1st Corinthians 10

  1. Ancient Israel’s Mistakes

    1. 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

    2. Yet God was not pleased with them

    3. A way we can avoid this is not lusting after the things they did

    4. Don’t be idolaters, don’t commit sexual immorality, don’t tempt Christ, don’t complain/take things for granted

    5. Stand strong against temptation

      1. Our temptations are not unique to ourselves but common among mankind

      2. God will not let us be taken by a temptation that is too strong for us to resist

      3. There is always an escape route

    6. So not only be strong in the face of idolatry- flee from it

  2. An Issue of Eating Food from Pagans

    1. We take communion as the blood and body of Christ

    2. Anyone who does that is participating in it

    3. By that logic, aren’t those who eat of pagan idol food also participating?

      1. As the sacrifice to demons, not God, Paul does not wish us to participate

    4. You can’t be at both God’s table and a demon’s table

      1. Lest we provoke his jealousy

    5. Again, it is all lawful to us but not all is helpful to us

    6. Don’t focus on your own, but other’s well being as well

      1. Does you doing something that is permissible, help others who see you do it?

    7. So, when buying meat, for conscience’ sake, don’t ask where it came from.

    8. If a nonbeliever asks you to dinner and you want to go, then go. But for conscience’ sake asks no questions of the food.

    9. If anyone says, this food was offered to idols, don’t eat it

    10. But, if you can eat with a clear conscience, and offend nobody else’s conscience, don’t feel bad for eating

  3. Eat and Drink all for the Glory of God

    1. Give no offense to anyone

      1. Just as Paul strives to do

        1. Not for his sake but their sake so that they may be saved