out. ¹¹ This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

• You must not have any other god but the one true God.

Even if we are not bowing down to physical images of false gods, idolatry is still an issue today.

Now our idols are things like pride, money, popularity, hobbies, careers, fame, status, education, houses, cars, and the like.

Some of these things may in themselves not be bad. We need money in order to live; caring for our bodies is appropriate; God is a giver of good gifts, and we can take delight in the hobbies He has given us.

However, when we begin to value something above God, to expect that thing to provide us with ultimate satisfaction, we have begun making it into an idol.

Anything that comes between us and God is an idol.

God alone is sufficient for all our needs. The other things are gifts, not gods.

Principle:

Matthew 6:24 (NLT)
²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

• Anything that we value more than God (knowingly or subconsciously) is an idol.

¹⁵ You are reasonable people.

 Sensible people

Intelligent people

Wise men

 Credentials from chapter one.

How does the Bible describe the Corinthians?

1 Corinthians 1:7      NLT

² I am writing to
 God’s church in Corinth,
to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people.
He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, …

 ⁷ Now
you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

•  You are reasonable people.

• God equipped the Corinthians with the ability to make good decisions.

Can we be described as reasonable people?

• God equips us with the ability to make good decisions.

2 Peter 1:1-3 (NLT)
¹ This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.
I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have.  (Christians) This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
² May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

 James 1:5 (NLT)
⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.

 Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)
²¹ Your own ears will hear him.
    Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
    whether to the right or to the left.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NLT)
³ Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.

Psalm 25:12 (NLT)
¹² Who are those who fear the Lord?
    He will show them the path they should choose.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

Psalm 19:8 (NLT)
⁸ The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.

John 16:13 (NLT)
¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.

Yes, because of all that God has done for us, we can be described as reasonable people.

 Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

 Judge for yourselves.

Carefully and thoughtfully consider for yourselves.

 Study

Acts 17:11 (NLT)
¹¹ And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

 Psalm 119:9-16 (NLT)
⁹ How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
¹⁰ I have tried hard to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
¹² I praise you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
¹³ I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.
¹⁴ I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.
¹⁵ I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
¹⁶ I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.

 Act on what you know to be true.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NLT)
¹⁹ “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! ²⁰ You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

• Decide for yourself.
• Take ownership of the truths in scripture that God is showing to you.

Lessons from The Past

Who is Paul speaking to?  The Corinthians.

           How does the Bible describe the Corinthians?

1 Corinthians 1:2-9      NLT

² I am writing to

  God’s church in Corinth, 

to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people.

He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
³ May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
⁴ I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. ⁵ Through him,

God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. ⁶ This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. ⁷ Now

you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

⁸ He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 

⁹ God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s lesson:

Lessons From The Past

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 NLT
Lessons from Israel’s Idolatry
¹ I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. ² In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. ³ All of them ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
⁶ These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, ⁷ or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” ⁸ And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.
⁹ Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. ¹⁰ And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. ¹¹ These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
¹² If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ¹³ The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Examine the scriptures:

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 NLT
Lessons from Israel’s Idolatry
¹ I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters,

Paul is speaking to the Church at Corinth (and us).

 about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago.

Remember what happened to God’s chosen people.

  All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them,

• God’s chosen people experienced:

Supernatural guidance (from God)

Supernatural protection 

and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.  

• God’s chosen people experienced:

Miraculous deliverance

² In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. 

• God’s chosen people were:

Led by a servant of God, Moses

³ All of them ate the same spiritual food,

Food miraculously provided by God.

Exodus 16:4 (NLT)
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.

John 6:31-33 (NLT)
³¹ After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
³² Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. ³³ The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

 ⁴ and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and

•  God’s chosen people all:

 Ate the same spiritual food

And drank the same spiritual water.

 that rock was Christ. 

Jesus traveled with His people.

⁵ Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 

• God severely disciplines his chosen people.

Only two adults, Joshua and Caleb, who had left Egypt entered into the Promised Land.

All of the others were disqualified from entering the Land.

