Laying Down Our Rights
Sermon Notes
Right means a truth, consistent with facts or belief. I gave the right answer. In other words, I knew it was correct. In this lesson, Paul addressed the question about food being offered to idols to some believers who weren’t bothered by eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols.
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.
New International Version
1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Matthew 9:10-13 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Our liberty meaning our freedom has been given to us for serving and laying down our lives, meaning our rights. When Jesus said I lay down my life for you, I don’t think each time he said that he literally meant dying each time. He was simply saying I gave up all my rights for you.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. We are to build and not destroy, edify and not tear down. This liberty that Paul is talking about it was not given for our self-gain. Many today are offended by our lifestyle and the way we talk, act, and carry ourselves as Christians. Not that we shouldn’t be Christians, but sometime we should just put some things aside. We may have the freedom in Christ to do many things but if something will offend another person then we must carefully consider voluntarily limiting ourselves in order to witness to others.
How do we know what freedom and rights we need to set aside in order to win others to Christ? Paul says in Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. LOVE!
1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
Conclusion: Paul was advising those who are more mature in the faith about how they must care about their brothers and sisters in Christ.