Living in Love: Choices That Impact Our Community
Summary
In today's gathering, I explored the profound impact our individual choices have on the lives of our fellow believers. I emphasized the importance of living a life that not only reflects our freedom in Christ but also considers the spiritual well-being of others. The essence of my message was rooted in 1 Corinthians 8, where Paul addresses the issue of food offered to idols and the broader implications of our actions on the faith of others.
I began by acknowledging the unique design of each person, crafted by God with specific talents and a purpose for this life. I shared personal anecdotes, reflecting on my journey from fear of public speaking to embracing the calling God placed on my life. This journey illustrated the responsibility we have to use our God-given gifts for His glory.
The core of my message revolved around the concept of not causing our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble. I stressed that our spirituality is not a means to salvation but a byproduct of a devoted life. As believers, we are transformed by the Holy Spirit, shedding aspects of our old selves and embracing a new life in Christ. This transformation is not about adhering to a legalistic set of rules but about being shaped by Christ Himself.
I challenged the congregation to care deeply about how their actions impact other believers. It's not enough to simply enjoy our freedoms in Christ; we must be willing to forego certain liberties if they might cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble. This is not about legalism but about prioritizing the spiritual health of the community over personal rights.
I also addressed the issue of knowledge versus love. Knowledge can lead to pride and arguments, while love seeks to protect and build up others. We must choose love over knowledge, ensuring that our actions do not inadvertently lead others into sin or back into old, harmful patterns.
Finally, I called on the church to adopt a humble attitude, to live selflessly, and to be willing to ask difficult questions about how our lives might be causing others to stumble. We must be ready to make changes, not because we are legally obligated, but because we love our brothers and sisters and desire to see them grow in their faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Our individual lives are intricately woven into the fabric of the church body, and we must live with a deep awareness of how our actions affect others. A humble attitude and a life of humility are not optional extras but essential expressions of our love for our fellow believers. [01:28:40]
- The transformation we experience through the Holy Spirit should not be confined to a set of rules but should naturally flow from our relationship with Christ. As we live out this transformation, we become a beacon of hope and encouragement within our church community. [01:17:57]
- Our knowledge of spiritual truths must always be tempered with love. When faced with a choice between asserting our freedom and protecting a fellow believer's conscience, love must prevail. This is the essence of living out the gospel in community. [01:15:22]
- The principle of not causing others to stumble extends beyond the avoidance of obvious sins. It includes the morally neutral aspects of our lives that, while permissible, may not be beneficial for the spiritual health of those around us. We must be willing to let go of what doesn't matter if it means protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ. [01:26:42]
- Our responsibility to each other as members of the body of Christ is profound. The faith of another is, in a very real sense, in our hands. We must live with the constant awareness that our choices have the power to either build up or destroy the faith of our fellow believers. [01:27:35]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (ESV)
"Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that 'all of us possess knowledge.' This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one.' For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you—who have knowledge—eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble."
Ephesians 4:20-24 (ESV)
"But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV)
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, what contrast is made between knowledge and love, and how does this affect one's relationship with God?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 describe the potential impact of a person's actions on the conscience of a weaker brother or sister in Christ?
3. According to Ephesians 4:20-24, what transformation is expected of someone who has learned Christ?
4. Reflecting on Matthew 25:14-30, what responsibility do the servants have regarding the talents they have been given, and what are the consequences of their actions?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Considering the impact of knowledge and love as described in 1 Corinthians 8, how should a believer balance their freedom in Christ with the spiritual well-being of others?
2. What does it mean to be a stumbling block to the weak, and how can believers avoid becoming one according to the principles in 1 Corinthians 8?
3. How can the process of putting off the old self and putting on the new self, as mentioned in Ephesians 4, be observed in a believer's life?
4. In light of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, how should individuals view and utilize the unique gifts and talents God has given them?
Application Questions:
1. Identify a personal freedom you enjoy that could potentially cause a fellow believer to stumble. What steps can you take to ensure you do not misuse this freedom?
2. Think of a recent situation where you had to choose between asserting your knowledge and showing love. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future?
3. Choose one aspect of your old self that you struggle to put off. What specific action will you take this week to work towards renewing your mind in that area?
4. Reflect on the talents and gifts God has given you. What is one way you can use them this week to serve others and glorify God?
5. Consider the influence of your actions on the faith of others. What is one change you can make in your behavior or habits to be a positive influence on the spiritual growth of those around you?
Devotional
Day 1: Humility in Christian Fellowship
Living with humility is not just a noble trait; it is a critical aspect of Christian life that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the church body. Each believer's actions have a ripple effect on the community, and a humble attitude is the foundation for considering how those actions impact others. Humility is the lens through which one sees the needs and spiritual well-being of fellow believers, recognizing that personal freedoms should never come at the expense of another's faith journey. It is about putting the spiritual health of the community above personal desires and rights, and it requires a constant self-examination to ensure that one's life is an encouragement rather than a stumbling block to others. [01:28:40]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4 ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate humility in a practical way within your church community this week?