Moses and Aaron were among those who were disqualified from entering the Land.

Paul understood the principle of God’s chosen people being disqualified from the race.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

 ⁶ These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, ⁷ or worship idols as some of them did.

 A warning to the Corinthians (and to us – multiple warnings in scripture)

• These things happened as a warning to us.

This passage lists four of the behaviors that disqualified the children of Israel from entering the Promised Land.

As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.”

  Idolatry

Exodus 32 (NLT)
The Gold Calf
¹ When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”
² So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”
³ All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. ⁴ Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!”
⁵ Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!”
⁶ The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.
^…
27 Moses told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” ²⁸ The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.
^…
35 Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made.

 ⁸ And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.

Numbers 25 (NLT)
Moab Seduces Israel
¹ While the Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, some of the men defiled themselves by having sexual relations with local Moabite women. ² These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, so the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab. ³ In this way, Israel joined in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the Lord’s anger to blaze against his people.

⁹ but not before 24,000 people had died.

⁹ Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. 

 Numbers 21:4-6 (NLT)
The Bronze Snake
⁴ Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, ⁵ and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”
⁶ So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 

¹⁰ And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.

Numbers 16
⁴¹ But the very next morning the whole community of Israel began muttering again against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the Lord’s people!” ⁴² As the community gathered to protest against Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the Tabernacle and saw that the cloud had covered it, and the glorious presence of the Lord appeared.
⁴³ Moses and Aaron came and stood in front of the Tabernacle, ⁴⁴ and the Lord said to Moses, ⁴⁵ “Get away from all these people so that I can instantly destroy them!”
⁴⁹ But 14,700 people died in that plague, 

  ¹¹ These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. 

• Four of the behaviors that disqualified the children of Israel from entering the Promised Land.
  • Idolatry
  • Sexual immorality
  • Putting Christ to the test
  • Grumbling

 ¹² If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 

 A warning to the Corinthians and to us. 

• If you think you are standing strong, you may be “dead wrong”.

 ¹³ The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.

 Expect and recognize temptations for what they are.

And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

• Learn to depend on God when you are tempted to sin.

Paul’s commitment to ministry.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
²⁴ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! ²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. ²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Examine the scriptures:

Commitment

Personal discipline.

Self-control.

Just plain hard work.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
²⁴ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?

The Greeks enjoyed two great athletic events, the Olympic Games and the Isthmian games (isth mi an).  The Isthmian games were held in Corinth.

The believers would be quite familiar with this analogy of running to win.

 So run to win! 

Winning takes:

Commitment

Personal discipline

Self-control

“Just plain hard work”.

Goals and objectives.

            Know where the finish line is and know how to get there.

Know what you want to accomplish

• Run to win.

Not all analogies are perfect.

In this race, the prize is not limited to one person.

2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
⁸ And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

James 1:12 (NLT)
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

1 Peter 5:4 (NLT)
⁴ And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

•  You are not alone in this race.

Inspired by Godly people who have run the race before us.

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training.

Training takes discipline.

Training is challenging.

Training takes commitment.

They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 

•  We run the race that God has set before us for an eternal prize.

²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step.

A reason for every exercise.

Every move is calculated.

1 Corinthians 9:19 (NLT)
¹⁹ Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

1 Corinthians 9:20-21 (NLT)
²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. ²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

• Run with purpose.

Pressing on

Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)
Pressing toward the Goal¹² I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. ¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

  I am not just shadowboxing. 

•  Know your enemy.

The opponent is real

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

 James 4:7 (NLT)
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. 

• Know that your strength comes from the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 121:2 (NLT)
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

 Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

• Avoid being disqualified from the race.

Galatians 5:7 (NLT)
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?

                Stay in your lane. (Galatians 5 refers to false teachers.)

Disqualified because of a lack of discipline.

1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT)
² So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.

Titus 1:6 (NLT)
⁶ An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.

 Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

• Don’t give up. Finish the race.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

Giving Up One’s Rights

1 Corinthians 9:15-23 NLT
¹⁵ Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. ¹⁶ Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

¹⁷ If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. ¹⁸ What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.

