Making Conflict Christian - preached at Tulsa Bible Church on 11.20.11AM
INTRODUCTION
A. Segway
Video clip
Show slide “Why is conflict always so hard.”
• Our video clip showed a couple who focused on honest issues, but lacked the perspective needed to handle their conflict as Christians.
• In his book The Peacemaker Ken Sande suggests four causes of conflict:
Poor communication
Differences in goals, gifts, etc.
Competition over limited resources
Sinful attitudes and habits
• Whether it is an argument about a vacation in the kitchen, money disagreements, scheduling conflicts, or even tension about how to do things at church, conflict is something we deal with.
• Everybody has and will continue to have conflict. Spiritual Christians have conflicts.
• Why is conflict often so hard?
• I would like to suggest it is because we often do it in a self-centered, proud, and un-Christian way.
PRAY—- - — Engage the kids with special tips.
Let’s look at our passage for principles to help us make our conflicts Christian.
B. Context: Let’s review the case study that Paul presents to set up our text for today.
1 Corinthians 10.23-30 —— Conflict over when and what to eat
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Our focus should not be on what I can do, but how can I use my freedom to build up others.
• “Activities that are not beneficial or constructive or that do not promote the good of others (cf. 10:33) should be avoided.” --David K. Lowery in Bible Knowledge Commentary
24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
• This is right in line with what Paul described as Christ’s mind in Philippians 2.3 ...let each esteem others Better than himself.”
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26 for "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."
• PSALM 24 The King of Glory and His Kingdom
A Psalm of David.
1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
• Everything belongs to the Creator.
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."
• This is a theoretical case study for most of us, but in many parts of the world it is a current and pervasive real time issue.
• This week I have been dialoguing about this with believers and missionaries from Asia.
• We might not think much of this issue here in Oklahoma, but to many believers in Asia, etc. this is a HUGE deal. Many have strong convictions against eating what has been sacrificed.
• This situation was about more than preferences about what to eat, it was a matter of conscience for those involved.
29 "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
• This may seem crystal clear to us but less than 10 years before 1 Corinthians was written the Jerusalem council admonished gentiles to abstain from things offered to idols. (Acts 15.29) That may have contributed to Paul’s need to clarify the issue here.
• Paul anticipated the objections. “Why should I not enjoy food for which I give thanks? Why should my liberty be curtailed because of another person’s weak conscience?” His reply introduced the second responsibility we have: We are responsible to glorify God in all things (1 Cor. 10:31). We cannot glorify God by causing another Christian to stumble. To be sure, our own conscience may be strong enough for us to participate in some activity and not be harmed. But we dare not use our freedom in Christ in any way that will injure a fellow Christian. —Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary
C. Read text
Paul concludes this passage with three principles that will make our conflict Christian.
1 Corinthians 10.31-11.1
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
D. Big Idea:
“Conflict provides the Christian with an opportunity (priority, purpose) to glorify God, serve others, and imitate Christ.”
I. GLORIFY GOD (10.31)
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Explain meaning of the glory of God
glory δόξα doxa
The glory of God: There are a few verses where this phrase refers to
1) a physical manifestation (Acts 7:55; Revelation 15:8; 21:23), but
2) most refer to His excellence/perfection in some sense (Psalm 19:1; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 4:6; John 11:40) or
3) to his reputation (Proverbs 25:2; John 11:4; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 4:15; Philippians 2:11).
A. G.G. by showing who God is and what He is like.
• “Every time you encounter a conflict, you will inevitably show what you really think about God.” —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
• If you do not glorify God … you will inevitably glorify something or someone else.
• People should look at our response, see God’s character, and praise him.
1 Peter 2.12
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
• We are much more selfish and self-centered than we realize.
• If we kept God’s glory as our chief priority, we would be much less likely to stumble.
B. G.G. by trusting and relying on Him.
• Do you believe that God is watching over you, that He is in control, and will set things right in His time.
• We should have a greater concern for God’s glory than our personal gain or prosperity.
• We should entrust ourselves to His care..
• The Lord Jesus set an example for us in this area.
1 Peter 2.23
...But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
• Sometimes our unchristian attitudes shows an unwillingness to leave the results in God’s hands.
C. G.G, by acknowledging God’s help
1 Peter 3. 15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
• When people notice the difference that God is making in our response to conflict, we should be ready to give a verbal witness for the Lord.
