Idols & Arrogance – 1 Cor. 8

2000027

Subject: attitudes

Introduction:

A. In the first part of 1 Cor. Paul addressed specific problems he had heard about from the house of Chloe.

1. Division, strife, envy & their toleration of blatant sin.

2. Beginning in Chapt 7 – Paul begins to answer questions specifically addressed to him – was celibacy to be preferred? Should one divorce his mate if they an unbeliever? Should the unmarried remain unmarried after coming to Christ? Paul answered all of these in Chapter 7.

3. in Chapter 8 – Paul answers a question about eating meat offered to idols.

B. This was a serious question to those who were Gentiles – and had just come out of pagan idolatry.

1. idolatry was all around them in Corinth.

a) temple of Aphrodite, temple prostitutes – as many of 1000 of them.

b) Meat markets right outside the temple – where meat that had been used in offering to idols was offered for sale.

c) These were real life problems for real life people. Had to deal w/these problems on a daily basis.

2. Although today’s lesson will only cover chapter 8 – the entire section w/Paul’s compete answer will continue into 9-10.

C. This lesson today – as we look back at the Corinthians – can also hold additional insight for us today who are more likely to have our idols parked in our driveway & in our homes & in our bank accounts.

1. Today’s lesson will deal with attitudes

2. Today’s lesson will deal with knowledge & our treatment of others.

3. How are we treating others?

4. Are we guilty of falling in the same trap as the Corinthians?

D. Answers to these questions will be given throughout the rest of this lesson.

I. 8:1-3 – It’s Fitting that Paul begins with an Attitude Warning.

A. Think about our attitude. It often our attitude rather than our actions that govern our life.

1. Can have right doctrine – be fulfilling the commands perfectly…

2. When going into controversy – some have idea that they right – no matter what. Everyone else stupid for believing anything otherwise.

a) know of certain folks – who subscribe to certain opinion. Felt that they have to address opinion before others.

b) Get mad when others just didn’t fall in line.

c) Attitude wrong.

B. When dealing with disputes/unanswered questions: must be slow – must beware of arrogance.

1. 8:1 – knowledge puffs up – but love edifies.

a) knowledge depends on self – love is concerned about others.

b) Indeed knowledge puffs up:

1) head swells. Lofty opinion of oneself. View as being superior to others.

2) Better than others – b/c they know more than others.

c) indeed knowledge depends on self.

2. 8:2 – there are signs revealing attitude problems:

a) boasting can reveal one’s own ignorance.

1. TLB – if anyone thinks he knows all the answers – he is just showing His ignorance.

2. ones in Corinth who boasted of their knowledge disregarded their brethren.

b) anytime we disregard our brethren – we have an attitude problem – and are not behaving as God would have us to.

3. 8:3 – there is an attitude of God that we ought to be cultivating.

a) while mere knowledge puffs up – love edifies.

b) By manifesting a loving patience – they could edify or help to save some less informed brother.

c) Loving God & others – will lead one to sacrifice his own rights for the sake of others.

d) Think of how God has manifested this toward us! Why shouldn’t we do the same?

II. 8:4-13 – The Trouble of Knowledge.

A. 8:4-6 – they were right – those who had knowledge – their affirmation that there is only 1 true, living God is accurate.

1. idols have no existence.

2. 8:6 – one God who made everything.

B. 8:7 – But….not all understood this!

1. some were used to thinking of idols as being alive. These would have believed that food offered to idols is really being offered to actual gods.

2. as a result their consciences were defiled.

a) some had been taught to disassociate themselves from all pagan practices & influences.

b) 8:8 – these failed to understand that food will not make one better/worse w/God.

1) it was just meat. It could be rightly consumed.

2) Mt. 15:16-20 – principle taught by Christ. Not what goes into a man but what comes out.

c) knowledge is great if you’ve got it – but not all do.

C. 8:9-11 – our knowledge of right can lead others into wrong.

1. even though this knowledge gave them a sense of freedom to eat such meats – they still had to consider the conscience of the weak!

2. Problem: one may put your example above their own conscience & as a result lead them into sin!

a) strong would be accountable for leading others, though ignorance and weakness into sin.

b) 8:11 – they would cause a brother for whom Christ died to perish. See also Rom. 14:23

c) as a result their own souls would have been in jeopardy.