¹⁹ Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. ²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Examine the scriptures:

1 Corinthians 9:15-23 NLT
Giving Up One’s Rights
¹⁵ Yet I have never used any of these rights. (Paul deserved to get paid for his ministry.) And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now.

In the first 14 verses of this chapter, Paul gave 6 convincing reasons why he should be getting paid for his ministry.

• Paul chose not to exercise his rights to receive financial support from the Corinthian community.

In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. 

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

 Paul knew that he was chosen by God.

 Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”⁶ So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”

 Psalm 121
¹ I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
² My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Paul knew that his help came from the Lord.

Boasting: express a sense of joy and fulfillment in what God was doing through him.

Paul was filled with joy for the privilege of serving the Lord and did not want material support to rob him of it in any way.

2 Corinthians 11:9-10 (NLT)
⁹ And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. ¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 

• Along with a paycheck can come a loss of freedoms.

A paycheck sometimes includes expections of specific behaviors which may not be consistent with the ministry God has for you.  (Serving man vs. serving God.)

2 Corinthians 2:17 (NLT)
¹⁷ You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

•  Teach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching you.

 Acts 5:29  (NLT)
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

• We must obey God rather than any human authority.

¹⁶ Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it.

Paul’s boast was not personal.  It’s not about Paul.  It’s all about God.

Acts 22:6-10 (NLT)
⁶ “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
⁸ “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’ ⁹ The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.¹⁰ “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’
“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’

• Paul was not given the option of choosing his career.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT)
²⁰ Now may the God of peace—
…
²¹ … equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

•  God has a plan for our lives and God equips us to do His will.

 How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

•  Living outside of God’s will has serious consequences.

 ¹⁷ If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 

Luke 17:10 (NLT)
In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

 It was God’s sovereign choice and call for Paul to be an apostle.

• Being called by God to teach the Good News is a sacred trust given by God.

¹⁸ What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone.

The privilege of preaching the Gospel.

Seeing lives changed.

 That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.

 ¹⁹ Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 

•  Paul was totally committed to the ministry of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

 ²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. ²¹ When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

Within the limits of God’s Word and his Christian conscience.

²² When I am with those who are weak, (the Corinthians) I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone,

1 Corinthians 10:33 (NLT)
I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

 doing everything I can to save some. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:1-14 NLT              

Paul deserved to get paid for his ministry.

1 Corinthians 9:1-14 (NLT)
¹ Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? ² Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.

³ This is my answer to those who question my authority. ⁴ Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals? ⁵ Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does? ⁶ Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?

⁷ What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? ⁸ Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? ⁹ For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? ¹⁰ Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.

¹¹ Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? ¹² If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.

¹³ Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.

Examine the scriptures:

1 Corinthians 9:1-14 (NLT)
¹ Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord?

Some of Paul’s credentials.

Leading into his rights to be financially supported by those to whom he ministers.

 ² Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.

God used Paul to start the church in Corinth.

Paul’s arguments supporting his authenticity as an apostle.

³ This is my answer to those who question my authority. 

Paul sets out to defend his rights.

⁴ Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals? ⁵ Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does?  (At the expense of the church.)

• Paul claims the right to be supported financially by the church.

President:

Matthew 10:10-11 (NLT) Jesus sending out the twelve disciples.
¹⁰ Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.  ¹¹ “Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town.

 ⁶ Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?

Sarcasm

Six reasons why the church should support Paul.

 ⁷ What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? 

 1.  Custom: It was the custom of the time.

The soldier, farmer, and shepherd were all supported by their work.

 ⁸ Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? ⁹ For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? ¹⁰ Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.

 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NLT)
¹⁷ Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

 2.  The Old Testament supported the principle of just remuneration.

Deuteronomy 25:4 (NLT)
 “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.

Chapter 25 is talking about people, not animals.

Just remuneration

¹¹ Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 

3.  Beneficial service should be rewarded

 ¹² If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported?

 4.  The church supported other spiritual leaders.

 But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.

