Our Personal Stumblingblock!
Our Blueprint for a New Testament Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning, we are in a new chapter. Our text is Romans chapter 8.
However, before we get into the text, I want to draw your attention back to chapter 7 and verse 1, which says:
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
As we note from these verses, the Corinthian church wrote a letter to Paul asking him to clarify some issues in the church. The first of these were issues surrounding marriage. The Holy Spirit dedicated this entire chapter to addressing those issues. He answered such questions as “Should a person marry or remain single?” and “Should believers seek divorce or remain married?” Now we come to chapter 8 and another difficulty for the local church of Corinth.
As we come to chapter 8, we find the Holy Spirit addressing the next issue in their letter to Paul. Note how this chapter opens with verse 1.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
The concern is those things that have to do with idol worship.
Context is everything. When the Holy Spirit moved upon Paul to pen these words, idol worship was at an all-time high. Roman and Greek mythology ran rampant throughout most of the known world. The majority of the world fully believed in many false gods. The center of the known world, Rome alone boasted over 80 temples. There were three temples dedicated to Apollos, Asclepius, and Hermes in Corinth.
Additionally, it had two shrines and four sanctuaries. Consequently, we find this young church struggling as they learned to live as believers in a very unfriendly environment. A struggle that is just as real today. It was something the Lord Jesus Christ recognized as He prayed for us in John 17.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Christ noted we, as believers, would be hated by the world. His prayer was not that the Father takes us out of this world but that we remain. Again, as you study the overall context of Scripture, our duty today is to be a witness for Christ. We cannot accomplish that task if we are not here in the world. Christ, therefore, understood our dilemma of living in a world that hates us. He, as we know, was hated and despised more than any person who has lived in this world. Yet, at the same time, Christ also understood the difficulties we face as we remain as His witness.
However, note one more thing, and we will move on. Christ gave us the answer to coping with this world as we live in it. Note verse 17, which says:
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The word “sanctify” means to consecrate or make holy. Christ’s prayer was that the Father would “sanctify” us or make us holy through God’s truth. And, then, emphatically, Christ states, “thy word is truth.” For this reason, we hold the complete Word of God in our hands today. God gave it to us so that He might make us holy. The person then who reads God’s Word, meditates on it, memorizes it, and seeks to obey it everyday is a person God is making holy. It is why we, here at Calvary Baptist in Bedford, place such an emphasis on Scripture. The Bible is the only source of truth in our world today. Additionally, it is the only place where you can learn how to be holy in God’s eyes.
Now, getting back to our topic, we noted the problem presented to the Corinthian believers. They were living in a city filled with idolatry. Doing so presented many different challenges. One of those challenges dealt with meat offered to idols. Look again at our text and verse 1.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Note again that they sought clarification about “things offered unto idols.” As we work our way through this chapter, we will see precisely the issue surrounding eating meat offered to idols.
Pagan idol sacrifices are often quite similar to Old Testament sacrifices. We often think about animal sacrifices as a thing of the past. However, animal sacrifices still happen in many places worldwide, even today. Nepal is one such place. My wife and I had the opportunity to visit a Hindu temple in Nepal that still offers animal sacrifices on two different occasions. We witnessed firsthand them killing goats and pouring out the blood upon an altar. For a believer, it is a challenging place to visit. You can feel the Satanic presence there.
As I stated, many pagan sacrifices mirror the Old Testament sacrifices. The priest often divides the meat into three portions in preparation for the sacrifice. He then burns one portion in honor of the false deity. The worshipper takes another portion home to eat. And then, the priest takes the third portion home to eat or sell in the marketplace.
Now, as you may imagine, the leftover sacrificial meat is much cheaper than the prime cuts offered in the market. And, everybody loves a bargain, even believers. For that reason, it would seem several believers within the Corinthian church were purchasing the cheaper meat offered in idol worship. Buying and eating the meat caused problems with others who were against it. Those who opposed it argued that a faithful follower of Christ would not eat the meat or have anything to do with false idol worship. Thus, contention arose in the church over meat offered to idols. In the end, as we will see, the whole argument comes down to whether or not doing such things (eating meat to idols) causes another believer to stumble. The word the Holy Spirit uses is “stumblingblock.” Verse 9 is the key verse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
The word “stumblingblock” means any thing that becomes an obstacle to a fellow believer, causing them to stumble into sin. We will get to that more in next week’s message.