• We want to conduct ourselves in away that is compelling to the lost, and cause them to ask questions, but also share the Gospel when they inquire.
• To close the present point with a general rule, applicable not only in this, but in all cases, Whatsoever ye do - In all things whatsoever, whether of a religious or civil nature, in all the common, as well as sacred, actions of life, keep the glory of God in view, and steadily pursue in all this one end of your being, the planting or advancing the vital knowledge and love of God, first in your own soul, then in all mankind. —John Wesley’s Notes
• This rule is designed to be one of the chief directors of our lives. It is to guide all our conduct, and to constitute a test by which to try our actions. Whatever can be done to advance the honour of God is right; whatever cannot be done with that end is wrong. —Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament
Application:
"We exist for God. God does not exist for us." —Mark Driscoll http://blog.marshill.com/2010/08/05/you-could-have-god-and-you-chose-light-beer/
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3.17
• The essence of salvation is realizing that fact and turning from pleasing self to living for Him.
• Sanctification is the process of making His glory our undivided priority.
• Glorification is the future reality of that becoming complete and absolute.
• The question and prayer is not what can God do to help me, but how can I glorify God in this conflict. Worry about how you can glorify God in this conflict—about his interests more than yours.
II. SERVE OTHERS (10.32-33)
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
offence πρόσκοπος aprŏskŏpŏs 1. Literally, this word means “to strike,” “to dash against.” Intransitively it means “to stumble against,” “bump,” “slip,” “fall,” “suffer harm,” “perish.” 2. In a transferred sense, proskóptō means “to give offense,” “to cause displeasure,” or “to take offense,” “to be annoyed or enraged,” “to experience displeasure.” —-TDNT
YLT—become offenceless; KJV, NASB, ESV, NLT—give no offense; NIV—not cause anyone to stumble;
please aréskō. aréskō originally meant “to set up a positive relation,” hence “to make peace,” then aesthetically “to please,” with such nuances as a. “to be well disposed,” b. “to take a pleasant attitude,” and c. “to please.” In the NT the word means “to please” —-TDNT
profit σύμφορον symphoron: useful, profitable, expedient, suitable, good —DBL Greek
YLT, KJV, NASB, NKJV, WNT—profit; ESV—advantage; NIV—good
saved "Saved" in this context probably includes Christians and means saved in the wide sense of delivered from anything that keeps someone from advancing spiritually (cf. Rom. 15:1-3). —Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Corinthians
A. Giving an appropriate response to all kinds of people.
• The Jews should not be unnecessarily grieved nor prejudiced, who have such an abhorrence of idols that they reckon every thing offered to them thereby defiled, and that it will pollute and render culpable all who partake of it;
• nor should heathens be countenanced in their idolatry by any behaviour of ours, which they may construe as homage or honour done to their idols;
• nor young converts from Gentilism take any encouragement from our conduct to retain any veneration for the heathen gods and worship, which they have renounced: (or be discouraged from making a complete break from paganism.)
• nor should we do any thing that may be a means to pervert any members of the church from their Christian profession or practice. (causing them to question or do something that goes against their conscience.) —Matthew Henry Concise
• Be more concerned about honoring another’s convictions than “straightening him out.”
• Prayer, patience, and gentle teaching
• "Paul’s desire regarding men was that they may be saved; more often than we think, low conduct in Christian living is connected to little regard for the lost. Paul’s concern was not seeking [his] own profit, but that all may be saved." —Guzik
B. Genuinly seeking to satisfy the needs of others
Philippians 2.4
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, …
• What does “lowliness of mind” (v.3) mean?
• Seeking the Benefit of Others —Paul G. Apple, Commentary on the Book of 1 Corinthians
• Let’s look at a practical example of this.
Daniel 1
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;
• Daniel’s approach to this conflict was not motivated by weakness or lack of resolve.
...therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king."
• We cannot satisfy the needs of others if we do not take the time to understand them.
• Daniel also prepared for the conflict by establishing a good relationship and open communication .
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants."
• Notice how Daniel worked hard to address the chief of the eunuchs’ concern.
• Daniel worked on a solution that would meet the chiefs. goals and concerns in the conflict as well as his own.
• It is unnatural for us to approach a conflict with the question, “How can I serve my opponent?”
• Serving others is a core value for imitators of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to be serve.
• Jesus did not come be served, but to serve… Mark 10.45
Galatians 6.10
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
This core value should also be core to the way we handle conflict.