 ¹³ Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 

 5.  Both Old Testament Priests and Pagan Priests were supported for their service.

 ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.

 6.  Jesus said that those who share the Gospel with others deserve their pay.

The worker deserves his wages.

Luke 10:7 (NLT) (Jesus speaking)
Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.

•  Christians in full-time ministry deserve to be paid for their work.

 

Other scriptures relating to wages:

Be fair:

Colossians 4:1 (NLT)
Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.

Romans 4:4 (NLT)
When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned.

 Be generous:

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NLT)
²⁴ Give freely and become more wealthy;
    be stingy and lose everything.
²⁵ The generous will prosper;
    those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

 Luke 6:38 (NLT) (Context: relating to others)
³⁸ Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT)
¹⁷ Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. ¹⁹ By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

 Warnings to those who cheat workers of their wages:

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 (NLT)
¹⁴ “Never take advantage of poor and destitute laborers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns. ¹⁵ You must pay them their wages each day before sunset because they are poor and are counting on it. If you don’t, they might cry out to the Lord against you, and it would be counted against you as sin.

James 5:1-4 (NLT)
Warning to the Rich
¹ Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. ² Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. ⁴ For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Malachi 3:5 (NLT)
“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

 Jeremiah 22:13 (NLT)
A Message about Jehoiakim
And the Lord says, “What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim,
    who builds his palace with forced labor.
He builds injustice into its walls,
    for he makes his neighbors work for nothing.
    He does not pay them for their labor.

Live in such a way that no one will stumble because of you.

1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (NLT)
⁸ It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

⁹ But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. ¹⁰ For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? ¹¹ So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. ¹² And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. ¹³ So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

Examine the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (NLT)
⁸ It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

 Food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat certain foods, and no better if we do eat certain foods.

• Our relationship with God is not determined by what we eat.

 ⁹ But  

 you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 

Freedom to eat or drink something does not mean it’s always appropriate to do so.

What we eat, or don’t eat, may have a negative impact on others.

 ¹⁰ For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”   (spiritual maturity)

Or perceived “superior knowledge”.

We imitate the behaviors of those we perceive as spiritually mature.

 Teacher-student

Parent-child

Mature Christian – new Christian

Tell the story of how I determine how high I will lift my hands during a worship service. (This may be more tongue in cheek than not.)

 —eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 

 The weaker believer is simply imitating your behavior, but they are not doing something they believe is o.k. to do.

They are feeling guilty.

They have difficulty knowing right from wrong.

Learning to compromise.

Confusion is setting in.

 ¹¹ So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 

• It is wrong to do something if it makes another person stumble.

Romans 14:15 (NLT)
And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.

Spiritual growth devastated 

Distressed.

Ruined

Conscience is seared. 

Not able to distinguish right from wrong.

Fall back into old sins.

Set up for failure.

 ¹² And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.  

• It is a sin to encourage others to do something they believe is wrong. 

¹³ So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

2 Corinthians 6:3 (NLT)
We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, … 

• Live your life in such a way that no one will stumble because of

How should we live?

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

1 Corinthians 10:31-32 (NIV)
³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 

•  Decide how you will live based on what brings glory to God.

 

 

Don’t assume that your Christian friends are Biblically grounded.

1 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT)
⁷ However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. 

Examine the scriptures:

1 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT)
⁷ However, not all believers know this.

 (The truth about idols.)

•  Don’t assume that your Christian friends are Biblically grounded.

WHY?  Why don’t they know the truth?

Some are accustomed to thinking (incorrectly)

through former association with idols (ESV)

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 (NIV)

being accustomed [throughout their lives] to [thinking of] (AMP)

because they were used to idol worship until now (CEB)

 

Accustomed to thinking

Thinking what?

What are we  being exposed to?

Who is shaping our thinking?

 Acts 20:30 (NLT)
Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

2 Peter 2:1 (NLT)
But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies

Matthew 24:11 (NLT)
And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.

Matthew 24:24 (NLT)
For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.

 Colossians 2:8 (NLT)
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

•  We are constantly being exposed to false teachers who teach in a way that makes it hard for us to see that they are wrong.

