Watch what you do for the weak

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.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Today's topic is on Christian freedom. Drinking, smoking, and clubbing. Paul is addressing the eating of foods sacrificed to idols. Corinth was multi-theistic and multi-demonistic. People believed that demons could enter the body through food. So people believed that sacrificing this meat to idols purged it from demonic presence. It was sold in the market. Much like organic foods in the modern day. Some believers were stumbled by this food; others were not stumbled.

There are differences between people in knowledge of faith.

There is a difference between people when it comes to theological knowledge. There were people in the Corinthian church who understood. But even though they were right, they had a proud attitude towards those who don't know. They were puffed up. In this, they were in the wrong. It is not simply a matter of possessing knowledge of God. There is more  to it than just theology. It must impact our lives. Knowing God means having theology that changes us.

There is a difference between POSSESSING KNOWLEDGE of the gospel and being POSSESSED BY KNOWLEDGE of the gospel.

The one who loves is the one who knows God.

There is a difference between christians in terms  of conscience.

While idols are nothing, there are people who worshiped these idols. They had weak consciences. The subjective truth in their mind is that idols are real. For these, the food was wrong to eat. Our conscience is based on our beliefs. So for those who have certain beliefs, doing things that are not sins (as delineated by the bible) causes them to stumble.

Guilting and pressuring those with weak conscience to do things that make them guilty IS a sin. We should avoid any actions that may stumble them. In our knowledge of other's  consciences, we are called to abstain from those things.

In addition, there are areas where a christian is weak. For these areas, the conscience is a good and right warning. They should abstain for their own good. This is not a weak conscience; it is a weakness that is to be respected.

When we ignore other's conscience and their weaknesses, we do three things:

We defile their conscience.

This teaches them to ignore their conscience...and disables their ability to avoid spiritual danger.

We stumble their faith.

We are tearing them down. Impeding their spiritual growth.

We sin against Christ.

Mark 9:42 ESV

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea."

There must be a difference in our choices and actions depending on who we are with.

For those who can handle alcohol maturely, grabbing a couple beers is okay. But for those who struggle with alcoholism, we should not drink with them or bring them into the bar.

Romans 14: if we don't have a clear conscience about something, then we shouldn't do it. Because all that we do should come from faith.

Can I?
Is it explicitly forbidden in scripture?

Should I?
Does it glorify God? (1 Cor 10:31)
Is it beneficial to me? (1Cor 10:23)
Is it beneficial to others? (1 Cor 8, Romans 14)

The driving force behind all this:

Philippians 2:4-8 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The Peacemaking Church: Confession Brings Freedom

{Various Passages}

[Rev. Dwight Yoo]

The last sermon in this series is very important for understanding this message and even for your own spiritual and personal life. I highly recommend that you listen to it. (Conflict starts in the heart (mp3))

We are broken people, with broken relationships. Nine inch nails describes this in a song called Hurt(YouTube).

It is into a world of brokenness that Jesus came into. He is the one who stepped into all this brokenness and gives us hope for healing. Not only this, but He also calls us to be His ambassadors to the world. To point people to this hope we have in Christ. So Christians should have a suspicion of our intentions and our heart. We should jump to admit where we have gone wrong and our conflicts with others.

Confession before God


All offenses against others are ultimately a sin against God.

"For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment." - Psalm 51:3-4

"He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" - Genesis 39:9

"Yet this is what Jesus did. He told people that their sins were forgiven, and never waited to consult all the other people whom their sins had undoubtedly injured. He unhesitatingly behaved as if He was the party chiefly concerned, the person chiefly offended in all offences. This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin." - C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity"

Why are sins against others, sins against God?
- God is their Maker = Proverbs 13:21
- Christ is the Head of His Body = Ephesians 1, 4, and Colossians 1
- God commands us to love others = Matthew 22:37-40
- God commands us to love Him first = Exodus 20:3

For those of us who think that since we are in not in conflict with others and everything seems peaceful, we don't think this applies to us. We'll take some notes and remind others to resolve their conflicts. I warn you that you still may have sins of omission. Sins where you are falling short of things God commands. You are selfish and not loving others. You are not there for others.

What happens when love something over God?
Say what we are living for is success. What happens when someone gets in your way at work? You will punish them. You will back stab, start rumors, and do anything to keep your career on track. Or you'll neglect your family.

So how should we confess?

Confess before God
- With Assurance = 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5; Psalm 51:12
- With Hope = Colossians 3

Confession before Others

The 7 A's of Confession

Address Everyone Involved

Heart sins do not need to be confessed to others. These are thoughts and mindset sins that never became action. They should be confessed to God. But you do not need to confess to people.
Social sins need to be confessed to others. These are sins that became action. Each person who has been sinned against should be confessed to.

Avoid If, But and Maybe

These are the quickest way to ruin an apology. They express this feeling of callousness and uncaring. The word "but" eliminates everything you said before it.

Admit specifically

This expresses exactly what you want to change and how you've wronged this person.

Acknowledge the Hurt

Don't just apologize for your action. Acknowledge the feelings and pain.

Accept the Consequences

Let them know that you accept the results of what you have done. This is the perspective of a genuine and repentant heart.

Alter your Behavior

Explain to them how you will change your behavior. How will you change your behavior?

Ask for Forgiveness (and allow time)

Sometimes we get forgiveness by the end of the apology. But there are times where they are not ready to forgive yet. The best thing to do is to give them time and be patient with them.