By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. - 1 John 4:9-11

Today’s message is on 1 Corinthians 13, commonly referred to as “The Love Chapter”. This is a relatively familiar passage of scripture among Christians and even some nonbelievers. Many people have heard it read or recited, in whole or in part, at weddings, anniversaries, or other ceremonies that celebrate the beauty of love.

Let’s remember that Paul has been broadly discussing the topic of spiritual gifts. He has analogized that all believers are individual members of the body of Christ, each having been uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit and called to mutually edify the church as a whole. To that end, we should all desire to utilize our gifts as effectively as possible.

In today’s message, we will discover the key element or virtue of Christian service. It is the fundamental motivation upon which our spiritual gifts should be practiced. What is this critical virtue? Love. But not just any love, God’s love.

There are several types of love spoken about in the Bible. There is romantic, sensual love that is to be practiced between a husband and wife. There is familial love which is shared between members of a family, close friends, or companions. There is brotherly love which involves a general affection and common concern for others - both friends and strangers. But above these various types of human love, there is a higher love - God’s love. It is unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless. This is the type of love that we must strive to embrace, and it is the type of love Paul describes in this chapter.

I. THE NECESSITY OF LOVE (1 Cor. 13:1-3)

In the previous chapter Paul named several spiritual gifts, including the ability to speak in tongues, to prophesy, to possess knowledge, and to have unwavering faith. Referring to these, Paul explained the necessity of love. He reasoned that the remarkable ability to speak in the tongues of men and angels was worthless apart from love, and was no more than irritating and unpleasant babble. He stated that gifts of prophecy to proclaim God’s revelations and knowledge to comprehend His mysteries and truth were of no value unless tempered with love. Even the gift of faith, so great that it might move mountains, was nothing without love.

In addition to these aforementioned spiritual gifts, Paul spoke of other acts of service. Generosity, so boundless that it willingly gave everything to feed the poor, was of no benefit apart from love. Sacrifice, that would give itself as a martyr to suffer and even die for something or someone, was of no profit without love. All of our spiritual gifts and acts of Christian service are meaningless unless motivated by sincere, godly love.
 
II. THE NATURE OF LOVE (1 Cor. 13:4-7)

Paul wrote that God’s love is patient - it doesn’t give up, but rather waits. It is kind - gentle, caring, and courteous. It isn’t jealous or envious - it doesn’t desire what it doesn’t have. God’s love doesn’t brag, boast, or vaunt itself - on the contrary, it is quiet and sober. Likewise, it is not arrogant or proud, inflated or puffed up, but rather is humble and unassuming.

Paul stated that God’s love does not act unbecomingly or unseemly - it doesn’t force itself on others. It does not seek its own or demand its own way, but rather is considerate, thoughtful, and submissive. It is not easily provoked or stirred to anger - it doesn’t fly off the handle. God’s love doesn't take into account a wrong suffered - rather it forgives and doesn’t keep score. It doesn’t take pleasure or delight in the sin or hurt of others.

Paul said that God’s love rejoices in the truth - it believes and stands on the truth as opposed to lies or deception. It can carry or bear every weight and burden. It trusts in the LORD fully and wholeheartedly. God’s love is hopeful - always looking forward to greater things to come and the fulfillment of His promises. It endures all things - persevering to the end.

III. THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE (1 Cor. 13:8-13)

Paul declared that God’s love never fails - it never dies. It always overcomes whatever obstacles it encounters and will triumph in the end. The gift of prophecy will someday be unnecessary, the gift of tongues will cease, and the gift of knowledge will be no more. For now our prophecies are partial and our knowledge is incomplete, but when the Lord comes these unknown mysteries will be made fully known.

Paul compared our present condition to childhood. Like a child, our speech, our thinking, and our reasoning is limited. Notice these childish behaviors are akin to the gifts of tongues, knowledge, and prophecy that Paul just spoke of. Children lack the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of adults. But when they grow older and more mature, they (in most cases) move beyond their childish ways. In a similar manner, someday our imperfect understanding and perception of God will be made perfect.

Paul then compared our present condition to someone beholding themselves in a mirror dimly. Our vision is somewhat obscured and unclear due to the lack of light. But when Christ comes, we will see Him clearly and personally, face-to-face, as His light will shine brilliantly. We will know Him fully, just as He knows us.

Paul urged the Corinthians, and for that matter all Christians, to abide in faith, hope, and love, but concluded that the greatest of these 3 virtues is love. Someday our faith will be replaced with fact. We will see Jesus personally. Someday our hopes will be fully realized and fulfilled. His promises will be kept, His judgments rendered, and His blessings received. In that day, all that will remain is love and we will dwell in Christ’s love for all of eternity.

CONCLUSION

God’s love gives our spiritual gifts meaning and value. Without it, our gifts and ministry become worthless. Again, as we’ve seen Paul emphasize throughout this letter, it's not so much what we do per se, but rather why we do it. Love should drive our speech, our thoughts, our choices, and our behaviors. Love for God and for one another is the most important factor.

When I think about the difference between God’s love and man’s love, 2 verses always come to  mind. Originally, God taught that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. This can be likened to loving others with the same level of human love that we have for ourselves. But when Jesus gave His life at Calvary to forgive our sins, the Lord taught that we should love others as Christ loved us - sacrificially and selflessly. In other words, God’s love extends beyond that of even oneself. It places others first.

