There is a healthy knowledge – this only comes from Christ.
1 Corinthians 8: Food Offered to Idols
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."
5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth---as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"---
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.
12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Things to think about…
1. Paul says knowledge by itself ‘puffs up’, 1Cor 8:1. This simply means that we our serving our pride if our knowledge is not combined with God’s love. Remember the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil still had good knowledge. Worldly knowledge represents humanity without Christ – ever seeking but never coming to the truth. Knowledge will of course increase in the earth, Dan 12:4, but this knowledge does not save. The saving knowledge of Christ allows us to be built up in His love. As the people of Christ we are to share this knowledge with others.
2. What is the best knowledge? The knowledge of God’s love towards us and that we are ‘known by God’, 1Cor 8:3. Remember the demons speaking to the sons of Sceva, “Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are you?”, Acts 19:15. Even the demons know those who are marked out by God’s grace and who are ‘known by God’.
3. The Greeks loved knowledge – Greek - gnosis – meaning knowledge. This is where the heresy of Gnosticism came from – the belief that there are people who have an enlightened knowledge, shun the material world based on this knowledge. Paul says that we know that there is “one God from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist”, 1Cor 8:6, but not all have this knowledge, vs 7. He says some in the church don’t fully understand this because of their previous idolatrous knowledge and practice, vs 7. It makes them weak and vulnerable. These weak folks come into the church. They don’t have a full knowledge of the Lord. As such Paul says don’t put stumbling blocks in front of them, vs 9. We may well know the freedom we have in Christ, but not everyone has that understanding, therefore we must be sensitive to where others are at in their faith.
4. Those of us who have been walking with the Lord for many years have a great deal of knowledge about the person and work of Christ. As such, let’s never use this knowledge to cause others to stumble who are not there yet. Babies choke on meat.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon and reading topic for this week – Sermon “A passion for God”
Reading – Psalm 42, 43
1. Jay is passionate about late 60’s and early 70’s Australian muscle cars. What are you passionate about? What do you do to find restoration that you would say is a blessing or a gift from the Lord to you?
2. In Psalm 42 and 43 the Psalmist does not hide his feelings. He pants after the Lord, yet he acknowledges that there is turmoil within his soul. While reflecting on these things he also acknowledges that he has had sweet times of communion with the Lord. Eg He recalls the blessing of the Jordan and Mount Hermon for Israel as well as the depths of God’s love and wisdom, Ps 42:6, 7. The word of God is a comfort for him Ps 43:3 and he gets exceeding joy when he praises the Lord on an instrument, Ps 43:4. When do you read God’s word? Do you play and instrument or play praise music? Discuss how you can cultivate mature bible reading habits (E.g reading a chapter or two a day) as well as a better life of praise.
3. Associated with bible reading is praying. These 2 Psalms are prayers. How and when do you pray. Jay mentioned that the “I pray without ceasing” is a bit of a copout as it neglects a focussed and disciplined daily time of prayer and reflection. Bible reading and praying are best done together? Discuss. Don’t just talk about what you presently do but hold each other accountable as to how you will improve in these spiritual disciplines in your daily walk with the Lord.
4. Finally, how are you at telling the truth about what’s going on in your heart? Are you accountable to anyone? Do you keep things to yourself? Discuss the difference between personality types while maintaining integrity of the heart as displayed by the psalmist in Psalms 42&43.
Prayer Points
1. Continuing to get quotes for café roof.
2. Pray for other building projects – the repair of the house roof and solar.
3. Recharge youth and Kids@Church ministries. Pray for Maddison and Melinda as they Coordinate Kids and Youth ministries.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
5. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
