A Christian is saved for purposes of living for Christ. With Jesus as our model in how he submitted to his Father in his earthly ministry, we likewise cast aside a self-willed life in exchange for a God led one. Yes, we have freedoms in Jesus, but such emancipation from a lifestyle of sin is to be used to serve God and others. Paul taught (Gal 5:13-14), “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The second greatest commandment of all scripture is the central theme of Paul’s last block of teaching (v23-33) in this chapter, and it is this: The Christian should live in a way that promotes the interest of their fellow men to the glorification of God. In today’s message (Part 1), we shall begin to unpack these Biblical truths that reveals the heart of how our freedoms in Jesus are to be used to love God and people.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23-26

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The Gospel announces the Great Banquet feast of heaven (Mt 22:1-14). It is an invitation to fellowship and communion with our God. Because of Jesus salvific works, we can now approach the table of redemption where the riches of righteousness is served to all who respond in faith to his invitation (call). As a Christian approaches God, we at the same time must depart (flee) from our former life of dining at the table of the world (i.e., sin rooted in earthly affections) which only offers temporal delights with long-term dissatisfaction.

Paul now concludes his exhortations about idolatry. In this subject text, he highlights the contrast between fellowship with the Lord and worship at the altar of idolatry. He refers (again) to ancient Israel’s priestly rituals in the temple to emphasize the truth that a Christian cannot partake of Satan and God at the same time.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:18-22

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Reverence and affection for God above all things helps us overcome worship of things in creation. Faith puts out the fires of unbelief before the flames of idolatry consumes our entire heart. Paul has labored much in this chapter (10) to warn the Corinthian saints of the dangers of unbelief. He recalls examples from the history of the Israelites continual cycles of disobedience in the wilderness that invited the judgement of God as a cautionary tale to the church today, thus (v11), “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”

In Part 4 of this sermon series, Paul reminds the church of how our fellowship and unity with Christ should restrain idolatrous living, like the OT saints participated in.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:14-17

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