Even with our enemies...
Matthew 5
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
What glorifies God? Consideration for the consciences of other people and promotion of their wellbeing does. This contrasts with the observance of distinctions between foods, the satisfaction of one's personal preferences, and insistence on one's own rights. —Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Corinthians
"Christian freedom is not given to us for our own sake but for the sake of others."—Barclay, The Letters . . ., p. 105.
Application:
We are called to a radical mindset. Jesus - Others - You
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; Romans 12.10
III. IMITATE CHRIST (11.1)
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Imitate μιμητής mimētēs : (derivative of μιμέομαι ‘to imitate,’) one who imitates someone else—‘imitator, one who does what others do.’ —Louw Nida
YLT, KJV, NIV—followers; NASB, NKJV, ESV, NLT—imitators
A. Becoming like Christ should be the great aspiration of Christians.
What is God’s purpose for those He calls?
Romans 8.29
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
conformed
God plans to conform you to the likeness of His Son.
"Sometimes He may use conflict to remind you of your weaknesses and to encourage you to depend more on Him (2 Cor.12.7-10)." —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
B. We can rejoice when trials develop Christ’s character in us.
• We not only rejoice in the glory of God, but also in the tribulations that produce His character in us.
Romans 5
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
James 1
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
patience πομον hypomonē From πομνω (G5278) lit to abide under
in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. —BLB
• This process is sometimes referred to as the “ABC of spiritual growth”: Adversity Builds Character. —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
• ...worry less about going through conflict and focus more on growing through conflict. —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
Application:
We can rejoice in suffering when it makes us like Christ.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1.6-7
(OPTIONAL ACTIVITY)
• Paul set himself forth as a close model or Christ’s character and priorities that could be reviewed
• Take a moment to think of someone who has modeled Christ for you and take a minute to jot them a note.
• Think about who you are modeling Christ for.
Big Idea
Conflict provides the Christian with an opportunity to
1. Glorify God,
2. Serve others, &
3. Imitate Christ.
• “Relationships get easy in your life when the gospel gets big in your heart.” --Tim Pollard in Resolving Everyday Conflict DVD series
• Further resources: Help working through the details of these opportunities. The Peacemaker or Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande.
misc.
• If a man has his heart on the conversion of men and the salvation of the world, it will go far to regulate his conduct in reference to many things concerning which there may be no exact and positive law. It will do much to regulate his dress; his style of living; his expenses; his entertainments; his mode of intercourse with the world. —Barnes
• The Corinthian Christians, with their focus on their own “rights” and their own “knowledge,” were only asking one question: what’s the harm to me? —Guzik
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Responses to questions about 1 Cor 10.27-28
G.E.—India
But what happens is this. Hindus [mostly] take some of the food and offer it to the idols. Now they offer it to people because that food offered to the idols is very precious and the belief is that it will invoke blessing. But when they see a Christian or a Muslim come for a gathering or a function, most of them are sensitive not to give the food offered to the idols. They bring the same food but the ones not offered to the idols. Or I have in some contexts told them gently that I would love to eat but not the one offered to the idols. :-)
What do you think a Hindu would think of you if you ate from the part of the food that had been offered to the idol?
Hmmm... that is good question. In some places that I have been, I have been able to witness that my God is much bigger than any other spirits or forces and I am not afraid nor I am acknowledging their god. Because as you said, they do think that I have accepted their god or see their god as mighty or worthy of worship. Where I have shared that it is the opposite.
G.J.—India
Yes. It is an issue when we start addressing it.
Most Christian parents always warn and keep their kids in check about those offering foods, and things we will encounter with friends at school.
Now Hindu's do the offering food stuff mostly during their festivals. Although, they have about 10-15 main festivals all through the year for different deities, the main 3-4 festivals are usually lengthy and the celebrations go on for about 7-10 days. This is when they have stalls put up on the streets or neighbourhoods with large idols, and constant puja's (worship) and chanting of the recitals called mantras etc. Families sign up for this worhsip with the priest and stuff. They have stalls like this in all neighbourhoods through out the country, big and small, 5 feet x 5 feet to 20 x 20 feet. So they have like 20 - 100 puja's everyday, and at the end of the each puja session, the priest just gives the prasad ( food snack that has been offered to the idol and is kept in front of the idol) to everyone in the vicinity.
