WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.940 Read through all of it. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:12.359 Now, about food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all possess knowledge. 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:15.800 Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:20.820 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:24.400 But the man who loves God is known by God. 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:28.800 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols, 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:33.859 we know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. 00:00:35.140 --> 00:00:38.799 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, 00:00:39.260 --> 00:00:41.620 as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:47.980 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:53.880 And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 00:00:54.880 --> 00:00:56.500 But not everyone knows this. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:03.899 Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:07.159 and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:10.260 But food does not bring us near to God. 00:01:11.099 --> 00:01:15.039 We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:22.080 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 00:01:23.100 --> 00:01:26.760 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge, 00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:28.500 eating in an idol's temple, 00:01:29.160 --> 00:01:32.480 won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 00:01:33.440 --> 00:01:38.060 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:41.180 When you sin against your brothers in this way, 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:44.659 and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:49.960 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:54.020 I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:02:06.640 Thank you, Connor. 00:02:07.299 --> 00:02:12.319 And there's pens and notes being passed around if you'd like to take notes. 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:14.500 And there's a sheet of paper as well. 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:16.500 Just put up your hands and you can get one. 00:02:18.979 --> 00:02:21.460 And just by way of introduction this morning, 00:02:21.460 --> 00:02:26.719 Chapter 8 starts a new section in 1 Corinthians. 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:29.780 It brings us right to the very end of Chapter 10, 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:32.680 which is all about how we use our freedoms, 00:02:33.379 --> 00:02:34.740 how we use our rights. 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:41.760 Previously, from Chapters 5 through to 7, 00:02:42.480 --> 00:02:45.400 was all about how we conduct our relationships 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:49.219 and our attitudes towards sex. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:53.240 And so this week is a new section, 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:54.000 a new theme, 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:58.060 about how we use our rights and our freedoms. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:26.960 And if you've missed any of the talks at all, 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:30.640 you can find them on the church website. 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:31.980 You can listen back to them. 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:34.200 And if you have any questions 00:03:34.200 --> 00:03:36.400 or anything you want to follow up from that, 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:38.480 please do talk to me afterwards. 00:03:44.480 --> 00:03:45.300 Thanks, Connor. 00:03:45.300 --> 00:03:49.820 Okay, well, let's pray. 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:52.740 And we'll ask for God's help. 00:04:02.040 --> 00:04:04.740 Father, you have given us so much in our lives. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:06.740 Father, you've given us so much in our lives. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:08.620 You've given us so much in our lives. 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:11.100 We give you thanks for that. 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:14.620 You've given us minds to understand, 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:16.780 to be able to read. 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:22.699 And Father, we need your continued help in our lives, 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:26.680 that what we listen to and what we read from your word, 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:31.060 we would have understanding not just in our heads, 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:35.939 but that it would travel deep into our hearts, 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:38.920 to the very core of our being, 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:42.019 so that it changes us, 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:45.319 so that we become more like you. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:49.180 So, Father, please help us, we pray. 00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:50.939 In Jesus' name. 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:52.100 Amen. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:02.720 Well, from now on, 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:05.840 you can't eat out. 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:11.280 That means you can't go to any restaurants or hotels, 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:16.220 no more McDonald's, Pizza Hut, or Dino's. 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:18.920 If you get invited to a wedding, 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:23.160 well, you can't attend because food will be served. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:26.620 If your friends are meeting up for a Christmas dinner, 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:30.060 you'll just have to politely decline. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:33.620 There's a new rule for the church, 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:36.199 no more eating out. 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:41.060 Well, that might seem very strange to us, 00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:46.240 but not if you were a member of Corinth Community Church. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.519 Have a look at verse 1 of chapter 8. 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:55.960 Now, about food sacrificed to idols. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:00.300 And in particular, look at verse 4. 00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:07.079 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols. 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:12.060 You see, temples and shrines in Corinth 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:16.639 were as common as restaurants and takeaway in Cork. 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:18.819 In fact, they had a double purpose. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:22.620 Not only were they the places where you made your sacrifices 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:24.199 and where you said your prayers, 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:27.579 it was also the place where you ate your food. 00:06:27.579 --> 00:06:31.000 So if there was a birthday celebration, 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:34.379 well, then you'd all head off to the local temple, 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:36.419 which served at your local restaurant. 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:39.060 First, you would make your sacrifice 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:41.699 to seek the blessings of the gods, 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:43.879 that you'd have a good future. 00:06:44.799 --> 00:06:46.959 What was left from your sacrifice 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:50.459 would then be served up to everybody to enjoy. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:54.439 So if you brought a chicken along for the sacrifice, 00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:56.239 well, then there was a good chance 00:06:56.239 --> 00:06:58.719 that Chicken Maryland would be on the menu. 00:07:00.239 --> 00:07:03.680 Or if you fancied a night in and a takeaway, 00:07:04.799 --> 00:07:06.799 well, you'd head down to the local shrine. 00:07:07.859 --> 00:07:11.079 Perhaps you'd bring a fish to appease the gods, 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:14.439 say your prayers and place your order. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:16.920 And if you brought a fish, 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:19.300 well, the chances are you'd be going home 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:21.620 with crispy cod and chips. 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:26.420 So we can begin to see how difficult it was 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:29.800 to be a Christian in Corinth. 