Love is “the more excellent way” that Paul referenced at the end of chapter 12. In fact, my friends, it is the most excellent way. May all of us strive to love as God loves, to be motivated by and filled with His love in all we say and do, and to show it and share it unashamedly everyday.

This week Calvary Baptist is conducting its 11th annual fall revival.  Dr. Chad Edgington, the senior pastor at FBC Olney, is leading the services.  He is preaching a series of 4 messages titled "Salvation's Song: The Gospel in Isaiah".  Music will be led by the FBC Olney worship team.  Our regular Sunday morning messages will resume next Sunday as we continue through 1st Corinthians.  In the meantime, please pray with us for revival, not only among the people at Calvary, but in the hearts and lives of Christians everywhere. 

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. - Romans 12:4-5

Last Sunday we began a discussion about spiritual gifts. We learned that every born again believer is given 1 or more spiritual gifts to be used in the ministry of the LORD. These gifts are bestowed by the Holy Spirit in accordance with God’s will. There are a variety of spiritual gifts which include wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophecy, healings, miracles, discernment, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, and more.

In today’s sermon, Paul will use an analogy to help further explain the subject of spiritual gifts. He uses this same analogy in a few of his other epistles as well. I have titled this message, “The Body of Christ”. It is the 21st installment of our current sermon series through the Corinthian letters. 

I. ONE BODY (1 Cor. 12:12-14)

Paul stated that all believers - whether they be Jew or Greek, slave or free - are baptized by 1 Spirit into 1 body. When a repentant sinner receives Jesus unto salvation they are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. We recognize and understand this body to be the universal (worldwide) church. Every individual Christian is a member of this body, and thus there are many members, yet there is just 1 body or church. Jesus is the head of this magnificent body.
 
II. MEMBERS OF THE BODY (1 Cor. 12:15-26)

Using this imagery, Paul made several distinct observations about the body and its members.

First, regardless of how an individual member might feel about itself, it is still part of the body. Paul wrote, for example, that a foot would still be a part of the body even though it wasn’t a hand. An ear would still be a part of the body even though it wasn’t an eye. The point is that every member is a part of the whole, without exception, whether or not they think they are or even want to be. We simply cannot function appropriately as individual appendages or organs detached from the body. We as Christians are intended to be part of the church - to be in fellowship with one another and to use our spiritual gifts in conjunction with each other.

Second, each member of the body needs the other members. There is an interdependency among the various members of the body. Paul explained that the eyes need the ears, just as the ears need the eyes. The hands need the feet, just as the feet need the hands. If every member was the same, the body could not function properly. The point is that every member of the church is different by design, according to God’s sovereign will, and is reliant on one another. We are a family - a community - that have been called and equipped to work together.

Third, each member of the body should be ascribed significance and worth. Paul stated that some members may seem weaker, less honorable, or less presentable than others - especially from an earthly perspective - but all are extremely important. God has esteemed each member so as not to create division within the body. The point is that the contribution and service of every member of the church is valuable. We as members of the Lord’s church should not be comparing ourselves with other Christians and making judgments about who is greater and who is most needed. Instead, we should practice our spiritual gifts with humility by showing sincere care and concern for one another. It's not a competition!

Fourth, the condition of each member of the body affects all of the others. Paul observed that if 1 member suffers, all of the other members suffer with it. Likewise, if 1 member rejoices, all the other members rejoice with it. For example, when I have a headache, my whole body is pretty much out of commission. When I stub my toe, pain shoots all the way up through me. The point is that when we hurt one another as Christians, we hurt ourselves. When we nurture and strengthen one another as Christians, we nurture and strengthen ourselves.  We tend to rise and fall together. Our participation and behavior in the church - whether for good or for bad - has a direct and meaningful impact on the body as a whole.

III. INDIVIDUAL GIFTS (1 Cor. 12:27-31)

Again Paul repeated the analogy - just as our physical body is made up of many individual parts, so also the Body of Christ (ie, the church) is made up of many individual members (ie, Christians). Each of these Christians had been gifted differently to serve the LORD in a variety of ways. Paul asked a series of questions to point out this diversity.

Some were called to be apostles who led and firmly established the burgeoning Christian church. Some were called to be prophets who publicly declared the revelations and truth of God. Some were called to be teachers who carefully explained the LORD’s word and helped disciple His followers. Some were gifted with supernatural abilities to heal, perform miracles, or speak in or interpret tongues (languages). Some were called to be helpers who performed the mundane, ongoing tasks of the church with humility and grace. Some were called to be administrators who worked to ensure that the church was organized and functioning properly. Everyone was gifted, but not in the same way.

Paul urged the Corinthians to earnestly desire the “greater gifts”. Having just spoken at length about the importance of all spiritual gifts and how God ascribes value to each of them in order to eliminate division in the body, it seems odd that Paul would now describe some gifts as greater than others. This would undermine his previous teaching and exacerbate their competitive approach toward spiritual giftedness. Instead, Paul seemed to be urging the Corinthians to utilize their varied gifts in a “greater” or more effective manner. He stated that he would, in the verses to come, show them a more excellent way of utilizing their spiritual gifts.

CONCLUSION

As Christians, we collectively make up the Body of Christ - the church of God. Each of us are individual members of the body who have been uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord in some capacity. We share a mutual responsibility to one another and all of us are necessary for the proper functioning of the whole. Every Christian matters to the church, and it cannot operate at its peak effectiveness unless every member participates and is engaged. My friends, this is a team sport. We need each other and should show due honor and appreciation for one another. We are all co-labors in Christ, branches of the same Vine, and siblings in the family of God.

