Living for God's Glory: Unity, Liberty, and Love

 

Summary

In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses a church he deeply cares for, having spent 18 months establishing it. The church, primarily composed of Gentiles, faced internal divisions and moral issues, including sexual immorality and legalism. Paul emphasizes the importance of unity and moral integrity, urging the church to adhere to the truth of the gospel rather than personal truths. He challenges their legalistic views on marriage and sexual relations, advocating for intimacy within marriage as a source of strength and unity.

Paul also addresses the issue of Christian liberty, particularly concerning eating meat sacrificed to idols. While acknowledging that idols are nothing, he advises the Corinthians to consider the conscience of their fellow believers, placing limits on their freedom for the sake of others. He uses his own example of foregoing a salary to illustrate the principle of sacrificing personal rights for the greater good. Paul warns against idolatry, highlighting the spiritual dangers of participating in pagan rituals, even if the idols themselves are not real.

The overarching theme is to live for the glory of God in all aspects of life. This means hating what God hates and loving what God loves, which manifests in practical ways such as eating, drinking, working, and interacting with others. Paul encourages believers to live with integrity, treat others with love and respect, and make decisions that honor God. He introduces three principles to guide Christian freedom: profitability, purity, and praise. Believers should ask if their actions build up others, respect the conscience of others, and ultimately glorify God.

Paul concludes by urging the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ, living in a way that seeks to save others and glorify God. He emphasizes the importance of not being unnecessarily offensive, but rather living in love and truth, reflecting Christ's example of engaging with all people to save their souls.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity and Integrity in the Church: Paul addresses the divisions and moral issues within the Corinthian church, emphasizing the need for unity and adherence to the truth of the gospel. This serves as a reminder that the church should be a place of integrity and unity, where personal truths do not overshadow the truth of Christ. [02:18]

2. Christian Liberty and Responsibility: While Christians have the freedom to make choices, Paul teaches that this liberty should be exercised with consideration for others. True freedom involves setting aside personal rights for the benefit of others, reflecting Christ's sacrificial love. [04:37]

3. Living for God's Glory: To live for the glory of God means to align our actions with His will, loving what He loves and hating what He hates. This involves practical decisions in everyday life, ensuring that our actions reflect God's character and honor Him. [06:47]

4. Principles of Christian Freedom: Paul introduces the principles of profitability, purity, and praise to guide believers in their freedom. These principles encourage us to consider whether our actions build up others, respect the conscience of others, and ultimately glorify God. [10:15]

5. Imitating Christ in Love and Truth: Paul urges believers to imitate him as he imitates Christ, living in a way that seeks to save others and glorify God. This involves engaging with all people in love and truth, reflecting Christ's example of reaching out to save souls. [27:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:18] - Addressing Divisions and Moral Issues
- [04:37] - Christian Liberty and Idolatry
- [06:47] - Living for God's Glory
- [08:42] - Practical Applications of Glorifying God
- [10:15] - Principle of Profitability
- [12:43] - Navigating Gray Areas
- [14:38] - Building Up Through God's Word
- [16:06] - Love and Service in the Church
- [17:14] - Principle of Purity
- [18:28] - Liberty Over Legalism
- [19:47] - Respecting Conscience
- [21:25] - Sacrificing for Others
- [23:39] - Listening to Conscience
- [25:27] - Principle of Praise
- [27:58] - Imitating Christ in Love and Truth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
2. Acts 20:32
3. Ephesians 4:12

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Observation Questions:

1. What were some of the internal issues Paul addressed in the Corinthian church, and how did he propose they be resolved? [02:18]

2. How does Paul illustrate the concept of Christian liberty in relation to eating meat sacrificed to idols? [04:37]

3. What does Paul mean when he says, "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"? [06:47]

4. How does Paul use his own example to teach about sacrificing personal rights for the benefit of others? [04:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul’s teaching on unity and integrity challenge the modern church's approach to internal divisions and moral issues? [02:18]

2. In what ways does Paul suggest that Christian liberty should be limited for the sake of others, and how might this apply to contemporary issues? [04:37]

3. What practical steps does Paul suggest for living a life that glorifies God, and how can these be applied in everyday situations? [06:47]

4. How does Paul’s call to imitate him as he imitates Christ provide a model for Christian behavior today? [27:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized your personal truth over the truth of the gospel. How can you realign your focus to ensure unity and integrity within your church community? [02:18]