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.540 Because eating out meant eating food 00:07:34.540 --> 00:07:39.819 that was used in some kind of pagan sacrifice or ritual. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:45.219 And it was having an effect on the church family. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:48.759 There were some in the church family 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:49.420 who were saying, 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:50.980 you can't eat out. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:52.459 It's wrong. 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:55.579 This is food that's been sacrificed to an idol. 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:58.620 But others in the church were saying, 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:00.800 we can eat what we're like. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:02.719 We're free. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:04.600 We belong to God. 00:08:05.039 --> 00:08:06.939 Idols don't mean anything to us. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:09.519 So we can eat what we like. 00:08:10.540 --> 00:08:11.540 Look at verse 7. 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:15.019 But not everybody knows this. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:17.860 Not everybody knows that we're free. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:21.139 Some people are still so accustomed to idols 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:23.459 that when they eat such food, 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:26.899 they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol. 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:28.959 And since their conscience is weak, 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:31.060 it is defiled. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:35.379 But food does not bring us near to God. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:39.080 We are no worse if we do not eat 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.879 and no better if we do. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:43.360 So you see, 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:45.600 there was a section within the church family 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.019 that were saying to everybody, 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:50.980 if I want to go to the temple for dinner with my colleagues, 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:52.100 that's fine. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:54.960 If I want a kebab at the local shrine, 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.320 who cares? 00:08:56.320 --> 00:08:59.740 We're free in Christ. 00:09:01.800 --> 00:09:04.780 Now the question we have to ask ourselves is, 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:09.320 are we free to do what we like? 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:11.860 You see, 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:14.180 eating food in the local restaurant 00:09:14.180 --> 00:09:15.320 mightn't be a problem 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:18.000 in an Irish context. 00:09:19.540 --> 00:09:22.140 But there are those who, 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:23.500 as there were in Corinth, 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.080 will say, 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:25.540 but you see, 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:25.879 Johnny, 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:27.840 I'm a Christian now. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:31.280 So I'm free to do what I like 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:33.120 so long as 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:35.860 I do not disobey God's words. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:39.840 So if I want to go to the pub at the weekend 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:40.620 for a pint, 00:09:41.520 --> 00:09:41.840 well, 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:43.160 I'm free to do so. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:47.220 If I want to meet my college mates 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:49.080 and go to the nightclub, 00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:50.200 well, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:50.780 I can. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:54.600 If I want to play a match on Sunday morning 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:55.959 instead of going to church, 00:09:56.339 --> 00:09:57.500 I will. 00:09:58.699 --> 00:10:00.959 If I want to spend my money 00:10:00.959 --> 00:10:02.199 on the latest iPhone 00:10:02.199 --> 00:10:04.720 or the latest fashion designer jumper, 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:06.079 well, 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.199 that's fine for me. 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:10.299 If I want to allow my children 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:11.600 to go trick-or-treating, 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:13.939 that's not a problem. 00:10:14.819 --> 00:10:17.079 If I want to go to yoga classes, 00:10:17.459 --> 00:10:18.439 read Harry Potter, 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:20.740 watch movies that are 18, 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.199 play poker, 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.179 you see, 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.480 I'm a Christian 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:28.279 and I've been set free. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:30.939 Now, 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:32.419 I wonder what you think about the list 00:10:32.419 --> 00:10:33.339 that I read out. 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:34.959 You see, 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:36.539 none of those things 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.919 mentioned 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:40.959 bring us near to God. 00:10:41.439 --> 00:10:42.799 Have a look at verse 8. 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.159 He says, 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:48.199 food does not bring us near to God. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:50.120 So, 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.940 we're no worse 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:53.680 if we do go to the pub 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:54.480 or the nightclub 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.560 or read Harry Potter 00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:56.780 or go to yoga classes. 00:10:57.060 --> 00:10:58.300 It doesn't matter if I do 00:10:58.300 --> 00:10:59.320 or if I don't. 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:01.700 These things don't save us. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.180 They don't make me a Christian. 00:11:05.280 --> 00:11:06.379 I'm free 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:08.860 so I can do 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:10.240 what I like. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:13.139 But, 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:15.019 look at verse 9. 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:18.000 Be careful, 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.159 however, 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:21.620 that the exercise 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:23.060 of your freedom 00:11:23.060 --> 00:11:25.220 does not become 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:26.279 a stumbling block 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.980 to the weak. 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.440 Verse 13. 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:31.920 Therefore, 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:33.460 if what I eat 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.440 causes my brother 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:36.020 or sister 00:11:36.020 --> 00:11:37.200 to fall into sin 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.800 or if my attitudes 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:40.660 or actions 00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:42.080 to a certain thing 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:44.120 cause somebody else 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:45.060 to fall into sin, 00:11:45.180 --> 00:11:46.980 I will never 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:49.200 do that again 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:51.860 so that I will not 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:53.200 cause them to fall. 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.000 Do you see, 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.600 our Christian life 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.060 is not a private 00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:59.700 individual exercise. 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:01.440 The choices 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:02.140 and decisions 00:12:02.140 --> 00:12:03.240 that I make 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.480 about my life 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.580 have a profound effect 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:08.460 on other people. 