Last Sunday I closed the message by asking us to consider the question, “What are my spiritual gifts?” This morning, I want us to go a step farther and ask, “How am I using my gifts to serve the body of Christ?” Beloved, your contributions to the church are critically important - your prayers, your attendance, your service, your giving, your input, your encouragement - all of it. Don’t withhold the gifts that God has blessed you with - use them to strengthen and edify the body!

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  - 1 Peter 4:10

Welcome to Calvary Baptist Church! It is great to be with you in the Lord’s house again this Sunday. Before we begin this morning’s message, let’s quickly review some of the main themes we’ve talked about in 1 Corinthians so far:

A healthy church is not divided by various, competing factions within its congregation.
A healthy church follows the wisdom of God rather than the wisdom of man.
A healthy church relies on the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
A healthy church is not indifferent to blatant, open sinfulness within its congregation.
A healthy church has a proper understanding of sexual immorality and the use of the body.
A healthy church respects and promotes a Biblical understanding of marriage.
A healthy church and its members practice Christian Liberty in a mutually edifying way.
A healthy church respects and adheres to God’s creative order.
A healthy church observes the Lord’s Supper in a reverent and courteous manner.

This morning, and for the next few weeks, we are going to be discussing spiritual gifts. This is the main topic of chapters 12-14. So open your Bibles and let’s get started…

I. THE NEED FOR SOUND TEACHING (1 Cor. 12:1-3)

Paul introduced the next major point of emphasis in his letter - namely, spiritual gifts. Apparently there was confusion, ignorance, and even misuse of spiritual gifts being promoted and practiced by some within the church at Corinth. Paul stated that he didn’t want the Corinthians to be unaware of or lack a proper understanding of this critical topic.

Paul acknowledged that the Corinthians had come from a pagan background. They had grown up worshiping idols. Though their idols couldn’t speak, still they were led astray by them. This being the case, it was all the more understandable how they could be easily led astray by the charismatic utterances of false prophets. This is why Paul needed to give them sound teaching.

Just because their leaders claimed to be speaking by the Spirit of God didn’t necessarily mean that they were. Those who “cursed” Jesus by questioning His character, undermining His authority, and/or contradicting His commands were not speaking by the Holy Spirit. Those who truly speak by the Spirit submit themselves to the lordship of Christ in both word and deed.

II. SOME BASIC INFORMATION (1 Cor. 12:4-7,11)

Paul explained that there are a variety of spiritual gifts, yet they all are given by the same Spirit. In the same way, there were a variety of Christian ministries, yet all in service of the same Lord. The varied spiritual gifts enabled Christians to serve in differing ways, yet God empowered their work and results. All 3 Persons of the Trinity are present in this process - the Holy Spirit gifts Christians for ministry, Jesus calls Christians into and then leads them in ministry, and God the Father strengthens and sustains Christians for and during ministry.

When a person places their faith in Jesus Christ and receives salvation, the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence within them. Among other things, the Spirit gives them 1 or more spiritual gifts to be used for Christian service. Each believer is uniquely and individually gifted and equipped for their particular calling. The various manifestations of the Spirit are given for the common good. They are to be used in humble submission to Christ for the edification of His church and its ministry to the world.

III. A PARTIAL LIST OF GIFTS (1 Cor. 12:8-10)

In this passage, Paul listed 9 distinct spiritual gifts. Just so you know, there are other spiritual gifts mentioned elsewhere in the Bible besides these. There is no single, all-inclusive list of the spiritual gifts found anywhere in Scripture. Thus, many different spiritual gift inventories have been developed and put forward over the years. Some include differing gifts and/or numbers of gifts than others. I have found several of them to be quite credible and useful. For the sake of this message, let’s deal with only those gifts specifically named in this chapter.

Wisdom - A deep level of understanding and/or insight which enables a person to perceive and speak to situations from a godly perspective.

Knowledge - A heightened ability to comprehend and remember the revealed truths of God as recorded in the Bible.

Faith - A strong, unshakable confidence in God as it applies to everyday living. While all Christians have “saving faith”, the gift of faith pertains to a freedom from worry and anxiety on earth.

Healing - A miraculous ability to physically heal another person instantaneously.

Miracles - A miraculous ability to perform supernatural feats.

Prophecy - An ability to declare God’s truth, proclaim His will, and interpret His purposes in a compelling and influential manner.

Distinguishing of Spirits - An intuitive ability to rightly discern the truth (that is of God) from lies or deceptions (that are of Satan).

Speaking in Tongues - A miraculous ability to speak in a language that is previously unknown to the speaker.

Interpretation of Tongues - A miraculous ability to understand a language that is previously unknown to the listener. 

CONCLUSION

If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit has endowed you with at least 1 spiritual gift. Your gift or gifts uniquely enable you to fulfill the ministry or purpose that God has called you to. Have you ever taken the time to seriously pray about and identify your spiritual gifts? How has God individually equipped and designed you for His service? Are you using your gifts to reach the potential that God has for your life, or are they being wasted? Do you recognize and value the spiritual gifts of others who are different from you and understand the complementary nature of these gifts?

Beloved, we are all called to serve the Lord. To that end, each of us is gifted to serve Him by the generous bestowing of the Holy Spirit. When we discover and serve God in a manner that is consistent with our own unique giftedness, we often find greater contentment, satisfaction, and success. So, what are your spiritual gifts?

