SSMCSUNGAI WAY-SUBANGMETHODISTC H U R C H

REV DR NG SWEE MING

12 MAR 2017

CHRISTIAN LIVINGPRINCIPLES FOR

Question 1994 - Today

1904–1905 1790–1832 1973-84

New Testament Church

Given a choice – which era & locality in Church History would you like to live in ?

The New Testament Church that had it all….

The New Testament Church that had it all….

City of ‘freed-men’…. Self-made men … Economically Prosperous…Many Temples...

with temple ‘priestesses’Many travelling teachers-preachers & sailors…

Greek culture & pastime …Reputation ….

Aphrodite - Love Poseidon - SeaApollo – MusicHermes - Commerce Venus – Love & BeautyIsis - FertilityAsklepios - Healing

The Power of the Kingdom (1 Cor 4:20)

• Power of the Message (Christ)• Power of the Messenger• Power of Miracles• Power of Generosity• Power of Grace• Power of Growth

Last week’s message by Rev Dr Colin Hurt

1 Corinthians

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PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING1 Corinthians

problems ….

issues …

Establish PRINCIPLES for

the Church in general …

Christians in particular ….

on HOW TO LIVE OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE

Q: "Can Christians eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols?“

Background :Idolatrous city ….

Temples of Aphrodite, Poseidon, Apollo, Hermes, Venus-Fortuna, Isis & Asklepios…

? Reputation ….Animal sacrifice …. 1/3, 1/3 & 1/3 …

Best meat @ best price ….NB : Refers to ‘Public’ situation (v10)

1 Cor 8

KNOWLEDGE : There is only ONE GOD Idols are nothing ….

to those who are ‘strong’ …

But to the weak …to those with a weak conscience…

NLT “…But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.”

1 Cor 8

So PAUL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLE…Whatever you do, eat or drink etc. do it in love…

Esp love for the ‘weaker’ … to build up, to strengthen,

to encourage, to edify…DO CONSIDER OTHERS ….

1 Cor 8

So PAUL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLE Rom 14: 1-3 Rom 14: 14-15 Rom 14: 19-21

We are not to stumble another bro…We are not to tear down one another…We are to BUILD UP one another….We are to LOVE ONE ANOTHER…Ref John 13:34-35

1 Cor 8

Paul knew his RIGHTS…6X – Right & Rights …As an Apostle…For material support …

For financial support …

1 Cor 9

Rational : Normal Practice v7 …

Old Testament Law v8-12 …

Old Testament Practice v13 …

Jesus’s Teaching v14 …

BUT… v12b, v15…Paul choose NOT TO ….Reasons :For the Gospel’s sake v12b, 15-18 …Paul’s Reward ….Note !

For the Sinner’s sake v19-23 …For his own sake v24-27 …

1 Cor 9

So PAUL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLETo be Faithful v16-17To be a ‘Slave’ v19

Servitude : Servant’s AttitudeNB v22 “… all things to all men so that

by all possible means …”misused & abused ….NB. v21 (… am under Christ’s law)

1 Cor 9

Israel’s Experience …. ‘Red Sea’ Baptism …Manna from heaven …Water from the ‘Rock’ …BUT v5 “God was not pleased…”

1 Cor 10:1-22

1 Cor 10:1-22Exo 32

Num 14, 16

Num 25

Num 21

Reasons:1. As Examples v6… v7 Idolatry v8 Sexual immorality v9 Testing the Lord v10 Grumbling

2. As Warnings v11…Num 11

Reasons:1. As Examples v62. As Warnings v113. Way of Escape v13-22

Flee from sin …Flee from temptation …eg Idol feast Vs Lord’s Feast

1 Cor 10:1-22

PAUL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLE …• Learn from the past…Idolatry… Sexual Immorality….Testing the Lord ….Grumbling ….

• Do Not Fall Under Temptation…

1 Cor 10:1-22

1 Cor 10:23-33

1 Cor 10:23-2423 "Everything is permissible"-

but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is constructive.

24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

1 Cor 8 : ‘Public’ Situation ….1 Cor 10:23-33 a more ‘Private’ situation …In a home ….Served –> Eat –> Do Not Ask

BUT if ‘informed’ ….Served –> Informed –> Do Not EatFor ‘his’ sake ….

1 Cor 10:23-33

1 Cor 10:23-33

So PAUL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLE …Do Not stumble anyoneDo all for God’s GloryNB :Acts 15:20 ‘…to abstain from food polluted by

idols, from sexual immorality …’Rev 2:14 (Pergamum) ‘to entice the Israelites to sin

by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.’

