LIBERTY IN PERSPECTIVE

1 Corinthians 10-11:1

When we deal with “doubtful things,” one struggle always comes to the surface.

     We’re prone to respond: "What right does anyone have to tell ME what to do?"

         "I have MY rights!"

         “Christ died to set us free! I can do what I want to do!

This was the problem at Corinth:

     Carnality ==>  Lack of love     ==>  Fight for my rights

     In 1 Cor. 10, Paul is still dealing with . . .

THE ISSUE OF MEAT OFFERED TO IDOLS 8:1-11:1

This is as serious an issue for them as any affecting us today.

         They felt VERY strongly about this issue!

     Paul never says who is right!

         In fact, it really doesn't matter who is right!

He acknowledges the conflict and tells us how LOVE treats such an issue.

UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES which serve as the basis for this discussion:

     *  Spirituality doesn't depend on obeying rules.

We aren't more spiritual because we eat or don’t eat meat offered to idols.

Nor because of any other act of rule-keeping.

Our spirituality is based on being in Christ-we’re COMPLETE in HIM!

     *  A "strong" brother can pressure a "weak" brother

             to do what HE does, and cause the weak one to sin.

Rom. 14 identifies the “strong” and the “weak” brother:

                      “Strong” one knows it’s alright to participate.

                          God hasn’t spoken to the issue.

                          The idol can’t hurt us!

                      “Weak” one believes it’s wrong to participate.

                          For him it’s wrong. Period.

                          No one should do it!

     *  Paul’s principle: Love: We ought to be willing to give up our rights

             for the good of a brother who doesn't enjoy the liberty we do.

                  We ought to care more about our brother’s welfare, than about our rights.

PAUL USES HIS EXPERIENCE TO ILLUSTRATE PRINCIPLES: 9

     *  Paul has rights.

     *  Paul gives up his rights.

     *  Paul makes himself a slave to everyone => “You can’t do that!

     *  Paul puts himself under strict discipline, to run worthily and win prize.

             Because the race is important to Paul, . . .

             Because he cares about his brother, . . .

                  He voluntarily submits to discipline that others might not accept.

     Paul uses Israel’s example to show the danger of insisting on our rights.

PERIL OF PARTICIPATION 10:1-22

While nothing’s wrong with eating the meat, there are TWO AUTHENTIC DANGERS:

     THE DANGER OF IDOLATRY 10:1-15

If we insist on having our way, we are guilty of idolatry.

We should be willing to surrender our rights for a brother in Christ.

To cling to any practice at the expense of our brother is idolatry!

Genuine love supersedes knowledge.

If we reject love to do what we want to do,

                      we make an idol of what we want to do!

             Israel thought she, as God’s people, was safe, yet she fell.

                  Now those who see themselves as strong are in danger of falling.

         Illustration from the wilderness 10:1-13

             Their unity 10:1-4  "All"-used 5 times      "The same"-used 2 times

They were all God's people

                      -They were all identified with God and with His servant.

                  Nevertheless-the majority didn't please God 5

                      Most of them died in the desert.

                      In fact, all but two of them died there!     Why?

             Their failure 10:6-11

The Corinthians are in danger of falling into the same trap!

                      It addresses them, as a warning.

                  Israel craved evil things 6

                  They were idolatrous 7

                  They acted immorally 8 [Num. 25:1-9-Union with Moab and her god]

                  They tested the Lord 9

                  They grumbled 10

                  Thus, the strong fell (11-12)

                      They want what THEY want!

                      They want to live like everyone else around them.

                  In the end, only two enter, Caleb and Joshua.

Only two are willing to pay the price and discipline themselves to win.

Their example—These things happened as an example for us! 6, 11-12

                  Even though there’s nothing wrong with the things the Corinthians want,

                      neither was there anything wrong with most of the things Israel wanted!

                  The problem comes when we want what WE want,

                      more than we want what GOD wants!

                  Then WE run the same risk as Israel did in the desert.

                  Their example warns us so we might not fall in the same trap-

                      —that we might not crave things           —that we might not be idolatrous

                      —that we might not commit immoral acts

                      —that we might not tempt God             —that we might not complain

                  God doesn't want us to fall into that trap.

                      Therefore He has left us this warning.

                          AND, He has left us a way of escape. ➘➘➘

Conclusion 10:12-14

                  “Strong” people can fall into this trap 12

                      So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

                               Even “strong” people can fall into the trap of idolatry!]

                  If we want to be victorious, God gives us a way to escape. 13

The escape route includes avoiding idolatry-

DON'T LET ANYTHING BECOME SO IMPORTANT

                          THAT YOU PUT IT AHEAD OF GOD! 14

                      Therefore, since God has given us a way of escape, flee from idolatry.

                  The danger is idolatry. What idolatry?

Paul already said there’s nothing wrong with eating meat.

Wanting anything more than to love our brother is a form of idolatry.

                      We’re putting our rights ahead of love—that’s idolatry!

         [ Paul sees another danger (at least in this case): ]

     THE DANGER OF DEMONISM 10:15-22

Their eating might pressure weak people into taking part in sacrifices.

         For the weak, there’s no difference. They identify the two.

We might cause the “weak” person to think: “if it's alright to eat the meat,

             it's alright to participate in sacrifices—as a social event.”

                  They wouldn’t adopt the religion—just the social event!

However, the sacrificial system is demonic.