So first thing our parents train us and warn us is, when we're walking along that route, DO NOT even look at the stall. it's nothing but Satan. So we somehow get this fear in our hearts as children, that that is so evil and even looking at it can make the devil go after us. or that something bad will happen to us, if we lurch around there or see the idol and the stuff there.
Secondly, to understand the concept of why Hindu's offer food, snacks and goodies to christians and muslims - Being a country with several religions, the biggest way we share with our community and neighbours is that when its christmas, christians make big plates of goodies (Snacks, cookies, cakes and all kinds of sweet and salty, spicy snacks) and we visit our Hindu and Muslim neighbours or friends and give them and visit a little bit. An average family usually hands about 20-30 such packets or plates. Muslims do this to only very close neighbours or friends, and Hindu's do it too.
So as far as I can remember, everybody that knows you and is close to a christain knows that we don't eat the prasad. we are trained to just tell our friends that we don't eat food offered to idols. So sometimes, when we are visiting a friend and their parent brings over a prasad before we leave to school and give an exam, the mother brings over some prasad, and we just have to say - no thanks aunty. I cannot eat prasad.
it's hard at first but soon, it becomes second nature.
The best part is - hindu friends that know you start taking off the snacks aside first for their christian friends and then put the whole bowl in front of the idol. They just bring over stuff and say, - we did not put it in front of the idol. we took some aside first. so you can have it.
Even at work, on a big hindu festival day, the whole office has a small puja and someone in the office goes around all the floors giving prasad to everyone. We just have to say, No I don't eat prasad or just be absent from the scene for a while.
Yes, you can take it and not eat it and throw it away, but my mom always said, Do not take it. let them know that we are not supposed to eat it.
No doubt, there will be people who laugh at us or talk about it behind us, but that's never bothered me. the only thing I would worry about is that I can tell them No, and that they will take No for an answer. Some people try to force you - Just this one time, yu know.
And also no doubt, there might be hindu's who say they didn't offer and bring you stuff from there. But we can't knnow that.
L.B.—PNG
When I first went into the Dom Tribe the clan that I lived with to learn the language and culture and begin Evangelism would often kill a pig as part of a bride price, to pay a debt etc. Because I was part of that clan I was given a small portion of the meat. I would always take the meat and eat it.
Then about every 5-6 years there would be a large pig killing ceremony where dozens of pigs would be killed and because I was part of the tribal clan I was also given a small portion of this meat to eat . It wasn't until I began to evangelize and had young Christians that this became an issue. The Christians came to me and said "Don't you realize the pig that was killed during the pig killing ceremony was sacrificed to the spirit of our ancestors?". They said I should not be eating this meat. When I realized they were bothered by this I no longer took my share of this meat.
C.M.—China/Thailand
This was never an issue unless we went to a village for a festival. We would attend the “celebration” (used ever so loosely) and be observers. It was good to fast and pray during those times. However, in a day to day setting the markets are just that, markets where folks are trying to make some cash.
P.K.H—India
Glory...really it is a nice topic to discuss. In India it is a everyday test for the christians. If you go to a store, the owner of the store every day morning without offering Pooja he won't sell anything. If you go to a meat shop we will get Hallal meat only. that means he offers that to God before he sells to us. If you get in to a Bus everyday morning without offering prayer to God and without breaking a coconut to God he won't start the bus. In some buses we can find neatly framed idol photos. Even in the Banks we can find idol photos in the corners. Even if you go to a hotel everyday morning without offering to the God and without keeping some portion of the food in front of the idols he won't serve the food. What we have to do? Knowingly we are eating that food, we are purchasing the things from the store knowingly, we are travelling in the buses knowingly, we are getting the meat knowingly :). By doing all these things Are we doing against to the Word? By doing all these things Are we falling in our faith? Firmly i can say NO. Then am i encouraging people to eat the food which was offered to Idols?..No.. It is good not to take food which was offered to Idols.If anybody takes such food,then not to judge them by the food. It is good not to take such food when it is weaking fellow believers faith. For further clarifications refer to Mark 7:15-23.,Romans14:20-23.
Generally we avoid such places and funtions. If we go there we ask people not to serve such food for us. We are not worrying about taking food unknowingly because it won't weakens my faith in the God. In my experience i used to attend many functions and places, when they invites me i will clearly tells them that i won't eat food because you offers it to idols. Sometimes they prepares food for us separately. Sometimes by saying like that we avoids such functions.
