Sermons

Living A Life of Grace Part 8 - Grace in the Gray Areas (1 Corinthians 8:1-12, Romans 14:17, Ephesians 6:1, Romans 13:1, Romans 14:23)

Michael O'Brien, October 7, 2012
Part of the Living A Life Of Grace series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

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1 Corinthians 8:1–12 (Listen)

8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

4 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.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—6 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.

7 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. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 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? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

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Romans 14:17 (Listen)

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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Ephesians 6:1 (Listen)

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

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Romans 13:1 (Listen)

13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

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Romans 14:23 (Listen)

23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

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