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The Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
This week we continue our study focusing on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
Today we are talking about Christian Influence.
Text
1 Corinthians 8:13 NKJV
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 NKJV
Be Sensitive to Conscience
1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
The subject of this message should be of interest to everyone who has a desire to exercise a good influence on others.
Tonight we will look at influence from three directions.
- The first is a discussion of conscience and love.
First Corinthians 7:1-2 introduces chapters 7 and 8 with the issue of whether it is best to get married or stay single.
This is a question that needs serious consideration in our day.
Another matter concerns abstaining from eating certain foods.
Paul’s argument is based on a person’s influence.
Paul placed knowledge beside influence and shows that knowledge is overridden by love.
Love is the essential element, not knowledge.
The issue of eating or not eating has nothing to do with commending someone to God, 1 Corinthians 8:8, But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
Some people consider themselves strong in comparison to others.
They think that eating anything they want will make no difference.
They are not aware of the influence they exercise.
They may think that because they are strong in their relationship to God they have an advantage over others.
This is a mistake.
The question is, How does eating meat offered in a pagan temple affect others?
It is evil and wrong if the weaker person thinks it’s wrong.
The warning is to take heed that one does not cause his brother to stumble.
2. The second consideration is the fact that each person does exert an influence on others.
The question is, What kind of influence do I exert on others?
The Lord gives each person a great deal of liberty.
We can use that liberty for good or evil.
The question is the responsibility of liberty.
Some things are not wrong for an individual as such, but because of an evil influence on someone else, they become wrong.
Many traditional taboos come under this category.
3. The third consideration is how much do you care?
The matter of caring or loving is the determining factor as to whether a particular thing should be done or not done.
Some things to think about are, social drinking, observance of the Lord’s Day, and gambling.
Christians should honestly ask themselves whether they can justify their actions in the sight of God.
This will enable them to determine whether or not they should continue doing certain things.
Conclusion.
You, as a Christian, need to constantly examine every activity in the light of its effect on your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.
So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us
2022 IS A YEAR OF REPENTANCE AND BLESSINGS
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