INTRODUCTION
A. Segway
Video clip
Show slide “Why is conflict always so hard.”
• Our video clip showed a couple who focused on honest issues, but lacked the perspective needed to handle their conflict as Christians.
• In his book The Peacemaker Ken Sande suggests four causes of conflict:
Poor communication
Differences in goals, gifts, etc.
Competition over limited resources
Sinful attitudes and habits
• Whether it is an argument about a vacation in the kitchen, money disagreements, scheduling conflicts, or even tension about how to do things at church, conflict is something we deal with.
• Everybody has and will continue to have conflict. Spiritual Christians have conflicts.
• Why is conflict often so hard?
• I would like to suggest it is because we often do it in a self-centered, proud, and un-Christian way.
PRAY—- - — Engage the kids with special tips.
Let’s look at our passage for principles to help us make our conflicts Christian.
B. Context: Let’s review the case study that Paul presents to set up our text for today.
1 Corinthians 10.23-30 —— Conflict over when and what to eat
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Our focus should not be on what I can do, but how can I use my freedom to build up others.
• “Activities that are not beneficial or constructive or that do not promote the good of others (cf. 10:33) should be avoided.” --David K. Lowery in Bible Knowledge Commentary
24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
• This is right in line with what Paul described as Christ’s mind in Philippians 2.3 ...let each esteem others Better than himself.”
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26 for "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."
• PSALM 24 The King of Glory and His Kingdom
A Psalm of David.
1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
• Everything belongs to the Creator.
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."
• This is a theoretical case study for most of us, but in many parts of the world it is a current and pervasive real time issue.
• This week I have been dialoguing about this with believers and missionaries from Asia.
• We might not think much of this issue here in Oklahoma, but to many believers in Asia, etc. this is a HUGE deal. Many have strong convictions against eating what has been sacrificed.
• This situation was about more than preferences about what to eat, it was a matter of conscience for those involved.
29 "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
• This may seem crystal clear to us but less than 10 years before 1 Corinthians was written the Jerusalem council admonished gentiles to abstain from things offered to idols. (Acts 15.29) That may have contributed to Paul’s need to clarify the issue here.
• Paul anticipated the objections. “Why should I not enjoy food for which I give thanks? Why should my liberty be curtailed because of another person’s weak conscience?” His reply introduced the second responsibility we have: We are responsible to glorify God in all things (1 Cor. 10:31). We cannot glorify God by causing another Christian to stumble. To be sure, our own conscience may be strong enough for us to participate in some activity and not be harmed. But we dare not use our freedom in Christ in any way that will injure a fellow Christian. —Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary
C. Read text
Paul concludes this passage with three principles that will make our conflict Christian.
1 Corinthians 10.31-11.1
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
D. Big Idea:
“Conflict provides the Christian with an opportunity (priority, purpose) to glorify God, serve others, and imitate Christ.”
I. GLORIFY GOD (10.31)
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Explain meaning of the glory of God
glory δόξα doxa
The glory of God: There are a few verses where this phrase refers to
1) a physical manifestation (Acts 7:55; Revelation 15:8; 21:23), but
2) most refer to His excellence/perfection in some sense (Psalm 19:1; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 4:6; John 11:40) or
3) to his reputation (Proverbs 25:2; John 11:4; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 4:15; Philippians 2:11).
A. G.G. by showing who God is and what He is like.
• “Every time you encounter a conflict, you will inevitably show what you really think about God.” —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
• If you do not glorify God … you will inevitably glorify something or someone else.
• People should look at our response, see God’s character, and praise him.
1 Peter 2.12
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
• We are much more selfish and self-centered than we realize.
• If we kept God’s glory as our chief priority, we would be much less likely to stumble.
B. G.G. by trusting and relying on Him.
• Do you believe that God is watching over you, that He is in control, and will set things right in His time.
• We should have a greater concern for God’s glory than our personal gain or prosperity.
• We should entrust ourselves to His care..
• The Lord Jesus set an example for us in this area.
1 Peter 2.23
...But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
• Sometimes our unchristian attitudes shows an unwillingness to leave the results in God’s hands.
C. G.G, by acknowledging God’s help
1 Peter 3. 15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
• When people notice the difference that God is making in our response to conflict, we should be ready to give a verbal witness for the Lord.
• We want to conduct ourselves in away that is compelling to the lost, and cause them to ask questions, but also share the Gospel when they inquire.