They [the early church] were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. - Acts 2:42

Good morning, beloved. The following message is the 19th in our current sermon series, “The Messed Up Church: Paul’s Letters to Corinth”. We have already addressed several issues that were impacting the church in Corinth. The later half of 1 Corinthians 11 deals with the Lord’s Supper. In this passage, Paul provides helpful information for both churches who administer the ordinance and those individuals who partake of it.

I. PAUL’S CONCERN (1 Cor. 11:17-22)

Before giving instruction on this issue, Paul first stated a serious concern. Based upon the reports he’d received, Paul was fairly convinced that divisions among the congregation were having a significant and detrimental effect on the Corinthian church. His hope was that those who were acting in an approved manner would become evident and serve as an example to those who were not. This was particularly true as it pertained to their observance of the Lord’s Supper.

When the church met to observe the Lord’s Supper, their behavior resembled something else altogether! Rather than conducting a dignified ordinance, many treated it like a regular meal or even a festive banquet. Some even brought additional food items to supplement the elements. They were selfishly indulging themselves in the lavish spread to the point that some were left out. Still others went so far as to get drunk on the wine. Paul strongly rebuked the Corinthians for acting so shamefully. Perhaps such behavior might be acceptable in their own homes, but it was quite disgraceful in the church and completely inconsiderate of the poor who had nothing to eat.   

II. THE LORD’S PRECEDENT  (1 Cor. 11:23 -26)

To provide them some direction, Paul restated the historical account of the first observance of the Lord’s Supper. On the night before His arrest, while sharing the Passover meal with the apostles, Jesus took some bread, gave thanks for it, broke it, and gave it to them to eat. He said, “This is My body, which is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.” Then He took the cup, blessed it, and gave each of them a drink, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (Matthew 26:26-30, Luke 22:14-20, Mark 14:22-26)

Paul stated that the purpose of the Lord’s supper was twofold. First, it was a memorial of Jesus’ brutal and substitutionary death on the cross through which the new covenant of grace was established. Second, it was to proclaim and anticipate His coming again. The Corinthians were not told often to observe the Lord’s Supper, but they were instructed to conduct it with the proper reverence whenever they did administer it.

Various Christian denominations and churches differ slightly upon the procedure and/or frequency with which they observe the Lord’s Supper. Some partake of it weekly, others monthly, and still others even less frequently. There are minor variations from church to church in the manner that the elements are distributed, the exact types of bread and wine (or juice) that are used, and the inclusion of other events during the observance.  These details are not expressly prescribed in Scripture and are left to the church’s discretion - so long as the main emphasis is maintained.      

III. THE PARTICIPANT’S OBLIGATION (1 Cor. 11:27-32)

Next Paul addressed the behavior of the people who participated in the Lord’s Supper. He warned that whoever partook of the bread or cup in an unworthy manner was guilty of profaning the body and blood of Christ. To be clear, Paul was talking about the flippant and irreverent manner with which the Corinthians were observing the Lord’s Supper - not the depravity of their condition due to sin. The truth is, all of us are unworthy of the Lord’s love, grace, and forgiveness. Only in Christ are we made righteous. As such, our condition does not exclude us from partaking of the Lord’s Supper, so long as we conduct ourselves with due honor and respect.

Each individual who participates in the Lord’s Supper should take time before and during the observance to sincerely examine themselves. This is a special occasion for reflection and introspection. Those who participate in the Lord’s Supper should carefully consider, identify, and repent of unconfessed sin in their lives so that they might partake of the elements in a holy and righteous manner. They should also solemnly consider what the meal represents and should behave accordingly.

Those who participate in the Lord's Supper without any regard for its significance or for their own sinfulness put themselves at risk. Paul stated that many were sick, weak, or had even died as a result of their callous and indifferent approach to the Lord’s Supper. He stated that when we as Christians fail to rightly judge and discipline ourselves, the Lord disciplines us so that we will not be condemned with the rest of the world. 

IV. PAUL’S CORRECTIVE INSTRUCTIONS (1 Cor. 11:33-34)

Finally, Paul gave the Corinthians 2 specific directives. First, he told them to be courteous and patiently wait for one another whenever they observed the Lord’s Supper. They were to ensure that no one who wished to participate was excluded. Second, they were not to misuse the Lord’s Supper as a means to satisfy their appetites. Paul told them to eat at home if they were hungry, and to partake of the Lord’s Supper as an act of reverent worship. He concluded that he’d give them additional instructions and arrange any remaining matters as necessary when he came.

CONCLUSION

The Lord’s Supper is 1 of the 2 ordinances of the church, with baptism being the other. Jesus instituted it and instructed His disciples to continue observing it after He had gone. As we have read this morning, Paul gave instructions to the church for the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper. While baptism is for individual believers, the Lord’s Supper is a corporate act of the entire congregation.   

As we have discussed on several previous occasions, our church recognizes The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our denominational statement of faith. Concerning the Lord’s Supper it states: “The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.”

This morning, we are going to conclude our service by conducting the Lord’s Supper. This ordinance is for Christians only - for members of His church. As we prepare, I’d ask that each of us, myself included, approach this holy ordinance as an act of wholehearted worship. My prayer is that we would examine ourselves, repent of any unconfessed sin, and then partake of the elements in a sincere and reverent manner “in remembrance of” Jesus.

May the Lord bless you.