For now, it is interesting to note how the Holy Spirit addresses this issue initially. Instead of diving right in and giving a yes or no answer, the Holy Spirit begins by revealing our stumbling block.
A Revelation About Our Own Personal Stumbling-block
A Revelation About Our Own Personal Stumbling-block
Look again at verse 1.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Surprisingly, the Holy Spirit makes no mention of food, even though food is the issue. Instead, He directs our attention to one of man’s biggest problems - knowledge.
Why does the Holy Spirit take this approach? We can find the answer in several different Scripture passages. Here is just one.
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Before we can help others, we must learn to deal with our particular heart issues. Thus, before the Holy Spirit helps us understand our relationship with our fellow believers, we must admit our downfalls first.
Knowledge or the ability to obtain knowledge is both a blessing and a curse. I am thankful that God created me in His image. God blesses us with the ability to think, to know, and to reason. It comes in quite helpful when you are trying to solve problems or create something. Unfortunately, knowledge often leads to inflated egos.
Note the Holy Spirit’s attention to that very fact. Again, look at verse 1 of our text.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
The Holy Spirit plainly states “Knowledge puffeth up.” I think we understand this all too well. The more a person knows; the bigger their head becomes. Education is wonderful thing. It imparts to people the knowledge of numbers and how numbers work. Through education, people learn how to read and write. Many have said that education is power. There is no doubt that education empowers people to do great things. Without education and knowledge, we would all be sleeping in caves freezing our back sides off wondering how to start a fire. Instead, we sit here this morning warm, dry, and comfortable through obtained knowledge. Education and knowledge helped us build skyscrapers, jetliners, and even put men on the moon. A few years ago, many of us dreamed of having a device in our hands like the Star Trek communicators so we could talk to people around the world. Now, we can take the phone in our hand and video chat with anyone worldwide. That same phone is now a mini computer with many things at fingertips. All of this because of acquired knowledge. Everyday we enjoy the blessings of knowledge.
However, knowledge is also a curse. Many people have succumbed to the idea they are superior to others because of how much they know. Hitler was a man who thought he was quite superior than the entire world. He imagined a world dominated by superior people and began a campaign of terror seeking to eliminate those he thought were inferior. He was “puffed up” with knowledge.
It is this very problem that stands as man’s stumbling block. And, it is something that God warns about repeatedly in Scripture.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
There is our problem. Knowledge tends to make self the focus of attention. We think we are wise. Anytime we begin to think about what we know, what we have learned, and how much wisdom we have obtained, we are already in trouble.
Now note the contrast given in our text!
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
What does knowledge do to a person? It puffs them up. They become self-centered and egotistical.
On the other hand, what about “charity” or love? Love does the opposite. A person filled with pride and constantly relying on their own knowledge is a person who builds himself up. However, genuine, sacrificial love (agape love) focuses on others and not themselves. For that reason, the Holy Spirit recommends that we, as believers, live our lives based on God’s character and not our own.
A Recommendation based Upon God’s Character
A Recommendation based Upon God’s Character
Remember...
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Charity EDIFIES or BUILDS UP others. Later in our study of this remarkable book of the Bible, we will come to chapter 13. 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the chapter of love. In that chapter, God reveals true, sacrificial love encouraging us, as believers, to live a life based on the same love that He exhibits each day to us.
Note the description given in the 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
So what kind of believer is one who does not love as God loves? It is a believer who is always tooting their own horn. It is a believer whose real focus is on themselves. Here is a surprising fact found in this passage! You, as a believer, can have faith and do good things like feed the poor yet still not exhibit God’s love. This thought reminds me of another Scripture passage.
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
One of the major themes of the New Testament is God’s instruction to us believers to love as He loved us. I thought about this verse because it reminds us to speak the truth “in love.” Again, speaking the truth is something we do, but how many times do we speak it “in love.” Over in Ephesians 5:1&2, the Holy Spirit gives the following instructions.
