Brotherly Love and Liberty Applied
The Church of Corinth; Struggling to be in the world but not of the world • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 40:20
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Intro:
Imagine you arrive at church today and you notice a large amount of people coming up to Pastor Stuart and offering their congrats. You begin to panic in your mind because maybe you missed an announcement. Maybe you were not listening in your previous conversation with him. You decide not to be rude and just ignore the celebration all together. He is your pastor and friend. If something has happened that deserves encouragement, you want to participate.
You could just act ignorant and congratulate him without knowledge of what you are celebrating. But that often leads to awkward moments when the celebration is done.
Finally, you decide to go in and just ask, “hey brother, what are we celebrating? Did I miss something?” He informs you of the occasion and you join with all in giving him a hearty congratulations.
This last response is the most appropriate response because it required you gather information before you celebrated his achievement.
This is a helpful demonstration for followers of Jesus Christ as you study and learn more about our Lord. God’s word can be celebrated in all its truth and wisdom about God but as we continually see, it requires diligent study to glean deep truths. Therefore, we must adopt the phrase in our bible study habits, “context is king.” This means that as we study, the context of the passage helps us interpret the passage. Your celebration of Pastor Stu came when you investigated the celebration to know the cause of it.
What the writer has written before and after on the pages of Scripture, helps us understand what he is saying in the current study of the text.
Context is very helpful in our next study in 1 Corinthians because as we have seen in this letter, Paul is jumping from one church concern in Corinth to another. They have written Paul a letter and he is responding to their words and concern. We will begin this study today with some needed background info that will guide our study from chapters 8 through the end of chapter 10. The reason for this needed background introduction is because of the cultural milieu of Corinth
Unity and Diversity
One of the beautiful aspects of the church is our unity in diversity. what that means that is the church contains people who are united in Christ, with an equal position in Christ by his transformative power in us. We were all dead in our trespasses and sins. We were all unable to make ourselves right in a legal standing before our judge. We were all unwilling to submit to or seek after God.
10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; 12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”
Notice the word “all” and “none” and we be reminded that we all share in our inability as much as we share in our call. We are equally unable, unwilling and yet loved by God in Christ Jesus!
Similiarly, when God saves us, we share in the blessings of Christ so that we are united in the totality of the work of Christ. We are all adopted into the family of God, made holy in Christ’s perfections, given peace by Christ’s victories, given hope in Christ’s resurrection. No one who is genuinely converted in Christ has lesser position in Christ, is part of a lower class in Christ, or belongs to a less attended part of the church. We all have equality in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But we come from diverse backgrounds, with cultural differences that play a part of our salvation story. Some of us are saved from self-worship while others of us are saved from idol worship. Some us us are slaves to money and others slaves to vanity.
Also, our past cultural differences make us look and act a little different than others in the church. Some take their shoes off when they enter your home. Some eat with their hands instead of utensils. Some prefer instruments during the worship and some prefer hymns. The point is that we are united as one and yet different with individual diversity.
That diversity and unity has always squeezed the church in practical ways as they looked to the Lord in how they might live. The Bible is very much a guide for God’s people as to how they might live among the world and yet live for God’s glory as God’s holy people. Remember again that we entitled this entire study of 1 Corinthians: Struggling to live in the world but not of the world
Today and for the next month or so, we are going to look at this cultural issue that Corinth believers are contemplating, an issue which Paul addresses in his letter to them.
Let’s begin with v1,
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB95)
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols,
One major cultural issues that affected the believers in Corinth was idol worship. This wasn’t a particular problem for the Jews who converted to Christianity, but it was for the Gentiles. Paul addresses the issue that was brought to his attention in reference to “things sacrificed to idols.” The culture of Corinthian Christianity was the past life of polytheism and the worship of idols. Within that worship, there were sacrifices that were made to idols and Roman deities. We will deal next week in more detail with those false gods but Paul at the outset sets the table for us as to what he is addressing.
There is a dispute in the church about “things sacrificed to idols”. Paul will later use words such as “eat food” and in v 13 he actually mentions “meat” to reveal to us that he is particularly referring to food that is offered on the pagan altar So what is the big deal about meat offered to idols?