• To close the present point with a general rule, applicable not only in this, but in all cases, Whatsoever ye do - In all things whatsoever, whether of a religious or civil nature, in all the common, as well as sacred, actions of life, keep the glory of God in view, and steadily pursue in all this one end of your being, the planting or advancing the vital knowledge and love of God, first in your own soul, then in all mankind. —John Wesley’s Notes
• This rule is designed to be one of the chief directors of our lives. It is to guide all our conduct, and to constitute a test by which to try our actions. Whatever can be done to advance the honour of God is right; whatever cannot be done with that end is wrong. —Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament
Application:
"We exist for God. God does not exist for us." —Mark Driscoll http://blog.marshill.com/2010/08/05/you-could-have-god-and-you-chose-light-beer/
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3.17
• The essence of salvation is realizing that fact and turning from pleasing self to living for Him.
• Sanctification is the process of making His glory our undivided priority.
• Glorification is the future reality of that becoming complete and absolute.
• The question and prayer is not what can God do to help me, but how can I glorify God in this conflict. Worry about how you can glorify God in this conflict—about his interests more than yours.
II. SERVE OTHERS (10.32-33)
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
offence πρόσκοπος aprŏskŏpŏs 1. Literally, this word means “to strike,” “to dash against.” Intransitively it means “to stumble against,” “bump,” “slip,” “fall,” “suffer harm,” “perish.” 2. In a transferred sense, proskóptō means “to give offense,” “to cause displeasure,” or “to take offense,” “to be annoyed or enraged,” “to experience displeasure.” —-TDNT
YLT—become offenceless; KJV, NASB, ESV, NLT—give no offense; NIV—not cause anyone to stumble;
please aréskō. aréskō originally meant “to set up a positive relation,” hence “to make peace,” then aesthetically “to please,” with such nuances as a. “to be well disposed,” b. “to take a pleasant attitude,” and c. “to please.” In the NT the word means “to please” —-TDNT
profit σύμφορον symphoron: useful, profitable, expedient, suitable, good —DBL Greek
YLT, KJV, NASB, NKJV, WNT—profit; ESV—advantage; NIV—good
saved "Saved" in this context probably includes Christians and means saved in the wide sense of delivered from anything that keeps someone from advancing spiritually (cf. Rom. 15:1-3). —Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Corinthians
A. Giving an appropriate response to all kinds of people.
• The Jews should not be unnecessarily grieved nor prejudiced, who have such an abhorrence of idols that they reckon every thing offered to them thereby defiled, and that it will pollute and render culpable all who partake of it;
• nor should heathens be countenanced in their idolatry by any behaviour of ours, which they may construe as homage or honour done to their idols;
• nor young converts from Gentilism take any encouragement from our conduct to retain any veneration for the heathen gods and worship, which they have renounced: (or be discouraged from making a complete break from paganism.)
• nor should we do any thing that may be a means to pervert any members of the church from their Christian profession or practice. (causing them to question or do something that goes against their conscience.) —Matthew Henry Concise
• Be more concerned about honoring another’s convictions than “straightening him out.”
• Prayer, patience, and gentle teaching
• "Paul’s desire regarding men was that they may be saved; more often than we think, low conduct in Christian living is connected to little regard for the lost. Paul’s concern was not seeking [his] own profit, but that all may be saved." —Guzik
B. Genuinly seeking to satisfy the needs of others
Philippians 2.4
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, …
• What does “lowliness of mind” (v.3) mean?
• Seeking the Benefit of Others —Paul G. Apple, Commentary on the Book of 1 Corinthians
• Let’s look at a practical example of this.
Daniel 1
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;
• Daniel’s approach to this conflict was not motivated by weakness or lack of resolve.
...therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king."
• We cannot satisfy the needs of others if we do not take the time to understand them.
• Daniel also prepared for the conflict by establishing a good relationship and open communication .
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants."
• Notice how Daniel worked hard to address the chief of the eunuchs’ concern.
• Daniel worked on a solution that would meet the chiefs. goals and concerns in the conflict as well as his own.
• It is unnatural for us to approach a conflict with the question, “How can I serve my opponent?”
• Serving others is a core value for imitators of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to be serve.
• Jesus did not come be served, but to serve… Mark 10.45
Galatians 6.10
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
This core value should also be core to the way we handle conflict.
Even with our enemies...