D. 8:12 – Conclusion: to lead another to sin against their own conscience is to sin ourselves.

1. Willis: by one act, a person can commit spiritual homicide and suicide.

2. Are we looking at our actions? While we may esteem ourselves as being knowledgeable in Christ – are we letting that cause us to overlook others?

3. 8:13 – sacrificing our liberties may help us save others.

a) he would rather remain a vegetarian for life than influence a weak brother to stumble/sin against his conscience.

b) Liberty in Christ allowed him to sacrifice for others.

c) Which brethren is the proper attitude to have? Paul’s? The brethren at Corinth?

III. What is Here for Us?

A. We need to be concerned for others – especially brethren! See Mt. 25:40.

1. Go back to Mt. 25:35-36

2. are we looking out for each other? Are we patient w/each other? Are we acting out of love/compassion?

B. Rom 14:1 – requires patience. Remember – people are on different levels of understanding.

1. not everyone is just as strong as you are. Everyone is NOT on your level & know everything that YOU do.

2. Many problems often result because people forget this.

C. Not good to operate from knowledge only! Where’s the love here?

1. some of my brethren forget that they aren’t lawyers! Constantly proving they right & someone else wrong!

2. Brethren….we are to be servants.

3. acting from love/concern is commendable! In needs to be the motivation behind all we do!

D. Having concern is great – but we need to show it!

1. 1 Jhn. 3:18 – love not only in word – but in deed/truth.

a) cards, visits, phone calls, food, money, help, sympathy, listening, encouraging words

b) show love BY EXAMPLE!

2. Question: How can I put forth a good example?

a) begin w/your attitude! (Remember 1^st of lesson) Good example starts from the heart (love, attitude) – NOT with ACTIONS.

b) Focus on being spirit led. Let the word of God guide you!

1) study

2) bear fruit for the Lord

3) grow toward maturity.

c) involves refusing temptation – involves seeking out fellowship & strength.

3. Make active, positive choices! Do the right thing in everything!

Conclusion

A. How’s your attitude? Is it on justifying self? Is it on demanding your rights? Is it on doing what you want with total distain for others?