But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. - Revelation 2:20

A few weeks ago, we introduced a new section of Paul’s letter to Corinth. It began with the phrase, “Now concerning things sacrificed to idols…” (1 Corinthians 8:1). For the past 2 ½ chapters Paul has been dealing with this topic from the broader perspective of Christian liberty. He has already taught that, in Christ, all believers enjoy freedom from the Law made possible by God’s amazing grace. We have been freed to walk in this liberty as we choose. Paul has provided examples detailing both the proper and improper use of this liberty. Now, as he wraps up his discussion of this issue, Paul returns back to the specific question at hand and gives his final answer.

I. PERCEPTION IS REALITY (1 Corinthians 10:14-22)

In the preceding paragraphs, Paul recalled how the children of Israel sinned against God and died in the wilderness. Citing them as an example, Paul warned the Corinthians to flee from idolatry. He asked them to thoughtfully consider the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper. When believers drink of the cup and eat of the bread, they are symbolically sharing in the blood and body of Christ. All Christians eat of the same bread and in so doing partake of the same body. In this sense, everyone who participates in the Lord’s Supper identifies themselves with Christ and his Body - which is the Church.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites offered sacrifices to God on the altar in either the tabernacle or temple. Depending on the type of sacrifice, both the person who brought it and the priest who offered it shared potions of it. The principle was that those who partook of the sacrifice identified themselves with the One for whom it was given. Although idols were powerless and the gods that they represented didn’t actually exist, the perception remained. Truth be told, the Gentiles’ sacrifices to idols were actually being made to demons.

So, by consuming things that had been sacrificed to idols, the Corinthians were being perceived by some as sharing in demons. Whether actually true or not, this was what some people thought. Paul pointed out the obvious contradiction of partaking from both the Lord’s Supper and the table of demons. Why would a believer provoke God in this way? Would you pick a fight with someone infinitely bigger and stronger than you are? Such behavior doesn’t seem very smart.

II. TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT (1 Corinthians 10:23-30)

Paul restated a point that he had made earlier in this letter: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.” (1 Corinthians  6:12) Just because we can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for or edifying to the body. Rather than immediately seeking our own well-being, we should first consider how our choices will affect and be perceived by others.

With these considerations in mind, Paul instructed the Corinthians to eat anything sold in the meat market without asking questions. They didn’t need to worry about whether it had been sacrificed to idols or not, because ultimately it had been created by God for the good of mankind (Psalm 24:1). Meat is just meat. Furthermore, if any of them accepted an invitation from an unbeliever to go and eat, they should do so without concerning themselves about whether the food had been sacrificed to idols or not.

However, if someone declared that the meat had been sacrificed to idols and was troubled that it had been, then Paul advised the Corinthians not to eat it. They were to abstain not because the meat was actually bad or defiling, but rather for the sake of the one who perceived it to be. Again, they were to show regard to the conscience of their brethren.

Paul asked, “Why should a Christian allow their freedom to be judged or limited by the thoughts of another person?” He continued, “Why should a Christian be slandered for eating anything that they gave thanks for?” The answer to these questions is… love. We should voluntarily sacrifice our rights in Christ as necessary for the sake of the gospel and for the good of our fellow man. 

III. GLORIFY GOD (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)

In the end, the question of whether or not a person should eat or drink things which have been sacrificed to an idol is not essential to salvation or the gospel. Therefore, Paul explained the pros and cons of both options. Whichever they chose, and in fact whatever they did, all things were to be done to the glory of God. This echoes his previous and related teaching that believers should glorify God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Paul urged the Corinthians not to give offense to others - whether Jew or Greek. Nor should they callously give offense to anyone in the church. People can be easily offended - especially in modern times - by the things that others do or say. While the gospel message itself is offensive to some, and rightly so, the messengers of the gospel should not be. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it should never be communicated hurtfully in either word or deed. In short, we must share and live the truth in love.

Thus, Paul strived to live a life that was pleasing (or non-offensive) to others. Rather than seeking his own profit, he prioritized that of others. His hope was that perhaps, by choosing to sacrifice some of his own liberties, he could better position himself to point others to Christ. This is the ultimate end game, that we as believers shine the light of Jesus in everything that we say and do so that the lost might be saved and that the saved might grow on their faith.

CONCLUSION

On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a few weeks after He had risen from the dead, Jesus told the apostle Peter 3 times, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Think about these words for a moment. The Lord was telling Peter to serve Him not out of obligation or duty, but rather out of sincere love. This concept is true for all born again Christians.

Jesus taught that all of the Old Testament Law and prophets could be summed up with 2 simple commandments. First, we are to love the LORD with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Second, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. In keeping with this pair of commandments, everything we say and do should be motivated by love. Beloved, love should be the determining factor for all of the choices that we make. Ask yourselves - how well do my decisions and corresponding actions express love for God and for other people?

As chapter 10 comes to a close, Paul concludes his emphasis on Christian liberty. Having been saved by God’s grace, we as believers are free to live as we choose. The question is… how will we exercise and practice this freedom?

Starting next week, we will move on to a new topic. Paul will address a few specific issues that were taking place in Corinth during their weekly church gatherings. In the meantime, may the Lord bless and keep you until we meet again.

They [Israel] did not keep the covenant of God and refused to walk in His law; They forgot His deeds and His miracles that He had shown them. - Psalm 78:10-11

Everyone who accepts Jesus by faith and receives the salvation that He graciously offers is set free from the power and penalty of sin. Their salvation is securely anchored in the finished work of Christ, and is not dependent on their own works or efforts to earn and retain God’s favor. Thus, all born again believers are blessed with Christian liberty and are not subject to the burdensome obligations of the Law.