Matthew 5
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
What glorifies God? Consideration for the consciences of other people and promotion of their wellbeing does. This contrasts with the observance of distinctions between foods, the satisfaction of one's personal preferences, and insistence on one's own rights. —Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Corinthians
"Christian freedom is not given to us for our own sake but for the sake of others."—Barclay, The Letters . . ., p. 105.
Application:
We are called to a radical mindset. Jesus - Others - You
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; Romans 12.10
III. IMITATE CHRIST (11.1)
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Imitate μιμητής mimētēs : (derivative of μιμέομαι ‘to imitate,’) one who imitates someone else—‘imitator, one who does what others do.’ —Louw Nida
YLT, KJV, NIV—followers; NASB, NKJV, ESV, NLT—imitators
A. Becoming like Christ should be the great aspiration of Christians.
What is God’s purpose for those He calls?
Romans 8.29
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
conformed
God plans to conform you to the likeness of His Son.
"Sometimes He may use conflict to remind you of your weaknesses and to encourage you to depend more on Him (2 Cor.12.7-10)." —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
B. We can rejoice when trials develop Christ’s character in us.
• We not only rejoice in the glory of God, but also in the tribulations that produce His character in us.
Romans 5
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
James 1
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
patience πομον hypomonē From πομνω (G5278) lit to abide under
in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. —BLB
• This process is sometimes referred to as the “ABC of spiritual growth”: Adversity Builds Character. —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
• ...worry less about going through conflict and focus more on growing through conflict. —Ken Sande in The Peacemaker
Application:
We can rejoice in suffering when it makes us like Christ.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1.6-7
(OPTIONAL ACTIVITY)
• Paul set himself forth as a close model or Christ’s character and priorities that could be reviewed
• Take a moment to think of someone who has modeled Christ for you and take a minute to jot them a note.
• Think about who you are modeling Christ for.
Big Idea
Conflict provides the Christian with an opportunity to
1. Glorify God,
2. Serve others, &
3. Imitate Christ.
• “Relationships get easy in your life when the gospel gets big in your heart.” --Tim Pollard in Resolving Everyday Conflict DVD series
• Further resources: Help working through the details of these opportunities. The Peacemaker or Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande.
misc.
• If a man has his heart on the conversion of men and the salvation of the world, it will go far to regulate his conduct in reference to many things concerning which there may be no exact and positive law. It will do much to regulate his dress; his style of living; his expenses; his entertainments; his mode of intercourse with the world. —Barnes
• The Corinthian Christians, with their focus on their own “rights” and their own “knowledge,” were only asking one question: what’s the harm to me? —Guzik
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Responses to questions about 1 Cor 10.27-28
G.E.—India
But what happens is this. Hindus [mostly] take some of the food and offer it to the idols. Now they offer it to people because that food offered to the idols is very precious and the belief is that it will invoke blessing. But when they see a Christian or a Muslim come for a gathering or a function, most of them are sensitive not to give the food offered to the idols. They bring the same food but the ones not offered to the idols. Or I have in some contexts told them gently that I would love to eat but not the one offered to the idols. :-)
What do you think a Hindu would think of you if you ate from the part of the food that had been offered to the idol?
Hmmm... that is good question. In some places that I have been, I have been able to witness that my God is much bigger than any other spirits or forces and I am not afraid nor I am acknowledging their god. Because as you said, they do think that I have accepted their god or see their god as mighty or worthy of worship. Where I have shared that it is the opposite.
G.J.—India
Yes. It is an issue when we start addressing it.
Most Christian parents always warn and keep their kids in check about those offering foods, and things we will encounter with friends at school.
Now Hindu's do the offering food stuff mostly during their festivals. Although, they have about 10-15 main festivals all through the year for different deities, the main 3-4 festivals are usually lengthy and the celebrations go on for about 7-10 days. This is when they have stalls put up on the streets or neighbourhoods with large idols, and constant puja's (worship) and chanting of the recitals called mantras etc. Families sign up for this worhsip with the priest and stuff. They have stalls like this in all neighbourhoods through out the country, big and small, 5 feet x 5 feet to 20 x 20 feet. So they have like 20 - 100 puja's everyday, and at the end of the each puja session, the priest just gives the prasad ( food snack that has been offered to the idol and is kept in front of the idol) to everyone in the vicinity.