1 Cor 10:23-33

A. WOMEN in CHURCH• Women in Greek & Jewish CultureMiddle East culture - women as property… Jews : Not a slave, a Gentile or a woman…Greeks : Not made a beast, a barbarian

or a woman….* Woman –> long hair with a veil ….

except ‘prostitutes’ …

1 Cor 11

A. WOMEN in CHURCH…Reading in-between the lines :New found freedom for

women ….Women were praying &

prophesying v5….Uncovered ….Hair-length ….

1 Cor 11

A. WOMEN in CHURCH• God’s Order v3-7

God->Christ->Man->Woman• Creation v8-12

Priority Inferiority• Nature v13-16

Woman –> ‘long’ hairMan –> ‘short’ hair

Q: What is ‘long’ ?Q: What is ‘short’ ?

1 Cor 11

B. LOVE FEAST• Early Church practice …• Common meal together ….• Culminating with Lord’s Supper• Problem ….

– Social disparity ….– Divisions & Cliques ….– Some had too much …– Some not enough …

1 Cor 11

Common Decency ….Nothing Distracting….Not Stumbling others …

1 Cor 11

So PAUL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLE …Right Attire in WorshipRight Attitude in WorshipRight Atmosphere for Worship

1 Cor 12

Corinthian Church - a very ‘Gifted’ Church…1st Charismatic, even Pentecostal Church …Few Key Points about Spiritual Gifts

1. v4-7 Entire TRINITY is involved in the GIVING, SERVING & WORKING

of Spiritual GIFTs2. v7 Everyone has a Spiritual GIFT,

Gift - something GIVEN3. v7 For the Common Good

of the Body, the Church

List of Spiritual Gifts…o Wisdomo Knowledgeo Faitho Healingo Miracleso Prophecyo Discernmento Tongueso Interpretation etc

Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22-23 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self-control.

1 Cor 12

NB :1. Spiritual Gifts Subject to God’s Word

Experiences - subjective & Word - objectiveExperiences must be tested against the Word

2. Spiritual Gifts are … Tools to Build with… Not Toys to Play with … or Weapons to Fight with…

3. Need to Discover, Develop, Discipline & Dedicate our Spiritual Gifts ….

1 Cor 12

Principles For Christian LivingAPPLICATION.In today’s society …. Very individualistic…. Materialistic …. Instant ….1 Corinthians is … so relevant … so needed … so timely …

Principles For Christian LivingAPPLICATION.1 Cor 8-12 is NOT JUST ABOUT … food sacrificed to idols …. how knowledgeable we are … unpaid ‘pastor-ship’ … what you wear or don’t wear … hair length, colour, style ….what spiritual gift you have…

YES, Paul was addressing real problems & questions in a real 1stC church …

BUT in doing so he laid down clear PRINCIPLES …

Principles For Christian LivingAPPLICATION.Question …. KNOWLEDGE RIGHTS EXPERIENCE FREEDOM WORSHIP GIFTS

LOVE SERVITUDE LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY ORDER FRUIT

Principles For Christian LivingAPPLICATION.

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Eg Playing computer games

Principles For Christian Living1 Cor 10:23-2423 "Everything is permissible"-

but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is constructive.

24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Principles For Christian Living

1 Cor 10:23-2423 "Everything is permissible"-

but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is constructive.

24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Principles For Christian Living

Phil 2:1-41 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Principles For Christian Living

John 13:34-3534 "A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Principles For Christian LivingAPPLICATION.Question …. KNOWLEDGE RIGHTS EXPERIENCE FREEDOM WORSHIP GIFTS

LOVE SERVITUDE LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY ORDER FRUIT

Principles For Christian LivingAPPLICATION.Question …. KNOWLEDGE RIGHTS EXPERIENCE FREEDOM WORSHIP GIFTS

LOVE SERVITUDE LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY ORDER FRUIT

1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32,

1 Cor 10:16-1716 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give

thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32,

1 Cor 11:23-3223 For I received from the Lord what I also passed

on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,

24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."

1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32, 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup,

saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32,

28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32,

31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.

32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-32,

1. LOOK BACK 1 Cor 11:26

2. LOOK WITHIN 1 Cor 11:28

3. LOOK AROUND 1 Cor 10:17

4. LOOK AHEAD 1 Cor 11:26