Paul introduced this concept back in chapter 8 as he began to answer the Corinthians’ question about whether or not it was okay to consume things that had been sacrificed to idols. He taught that idols were meaningless and echoed the sentiment of Jesus who said that it isn’t what goes into a man’s mouth, but what comes out of it that defiles him. However, though these things are true, Paul concluded that our love for one another must take precedence over our knowledge of what is and isn’t allowable.

Then in chapter 9 Paul cited himself as an example of someone who voluntarily surrendered some of his own Christian liberties for the sake of the gospel. He chose to remain unmarried, though he certainly had the right to marry, as it freed him to focus more on God. He chose to preach and serve the LORD without demanding compensation for his work, so as not to hinder the effectiveness and spread of the message. He approached his ministry with purpose and discipline, lovingly engaging with various people groups, in hopes that many would turn to Christ.

In chapter 10, which we will begin studying this morning, Paul wraps up his emphasis on Christian liberty. Having offered himself as an example in chapter 9, Paul now gives a counterexample. He describes a group of people who didn’t sacrifice their rights, but rather chose to continue sinning even after they’d been delivered by God. 

I. GOD’S GOODNESS (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)

Paul reminded his readers of the Israelites whom God had rescued from the oppressive hands of the Egyptians centuries earlier. During the exodus, the LORD was visibly present with them as He led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). God even parted the waters of the Red Sea, allowing them to pass through on dry ground, so that they could escape the pursuing army of Pharaoh (Exodus 14).

In a sense, the Red Sea crossing was an early picture of baptism, in that the Hebrew Children went into the waters as runaway slaves and came out as those who’d been liberated. This baptism of sorts most literally identified them with Moses who can be thought of as a type of Christ. Notice how this allusion harkens back to Paul’s earlier discussion about division and that all believers are baptized in the name of Jesus.

In addition, God provided manna for the Children of Israel to eat (Exodus 16; Numbers 11) and water for them to drink (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-13). The rock from which the water flowed symbolized Jesus. He is our Rock, not to mention our daily bread and living water. Jesus is our provision and sustenance.

Yet even in the light of all of these amazing things - God’s deliverance, His manifest presence, His direction, His protection, and His provision - most of the Israelites still chose to grumble and sin against God. Though some - a select few - remained faithful and obedient, the majority did not and were, in turn, very displeasing to the LORD. Their rebellion provoked God’s judgment, and they were condemned to wander around and die in the wilderness.
  
II. ISRAEL’S DISOBEDIENCE (1 Corinthians 10:6-11)

Paul used the Hebrew Children as an example for the Corinthians and for all believers in every generation since. He warned them (and us) not to crave evil as their fathers had done. Paul then listed 3 specific sins that Israel committed.

First, many of them descended into idolatry. The premiere example of this was when they crafted and worshiped a golden calf while Moses tarried on Mt. Sinai. The verse Paul cited here comes directly from that troubling account (Exodus 32:6). Second, they committed sexual immorality. An example of this was when they practiced harlotry with the daughters of Moab and Phinehas zealously intervened (Numbers 24). Third, they constantly tested and grumbled against God. On a particular occasion, God sent poisonous snakes into the camp to silence their doubts and complaints (Numbers 21:4-9).

Many of the Corinthians were choosing to practice these same behaviors. They were repeating the sins of their fathers and continuing to walk in the same types of disobedience. Though God had set them free through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, they kept lusting after evil. If they persisted in making bad choices, God would be justified in punishing them also.

III. OUR CHOICE (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

Paul warned the Corinthians not to become overconfident or arrogant. Being professing Christians did not exempt them from the alluring dangers of sin. They needed to be careful and avoid the sinful ways of the past, lest they fall. The same can be said for all Christians.

Finally, Paul stated that no temptation had come upon them that was not common to man. In other words, they were not facing temptations that others didn’t or hadn’t faced.  God promised not to tempt them beyond their ability to resist. Some people paraphrase this verse by saying, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” While I understand their meaning, I prefer to say, “God will not give you more than He can handle when you submit yourself to Him”.

God also promised to provide a way of escape in every temptation, so that the Christian being tempted would always have a choice. In other words, we are never so hopelessly overcome by temptation that sinning is our only option. Sometimes a person might find themselves in a “no-win” situation where they are forced to choose between “the lesser of 2 evils”. However, if they back track the decisions that led them there, they will find that God did afford them a chance to escape earlier and they failed to take it.

Finally, even when a believer submits themselves to the Lord and successfully overcomes temptation, they are not freed from its lingering presence. The promise is that God will enable us to endure the presence of temptation, not necessarily be removed from it. In this life, though we should certainly try to avoid it, we will always face temptation to some degree or another.

CONCLUSION

As we close this morning, I want to bring us back to the main point of discussion. As the redeemed children of God, we have been blessed with Christian liberty. We are saved by His great grace and covered by the righteousness of our Lord Jesus. As Christians, we are free to make our own decisions. However, there are still consequences for our choices. The Children of Israel illustrate this quite well. Like them, if we use our freedom selfishly, stubbornly, and/or sinfully we will surely suffer the discipline of God.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. - Mark 8:35

In the first half of chapter 9, Paul defended his office as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He had personally seen and been called to be an apostle by the Lord Himself, just as the other apostles had been. As such, Paul had the same credentials, status, and authority as they did. That being the case, his role as an apostle did not take away from or limit his freedom in Christ. Paul enjoyed the same level of Christian liberty as every other born again believer.