00:12:09.020 --> 00:12:09.400 Likewise, 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:10.960 yours to them. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.380 So the places 00:12:12.380 --> 00:12:13.060 I go 00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:14.000 and the things 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:14.960 that you do 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:17.180 can cause 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.900 another believer 00:12:18.900 --> 00:12:20.820 to fall into sin. 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.140 Have you ever 00:12:22.140 --> 00:12:22.960 considered that? 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.100 So if I am 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:26.680 a Christian, 00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:28.600 I will take 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:29.320 seriously 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:30.280 my choices 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:31.799 and my decisions. 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:33.459 Yes, 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.659 we are free, 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:37.039 but we must 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.159 use our freedom 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:39.759 to love 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.819 others. 00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:43.379 First, 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.319 let's look at this 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:46.159 in more detail. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.559 We are set free 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:50.279 by the gospel. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.559 Look at verse 1. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:55.759 Now about food, 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:57.199 sacrifice to idols. 00:12:58.239 --> 00:12:59.479 We know that we 00:12:59.479 --> 00:13:00.559 all possess 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.679 knowledge. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.759 Now that knowledge 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.639 he's talking about 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.279 there is an 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.039 understanding 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.359 of the gospel. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:08.259 So he's saying 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:08.939 to the church, 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:09.439 look, 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.159 you know who 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:10.839 God is. 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:12.399 We know 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.019 what God 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:13.539 has done. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.439 In fact, 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.559 we are reminded 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:18.379 of the gospel 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:19.399 we do know. 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:20.939 Look down 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:21.760 at verse 4. 00:13:23.280 --> 00:13:23.880 The gospel 00:13:23.880 --> 00:13:24.580 tells us 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:25.340 there is only 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.660 one God. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.260 So verse 4, 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:29.040 so then eating 00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:29.820 food, 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:31.060 sacrifice to idols, 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.260 we know that 00:13:32.260 --> 00:13:32.860 an idol 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:33.600 is nothing 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.020 at all 00:13:34.020 --> 00:13:34.680 in the world 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:35.500 and that 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.200 there is no 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:36.700 God 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:38.360 but one. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:39.580 Now that's 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:40.760 a very basic 00:13:40.760 --> 00:13:41.460 understanding 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:42.260 of the gospel. 00:13:42.780 --> 00:13:43.640 There are 00:13:43.640 --> 00:13:44.480 no other 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:44.960 gods. 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.600 Of course 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.560 there are idols 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:48.540 that represent 00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.380 gods. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.759 Look at verse 5. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:51.820 For even if 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:52.279 there are 00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.320 so-called gods 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:53.899 whether in 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.679 heaven or 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.019 on earth 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:55.759 as indeed 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.220 there are 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:56.899 many gods 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.279 and many 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:57.659 lords 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:57.899 and you 00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:58.139 would be 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:58.379 saying 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.100 why don't 00:13:59.100 --> 00:13:59.439 you look 00:13:59.439 --> 00:14:00.000 around in 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.299 Corinth? 00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:00.740 They're all 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.139 over the 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.559 place. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.220 But in 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:03.759 reality 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.360 he's saying 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.139 they're not 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.320 gods. 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.939 Keep your 00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.720 finger there 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.340 in 1 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:11.820 Corinthians 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:13.360 chapter 8 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.460 and go 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.179 back to 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:15.779 Psalm 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:17.059 115. 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:21.000 Psalm 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.799 115. 00:14:25.099 --> 00:14:25.659 Somewhere 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.139 to the 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.859 left of 00:14:26.859 --> 00:14:27.039 the 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:27.339 centre 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:27.519 of 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:27.639 the 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.000 Bible. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:31.839 Psalm 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:32.619 115 00:14:32.619 --> 00:14:33.399 verse 2. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:46.259 So do you 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:46.699 see what it 00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:46.919 says? 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:47.899 Psalm 115 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:48.759 verse 2. 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:51.279 Why do the 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.000 nations say 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.939 where is 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.679 their God? 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.879 Well our 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.559 God is in 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:56.840 heaven. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.659 He does 00:14:58.659 --> 00:14:59.299 whatever 00:14:59.299 --> 00:14:59.840 pleases 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.179 him. 