To participate in sacrifices is to participate in demon worship.

Paul warns us of the danger of any involvement with demonism

                  -even out of curiosity, or for social purposes.

     Two illustrations help us understand the danger:

         Illustration from the Lord's table 15-17

When we come to His table, we identify with each other, and with God,

         Illustration from Israel's sacrifices 18

             Israel’s sacrifices work that way also.

When you participate in the sacrifices,

                  you identify with the altar and with all that goes on there.

         Application to pagan sacrifices 19-22

             That’s how it works with pagan sacrifices!

When you participate, you identify with the demons behind them!

To participate in pagan worship

                  is to participate in demonic activities.         

                      STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

                      You can’t have it both ways! God is a jealous God.

                          He wants our total commitment!

                      Making something WE want into an idol provokes God’s jealousy!

TWO APPLICATIONS IN THIS PASSAGE:

     1. DON’T CLING TO YOUR RIGHTS!   —at another's expense.

             Love is more important! Any other approach is idolatry!

     2. DON’T DABBLE IN DEMONISM! v. 14 Flee from it!

             This isn't a spectator sport for Christian entertainment!

             Avoid it! — whether out of curiosity or for social purposes.

             Demonism is not something to be played with—the effects are long term.

                  There are lots of subtle ways demonism is introduced into our lives today:

                      Meditation             Dungeons and dragons—other computer games

                      “Spirit Guides”      Ouija Boards         Some rock music

             Some people fool around with it—just out of curiosity.

                  Stay away from demonic activities!

                      Satan says stick around and investigate-GOD SAYS FLEE!

This brings us back to a point Harry Schaumburg emphasized at the Purity Conference.

     Self-centered life–living to please ourselves vs. God-centered life–living to please Him.

Schaumburg–sin controls us because we see things from self-centered perspective. We live to please ourselves.

We want to satisfy our desires more than anything else.

                  Ultimately, we don’t care about anyone else, our wife, or even GOD!

             God wants us to live to please Him–to give up our rights for His glory.

FIVE WAYS TO APPLY THIS PRINCIPLE IN OUR LIVES:10:23-11:1

     1. Consider your liberty from God’s point of view 10:23

             “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial.

             “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.

While it’s true that everything is permissible,

             not everything is beneficial; not everything is constructive.

Parallel with 6:12—”All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.”

—”All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Notice parallels—This is a serious issue—as serious as immorality.

                  •  Both defended on basis of same maxim-

                          "All things are lawful, BUT ...." (6:12; 10:23)

                  •  Both are rejected because of identification

                          Identification with a prostitute—you become one with her (6:16-17)

                          Identification with demons (10:20)

                  •  Both are resolved by fleeing (6:18; 10:14)

                          Flee immorality     Flee idolatry

                  •  Both have legitimate and illegitimate side.

                          Eating and sex were both made by God and are good.

                               But sexual immorality is always wrong.

                          Eating idol meat is not wrong-it tastes good-it's a good bargain

                               But Idolatry is always wrong.

                  •  Both problems are eliminated by living to glorify God (6:19-20; 10:31)

             Liberty is not to be used at others' expense, but for their benefit.

                  Our desire should be to build others up.

Common question: “How do we help weak brothers outgrow weakness?”

             How can we help an immature brother grow up?!!

                  How do we help him get over it?!!

             •  It catches my attention that Paul never says he MUST outgrow it.

             •  Weakness is never overcome by flaunting our liberty in weak brother's face! "You're just trying to justify your own conduct!"

             •  Finally, weakness is normally overcome by biblical teaching

                      by a person who lives in an unoffensive manner!

     2. PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE'S CONSCIENCE 10:24-30 24

10:24 "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."

             10:33 "Not seeking my own good, but the good of many"

         We are to do what's best for others.

Somebody takes the cue for their life from every one of us.

We may not know it, but a younger brother is watching us to see what he should do. Our example will be imitated by someone!

We should conduct ourselves in such a way

                  that we build them up and lead them in godliness.

         When is it permissable to eat?

             25-26   In private: purchase meat without asking questions

             27  At an unbeliever's home: eat without asking questions.

         When is it not permissable to eat?

             28-30   When someone raises the question; their conscience is bothered.

                          Protect THEIR conscience!

Why would we let our freedom in Christ be taken in a way that ruins OUR reputation? Don’t go there! Let go of it!

     3. GLORIFY GOD FIRST 10:31

             Put God's glory above every other consideration.

To reach the goal, he’s willing to pay any price-even give up his rights!

He has rights–but he gives them up, so God will be glorified in him.

This is the best antidote to strife and self-centered action!

     4. AVOID ACTIVITIES WHICH OFFEND OTHERS 10:32-33

Don't allow rocks to be placed in path that someone might trip and fall over.

     5. FOLLOW PAUL'S EXAMPLE (AND CHRIST'S!) 11:1

Paul is setting the example of giving up his rights.

                  We should imitate him.

             Even CHRIST was willing to let go of HIS rights (Phil. 2).

                  We should follow them!

3 CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES ABOUT OUR ACTIVITIES:

     Will this activity glorify God?

     Will this activity offend others?

     Will this activity benefit others?

         We determine what we should do by how it affects God, and how it affects others!

             Is God pleased?

             Will others stumble?

         Ultimately, it’s not about us!

             It’s about what will help our brother.

             It’s about what will please God.

             It’s about what will bring God glory!