Among other things, Paul had the right to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols, to marry a Christian wife if desired, and to expect and receive adequate compensation for his work. He explained that gospel ministry is legitimate work and that vocational ministers should be able to make their living from it. Paul had the same rights as the rest of the Corinthians.

We as God’s children all have the same freedom, but we don’t not all use it in the same way. In that later half of chapter 9, which we will discuss today, Paul describes how he chose to use his Christian liberty. He explains why he chose to use it this way and what attributes it took to keep his liberty in submission to and aligned with God’s will.
     
I. I DIDN’T EXERCISE MY RIGHT (1 Corinthians 9:12,15-18)

Paul had shown that he, like other vocational apostles and ministers, had the right to be compensated for his gospel service. Take it from me, Christian ministry can be very difficult work. However, he chose not to exercise this right (or the others he’d mentioned) and didn’t insist on being paid. He wasn’t writing this section of his letter to complain that he deserved to be paid. Nor did he request back pay for work he had previously done. He didn’t want to give his critics any reason to chastise him.

Rather, Paul stated that he willingly preached the gospel without pay. God had set him apart for this purpose and Paul faithfully obeyed. He didn’t preach from personal desire or ambition, but rather in submission to the LORD’s calling. His primary motivation wasn’t to make money, but to follow God’s will for his life. Stubborn resistance would have been foolish. Paul wrote that he had been entrusted with a stewardship by the LORD to share the good news of salvation.

Paul said that it was his reward to offer the gospel without charge. He didn’t want money or any other thing to become a hindrance to the gospel. To that end, Paul worked as a tentmaker to provide for himself and to fund his ministry. Of course he accepted monetary contributions and financial support from generous churches and individuals when it was given, but he didn’t demand it in exchange for or as a requirement of his Christian service. He trusted the LORD to provide for his needs and didn’t exert his right to be paid. 

II. FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Paul, like every other born again Christian, had been set free from the demands and expectations of men. As believers, we answer to God alone and are not constrained or condemned by the opinions of other people. They hold no jurisdiction over us to judge, nor do we hold such jurisdiction over them. In the light of God’s grace, we are free to live as we choose. Should we even care what others think about us? Paul did.

Paul made it his aim to serve all people by identifying with them and their particular circumstances. He chose to engage with people where they were and tried to relate to them in their context. Rather than insisting that they come to him on his terms, Paul approached them on theirs. While remaining obedient to God, he associated with and was accepted by the Jews, the Gentiles, the religious, the nonreligious, the prestigious, the lowly, and so forth. He sought to understand their perspective and appreciate their beliefs while showing them compassion and empathy.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” There is Biblical truth in this statement. Paul knew that if he showed genuine love and care for others, they would be more inclined to listen to what He had to say. If he maintained a friendly rapport with them, perhaps they would accept Jesus, repent, and be saved. Paul freely surrendered certain personal liberties and opened himself up to new burdens and challenges all for the sake of the gospel.

III. WITH DISCIPLINE AND PURPOSE (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Paul compared life to running a race and urged Christians to run in such a way that they might win. He was not implying that life is a contest in which we race against each other, nor that only the winner will receive a prize. Rather, he is talking about the manner in which we run. We are called to strive for godly success, to live with purpose, and not to walk lazily or aimlessly through life. God has tasked each of us with a great work that we should aspire to.

Accomplishing the will of God for our lives takes self-control. We cannot be sidetracked by personal or worldly ambitions. We are striving for an eternal reward - an imperishable wreath (or victor’s crown) - given to us by God Himself. Paul recognized this and approached life with a definite goal. He aimed to hit his target, not just to swing at nothing.

Living with purpose takes discipline. We must exhibit control over our flesh - both body and mind. We must be mindful of the choices we make and the things we do, so as to walk in God’s will and not hinder our own race. If we aren’t careful and lack personal restraint, we might destroy our own witness and effectively disqualify ourselves. Paul practiced godly discipline and lived with intentionality and purpose, and in so doing he freely sacrificed some of his Christian liberty.

CONCLUSION

If you have been saved by the all-forgiving grace of God then you have been set free! You don’t have to do anything in order to maintain your salvation. It is secure in Christ Jesus and no one or nothing can take it away from you. You can live with the confidence and certainty that you are eternally saved. There is nothing left to do, for Jesus has already done it all. It is finished!

The question isn’t, “Can I do this or not?” Beloved, we have been set free! We can do whatever we choose and Jesus will love us just the same. His grace is not limited by our actions. Rather, the correct question is, “Should I do this or not?” Our freedoms should always be guided and tempered by love for the LORD and for one another. The manner in which we use our Christian liberty demonstrates how much we love God as opposed to how much we love ourselves.

Here is the main point… Christians do not serve God out of compulsion, but rather by choice. Will we use our freedom to gratify ourselves? Or, will we sacrifice certain freedoms in order to exalt and magnify the LORD while edifying and strengthening one another?

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28

In last week’s message, Paul answered the Corinthians’ question regarding whether or not to consume things that had been sacrificed to idols. However, his answer was not as straightforward as they might have expected it to be. He did not reply with either a simple “yes, you can” or “no, you can’t”. Instead, he addressed the question from the standpoint of Christian Liberty.

