1st Corinthians 10
Ancient Israel’s Mistakes
In Exodus, the Israelites were under God’s cloud, passed through the sea, were baptized by Moses, ate spiritual food, and drank from the spiritual rock
Yet God was not pleased with them
A way we can avoid this is not lusting after the things they did
Don’t be idolaters, don’t commit sexual immorality, don’t tempt Christ, don’t complain/take things for granted
Stand strong against temptation
Our temptations are not unique to ourselves but common among mankind
God will not let us be taken by a temptation that is too strong for us to resist
There is always an escape route
So not only be strong in the face of idolatry- flee from it
An Issue of Eating Food from Pagans
We take communion as the blood and body of Christ
Anyone who does that is participating in it
By that logic, aren’t those who eat of pagan idol food also participating?
As the sacrifice to demons, not God, Paul does not wish us to participate
You can’t be at both God’s table and a demon’s table
Lest we provoke his jealousy
Again, it is all lawful to us but not all is helpful to us
Don’t focus on your own, but other’s well being as well
Does you doing something that is permissible, help others who see you do it?
So, when buying meat, for conscience’ sake, don’t ask where it came from.
If a nonbeliever asks you to dinner and you want to go, then go. But for conscience’ sake asks no questions of the food.
If anyone says, this food was offered to idols, don’t eat it
But, if you can eat with a clear conscience, and offend nobody else’s conscience, don’t feel bad for eating
Eat and Drink all for the Glory of God
Give no offense to anyone
Just as Paul strives to do
Not for his sake but their sake so that they may be saved