Day 2: Transformation Beyond Rules
The transformation that occurs through the Holy Spirit is not confined to following a set of rules; it is a natural outpouring of a genuine relationship with Christ. As believers, the call is to live a life that reflects the change Christ has made within, becoming a source of hope and encouragement to others. This transformation is about shedding the old self and embracing a new life that is shaped by Christ's love and grace. It is a journey of becoming more like Jesus, not through legalistic adherence but through a heart that is continually being molded by the Holy Spirit. [01:17:57]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have seen the Holy Spirit at work, and how can you share this transformation with someone this week?
Day 3: Love Over Knowledge
Knowledge in itself is not wrong, but when it becomes a source of pride or leads to arguments, it fails to serve the body of Christ. Love, on the other hand, seeks to edify and protect. It is the guiding principle that should temper all spiritual knowledge. When faced with decisions, love must be the deciding factor, especially when it comes to the well-being of fellow believers. Choosing love over knowledge means being willing to sacrifice personal freedoms if they might cause a brother or sister in Christ to struggle or stumble in their faith. [01:15:22]
"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV)
Reflection: Can you think of a situation where you prioritized knowledge over love, and how can you approach similar situations with love in the future?
Day 4: Forgoing Liberties for Others
The Christian life involves discerning not only what is permissible but also what is beneficial for the spiritual health of the community. This principle extends to all aspects of life, including those that are morally neutral. Believers are called to be willing to let go of personal liberties if exercising them could potentially harm the faith of a brother or sister in Christ. It is an act of love and sacrifice that prioritizes the spiritual growth and conscience of others over personal preferences or rights. [01:26:42]
"All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up." (1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV)
Reflection: What is one liberty you enjoy that you might need to reconsider in light of its impact on others within your faith community?
Day 5: Bearing Each Other's Faith
The responsibility of each believer towards the faith of others is profound. The choices made in daily life have the power to either build up or tear down the faith of fellow believers. This responsibility should not be taken lightly, as it is a tangible expression of the love and care for the church body. Living with the awareness that one's actions can influence the spiritual journey of others is a call to intentional living that seeks to encourage and strengthen the faith of the community. [01:27:35]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made; how might it have affected the faith of those around you, and what can you do to ensure your choices are edifying to others?
Quotes
"When the Bible says that we are knit in our mother's womb, that means we are one of one. The mold is broken. We are not a version. We are one of one, each uniquely crafted to live a certain life in this short, short lifetime. Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do back to it is your responsibility back to God. It's your responsibility." [01:03:32]
"I need to look above my knowledge and I need to look to love. It's saying don't let your brother in Christ dabble with something they shouldn't be dabbling with... Knowledge argues. Knowledge is formative of an argument that I'm going to win your opinion by just arguing with you. Again, that's not the gospel. That's not the mission of Vanguard Church. We don't argue people into a real relationship with Jesus Christ. We love them into a real relationship with Jesus Christ." [01:13:49]
"Our crossroads of our lives have meaning together. They're designed to interweave... But how we live that life should matter to how that impacts other people's lives. This is our responsibility in Christ. Church, will you adopt a humble attitude? Will you adopt a life of humility that says, I love my brother, I love my sister more than I do about this thing? Because it doesn't matter." [01:28:40]
"God alone determines your spirituality. Your spirituality is not a means to your salvation. It is a byproduct of a devoted life... We are indeed transformed by the Holy Spirit... But it's not a legalistic set of rules that shape who we are. Christ alone shapes who we are as believers." [01:17:57]
"Seek to protect your brother, not demand your right. Don't demand your right... If you could stop doing something right now that could save the faith of another believer, why would you not do it? Does it really mean that much to you? Why would you not do it?" [01:22:09]
"Therefore, if blank makes my brother stumble, I will not blank lest I make my brother stumble. It is so important that we are aware of how our lives have influence on each other... What this sermon is is caring more about your brother in Christ, your sister in Christ, than you do about the freedoms that you have found in Christ." [01:05:50]
"Paul says our knowledge may allow for the destruction of a weaker brother in the faith. The faith of another is in our hands. The destruction of another is in our hands. Again, God called us to live in community together. We're here together." [01:27:35]
"That's a tough attitude to get over. That's a tough attitude for us to accept that maybe the things that I do can cause someone to stumble. Now, what Paul is talking about here are largely things that we consider to be morally neutral... but could be a gateway to a sinful lifestyle." [01:08:43]
"We know there's nothing wrong with the meat. But we have to look to love first. We know that it's not possessed. We know the meat's okay, but our weaker brother or sister in Christ, we have to be mindful of where they are in their faith. And we need to put that above us." [01:21:09]
"because you had to be right, because you had to hold on to your freedom that meant so much to you, that you actually allowed your weaker brother in Christ to be destroyed. And here's the one that hits the nail, the brother for whom Christ died. Wow, the brother for whom Christ died is being destroyed by the works of what I'm doing." [01:25:30]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 18, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?