August 10, 2008
Morning Service

I Cor. 10:14-33

 

Review:

1.      Paul began chapter 10 with a little history lesson.  He told of some of the things that happened to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt, and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

2.      God had brought them out with 10 miracles in Egypt, and had miraculously led them on their journey.  A fire by night, and a cloud by day.

3.      You would think that a people that had seen all these miracles would be ever so faithful, but not the case. 

4.      In this history lesson Paul reminded them of the punishments they received from God for their disobedience, fornication, griping, and complaining.

5.      He tells the church at Corinth these things to warn them.  “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls.”  A very stern warning to those who were living carelessly, and messing around with idolatry.

 

This thought leads us to verse 14 where the Apostle says;

 

1Co 10:14-33 KJVR  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 

• Another serious warning concerning idolatry. 
• To flee means to have nothing to do with, get away from it, it should be taboo to you.

(15)  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.  (16)  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 

• Here again we see the Apostle teaching by asking a question, in which the answer is obvious.
• Yes, the cup of blessing is the blood of Christ.  The bread of which we partake is the body of Christ.

(17)  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 

• Paul is beginning to teach us how that the church is the body of Christ.  Also, the unity that is expected of us by God Almighty.  This becomes much clearer in the following chapters.

(18)  Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 

• Israel after the flesh, just means that they are not converted to Christianity.
• God chose the tribe of Levi to take care of the things of the tabernacle.  Moses, and Aaron was of this tribe.  There were 12 tribes, or 12 sons of Jacob, who was named Israel. 
• Out of this tribe there were those that offered the sacrifices, and the priests, and they ate of the meat that was sacrificed to God.  Paul is saying that by doing this there is an association between object of worship, and the sacrifice offered.  They become one.
• The lesson for us is plain and simple, the Jews became one with God as they offered, and partook of the meat offered to God, the idol worshippers became one with the god that they were offering their sacrifice too when they ate of the meat.
• The same thing is true for us today, as Christians, when we partake of the body and blood of Christ, we become one with Him.
• So Paul is encouraging them to flee from idolatry, have nothing to do with any of it.

(19)  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 

• NO!  an idol is nothing, and certainly nothing to be afraid of.  Paul told us earlier not to mess around with idols, in that we might offend a weaker brother.

(20)  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  (21)  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 

• This is one of Paul’s strongest warnings of fellowshipping with the world.  John said, 1Jo 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
• Very clear, Christians should not partake of the Communion, and then go out and live like the world lives.

(22)  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 

• We bring no glory, and honor to Christ when we do this. 

(23)  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.  (24)  Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 

• Even though you know you have the liberty to do certain things, sometimes it is better if you don’t do them. 
• This thought must constantly be in our minds;  1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

(25)  Whatsoever is sold in the meat market, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 

• Notice, “that which is sold in the market.”  Just don’t ask if it had been offered to an idol.  Go ahead and buy it, and eat it.  But it goes without saying, if you know it has been offered to an idol, have nothing to do with it.

(26)  For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.  (27)  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.  (28)  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof: 

• This is not a problem for us today, however, we are occasionally invited to a dinner that is not Christian oriented.  There is nothing wrong with us going, it is just very important we conduct ourselves in a Christian like manner.
• Notice how Paul explains the conscience part of this.

(29)  Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?  (30)  For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 

• Here again Paul is teaching us to be concerned for the weaker brother.  He says, I can do this with a good conscience, but if offends my brother, so I won’t do it.

(31)  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 

• Whatever we do, we should be thinking about the witness it leaves for our confession of being a Christian.  And believe me, there is no one that can tell you how a Christian should live, like a non-Christian. 

(32)  Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:  (33)  Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

• Notice the three classes of people, Jews, Gentiles, and the Christians.  Paul covers everyone else when he says, all men.
• Again the Apostle tells us to think of others, before ourselves.
• The admonition is “give none offense.”  However, let me assure you that they will come, and you will give them.  Do we like it?  NO.  Our walk with God is a continual walk of overcoming. 
• The wonderful thing about becoming a Christian is that you instantaneously become perfect, or complete in the eyes of God, because of what Jesus did for us.  But you will never be fully satisfied with yourself, in your own mind.  You will always want to do better, and be more of what God would like for us to be.
• There was many times that I let my parents down, by doing certain things I shouldn’t have done, but I never quit being their child, and they wouldn’t let me forget it either.
• There will be times that we are unpleasing to God, but once we make the commitment to serve Him, we never quit being his child, and He will let us know it too, by His Word.

that they may be saved.

 

ARE YOU SAVED THIS MORNING?   SOMEONE MIGHT ASK, “SAVED FROM WHAT?”  THE ANSWER IS CLEAR AND SIMPLE, “THE WORLD, AND IT’S TURMOIL;  THE WRATH OF GOD THAT IS COMING ON THIS WORLD OF UNGODLINESS;  AND POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT, YOU ARE SAVED UNTO LIVING ETERNALLY ONE DAY WITH GOD, AND MISSING THE LAKE OF FIRE, WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.         MANY CAN’T SEE IT, BUT THIS WORLD IS A BURNING FIRE OUT OF CONTROL, CONSUMING, AND DESTROYING MANY LIVES TODAY.    “FLEE FROM THE WRATH THAT IS TO COME.”         JESUS SAID, “COME UNTO ME ALL OF YOU THAT ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL...........”