The life of Christian is one where we die to a type of self-interest that would wrong our neighbor and impede our fellow man’s growth towards God. If we truly want to glorify God, we must model our Lord’s example in his earthly mission as recorded in the Gospels. He sacrificed his dwelling in heaven to come down to earth to do his Father’s will. He sought his Father’s glory in the service of mankind. This is the root motivation of all Christian liberty. Affirming this truth Paul taught (Gal 5:13-14), “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Paul continues his teaching to the church about how to live the Christian lifestyle with both believers and nonbelievers in a way that glorifies God. He uses the example of fellowship meal as way to provide application to this truth.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:27-33

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A Christian is saved for purposes of living for Christ. With Jesus as our model in how he submitted to his Father in his earthly ministry, we likewise cast aside a self-willed life in exchange for a God led one. Yes, we have freedoms in Jesus, but such emancipation from a lifestyle of sin is to be used to serve God and others. Paul taught (Gal 5:13-14), “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The second greatest commandment of all scripture is the central theme of Paul’s last block of teaching (v23-33) in this chapter, and it is this: The Christian should live in a way that promotes the interest of their fellow men to the glorification of God. In today’s message (Part 1), we shall begin to unpack these Biblical truths that reveals the heart of how our freedoms in Jesus are to be used to love God and people.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23-26

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The Gospel announces the Great Banquet feast of heaven (Mt 22:1-14). It is an invitation to fellowship and communion with our God. Because of Jesus salvific works, we can now approach the table of redemption where the riches of righteousness is served to all who respond in faith to his invitation (call). As a Christian approaches God, we at the same time must depart (flee) from our former life of dining at the table of the world (i.e., sin rooted in earthly affections) which only offers temporal delights with long-term dissatisfaction.

Paul now concludes his exhortations about idolatry. In this subject text, he highlights the contrast between fellowship with the Lord and worship at the altar of idolatry. He refers (again) to ancient Israel’s priestly rituals in the temple to emphasize the truth that a Christian cannot partake of Satan and God at the same time.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:18-22

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