2. Consider a situation where you exercised your freedom without considering its impact on others. How can you be more mindful of the conscience of fellow believers in similar situations? [04:37]

3. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to live for the glory of God. What specific changes can you make to align your actions with His will? [06:47]

4. Think of a personal right or freedom you hold dear. How might you sacrifice this for the benefit of others, following Paul’s example? [04:37]

5. How can you practically demonstrate love and respect in your relationships, especially when speaking the truth? [08:42]

6. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did it honor God? How can you ensure future decisions align with glorifying Him? [08:42]

7. In what ways can you imitate Christ in your daily interactions, especially with those who do not share your faith? [27:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity and Integrity in the Church
Paul's letter to the Corinthians highlights the importance of unity and moral integrity within the church. The Corinthian church, primarily composed of Gentiles, faced internal divisions and moral issues, including sexual immorality and legalism. Paul emphasizes that the church should be a place where the truth of the gospel prevails over personal truths. He calls for unity and adherence to the truth of Christ, reminding believers that their actions should reflect the integrity and unity that the gospel demands. This serves as a reminder that the church should be a community where believers support one another in living out the truth of Christ. [02:18]

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

Reflection: Is there a division or conflict within your church community that you can help mend today? How can you contribute to unity and integrity in your church?


Day 2: Christian Liberty and Responsibility
Paul addresses the concept of Christian liberty, particularly concerning eating meat sacrificed to idols. While acknowledging that idols are nothing, he advises the Corinthians to consider the conscience of their fellow believers, placing limits on their freedom for the sake of others. True freedom involves setting aside personal rights for the benefit of others, reflecting Christ's sacrificial love. Paul uses his own example of foregoing a salary to illustrate the principle of sacrificing personal rights for the greater good. This teaches us that our freedom should be exercised with consideration for others, prioritizing love and responsibility over personal liberty. [04:37]

1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV): "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak."

Reflection: In what ways can you limit your own freedoms today to better serve and support those around you, especially those who might be struggling in their faith?


Day 3: Living for God's Glory
To live for the glory of God means to align our actions with His will, loving what He loves and hating what He hates. Paul encourages believers to live with integrity, treat others with love and respect, and make decisions that honor God. This involves practical decisions in everyday life, ensuring that our actions reflect God's character and honor Him. By living for God's glory, we demonstrate our commitment to His will and purpose in all aspects of life, from eating and drinking to working and interacting with others. [06:47]

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to ensure that your daily routine reflects God's glory and aligns with His will?


Day 4: Principles of Christian Freedom
Paul introduces the principles of profitability, purity, and praise to guide believers in their freedom. These principles encourage us to consider whether our actions build up others, respect the conscience of others, and ultimately glorify God. By applying these principles, believers can navigate the complexities of Christian freedom, ensuring that their actions are beneficial, pure, and praiseworthy. This approach helps believers make decisions that honor God and support the spiritual growth of others. [10:15]

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (ESV): "All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor."

Reflection: How can you apply the principles of profitability, purity, and praise in a decision you need to make today?


Day 5: Imitating Christ in Love and Truth
Paul urges believers to imitate him as he imitates Christ, living in a way that seeks to save others and glorify God. This involves engaging with all people in love and truth, reflecting Christ's example of reaching out to save souls. By imitating Christ, believers can live in a manner that is not unnecessarily offensive but rather characterized by love and truth. This approach encourages believers to engage with others in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth, ultimately seeking to save souls and glorify God. [27:58]

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV): "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can reach out to today with Christ-like love and truth? How can you reflect Christ's example in your interaction with them?

Quotes

All right, 1 Corinthians is a letter that the Apostle Paul writes to this church that he treasured very much. He started the church in Corinth, and he was there 18 months working among the people. And so these pagan people were learning about Jesus Christ. Most of them were Gentiles, so non-Jewish people who were learning about Jesus and what it meant to believe in this man who died on the cross, but then he rose from the dead. And his disciples, his apostles were proclaiming this truth. Some of them were dying for it. And so these people became Christians because they believed in Jesus. [00:00:17] (38 seconds)


And so this church began to grow in Corinth. But as most churches experienced, there were issues in the church. There were problems in the church. There were factions that had developed, or cliques. And one clique didn't like another clique. One click thought that they were better than another group over here, and they were very divided. So in the first six chapters, the Apostle Paul writes to them about these divisions in the church. Also in the first six chapters, he writes to them about sexual immorality that was happening in the house, in the church. [00:00:38] (32 seconds)