 We think incorrectly because we are being taught wrong ideas.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (NLT)
³³ Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 

 ³⁴ Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

 Luke 6:40 (NLT)
Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

 We have multiple teachers including parents, school teachers, Sunday School teachers, pastors, the Holy Spirit, etc.  

• • Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world.
  • Bad company corrupts good character.

We think incorrectly because we are influenced by those who don’t know any better.

• Think carefully about what is right.

• The student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

Be like the Bereans

Acts 17:11 (NLT)
And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

 Study the scriptures daily.

• It is important to study the scriptures daily.

of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. (guilty, ashamed)

Conscience:

An inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one’s behavior.

Our conscience is not the Holy Spirit.

We are able to adjust our consciences to fit the culture.

Find a penny.  Keep it, it’s only a penny.

Find a nickel.  Keep it, it’s only a nickel.

Find a dime.  Keep it, it’s only a dime.

Find a quarter. Keep it, it’s only a quarter.

Find a dollar.  Keep it, it’s only a

• Our consciences can, and do, mislead us.

 Our consciences are not always consistent with Biblical principles.

Major on the Majors, Minor on the Minors.

Eating Meat Offered To Idols Is Not The Focus Of This Lesson.

1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (NLT)
Food Sacrificed to Idols
¹ Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. ² Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. ³ But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.
⁴ So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.⁵ There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. ⁶ But for us,
There is one God, the Father,
by whom all things were created,
and for whom we live.
And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom all things were created,
and through whom we live.

Examine the scriptures:

Eating Meat Offered To Idols Is Not The Focus Of This Lesson.

We need to “Major on the Majors, Minor on the Minors”.

1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (NLT)
Food Sacrificed to Idols
¹ Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols.

 Food offered to idols.

Only parts of animals were used in sacrifices to pagan gods.  Much of the animal could still be eaten.

This food was sold in the marketplace.

The question is, is it o.k. to buy this meat that is being sold in the marketplace.

Paul says it is o.k. to eat meat offered to idols, but …

Romans 14:20 (NLT)
Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:9-10 (says the same)

 Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue.

             “We all have knowledge.” (See verse 4)

We all know a lot of Biblical principles.

However, not all believers know this. (Verse 7)

• Not all believers are at the same place in their understanding of Biblical truths.

 But while knowledge makes us feel important,

 This “knowledge” puffs up, (ESV & NIV)

 It’s good to know Biblical truths but we need to be careful how we handle this knowledge.

We dare not “lord” our knowledge over others.

1 Peter 5:2-3 (NLT)
² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. ³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

it is love that strengthens the church. 

•  It is love that strengthens the church.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT)
Love Is the Greatest
¹ If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

• Without love, we are nothing.

 ² Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. 

 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

•  Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.

Proverbs 26:12 (NLT)
There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise.

We need to be constantly fed by the scriptures.

John 15:4-5 (NLT)
⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

 ³ But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

 Deuteronomy 6, Matthew 22, Mark 12 (similar passages)

Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT)
The Most Important Commandment
³⁴ But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

• You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.’

Philippians 2:4 (NLT)
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Philippians 2:3 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

• It is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble.
• It is wrong to do something if it makes another person stumble.

 ⁴ So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.⁵ There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. 

•  We all know that an idol is not really a god.

An idol is not a god.

Psalm 115:4-8 (NLT)
⁴ Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.
⁵ They have mouths but cannot speak,
and eyes but cannot see.
⁶ They have ears but cannot hear,
and noses but cannot smell.
⁷ They have hands but cannot feel,
and feet but cannot walk,
and throats but cannot make a sound.
⁸ And those who make idols are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

•  An idol isn’t much of anything, therefore eating food offered to idols was, in itself, inconsequential.

 ⁶ But for us,
There is one God, the Father,
by whom all things were created,
and for whom we live.
And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom all things were created,
and through whom we live.

Deuteronomy 4:35 (NLT)
“He showed you these things so you would know that the Lord is God and there is no other.