As born again believers, we have been set free from sin and the requirements of the Jewish Law. Consistent with Jesus’ teachings, we are free to engage in whatever activities we choose. That said, we should consider how our behaviors affect others and our own witness. To that end, we should voluntarily abstain from certain activities that would cause offense or be a “stumbling block” to others. Our prevailing motivation should be sincere love for one another rather than insistence on personal freedoms or rights.

Paul reasoned that it does not physically or spiritually defile a person to eat or drink that which has been sacrificed to an idol. In this respect, the Corinthians were free to eat. However, if doing so would hinder or harm the faith of their brethren, they should choose to abstain. In this respect, they would not eat. Thus, the answer to the question was dependent upon certain variables. Such is the nature of Christian Liberty - it’s not always a black or white decision.

We have already seen evidence in this letter that some of the leaders in Corinth were openly doubting and casting dispersion on Paul and his teachings (1 Corinthians 4:18-21). In today’s message, Paul will defend himself against those who are questioning his liberty by asking several rhetorical questions. His main point - just as they have been set free in Christ, so has he.

I. I AM AN APOSTLE (1 Corinthians 9:1-2)

Paul had just spoken about the freedom that the Corinthians had in Christ. He asked, “Am I not free also?” The answer - of course he was. As a born again believer, Paul had the same freedoms that they are every other Christian have. Apparently, there were some who questioned Paul about this. Perhaps they thought that, because he was a “preacher”, there were certain limits placed on him that they themselves weren’t bound by. Isn’t it funny how Christians hold those in the ministry to a higher standard than they hold themselves to?

He asked, “Am I not an apostle?” and “Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” The answers - yes, Paul was an apostle and yes, he had seen the Lord. Jesus called Paul to be an apostle during a personal encounter with him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). The apostles were those who were personally chosen and sent by Jesus during and immediately following His earthly ministry in the first century to establish the church by proclaiming the gospel message to the world. While we still have missionaries and traveling evangelists today, there are no more apostles.

Shifting his focus to the Corinthians, Paul asked them, ”Are you not my work in the Lord?” The answer - sure they were. God had used Paul to plant their church. The fact that they existed at all was strong evidence of his calling as an apostle. While there might be other Christian churches who questioned Paul’s office because they had no connection to him, this was certainly not the case for the church at Corinth.  

II. APOSTLES HAVE RIGHTS (1 Corinthians 9:3-7)

Paul was an apostle, but his apostleship did not negate his Christian liberty. Paul asked, “Do we not have a right to eat and drink?” It would seem most reasonable that this question referred back to the subject of consuming things that had been sacrificed to idols which he’d just discussed in chapter 8. The answer - of course they had the same right. Paul and Barnabas enjoyed the same privileges as all of the other believers at Corinth.

He continued, “Do we not have the right to marry a Christian wife?” Again, this referred back to a topic he had covered previously in chapter 7 regarding marriage. Many of the other apostles, as well as the brothers of Jesus, and specifically Peter were married. Paul and Barnabas had the same freedom to marry as they did, should they be led to do so.

Next, Paul posed a series of questions pertaining to his service for the Lord. Apparently, there were those who did not consider his ministry to be real work. He asked, “Do only Barnabas and I not have to work?” The answer - no, they had to work just like everyone else, but their Christian service was their work! They were called into vocational ministry - it was their job.

To that end, he asked 3 followup questions: “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?”, “Who plants a vineyard and does not partake of it?”, and “Who tends a flock and does not use its milk?” The answer to these questions - nobody does. Why? Because a worker is entitled to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Apostles were not an exception to this rule. Again, they had the same rights as every other Christian.

III. THE RIGHT TO BE COMPENSATED (1 Corinthians 9:8-11, 13-14)

Following the same line of thought, Paul asked, “Am I speaking from my own judgment or from the Jewish Law?” He then answered himself by quoting Deuteronomy 25:4 which states that, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is threshing.” The most literal meaning of this command is that you shouldn’t prevent an ox from eating some of the grain that it is threshing (trampling to separate). When applied to people, the principle means that workers should be compensated for their labor.

Paul questioned, “Does this command not apply to us?” and “Since we have labored spiritually on your behalf, is it unreasonable that we reap material benefits from you?” The answers - yes, this same principle applies to Paul and Barnabas and yes, they are deserving of compensation from the Corinthians for their service to them. Just as a farmer works with a hopeful expectation to share the crops, so also a laborer for God has a hopeful expectation of sharing in the harvest. 

Finally, Paul asked, “Do you not know that the priests in the temple were permitted to eat of the sacrifices they made?” The Law made provisions for the priests to partake of the old showbread and of certain portions of the offerings they gave. In this way, they received a degree of compensation for their service in the temple. In the same way, God’s direction was that those whose work was to proclaim the gospel were to make their living from doing so. Stated simply, vocational ministers should be adequately paid for their work.

CONCLUSION

Paul began this chapter by defending his office as an apostle. He had personally seen and been called to gospel work by Jesus Christ. Thus, he possessed the same credentials and authority as the other apostles. Even still, he enjoyed the same Christian liberty as every other born again believer. He explained that the freedoms given by Christ do not differ for ministers and laity. If you have been saved, you have the exact same freedoms as every other Christian regardless of your particular station or place in the Body of Christ.

Among other things, Paul had the right to eat whatever he wanted, to marry a Christian woman, and to expect and receive fair compensation for his work. It would not have been unreasonable or inappropriate for him to have done any or all of these things. We all have the same liberties, but we do not all use our liberties the same way. Next week, Paul will discuss how he exercised his liberty and explain why he chose to use it in that way.