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I. Reading of Scripture
I will read 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 in our hearing.
Today’s sermon will focus on the last four verses, beginning in verse 31.
This is God’s Word, Amen.
[Title Slide]
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 ”Whatever You Do”
II.
Introduction
A. Introduction to Theme
Whatever we do as Christians, is either a witness FOR, or a witness AGAINST, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Whatever we do as the Church, is either a witness FOR, or a witness AGAINST, our Lord Jesus Christ!
To be known by the name of “Christ,” to be called a “Christian,” to exist in a faith community as a member of Christ’s Church, means that every thought we think, every statement we speak, every deed we do —
Whatever we do will serve as a witness (for or against) Christ.
The apostle’s instruction “To the Church” at the end of Chapter 10, compels us all to be witnesses FOR our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever we do.
But what does that mean?
How can we ensure that whatever we do, is right?
How can we ensure that whatever we do, is a witness FOR Christ?
Our text equips us with three ways to evaluate our actions as believers.
Let us remember these three words to help us evaluate our actions.
“Whatever you do,” DO —
[ Read word & Text Capture ]
exclusively | “do all to the glory of God” [10:31]
evangelistically | “that they may be saved” [10:32-33]
expressively | “as I am of Christ.”
[11:1]
In Chapter 8, Verse 1, the apostle began to answer a question posed to him by the church in Corinth about food offered to idols.
And the apostle took a long road to arrive at his answer.
He spoke about knowledge.
He spoke about love.
He spoke about his rights and his living.
He spoke about examples from “our fathers” in history.
He has spoken about idols.
He has spoken about the food itself.
He has turned this question around to see all sides and consider how to answer from every point of view.
His answer is informed.
It is not a guess.
He’s done his homework.
His answer is honest.
He doesn’t overlook the consequences.
He addresses the complexities involved.
When answering a question theoretically, a solution may seem very complicated.
But when answering a question theologically, a solution must be very clear.
As Christians, we do not act out of theory.
We act out of theology.
What we do, is an outflow of what we know about God.
That’s theology.
And wrapped up in theology is Christology - what we know about Christ.
And wrapped up in theology and Christology is also Pneumatology - what we know about the Holy Spirit.
Whatever we do as Christians must done in such a way that represents the one, holy, living and true God to all people - God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We must act in a way that is consistent and clear about who God is and who we are as His called and empowered people.
We must not act in a way that confuses God in the eyes of anyone watching us.
Because whatever we do says something about who God is and what God does!
B. Introduction to Text
Here, at the end of Chapter 10, the time for argument has ended.
It is now time to act.
This conclusion is recognized by the words of verse 31 —
“Whatever you do.” (10:31)
It’s as if the apostle recognizes that the people are going to “do whatever they are going to do.”
I’ve given my counsel and my instruction, but I recognize that “you are going to do whatever you are going to do.”
That is often how I feel on Sundays.
Having prepared, prayed, studied, taught and preached God’s Word, exhorting all who hear to understand and obey and live this out by faith —
I realize that you’re going to do what you’re going to do.
And there is nothing I can do about that!
Recently, I preached about something specific, something God clearly calls us to obey by faith.
And I spoke with someone who looked me in the eyes and did not say “I will work to obey that, so help me God!” Or, “I want to obey that, so help me God!”
But instead, simply said “I don’t do that.”
“You’re going to do what you’re going to do.”
Speaking now, specifically to my context - I know that the majority of you listening right now in this Sanctuary, are in the senior years of life.
For you, this is something to pay close attention to.
Because you are at a point in your life where you are inclined not to change your ways for anything!
“You’re going to do whatever you’re going to do.”
The sin to guard against in old age is the sin of becoming hardened, and “set in your ways.”
I recognize that you are going to do whatever you are going to do.
But, I hope and pray that God will give you a heart, and us all a heart, that desires to do all things well, and all things rightly.
If that is you today, and you are not resisting the desire of the Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart by faith and so empower you to live for God, then hear what God says through His Holy Word —
III.
Exposition
A. Whatever You Do…Do Exclusively | “all to the glory of God” [ 10:31 ]
Whatever you do…do exclusively | “all to the glory of God.”
This exhortation comes to us in the form of an instruction found in verse 31:
10.31
To do something “exclusively” means to do it to the “exclusion of others.”
And so it is, that whatever we do may be done unto a host of people, including God, and even ourselves!
Ask this question before you act: Who am I doing this for?
The Church in Corinth wanted to know whether or not they should eat of this food that had been sacrificed idols.
When it comes here to the time to act, the apostle does not mince words about this food or act of eating.
He teaches clearly that:
“food represents fellowship” (10:16-17)
And he illustrates the highest example food and fellowship by bringing into view the Christ meal: Communion.
That word “participation” is the Greek word [ κοινωνία ] which is the word for “fellowship.”
This “fellowship” is what we, as Christians have been called into, together, in Jesus Christ.
And this fellowship, this uniting together in Christ, is witnessed by Christians in the Communion meal.
I think it is needed, and would be even helpful, if we celebrated Communion every Sunday we gather for this reason!
Notice the word “one.”
We are not two bodies.
We are “one body” partaking of “the one bread” - “the body of Christ.
This means our fellowship is exclusive to Christians.
Our fellowship, Church, is exclusive for those who are in fellowship with Christ.
When the Church partakes of the Communion meal in fellowship with Christ, we witness that we belong to Christ exclusively, and to no other.
An idol has no real existence.
It is not living.
But an idol represents something that does have an existence, and that is living.
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