SUNDAY, 19 MAY 2024
TEXT:
I CORINTHIANS 10:14-11:1
14:
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
15:
I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
16:
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the
blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body
of Christ?
17:
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the
one loaf.
18:
Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate
in the altar?
19:
Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is
anything?
20:
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do
not want you to be participants with demons.
21:
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have
a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
22:
Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
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.
1:
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
(New International Version Holy
Bible)
TOPIC:
FREEDOM NOT TO SERVE DEMONS
Paul
continued to build on the foundation he had laid regarding the need for the
Corinthian church to learn from the history of the Jews.
These
believers were deeply involved in syncretism. They thought that it was okay to
indulge in idol worship and still be good members of the church.
Paul
reminded them that he was speaking to sensible people who understood that the
Holy Communion table has spiritual benefits for the believer.
God
has given every believer freedom from the bondage of idolatry into the eternal
life that Jesus offers. However, that freedom should not be abused.
As
believers, we are saved to serve only God and should demonstrate this by being
gracious toward other believers and not become a stumbling block to them.
QUESTION:
Do you know that salvation through Jesus is true freedom from demonic control
and a full life with brethren in Christ?
PRAYER:
Thank You, dear Lord for I have been freed and can serve You and show the same
love to the brethren, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
No comments:
Post a Comment