1 Corinthians 10:14-11:2, Called to Edify
Theological Proposition/Focus: It is all about God and therefore it is all about what God wants not what an individual wants.
Homiletical Proposition/Application: The call of a Christian is a call to give up anything and everything needed in order to edify the body.
Introduction:
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Preview: As christ followers we have a great responsibility and so we must be careful that we are asking the right questions so that our decision making encourages others to follow Christ.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:2
Setting the Stage:
As a church we have used the phrase otherish. When we use that phrase we remind ourselves that we are called to put others first. I want to suggest to you that the cure to so many of our problems is putting others first but it is so hard to do. You see it goes against our nature. For the church in Corinth their insistence on factionalism was destroying their fellowship. Paul wrote to the Church
Body
The call to follow Christ brings with it a great deal of responsibility. (14-22)
Those who follow Christ are part of something much bigger than themselves. (14-17)
There is a reality sitting behind our version of reality that must always be considered. (18-20)
Those who follow Christ need to choose Christ. (21-22)
Image: Hidden Agenda
Have you ever worked with someone who has a hidden agenda? Sometimes it can be good, sometimes it can be bad, I guess it depends on the agenda.
MTR: Carefully examine your practices and ask "are my regular practices consistent with a Christ-honoring agenda?"
The call to follow Christ is a call to ask the right questions. (23-24)
Stop asking the question "is this behavior allowed?" (23)
Start asking the question "is this beneficial?" (23)
Start asking the question "is this constructive?" (23)
Start looking out for others. (24)
Image: There are bad questions and in most cases bad questions are self-centered.
MTR: Start asking the right questions.
Three basic principles can be sued to guide the Christ Follower in their decision-making process. (25-33)
Principle 1: You are not free to do whatever you want, you are free to serve Christ. (25-27)
Principle 2: You may need to give up some pretty obvious freedoms for the sake of others. (28-30)
Principle 3: The glory of God, good of many, and salvation of others are your guiding principles. (31-33)
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MTR: Evaluate your decisions through the lens of a Christ Follower.
Our aim is to be able to say "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (11:1)
Here is what it all comes down to. If you want to know if a particular activity is allowed you really can ask yourself this question. Can/should others follow me as I participate. If the answer is no, then we have a problem.