B. Or is it a separate attitude of concern for others, lifting up, helping, and exampling?

C. Where would Jesus be?

D. Are you following His example?

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Idols & Arrogance – 1 Cor. 8 2000027 Subject: attitudes Introduction: A. In the first part of 1 Cor. Paul addressed specific problems he had heard about from the house of Chloe. 1. Division, strife, envy & their toleration of blatant sin. 2. Beginning in Chapt 7 – Paul begins to answer questions specifically addressed to him – was celibacy to be preferred? Should one divorce his mate if they an unbeliever? Should the unmarried remain unmarried after coming to Christ? Paul answered all of these in Chapter 7. 3. in Chapter 8 – Paul answers a question about eating meat offered to idols. B. This was a serious question to those who were Gentiles – and had just come out of pagan idolatry. 1. idolatry was all around them in Corinth. a) temple of Aphrodite, temple prostitutes – as many of 1000 of them. b) Meat markets right outside the temple – where meat that had been used in offering to idols was offered for sale. c) These were real life problems for real life people. Had to deal w/these problems on a daily basis. 2. Although today’s lesson will only cover chapter 8 – the entire section w/Paul’s compete answer will continue into 9-10. C. This lesson today – as we look back at the Corinthians – can also hold additional insight for us today who are more likely to have our idols parked in our driveway & in our homes & in our bank accounts. 1. Today’s lesson will deal with attitudes 2. Today’s lesson will deal with knowledge & our treatment of others. 3. How are we treating others? 4. Are we guilty of falling in the same trap as the Corinthians? D. Answers to these questions will be given throughout the rest of this lesson. I. 8:1-3 – It’s Fitting that Paul begins with an Attitude Warning. A. Think about our attitude. It often our attitude rather than our actions that govern our life. 1. Can have right doctrine – be fulfilling the commands perfectly… 2. When going into controversy – some have idea that they right – no matter what. Everyone else stupid for believing anything otherwise. a) know of certain folks – who subscribe to certain opinion. Felt that they have to address opinion before others. b) Get mad when others just didn’t fall in line. c) Attitude wrong. B. When dealing with disputes/unanswered questions: must be slow – must beware of arrogance. 1. 8:1 – knowledge puffs up – but love edifies. a) knowledge depends on self – love is concerned about others. b) Indeed knowledge puffs up: 1) head swells. Lofty opinion of oneself. View as being superior to others. 2) Better than others – b/c they know more than others. c) indeed knowledge depends on self. 2. 8:2 – there are signs revealing attitude problems: a) boasting can reveal one’s own ignorance. 1. TLB – if anyone thinks he knows all the answers – he is just showing His ignorance. 2. ones in Corinth who boasted of their knowledge disregarded their brethren. b) anytime we disregard our brethren – we have an attitude problem – and are not behaving as God would have us to. 3. 8:3 – there is an attitude of God that we ought to be cultivating. a) while mere knowledge puffs up – love edifies. b) By manifesting a loving patience – they could edify or help to save some less informed brother. c) Loving God & others – will lead one to sacrifice his own rights for the sake of others. d) Think of how God has manifested this toward us! Why shouldn’t we do the same? II. 8:4-13 – The Trouble of Knowledge. A. 8:4-6 – they were right – those who had knowledge – their affirmation that there is only 1 true, living God is accurate. 1. idols have no existence. 2. 8:6 – one God who made everything. B. 8:7 – But….not all understood this! 1. some were used to thinking of idols as being alive. These would have believed that food offered to idols is really being offered to actual gods. 2. as a result their consciences were defiled. a) some had been taught to disassociate themselves from all pagan practices & influences. b) 8:8 – these failed to understand that food will not make one better/worse w/God. 1) it was just meat. It could be rightly consumed. 2) Mt. 15:16-20 – principle taught by Christ. Not what goes into a man but what comes out. c) knowledge is great if you’ve got it – but not all do. C. 8:9-11 – our knowledge of right can lead others into wrong. 1. even though this knowledge gave them a sense of freedom to eat such meats – they still had to consider the conscience of the weak! 2. Problem: one may put your example above their own conscience & as a result lead them into sin! a) strong would be accountable for leading others, though ignorance and weakness into sin. b) 8:11 – they would cause a brother for whom Christ died to perish. See also Rom. 14:23 c) as a result their own souls would have been in jeopardy. D. 8:12 – Conclusion: to lead another to sin against their own conscience is to sin ourselves. 1. Willis: by one act, a person can commit spiritual homicide and suicide. 2. Are we looking at our actions? While we may esteem ourselves as being knowledgeable in Christ – are we letting that cause us to overlook others? 3. 8:13 – sacrificing our liberties may help us save others. a) he would rather remain a vegetarian for life than influence a weak brother to stumble/sin against his conscience. b) Liberty in Christ allowed him to sacrifice for others. c) Which brethren is the proper attitude to have? Paul’s? The brethren at Corinth? III. What is Here for Us? A. We need to be concerned for others – especially brethren! See Mt. 25:40. 1. Go back to Mt. 25:35-36 2. are we looking out for each other? Are we patient w/each other? Are we acting out of love/compassion? B. Rom 14:1 – requires patience. Remember – people are on different levels of understanding. 1. not everyone is just as strong as you are. Everyone is NOT on your level & know everything that YOU do. 2. Many problems often result because people forget this. C. Not good to operate from knowledge only! Where’s the love here? 1. some of my brethren forget that they aren’t lawyers! Constantly proving they right & someone else wrong! 2. Brethren….we are to be servants. 3. acting from love/concern is commendable! In needs to be the motivation behind all we do! D. Having concern is great – but we need to show it! 1. 1 Jhn. 3:18 – love not only in word – but in deed/truth. a) cards, visits, phone calls, food, money, help, sympathy, listening, encouraging words b) show love BY EXAMPLE! 2. Question: How can I put forth a good example? a) begin w/your attitude! (Remember 1^st of lesson) Good example starts from the heart (love, attitude) – NOT with ACTIONS. b) Focus on being spirit led. Let the word of God guide you! 1) study 2) bear fruit for the Lord 3) grow toward maturity. c) involves refusing temptation – involves seeking out fellowship & strength. 3. Make active, positive choices! Do the right thing in everything! Conclusion A. How’s your attitude? Is it on justifying self? Is it on demanding your rights? Is it on doing what you want with total distain for others? B. Or is it a separate attitude of concern for others, lifting up, helping, and exampling? C. Where would Jesus be? D. Are you following His example? E. I N V I T A T I O N