2. Dealing with the World “I speak unto wise men; judge ye what I say.”

3. Contemporary Factors contributing to the Moral Morass: 1.The spread of international democracy. 2.The rise of philosophical postmodernism. 3.The demise of structured denominations. 4.The revolution of technology. 5.The capacity for lifestyle experimentation. Contemporary Factors contributing to the Moral Morass: 1.The spread of international democracy. 2.The rise of philosophical postmodernism. 3.The demise of structured denominations. 4.The revolution of technology. 5.The capacity for lifestyle experimentation.

5. “Against the world – for the world” C.S. Lewis Isolationism vs. Assimilation Friend of Sinners vs. Separated from the World Individual Personal Liberty vs. Christian Community Sensitivity “Against the world – for the world” C.S. Lewis Isolationism vs. Assimilation Friend of Sinners vs. Separated from the World Individual Personal Liberty vs. Christian Community Sensitivity

7. What are the questions? 8:1 – Can I go to an idolatrous feast and eat the meat? One God, no “gods” behind the idols (vs. 4-6) One tasty steak that God made (vs. 8) “All things are lawful unto me” (10:23) 10:25 – Can I eat the meat if it is sold in the marketplace? 10:27 – Can I eat the meat if it is served in an unbeliever’s home? What are the questions? 8:1 – Can I go to an idolatrous feast and eat the meat? One God, no “gods” behind the idols (vs. 4-6) One tasty steak that God made (vs. 8) “All things are lawful unto me” (10:23) 10:25 – Can I eat the meat if it is sold in the marketplace? 10:27 – Can I eat the meat if it is served in an unbeliever’s home?

8. 1. Debatable issues are not answered simply. (73 verses) Chap 8 – Extended Explanation (know/knowledge: 7x) Chap 9 – Extended Personal Illustration (“I”: 35x) Chap 10 – – Historical Illustration (1-15) – Further Explanation (16-24) – Final Application (25-33) Paul’s goal is not just right action; it is right thinking! 1. Debatable issues are not answered simply. (73 verses) Chap 8 – Extended Explanation (know/knowledge: 7x) Chap 9 – Extended Personal Illustration (“I”: 35x) Chap 10 – – Historical Illustration (1-15) – Further Explanation (16-24) – Final Application (25-33) Paul’s goal is not just right action; it is right thinking!

9. 1. Debatable issues are not answered simply. 2. Debatable issues cannot always be answered absolutely (10:20-30). 8:1 – Can I go to an idolatrous feast and eat the meat? Answer: NO! – 10:20-21 10:25 – Can I eat the meat if it is sold in the marketplace? Answer: YES! – 10:25 10:27 – Can I eat the meat if it is served in an unbeliever’s home? Answer: MAYBE! – 10:27-28 Why is Paul flip-flopping on his answer? 1. Debatable issues are not answered simply. 2. Debatable issues cannot always be answered absolutely (10:20-30). 8:1 – Can I go to an idolatrous feast and eat the meat? Answer: NO! – 10:20-21 10:25 – Can I eat the meat if it is sold in the marketplace? Answer: YES! – 10:25 10:27 – Can I eat the meat if it is served in an unbeliever’s home? Answer: MAYBE! – 10:27-28 Why is Paul flip-flopping on his answer?

10. Old Testament Illustrations (10:1-13) Five Privileges – “all” enjoyed Five Failures – “most” died One Point – Do not think that your spiritual position or heritage protect you from the dangers of desiring things that could result in spiritual suicide. Illustration 1 (vs. 6) – Numbers 11:4-10 – What was the moral character of the things the people desired? » Neutral Items – What was it that made these things evil? » Associated with Egypt-like living Key Principle – Morally neutral things can be characterized as evil via their association with the world. Old Testament Illustrations (10:1-13) Five Privileges – “all” enjoyed Five Failures – “most” died One Point – Do not think that your spiritual position or heritage protect you from the dangers of desiring things that could result in spiritual suicide. Illustration 1 (vs. 6) – Numbers 11:4-10 – What was the moral character of the things the people desired? » Neutral Items – What was it that made these things evil? » Associated with Egypt-like living Key Principle – Morally neutral things can be characterized as evil via their association with the world.

11. 1. Debatable issues are not answered simply. 2. Debatable issues cannot always be answered absolutely (10:20-30). 3. Debatable issues should not be answered arrogantly (9:25-27). The determining factor is not your knowledge. The determining factor is not your rights. The determining factor is not your “ability to handle it.” The determining factor is not whether you like it. The determining factor is not whether it “works.” 1. Debatable issues are not answered simply. 2. Debatable issues cannot always be answered absolutely (10:20-30). 3. Debatable issues should not be answered arrogantly (9:25-27). The determining factor is not your knowledge. The determining factor is not your rights. The determining factor is not your “ability to handle it.” The determining factor is not whether you like it. The determining factor is not whether it “works.”