Before their salvation, Gentiles in Corinth would participate in pagan worship of the many gods of the Greeks and Romans. That worship would include communal meals as they were called which was like a private dinner party or a large festival where feast was served including choice meats. That meat, which was very valuable and only brought out on special occasions, was part of the sacrifice to their false gods. History reveals that when offering a pagan sacrifice, one portion of the food was offered was burnt on the altar, one portion was left on the “table of the god” and one was given back to the worshipper to enjoy. There was also data that shows that the meat left on the “table of the gods” in the pagan temple, was enjoyed by the priests and the remaining meat was sold in the market place. Look with me at 8:10
1 Corinthians 8:10 (NASB95)
10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple?
It appears that some of that festivals where the idol meat was served were actually held at the pagan temples, in the center of the pagan worship.
Including then this verse, we can deduce that there were three ways then that idol meat was challenging the new Corinthians believers:
idol meat served at someone’s home
idol meat sold at market
idol meat consumed publically at a festival or communal meal, possibly at a pagan temple
Another problem regarding the meat is that the pagans believed that the meat itself contained demons in them. They believed that as they partook of the meat, they were literally consuming a part of the god which would empower then and connect them to that god in fellowship. It sounds alot like the doctrine of transubstantiation where by certain people believe you actually consume the body and blood of Christ in the elements of the Lord Supper as a means of grace.
But, when the gospel went forth to the Gentiles, many who converted to Christ wrestled with this cultural and religious practice of communal meals. The question was raised to Paul if eating this meat from pagan sacrifice was permissible. They wrestled with still attending these public gatherings that were more social parties but still contained feasting on the meat offered to idols. They wrestled with buying and eating the meat at the market for their private consumption, knowing now with a converted mind that no demon or God actually possessed the meat because there is only True God. All of these issues Paul will deal with in these chapters as he tackles the idea of Christian liberty. We ask questions such as what freedom do we have in Christ once we are saved? What parts of our former life before Christ should we maintain and hold onto and what parts should we abandon for the cause of holiness?
These chapters then will help us discern the idea of freedom in Christ but before we get there, Paul has to address the attitude of the Corinthians regarding that liberty. Therefore our subject today will be...
1. Love in Christ Establishes Unity (v.1-3)
1. Love in Christ Establishes Unity (v.1-3)
Like the other items on Paul’s practical guide to Christian living, Paul begins with addressing the subject matter: “concerning things offered to idols” just as he did in chapter 7 and will continue in other chapters.
1 Cor 7:1
1 Cor 7:25
1 Cor 8:1
1 Cor 12:1
1 Cor 16:1
Similarly, as he summarizes the subject, he quotes the people in regards to their previous correspondence. He states in 8:1
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB95)
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge.
The phrase, “we know that we all have knowledge” is believed to be a direct quote and a summary of the attitude of some Corinthian believers who had begun indulging in eating meat that was once a pagan sacrifice and they did so waving the flag of Christian liberty. That liberty came with their “knowledge” that in Christ they have freedom for Christ has gained victory over all evil in this world. Paul acknowledges that “knowing” means those converted to Christ are enlightened to the work of God and the freedom to eat and drink in a way that honors Christ. That meat to a new believer was now understood as a demon-free pound of beef, lamb or chicken. We have gluten-free, dairy-free but they had demon-free meat for the spiritually crunchy!
But the issue with that knowledge that it that it caused a problem. It is here that the great pastoral detective snuffs out a spiritual clue. This clue is an arrogance in the mind and hearts of these Corinthian troublemakers. Knowledge has become an idol to the people and it has led to a bloated ego. This knowledge that one receives can be worshipped as a god in one’s life instead of the One who the subject matter of that knowledge. These troublemakers were actually causing division in the church and that was disrupting the unity God’s people have in Christ.
Paul responds with a proper education for these Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 8:1–3 (NASB95)
1 ... Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything,
he has not yet known as he ought to know;
3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
Now we must remember that the Corinthians prized wisdom and the way that wisdom was promoted in the community became a divisive tool in this church. Now once again, having a knowledge was again dividing those Paul called the “weak” versus the “strong.” Paul is not creating these divisions in the church but merely identifying those in the church who are newer in the faith, babes in Christ, versus those more mature.
But those who had understanding of the Scriptures had let that understanding make them arrogant and that arrogance being a atypical attitude of a Christian, needed to be exhorted by the apostle.
