Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro:

The final eruption of Mount St. Helens in May of 1980 was not a sudden event.

For two months prior to the massive blast—the most deadly and destructive in American history—earthquakes and volcanic activity signaled a major event was underway.

Authorities had plenty of time to sound the alarm and warn those living nearby of the looming danger.

Yet despite the seriousness of the threat, some people chose to disregard the warnings.

Probably the best known of those who refused to evacuate was Harry Randall Truman.

The eighty-three year old man was the owner and caretaker at the Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake.

He had survived the sinking of his troop ship by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland during World War I, and he was not about to leave just because scientists thought there was danger.

Truman told reporters, “I don't have any idea whether it will blow.

But I don't believe it to the point that I'm going to pack up.”

On May 18, 1980, Truman and his lodge were buried beneath 150 feet of mud and debris from the volcanic eruption.

His body was never found.

This story is yet another humble reminder of listening when warnings come.

Though different in scope, Paul’s warnings certainly would have echoed the same level of seriousness to the wayward Corinthian Christian.

Paul has taken much time to elaborate of the very controversial subject of Christian liberties.

He too feared that if something wasn’t done, that the church itself could have its own kind of catastrophic event.

Already there was bunch disunity in the church and Paul feared it would only grow worse.

So Paul, under the guidance of the Spirit, wrote much to consider and to heed when approaching the subject of Christian liberties.

Here at the end of Chapter 10, Paul will conclude the matter and share his final yet most important command to consider when thinking through our Christian liberties.

Let’s begin by reading 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Prayer

Let’s start by looking at the Final Recap.

I. Final Recap

Paul is about to conclude the topic of Christian liberties and He does so by restating what points he has already covered.

Why goes Paul or any good Preacher reiterate points already made?

It’s because they want what was said to stick.

Usually much is said so we don’t want to have the main thing get lost in all of the wording.

It’s much like when a preacher says, “If you don’t get anything else out of this sermon, at least remember this”.

That what is taking place he.

So Paul begins by reiterating common excuses made by those who are not thinking correctly.

I(A).

The Excuses of the Wrong (v.23)

The phrase “All things are lawful” is pretty much identical to what Paul shared back in chapter 6:12 “All things are lawful for me”.

Remember that Paul was dealing with a much different issue in chapter 6 than he was is chapters 8-10.

There he was dealing specifically with sexual immorality.

“All things are lawful for me” was a phrase that was commonly used by the Corinthian church.

The NIV reads this statement as “I have the right to do anything.”

Looking back, it is quite possible that this phrase may have begun to circulate through the Corinthian church because of a message Paul spoke about freedoms in Christ.

He may have even said in his message “All things are lawful” but they took it to unbiblical extremely.

His use of all things are lawful always refers to questionable practices, the gray areas of Christian living that are not specifically forbidden in the Bible.

There in chapter 6, they were using it to justify some sexual cravings.

Here in chapter 10, they were using it to justify eating meat offered to idols.

Notice though, what Paul says they failed to identify when exercising their rights.

Here’s a side by side comparison.

6:12- “All things are lawful for me”, but not all things are helpful

10:23- “All things are lawful”, but not all things are helpful.

Notice the exact similarities.

This thought of helpful applies to both the sexual temptations and the reasoning to eat food offered to idols.

It applies to both the same.

6:12- “All things are lawful for me”, but I will not be dominated by anything.

10:23- “All things are lawful”, but not all things build up.

Notice the difference here though.

Sexual sins dominate our minds and leave as straggled by its enticing power.

Paul shared much in that chapter to avoid this evil.

But when talking about eating meat offered to idols, he doesn’t means being dominated by anything, but rather identifies an important reason that “All things are lawful” isn’t correct thinking because in this case, it does not build up

So now Paul will give an explanation of...

I(B).

The Explanation of What is Right (v.24)

What does it mean to edify and build up?

The basic meaning of edify (oikodomeō) is “to build a house,” and, by extension, the term refers to the literal or figurative building of anything.

It is often used in the New Testament to describe the spiritual growth, or upbuilding, of believers.

Whatever contributes to spiritual growth constitutes what is profitable, or beneficial, helpful, advantageous, or useful.

Only things that are profitable are able to edify.

We are shown in scripture many ways in which we can be built up.

Here are just a few.

His Word- Acts 20:32

Preaching and Teaching- 1 Corinthians 14:3-4

Love - 1 Corinthians 8:1

Obedient Service- Ephesians 4:12

Furthermore, it is not just a request that we be built up but a command.

Desiring the spiritual benefit and edification of ourselves is a hallmark of Christian maturity.

But it shouldn’t just be for ourselves but for others as Paul so thoroughly states here in verse 24.

This is in exact parallel to what Paul shared in Philippians 2:3-4

Even if something will build us up we should not do it if it is not also for the good of others.

Our primary concern should be for the good of our neighbor, a principle contrary to basic human nature.

This Paul has thoroughly explained in chapter 8 and 9.

A good final way to define what is right regarding our actions/convictions is to examine it through these questions.

First ask the question if we have the spiritual right to do it.

That is, does scripture forbid it, most importantly and is our conscience clear on it “whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23)” Paul will mention more of conscience in an illustration later in this text.

But the next question is just as important.

We should ask, is it profitable, edifying, and upbuilding for ourselves and for others?

If the answer to both is yes, then we likely can feel at liberty to participate in that activity.

If the answer is questionable to either than we should avoid it.

But even after saying all this, perhaps Paul still felt unsure that the Corinthian believer would understand, so he gives them a very vivid illustration of how to this live principle and command out.

I(C).

The Example of How to Live It (v.25-29a)

Notice again, Paul makes mention that there is absolutely no need to worry about eating meat that may have once been offered to idols but is now sold in the market, why because the earth and everything in it is the Lord’s.

However, as was stated earlier.

Eat on the grounds of conscience.

God did give us a conscience and His Holy Spirit.

If you feel uneasy about it, don’t do it.

I’ll share that recently, I did a study of words.

Swear words and slang words in particular.

Some of this is very much a grey area.

Scripture doesn’t contain a do’s and don’ts section for what is right and wrong words to say.

We do have the command to not take the name of the Lord in vain.

We do have the commands in Ephesians 4 that tell us to avoid corrupt communication, evil speaking, and malice.

Further in chapter 5, it tells us to avoid filthiness, and foolish talking, and course joking.

So after evaluating that word to scripture and in the setting we typically to use it, seeing that it didn’t violate scripture nor did it tear down but it might even be said to build up.

Even after all that, my conscience still didn’t feel it was right, so we have ceased from using it.