12. “Anyone desisting from public sacrifice events was unfit for political functions. To rebuff invitations of friends, neighbors, and patrons not only would cause one’s social status to plummet, but also mark one off as odd and repugnant. To shun gatherings that lubricated social and economic relations would make Christians conspicuous outcasts who held outlandish, antisocial, perverse religious beliefs.” Because the Corinthians do not want to be considered social outcasts. They argue that their reason (knowledge) and their rights (liberty) is enough to tip the scale in the favor of eating what and where they desire. “Anyone desisting from public sacrifice events was unfit for political functions. To rebuff invitations of friends, neighbors, and patrons not only would cause one’s social status to plummet, but also mark one off as odd and repugnant. To shun gatherings that lubricated social and economic relations would make Christians conspicuous outcasts who held outlandish, antisocial, perverse religious beliefs.” Because the Corinthians do not want to be considered social outcasts. They argue that their reason (knowledge) and their rights (liberty) is enough to tip the scale in the favor of eating what and where they desire.

13. EncroachmentWill it go against the demands of my conscience? I Corinthians 8:7 ExampleWill it set a helpful pattern for others to follow? I Corinthians 8:12-13 ExcessWill it slow me down in the race? I Corinthians 9:24-27 ExcuseWill it be a covering for my sin? I Corinthians 10:19-21 ExpedienceWill it be to my spiritual advantage? I Corinthians 10:23 EncroachmentWill it go against the demands of my conscience? I Corinthians 8:7 ExampleWill it set a helpful pattern for others to follow? I Corinthians 8:12-13 ExcessWill it slow me down in the race? I Corinthians 9:24-27 ExcuseWill it be a covering for my sin? I Corinthians 10:19-21 ExpedienceWill it be to my spiritual advantage? I Corinthians 10:23

14. EdificationWill it build me up? I Corinthians 10:23 ExaltationWill it glorify or give the right opinion of God? I Corinthians 10:31 EvangelismWill it lead others to Christ? I Corinthians 9:16-23; 10:33 EmulationWill it be like Christ? I Corinthians 11:1 EnslavementWill it bring me into bondage? I Corinthians 6:12 EdificationWill it build me up? I Corinthians 10:23 ExaltationWill it glorify or give the right opinion of God? I Corinthians 10:31 EvangelismWill it lead others to Christ? I Corinthians 9:16-23; 10:33 EmulationWill it be like Christ? I Corinthians 11:1 EnslavementWill it bring me into bondage? I Corinthians 6:12

15. Paul’s Principles Encroachment - I Cor 8:7 Example - I Cor 8:12-13 Excess - I Cor 9:24-25 Excuse - I Cor 10:21 Expedience - I Cor 10:23 Edification - I Cor 10:23 Exaltation - I Cor 10:31 Evangelism - I Cor 10:33 Emulation - I Cor 11:1 Enslavement - I Cor 6:12 Paul’s Principles Encroachment - I Cor 8:7 Example - I Cor 8:12-13 Excess - I Cor 9:24-25 Excuse - I Cor 10:21 Expedience - I Cor 10:23 Edification - I Cor 10:23 Exaltation - I Cor 10:31 Evangelism - I Cor 10:33 Emulation - I Cor 11:1 Enslavement - I Cor 6:12 Corinthian Argument I have reasons! I have rights! Corinthian Argument I have reasons! I have rights!

16. Key Principle Believers seeking to glorify God should never associate themselves with elements that are linked to the world system regardless of the reasons, the personal rights, or the perceived cost. Key Principle Believers seeking to glorify God should never associate themselves with elements that are linked to the world system regardless of the reasons, the personal rights, or the perceived cost.

18. Personal Life – Never ask the question “Why can’t I do it?” – Always ask “What would God want me to do?” Interpersonal Life – Always be willing to graciously allow a fellow believer the freedom to make personal choices in debatable issues without a spirit of criticism. Ministry Life – Never ask the question “How much of the world can I borrow to make ministry appealing to unbelievers?” – Always ask “How much of the glory of God can I display to make ministry awe inspiring to unbelievers?” Personal Life – Never ask the question “Why can’t I do it?” – Always ask “What would God want me to do?” Interpersonal Life – Always be willing to graciously allow a fellow believer the freedom to make personal choices in debatable issues without a spirit of criticism. Ministry Life – Never ask the question “How much of the world can I borrow to make ministry appealing to unbelievers?” – Always ask “How much of the glory of God can I display to make ministry awe inspiring to unbelievers?”