SS Text & Thoughts - 1 Cor. 8:1-4, 7-13; 10:31-33 - Idols, Alcohol and Liberty.

Church Gone Wrong
Idols, Alcohol and Liberty
Scriptures: 1 Cor. 8:1-4, 7-13; 10:31-33

Following an introductory segment (ch. 1-4) extolling the gospel's virtues Paul dealt with a laundry list of sins and errors. As with every other specific issue Paul addressed food offered to idols and the overall themes of unity and humility is what he is addressing among others.

I think we can all agree that we have liberty through Jesus Christ, but how do we use that and what does that really mean?

Your thoughts on this......If we claim to have freedoms in the church..... (which we do), and it binds immature believes in legalism, then we have sinned?

Paul's dealing with this subject is an excellent example of how we are to interpret biblical practice. When reading a passage of Scripture such as this we must first understand what it meant to its original readers. This involves understanding the language. Anyone can learn Greek with enough effort (we don't have to thankfully as many intelligent experts have done that work for us). The next step is to find the over-arching principle behind that meaning. In the case of meat sacrificed to idols there is no direct correlation in our culture. So, what is the higher principal?  

• Is it that we should refrain from exercising our freedom in Christ in ways that cause other believers to violate their Christian morals? 
• Is self-denial a better alternative to disunity in the church? 

Let's look at alcohol.  How does we as Christians handle the issue of consuming alcohol as it related to this text?  We may not be able to related to consuming meat offered to idols, but consuming or abstaining from alcohol certainly applies in our modern world. So that being said, does engaging in that practice offend the sensibilities of a new convert.  What about a new convert from Islam, or from a cult such as Mormonism or the Jehovah's Witnesses. In all these cases, right or wrong by scripture, (liberty) such believers carry over long-held ideas that linger in their hearts.

Unity and humility glorify God when they come from a thankful heart. To be thankful for your salvation can manifest itself in a willingness to say no to something so that you make room in the body for a weaker brother.

• What false notions or religious assumptions did you carry into your relationship with Christ?
• How did they affect the way you saw your church, or individuals within it?
• Did you see this kind of sensitivity displayed, or did others leave stumbling blocks in your path?

This lesson is not intended to be controversial, but to help us draw out the real meaning of what Paul was saying.  Pray God's words and thoughts will be spoken in class so we can delve into this oft controversial topic, much like it was in Paul's day.

Pray also for good weather for Pray Now Bartow and also Revival.

God Bless !!!