Deuteronomy 4:39 (NLT)
“So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.

 Deuteronomy 6:4 (NLT)
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

Isaiah 44:6 (NLT)
This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies:
“I am the First and the Last;
there is no other God.

Jeremiah 10:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ But the Lord is the only true God.
He is the living God and the everlasting King!

John 17:3 (NLT)
And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

• We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Where is your focus?  What are your priorities?

Review

• Scripture clearly endorses marriage.
• God’s original intent was for marriage to be a permanent relationship between a man and his wife.

Today’s passage was given “Because of this present crisis”.

Instructions intended for a time of crisis may be of less significance when the crisis has passed.

As we move through this passage we will find numerous Biblical principles that can and should be applied in our lives, even if we are not in a “crisis mode”.

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 (NLT)
²⁵ Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. ²⁶ Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are. ²⁷ If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. ²⁸ But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
²⁹ But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. ³⁰ Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. ³¹ Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
³² I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. ³³ But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. ³⁴ His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. ³⁵ I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
³⁶ But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. ³⁷ But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. ³⁸ So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better.
³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. ⁴⁰ But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.

Examine the scriptures:

Review

• Scripture clearly endorses marriage.
• God’s original intent was for marriage to be a permanent relationship between a man and his wife.

The teaching in this passage is being shared because of a present crisis.

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 (NLT)
²⁵ Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married.

 I do not have a command from the Lord for them.

             Reminder:

1 Corinthians 7:12
 Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord.

Don’t misinterpret this statement.

 All Scripture is inspired by God

 Jesus had not spoken about this situation.

No previous revelations from God on this matter.

•  All scripture is inspired by God

But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. 

 James 1:5 (NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he (God) will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

 1 Corinthians 7:40 (later in this passage)
…I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.

 1 Corinthians 2:10 & 13 (NLT)
¹⁰ But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets

 ¹³ When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.  

• If you need wisdom, ask God, and He will give it to you.

 ²⁶ Because of the present crisis,  

No specific present crisis is mentioned in scripture.

1 Corinthians 4:8 (NLT) (This does not appear to be a time of crisis.)
You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.

 

Impending crisis (ESV footnote)  (1 Corinthians was written some time close to 55 A.D.)
Impending distress (AMP)
Imminent Roman persecutions (within ten years after this epistle)

In general- conditions less than ideal for marriage

NOTE: Paul’s teaching here in this passage on marriage is based on some crisis or persecution Paul believed the Christians were experiencing or were likely to experience in the near future.

I think it is best to remain as you are. ²⁷ If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. 

The principle of contentment.  (Last lesson)

1 Corinthians 7:17 (NLT)
Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.

•  Live contentedly in whatever economic, social, and religious station God has placed you.

 ²⁸ But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin.

 However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.

• Being married can be more complicated than being single.

 ²⁹ But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

James 4:14 (NLT)
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

 Romans 13:11 (NLT)
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

•  A person’s life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
•  Make the most of every opportunity.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT)
¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Colossians 4:5 (NLT)
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

John 9:4 (NLT)
We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.

 Psalm 90:12 (NLT)
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.

Mark 13:32-33 (NLT)
³² “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. ³³ And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

 So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. ³⁰ Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. ³¹ Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

Colossians 3:2 (NLT)
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

 Our citizenship is in heaven.
Philippians 3:20 (NLT)
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

 Where is your focus?  What are your priorities?

•  Focus on the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

 Philippians 3:14 (NLT)
 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

• Focus on reaching the end of the race and receiving the heavenly prize for which God has called you.
• Focus on Jesus’ return (Luke 12:35-40)

³² I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. ³³ But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. ³⁴ His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 

Ephesians 5:10 (NLT)
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

 Romans 12:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
A Living Sacrifice to God
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

•  Focus on pleasing the Lord.

 ³⁵ I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

 ³⁶ But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. ³⁷ But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. ³⁸ So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better.

 ³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. ⁴⁰ But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.

 Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

• Keep your eyes on Jesus.