To Eat or Not To Eat, That is NOT the Question Part 1

1 Corinthians 8:1-6

CHAPTER 8

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge   makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2   If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

Our actions must be governed by a balance knowledge and love.

Governing principles:
1 – All knowledge is inferior to Christian love vs 1-3

* Knowledge is common to all.
*
* Knowledge is by nature, deceptive
* Knowledge of God does not give us a right understanding of God.

2 – Biblical knowledge provides us with an accurate view of God vs 4-6

*
* reveals that there is only one God
* always leads us back to affirming Jesus

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Resources:
The Peacemaker
Peacemaking for Families

Four G’s of peacemaking
Four point conflict resolution system

1 Glorify God
2 Get the log out of your own eye
3 Gently restore
4 Go and be reconciled

In a conflict, ask yourself “How can I glorify and honor God?”

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32   Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

How can I show the work of Jesus in me by acknowledging my contribution to the conflict and how I can change ?

Matthew 7:3-5

3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Luke 6:41-42

41 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Our Words
Our Actions
Our Attitudes and Motives

7 a’s of confession

1 Address everyone involved as needed
2 Avoid – if, but, and maybe
3 Admit specifically
4 Apologize
5 Accept the consequences
6 Alter your behavior
7 Ask for forgiveness and allow time

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Sermon20110424 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Those Who Died in Christ

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a   shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
(NASB)

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Benefits
1 no need to grieve, those who die in Christ are sleeping.
2 we can have confidence in Christ’s resurrection.
3 we will be joined with those asleep at the rapture, we will not miss out.

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1 Corinthians 7:8-16

8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.
9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband
11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her.
13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.
15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us  to peace.
16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

1- Be Committed to your spouse
2- Mutuality yes autonomy no
3 -Beware the danger of depriving your spouse conjugal privileges

Three more Principals
1-For the single remain single , unless self control is an issue
2-For the married, stay married.
3-For the unequally yoked……..

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