1 Corinthians: True Freedom 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 February 2, 2020 Introduction We are coming to a new section in 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians chapters 8-10 deal with the issue of Christian freedom. I made a mistake last week and I want to correct it now. Last week I said the subject of freedom goes from chapter 8-11. It is actually chapters 8-10. I think that comes with preaching from a wooden lectern. As we enter chapter 8, I believe this section of 1 Corinthians will be the most difficult to obey. I don’t think it will be too difficult to understand, but it will be difficult to obey. We have studied difficult topics: do not be divided over our favorite speakers; repenting of our sins; taking care of issues within the church; contentment no matter our lot in life; seeing our identity in Christ. These are difficult things. They really are. But the subject matter for today will be even more difficult. We will look at how to use freedom. What is Freedom? We like the idea of freedom. Some live for freedom. Freedom is such a huge issue for us as individuals, in our nation, and in the church. It is good if we define what we are talking about. Here are a few definitions of freedom: The absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved These freedoms are wonderful. Here is a third. Freedom is: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint The last one is, I think, what usually comes to mind when we think of freedom. “I have the right to do whatever I want.” I can do what I want, think what I want, be what I want … I want to be free. This is probably the most popular idea of freedom. What is freedom for the believer in Jesus? Is the believer free? We are free. To help us understand freedom, we will look at Galatians 5:13. Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. The believer in Jesus free, we have been called to be free. We are supposed to enjoy the freedom Jesus gives us. Freedom is huge for us! The question is, free from what? In the context of Galatians 5, we are free from working to be justified through our obedience to the law of Moses. We are free from having to scrupulously obey all 612 commandments in the Old Testament. We are free from obedience to the Ten Commandments. Why is this a good thing and how does it relate to freedom? Most religions teach we are made right with God by doing good, by being good enough to earn His favor. In spite of our best efforts, everyone fails at that. However, Scripture teaches us that Jesus has set us free. We are justified, made right with God, through faith in Jesus and the work He has done. No one obeys the law perfectly. That is not an excuse, it is a relief. We are set free from the fear of not being good enough. We have been set free. Rejoice in your freedom. Paul has more for us. Let us look at the rest of Galatians 5:13 and also verse 14: Galatians 5:13-14 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We are free. We are free indeed. However, we are not free in the way most people define freedom. We are not free to do whatever we please. We are not free to live in sin, here called an opportunity for the flesh. The flesh refers to our sinful nature, that part of us that longs to do wrong, to sin, to be selfish. We are not free to indulge in sin. We are not free to hurt others. We have been set free to love one another. The law can be summed up this way: love your neighbor as yourself. This is huge. We are free to love others, not to earn something from God, not to get a payback from others, but simply for the sake of loving one another. That leads us to the main idea for today’s message: Main Idea: The believer in Jesus has been set free, not to indulge in selfish desires, but to love others. We are free, no doubt. However, our freedom is not focused on ourselves. Our freedom is focused on others. We are free to love another. Paul is going to take what he said in Galatians, and apply it in 1 Corinthians. We need to provide some context for today’s lesson. Back in 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul says, Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: The Corinthians wrote Paul a letter asking him a number of questions. They had questions about singleness, marriage and divorce. Paul has answered those questions in chapter 7. Paul begins chapter 8 in a similar way: “Now concerning …” Many of my commentaries believe Paul is continuing to answer questions from the Corinthians. In fact, he uses the same words in chapter 12, “Now concerning….” When Paul says, “Now concerning…” this is a clue Paul is answering more questions that the Corinthians have. What is the issue in chapter 8? 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols The immediate issue at hand in chapter 8 is eating food offered to idols. It is best to think about meat offered to idols. The ESV says food, but meat is the proper understanding. What is happening here? An animal was taken to a pagan temple, presented to that god, slaughtered, and then offered as a sacrifice on an altar. Usually, the entire animal was not burned on the altar. Some of the meat from the animal was given to the priests as a meal for them. Some was taken home by the one who offered the sacrifice. Some was sold to the local meat market. Some was purchased by wedding planners, event planners, and restaurants. Often there was a dining hall connected to the temple where the meat was sold to the public and eaten on the premises. This raw meat, originally dedicated to a pagan god, could be anywhere: at the market, at a neighbors’ home, at a wedding, a party, a restaurant, various celebrations — anywhere. The concern was this: can believers eat this meat? Will the meat do harm to a believer? Do pagan rituals contaminate the meat? Are believers unwittingly participating in pagan ceremonies if they eat? Are they worshipping false gods if they eat? These are good questions. Some believers thought this meat is contaminated. Some refused to purchase meat near a pagan temple out of fear it was offered to an idol. Some refused to go to an unbeliever’s house for supper because they may serve the meat offered to an idol. Some refused to go to restaurants out of fear of eating the meat offered to an idol. Some refused to eat meat altogether. They have become vegetarians. That way they would never to eat meat offered to an idol. Other believers eat any meat that is presented to them. They don’t wonder if it was offered in a temple. Even when they know it is, and it doesn’t bother them. Their conscience doesn’t bother them. They will buy it from the market or even eat at the temple dining hall. To them, it’s just meat. I was thinking about this, I wondered, What would I do if I found myself intros situation? I’m craving a good steak dinner. Would I, knowing the meat could have been offered at a pagan temple, eat the meat without being concerned? Would I feel weird? Will I feel convicted, or guilty, for eating the meat? Will I have a salad instead? I’m not sure. I might feel weird eating meat that came from a pagan temple. There are two groups of believers, one who eats the meat and another that does not eat the meat. This situation contains all the ingredients for a good church fight. The group that eats the meat says to those who don’t eat, “You are so simple, so ignorant, so legalistic.” Those who refused to eat say of those who ate, “You are flirting with idolatry. You are so worldly. You are a bad testimony to unbelievers.” Each group tries to persuade the other to join them. As a result, some felt judged. Others violate their conscience. Everyone feels insulted. It is not a good situation. What’s a church to do? Paul helps us. Let’s talk about knowledge. People Who Know (1 Corinthians 8:1-3) Knowledge is a very good thing. Having the correct information is important. Knowing the facts is important. There is no benefit to being ignorant. So, Paul talks about knowledge. Let us look at verse 1: 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. All of us possess knowledge. In other words, from the get go, we know the right answer concerning meat offered to idols. The meat is fine. However, there is something about possessing knowledge. Knowledge tends to make us arrogant.