Consider a literal reading,
“if anyone thinks that he has arrived at knowledge”
The man who thinks he has arrived believes he has tackled the mountain of understanding on that subject and the only path left is to descend. Friend, the revelation of God will lead us to continue to learn and grow and change our understanding of God’s infinite wisdom. We must believe and understand that complete understanding is unreachable. We will never attain spiritual understanding completely in this life and yet we strive to learn and grow as Paul states,
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Notice that Paul states the church serves the people to equip them to “be mature men and women”, to not be infants and children in our faith but to grow up in maturity.” But that maturity continues on until our end. Your last lesson of growth will be on your death bed when you meet the Lord Jesus, then you have learned the final lesson.
The true attitude then is not you have arrived but that you instead have much to learn.
2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
If you feel you have arrived at knowledge, you are self deceived and still await many years and years of lessons to come…on humility.
Humility is the opposite of being proud or “Puffed up.”
Christ was our humble Savior and Lord who taught us that the meek, not the proud, inherit the earth. He displayed that he was humble King rides in as the Messiah on a humble foal and not a prestigious steed. He taught us that if you want to follow him, you deny yourself, your self-worship, your claim to personal rights. You deny yourself and die to your desires and then you become his follower.
Paul tells the Philippians 2:1-8
1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Notice the connection Paul makes for the church. Our unity in Christ is practically applied when we humble ourselves and love others the way that Christ loves- sacrificially. Unity does not come from being puffed up with knowledge, but instead, unity in the church is about looking out for the interests of others. This is the love that Christ displayed by coming to this earth, taking on human flesh of man, leaving the worship and glory he deserved in heaven, and faithfully sacrificing his life on the cross so his enemies could be saved.
Therefore, as Paul begins his explanation of Christian liberty, liberty in Christ cannot exist and knowledge cannot truly be gained, if we do not first love our neighbor. And we cannot love our neighbor, if we do not first love God.
3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
Paul takes them back then to a most foundational doctrine that undergirds their love of others and their knowledge of God…the doctrine of election. Here Paul says that love of God is the key to knowledge of Him. You cannot know God if you are not first known by him. That is the verb form written in the perfect passive tense. What does that mean?
It means that being known by God was a past action with continuing results that was acted upon a person by God himself. God knowing you occured in the past when he set his love upon you before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb. That sovereign grace of God’s love then transforms us to first love him.
When this electing love leads to our salvation in Christ, we are transformed into the likeness of Jesus....so that we begin to reflect Christlike attributes that we could not possess before.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
So then Paul wants those in the church to understand that if you are known by God then you love God. If you are known by God, you are a lover of God and you are transformed to the image of his Son, living humbly and sacrificially for others. That sacrificial love then doesn't lead to arrogance but it leads to loving your neighbor. It means caring for them and seeking their own interests over your own. This is why Paul states in verse 1
LOVE EDIFIES
Literally, the word translated edify means to “build a house.” It regards to relationships in the church, building a house doesn’t fit as much as building up a person in their faith, in a spiritually structural way. Building them up is an act of love as opposed to tearing them down. You can then imagine that Paul’s point in this future study will be to show us how the church might show love to others by building them up even if it means we abstain from certain things that we have freedom to enjoy so that we do not offend a weak brother.
Let’s look ahead for a little taste (pun intended)
13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.
What we will see in our upcoming study is the details of the basic doctrines of love. Love manifested in the community of God’s church towards one another is the foundation laid by Christ and it truly displays that a person has knowledge. Those without love towards their neighbor actually lack the knowledge they think that they have. Knowledge in and of itself can lead a person to having a big head but the love of Christ in then leads them to a big heart!
Application:
Consider your attitude towards your brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you arrogant towards others believers because of your understanding of God’s word? Do you allow a greater understanding of God’s word lead you to love them more or actually divide you from them in a spirit of arrogance and division?
What we know about God, is only affective if we first display a love for our neighbor of sacrifice and humility. If they are brothers and sisters in Christ, then God has saved them in the same deadness that he has saved us. They might not even realize the sovereign grace that was involved in their salvation but they should not keep us from loving and serving them.
Instead, our desire is to love them in such a way that we are building them up and not tearing them down. Our building them up is strengthening them in their faith, helping them grow, learning to love Christ together in unity. There will not always be agreements on every issue that arises but if we have a body of Christ consistently committed to “looking out for the interests of others” then we will have a united and loving body of believers in Jesus Christ.
Let’s pray!