And he addresses some of the religious Omarites. And I was on a youtube video of the church when I was at church, and I noticed that there was this issue in the church that they were dealing with. And some of the people in the church were kind of uncomfortable with the idea of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. In this pagan culture, they had all these little gods, small g, and they had sacrifices to these gods, and then the meat that was sacrificed, it was still good meat. And so at the back side of the little temple, the priest would make some extra money by selling the pot roast and the filet mignon to the people who were there. [00:03:20] (30 seconds)


And the Corinthians were writing in the letter, and it seems as if they said to Apostle Paul, hey, Apostle Paul, we know that an idol is nothing. So we know that this meat sacrifice is fine to eat. Why don't you tell the other people in our church, the ones that are weaker, to get with the program and to eat the meat? And the Apostle Paul says, true, an idol is nothing. And true, you can eat the meat. You have liberty to do so. But for the sake of your brother and sister, you put parameters on your liberty. You put parameters on your freedom for their sake. [00:04:00] (32 seconds)


And then in chapter 10, he warns against idolatry that happens even though these idols are not real, that if you would go and participate, say there's a feast for a false god, and the Corinthians would say, well, I can go there because I'm of Christ, and that idol is nothing. I can go participate in the feast. I have freedom to do that. And the Apostle says, now wait, even though the idol is nothing, you got to realize that there are spiritually dark forces behind everything that we do. And so be careful that you're not falling into idolatry. [00:04:37] (34 seconds)


That's going to be the overarching theme for you and for me, for the Corinthian Christians. Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all for the glory of God. Now, you might say at the beginning, well, what does it mean to do all for the glory of God? And so let me give you just a couple of brief things to help. I think it will help us. This is not in your notes, but here's the here's the big idea. To live for the glory of God means that you hate what God hates, and you love what God loves. [00:05:55] (31 seconds)

Living for the glory of God, hating what God hates, love what God loves. How about in the area of eating and drinking? Eating and drinking. You can have freedom for different things. You can go to a restaurant, and you can have freedom to have liberty to make the decisions about what you eat and what you drink, because there's freedom in it. And so you can go after church, if you'd like, you could go to Culver's down here, it's kind of a a new Culver's is good. You could go to Longhorn Steakhouse. [00:06:38] (24 seconds)


You could go to, there's another place I like, I can't remember the name of it, Beef Shack. Yeah, Beef Shack. You could go there, and it doesn't matter where you go, you have freedom to do it. Praise God for that. You have freedom to eat and to drink. You have freedom to drink. You can go out, have an adult beverage if you're an adult, and you can do that. But to do all for the glory of God means that you're thankful for the food and drink that you have, and you're mindful for those around you. [00:06:47] (30 seconds)


Living to glorify God doesn't mean that you're 24 -7 kneeling down in prayer, but it means that 24 -7, the Lord has his lordship in your life. So, let me give you three principles that will help us from the text as we use our Christian freedom or put parameters on it. The first one is this, the principle of profitability. Does it build up is the question that you should ask. Look at verse 23. [00:09:20] (37 seconds)


It seems as if the Corinthians had this slogan, and in my ESV translation, it has it in quotation marks, all things are lawful. And they probably got it from the Apostle Paul. It makes sense. Because the Apostle Paul, you could hear him saying something like that, because he wasn't a legalist. And so, he could hear him saying something like that. And so, he could hear him say, all things are lawful. [00:10:06] (24 seconds)


He could say to the Galatians, don't listen to the Judaizers, those Jewish Christians who say that you need to be circumcised in order to really be saved. You can have Jesus, that's good, but you got to follow the law. The Apostle Paul said, no, no, no, all things are lawful for me. I'm not bound under the law anymore. I can eat with a Gentile. I can have a bacon and egg sandwich. I'm not bound. All things are lawful. I'm not bound under the law anymore. All things are lawful for me. And so, the Corinthians, it seemed like they were taking that everywhere. [00:10:28] (31 seconds)


And then the last thing is service. When you volunteer, when you put in your time to serve the body of Christ, other believers, you are building up the church. Ephesians 4, verse 12, their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church. So when you build up the church, you're building up the church. So when you serve, you're not just depleting yourself of time and resources, you are actually investing in the kingdom work here. That's a beautiful thing. You're investing in it. [00:16:15] (32 seconds)


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Transcript
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