FREEWAY BIBLE CHAPEL 1 Corinthians 10 23 33

FREEWAY BIBLE CHAPEL 1 Corinthians 10: 23 -33

ME First!

NPS (NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER) • Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism. • A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you're not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling. -The Mayo Clinic

Who is right? ?

I AM THIRD

I AM THIRD 1 CORINTHIANS 10: 23 -33

CONTEXT – 1 CORINTHIANS • Big picture – Paul writes the letter to address various problems that were in the church and to answer specific questions that they had. • “Now concerning” 7: 1, 7: 25, 8: 1, 12: 1, 16: 1

CONTEXT – 1 CORINTHIANS • Big picture – Paul writes the letter to address various problems that were in the church and to answer specific questions that they had. • “Now concerning” 7: 1, 7: 25, 8: 1, 12: 1, 16: 1 • Chapters 8 -11 – Idolatry and food offered to idols. Answers the question: How should a Christian handle these issues?

CONTEXT – 1 CORINTHIANS 10: 23 -33 • Todays verses – How does a Christian function in the framework of his liberty? • Meat sacrificed to idols was a hot topic in the day…especially considering the mixing of Jews (deep traditional background of sacrifices, washings, law-keeping etc. , ) and Gentiles (idol worshippers, child sacrifices, etc. ) now meeting together as Christians in the Church.

1 CORINTHIANS 10: 23 -33 • 23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness. ” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols, ” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness. ”

1 CORINTHIANS 10: 23 -33 • 29 “Conscience, ” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the 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 many, that they may be saved.

THE MAIN POINT • 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

1 CORINTHIANS 10: 23 -33 • Guiding principle of Christian liberty • 5 commands to the Christian • 2 examples • Application

1 CORINTHIANS 10 – PRINCIPLE • 23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. • Lawful – permissible, allowed, not forbidden.

“LAWFUL” THINGS – 1 CORINTHIANS 9 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

1 CORINTHIANS 10 - PRINCIPLE • 23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. • Helpful – expedient, profitable, beneficial, advantageous

1 CORINTHIANS 10 - PRINCIPLE • 23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. • John 16: 7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

COMMAND #1 • 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well -being.

COMMAND #1 • 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well- being. • Philippians 2 - 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

COMMAND #2 • 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness. ” • Psalm 24: 1 - The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

COMMAND #2

ROMANS 14 – NO CLEAN/UNCLEAN FOOD • 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing (context of food) unclean of itself…

DEFILEMENT COMES FROM WITHIN – MARK 7 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods? ” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man. ”

COMMAND #3 • 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. • 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols, ” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness. ”

COMMAND #3 • 29 “Conscience, ” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?

ROMANS 14 – WALK IN LOVE • 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; … 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. • 19 Therefore let us pursue things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food…

COMMAND # 4 • 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

DOES IT BRING GLORY TO GOD? • Is it Biblically permissible? Bible is clear on many things (gluttony, drunkenness, etc. )

DOES IT BRING GLORY TO GOD? • Is it Biblically permissible? Bible is clear on many things (gluttony, drunkenness, etc. ) • Is it legal?

DOES IT BRING GLORY TO GOD? • Is it Biblically permissible? Bible is clear on many things (gluttony, drunkenness, etc. ) • Is it legal? • Is it profitable/beneficial for you?

DOES IT BRING GLORY TO GOD? • Is it Biblically permissible? Bible is clear on many things (gluttony, drunkenness, etc. ) • Is it legal? • Is it profitable/beneficial for you? • Is it profitable/beneficial for others?

DOES IT BRING GLORY TO GOD? • Is it Biblically permissible? Bible is clear on many things (gluttony, drunkenness, etc. ) • Is it legal? • Is it profitable/beneficial for you? • Is it profitable/beneficial for others? • Can God be glorified in this?

COMMAND #5 • 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the 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 many, that they may be saved.

CLOSING EXAMPLES • 1 Corinthians 11: 1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. ”

HOW DID PAUL GLORIFY GOD? • He gave up his own glory in this world.

HOW DID PAUL GLORIFY GOD? • He gave up his own glory in this world. • Paul was always outward focused (1 Corinthians 9: 19) “I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more”

HOW DID PAUL GLORIFY GOD? • He gave up his own glory in this world. • Paul was always outward focused (1 Corinthians 9: 19) “I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more” (THIRD) • Paul kept a clean conscience before all. “I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24: 16)

CLOSING EXAMPLES • 1 Corinthians 11: 1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. ”

PHILIPPIANS 2: 7 -11 (JESUS PUT OTHERS FIRST). . . but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What “rights” do you care about more than the people around you?

What things in my life don’t “fit” through the filter of glorifying God in all things?

When was the last time you gave up your rights to show love to someone else?

EDWIN MESCHKAT 3 RD PLACE, SINCE 1950

God first, others second, I am third.

I AM THIRD. 1 CORINTHIANS 10: 23 -33