So first thing our parents train us and warn us is, when we're walking along that route, DO NOT even look at the stall. it's nothing but Satan. So we somehow get this fear in our hearts as children, that that is so evil and even looking at it can make the devil go after us. or that something bad will happen to us, if we lurch around there or see the idol and the stuff there.
Secondly, to understand the concept of why Hindu's offer food, snacks and goodies to christians and muslims - Being a country with several religions, the biggest way we share with our community and neighbours is that when its christmas, christians make big plates of goodies (Snacks, cookies, cakes and all kinds of sweet and salty, spicy snacks) and we visit our Hindu and Muslim neighbours or friends and give them and visit a little bit. An average family usually hands about 20-30 such packets or plates. Muslims do this to only very close neighbours or friends, and Hindu's do it too.
So as far as I can remember, everybody that knows you and is close to a christain knows that we don't eat the prasad. we are trained to just tell our friends that we don't eat food offered to idols. So sometimes, when we are visiting a friend and their parent brings over a prasad before we leave to school and give an exam, the mother brings over some prasad, and we just have to say - no thanks aunty. I cannot eat prasad.
it's hard at first but soon, it becomes second nature.
The best part is - hindu friends that know you start taking off the snacks aside first for their christian friends and then put the whole bowl in front of the idol. They just bring over stuff and say, - we did not put it in front of the idol. we took some aside first. so you can have it.
Even at work, on a big hindu festival day, the whole office has a small puja and someone in the office goes around all the floors giving prasad to everyone. We just have to say, No I don't eat prasad or just be absent from the scene for a while.
Yes, you can take it and not eat it and throw it away, but my mom always said, Do not take it. let them know that we are not supposed to eat it.
No doubt, there will be people who laugh at us or talk about it behind us, but that's never bothered me. the only thing I would worry about is that I can tell them No, and that they will take No for an answer. Some people try to force you - Just this one time, yu know.
And also no doubt, there might be hindu's who say they didn't offer and bring you stuff from there. But we can't knnow that.
L.B.—PNG
When I first went into the Dom Tribe the clan that I lived with to learn the language and culture and begin Evangelism would often kill a pig as part of a bride price, to pay a debt etc. Because I was part of that clan I was given a small portion of the meat. I would always take the meat and eat it.
Then about every 5-6 years there would be a large pig killing ceremony where dozens of pigs would be killed and because I was part of the tribal clan I was also given a small portion of this meat to eat . It wasn't until I began to evangelize and had young Christians that this became an issue. The Christians came to me and said "Don't you realize the pig that was killed during the pig killing ceremony was sacrificed to the spirit of our ancestors?". They said I should not be eating this meat. When I realized they were bothered by this I no longer took my share of this meat.
C.M.—China/Thailand
This was never an issue unless we went to a village for a festival. We would attend the “celebration” (used ever so loosely) and be observers. It was good to fast and pray during those times. However, in a day to day setting the markets are just that, markets where folks are trying to make some cash.
P.K.H—India
Glory...really it is a nice topic to discuss. In India it is a everyday test for the christians. If you go to a store, the owner of the store every day morning without offering Pooja he won't sell anything. If you go to a meat shop we will get Hallal meat only. that means he offers that to God before he sells to us. If you get in to a Bus everyday morning without offering prayer to God and without breaking a coconut to God he won't start the bus. In some buses we can find neatly framed idol photos. Even in the Banks we can find idol photos in the corners. Even if you go to a hotel everyday morning without offering to the God and without keeping some portion of the food in front of the idols he won't serve the food. What we have to do? Knowingly we are eating that food, we are purchasing the things from the store knowingly, we are travelling in the buses knowingly, we are getting the meat knowingly :). By doing all these things Are we doing against to the Word? By doing all these things Are we falling in our faith? Firmly i can say NO. Then am i encouraging people to eat the food which was offered to Idols?..No.. It is good not to take food which was offered to Idols.If anybody takes such food,then not to judge them by the food. It is good not to take such food when it is weaking fellow believers faith. For further clarifications refer to Mark 7:15-23.,Romans14:20-23.
Generally we avoid such places and funtions. If we go there we ask people not to serve such food for us. We are not worrying about taking food unknowingly because it won't weakens my faith in the God. In my experience i used to attend many functions and places, when they invites me i will clearly tells them that i won't eat food because you offers it to idols. Sometimes they prepares food for us separately. Sometimes by saying like that we avoids such functions.
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