1 CORINTHIANS 10:23-11:1 - WEEK 3 - WE OVER ME

WEEK 3 - WE OVER ME

Saturday

1 CORINTHIANS 10:23-11:1

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”— but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

The Apostle Paul wraps up this whole line of thought that started in chapter 8 with the overarching conclusion: use your freedom for the glory of God. By beginning with the argument for building up the community in love, Paul is teaching them a lesson they needed to learn. He wants them not only to stay out of the temples (and the feasts that go with them), but they need to see the Christian life in a radically different way! As Paul puts it in Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” So Paul’s conclusion is this: 1) All our actions should glorify God by seeking the benefit of others rather than ourselves and 2) Within the framework of that principle, we are free to eat whatever we like with thankfulness.

QUESTIONS

What are some actions you do that actively build up community in your church?

Do you have any prerogatives or rights that you sense the Lord leading you to surrender, in order to better aid the development of a loving community?

As Paul was a model for the Corinthians, who do you look to as a model of following Jesus? In what ways could you be more intentional in building that relationship? Who could you bring with you?