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
His instruction is to walk in love. We must daily conduct our lives based upon God’s character. Here, the passage says walk in love “as Christ also hath loves us, and hath given himself for us...” If we determine to live according to His instructions, we must live lovingly and sacrificially for others, not for ourselves. Our aim should be to live every day loving the Lord and loving others. There is no room for self-worth, pride, or self-achievement. We must put aside our wants and desires. Instead, we must focus on pleasing the Lord. The wonderful thing about our God, Jehovah God, is that He is a God Who desires the best for His children. One of the great things about the Lord Jesus Christ and His ministry on earth is how He never turned down helping those who came to Him. Instead, He invited them to come to Him so that He might minister to them. This same attitude is the attitude He expects of us as His followers.
Go back to our text.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Verse 2 essentially states this. People filled with pride over what they think they know are, in actuality, ignorant. If they do not know the things of God, the knowledge they possess is useless. It is far better to have little worldly education and know God personally than to be the world’s greatest genius without God.
However, note this remarkable fact as stated by the Holy Spirit. Those who love God (make Him the desire of their heart) as the very ones known to God. He knows those who love Him.
Here then is the question of the day! Do you love Him? I would encourage you to be honest with yourself. I find it noteworthy that the Holy Spirit deals with this issue of love in the same chapter on matters of idol worship. Idolatry in its purest form is worshipping/loving anything other than God. If God is not first in your life, you cannot honestly say you love Him. Christ plainly said:
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Later in that same chapter, He added:
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
The most significant testimony to a person’s love for the Lord is the life they live each day. For example, a person who truly loves the Lord will love the things the Lord loves. What does He love?
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
One of my reasons for preaching through I Corinthians is this. I want to deepen my love for the local church. The local church is what Christ loves; therefore, I want to love it. It is pretty concerning when believers say they love the Lord and neglect the local church. For me, it sends up a great big warning sign. Believers who genuinely love the Lord have an innate desire through His Spirit to keep His commandments and to love the things He loves.
He loves people. He died for them.
He loves the local church. He gave himself for it.
There is no room for self.
Instead, each believer should demonstrate love for the Lord, others, and the local church. I don’t come to church just to come to church. I come to church because I love the Lord.
So, back to the question. Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, prove it by living for Him.
The Holy Spirit points out our fault. Our pride is our stumbling block. Removing that from our path means living according to His instructions. It means we learn to love as He loved us. That is His recommendation to us. It is a recommendation based entirely on His character.
Here is one last point from our text that I want to leave with you this morning. The Holy Spirit reveals our stumbling block, which is the first point. Second, He recommends that we overcome that stumbling block by living His way.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Our text began with the subject of idols. However, we cannot overcome issues related to idols and others until we first settle our problems personally and Biblically. One of our greatest issues is pride. We are often “puffed up” by what we think we know. Much of what we know comes from the world’s philosophies and teachings. Satan’s opposition to God drives the world’s doctrines and teachings. His biggest tool is convincing people they are smarter than God. Perhaps, you are here this morning, and this is your first time hearing God’s Word. May I say to you this morning, “Do not be deceived by the world’s knowledge!” Instead, I would encourage you to open your heart and receive the good news concerning Christ.
The Bible is quite clear that everyone is born already a sinner
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
It is also quite clear that there is nothing we can do to enter Heaven by our own righteousness as sinners.
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Therefore, our only hope for eternal life in Heaven with God is through Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For this reason, all of us are to confess our helpless and hopeless condition before Him, repenting of our sinful lifestyle. We must then accept by faith all that Christ has done for us. What did He do? He went to a cruel cross suffering much pain and, there, He died for you and me. However, even though He died, He did not remain in the grave. Men buried Him in a tomb, and, on the third day, He arose victorious of sin, death, and the grave. Consequently, all who will believe in Him will be saved from an eternity of suffering and given the great gift of eternal life with Him.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Each message I preach, I close with an invitation. I invite you who have no assurance of Heaven to come this morning and accept all that Christ has done for you. Please do not hesitate. Please do not reason in your mind. Open your heart to all that God has promised and believe Him. Will you do that this morning? If so, I will pray in just a moment; after I do, I invite you to come down to the front and meet me there. Let some of our folks who have a love of God in their hearts help you this morning come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Believer, I invite you to do some personal assessments this morning. Start with this question. Do I love Him? If the answer is yes, then follow up with this question. Am I living a life demonstrating my love for Him to others? If the answer is no, you also need to confess and repent before the Lord. Ask for His forgiveness. Determine to live a life that outwardly and unequivocally demonstrates a love for the Lord.
Let’s pray!