Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Expanding last weeks theme in 1 Cor 8 - to bring some extra thoughts
- How do we make decisions
- How do we consider Christian conscience
- Christians differ in grey areas
- There are many things today that Christians disagree on
- It doesn't necessarily mean that one is sinner
- Paul has said that an idol is nothing
- Paul says that food cannot contaminate the soul
- Paul warns you not to abuse your freedom - if it leads your brother to sin
- Paul has a word for the person with the weak conscience and for those with a strong conscience
- Focusing attention on v23
- Reading v22 - be happy if your conscience does not condemn you
- Reading v23 - if you act in a doubtful state, you sin
- Be convinced in your heart that what you are doing in right
- All that is not of faith, is sin - this is quite strong
- Thinking about:
- On what principles should Christian's make decisions? - thematic teaching
- What is the function of conscience?
Is it to the glory of God?
- 1 Cor 10:31
- Helpful - it reminds us that our whole life is before God
- There should be no divide between secular and spiritual - examples
- Challenging - are these activities honouring God?
- 1 Cor 10:30 - do we thank God for our food?
- 1 Cor 10:32-33 - to consider our fellow man
- Example of dress
- Do we do all to the glory of God?
- If we do not know the glory of God we can study together in fellowship
- There is wisdom in the multitude of counsellors
What does the Bible say?
- Questions:
- Are there Biblical principles?
- Is it a moral command?
- How would Jesus have acted?
- Are there examples in Scripture?
- Is it an area of personal freedom? - but pray for wisdom
- 1 Cor 10:20-22 - don't touch things involved idol worship
- There are other moral areas in Scripture - examples
- There are Biblical principles - examples
- Do we try to find loopholes?
- Rom 14:23 - we must not doubt, our conscience must be informed by Scripture
- What about neutral areas?
- 1 Cor 6:12
- Personal example
- 1 Cor 10:23
- Ask - is this helping me?
What are the consequences of our decisions?
- Think about other Christians - examples
- Think about our family - examples
- We are exhorted to be an example - 1 Tim 4:12, 1 Cor 11:1
- Consider the advice of Proverbs - examples
- We reap what we sow
How Christ like are our decisions?
- Consider the example of Christ - examples
- How much do we our consider our own needs?
- In neutral areas
- We are not to lord it over others
- We ultimately stand before God
- We must remember the above
- Examples - money, leisure time, chores, etc
Act in Faith
- Do not be double minded
- Have a strong faith
- Remember that God is sovereign in the affairs of men
- The secret things belong to God but the things revealed in the Bible belong to us
- Prov 3:5-6
- Ps 37:4-5
- Ps 32:8
- Example of Jander
Closing Remarks