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:03.599 but their 00:15:03.599 --> 00:15:04.379 idols are 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.959 silver and 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:06.000 gold made 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.459 by the 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:06.939 hands of 00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:07.259 men. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.899 They have 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.559 mouths but 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:11.000 they cannot 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.599 speak. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.079 They have 00:15:13.079 --> 00:15:13.819 eyes but 00:15:13.819 --> 00:15:14.579 they cannot 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.000 see. 00:15:15.739 --> 00:15:16.339 They have 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:18.259 ears but 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.779 they can't 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.219 hear. 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:20.879 They have 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.699 noses but 00:15:21.699 --> 00:15:22.179 they cannot 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:22.819 smell. 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:23.579 They have 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:24.319 hands but 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:24.779 they cannot 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:25.259 feel. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.059 Feet but 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:27.579 they can't 00:15:27.579 --> 00:15:28.139 walk. 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:29.539 nor can 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:29.960 they utter 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:30.659 a sound 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.220 with their 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:31.720 throats. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.899 Those who 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.740 make them 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:35.259 will be 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.019 like them 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:38.059 and so 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:38.639 will all 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.500 who trust 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.799 in them. 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.600 You see 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.259 in reality 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.720 they are 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.179 not 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:47.480 gods. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.340 There is 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.019 only one 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:49.720 true 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.120 God. 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.299 Go back 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:51.720 to 1 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.179 Corinthians 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:52.759 8. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.439 Now we 00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:55.799 might not 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.460 be bowing 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.120 down to a 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.399 gold 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.019 sculpted 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.319 Buddha 00:15:58.319 --> 00:15:59.899 and we 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:00.379 might not 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:00.899 be praying 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.819 to a 00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:02.100 wooden 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.679 carved 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:03.319 Vishnu 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:05.459 but we 00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:05.899 can all 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.620 have our 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.439 own gods 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:07.840 and we 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.299 can turn 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.000 people and 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.860 things into 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.399 gods. 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:12.159 So instead 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.819 of trusting 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.340 the one 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.139 true God 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.179 we look to 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:15.799 people and 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:16.279 we look to 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.019 things for 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.779 our joy and 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.319 our peace 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:18.659 and our 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.319 security. 00:16:22.079 --> 00:16:22.860 But the 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.439 gods that 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.039 we make 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.659 are like 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.319 the gods 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.259 that we've 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:26.659 just read 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.120 about in 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.399 Psalm 115 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.179 that they'll 00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:30.139 disappoint you. 00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:31.799 The gods 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:32.179 of our 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:32.759 making can 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.439 never save 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:33.819 us. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.399 They only 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.279 enslave us. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:36.740 We only 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.179 end up 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.139 serving those 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.539 gods. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.279 They can 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.179 never change 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.699 your life 00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.379 and transform 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:42.919 you. 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:44.799 They will 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:46.000 only destroy 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.620 your life 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.179 and take 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:47.819 things from 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:48.100 you. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.600 There is 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.699 only one 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:51.939 God who 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:52.659 can save. 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:54.399 God who 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.939 is this 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:56.319 God? 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:59.059 Well, as 00:16:59.059 --> 00:16:59.500 we read 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.500 on in 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.079 verse 6, 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.719 he is the 00:17:01.719 --> 00:17:02.860 father who 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.539 gives life. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:03.899 Look at 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.480 verse 6. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.200 Yet for 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.659 us there 00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:07.299 is but 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.299 one God, 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.639 the 00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:11.399 father from 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:12.139 whom all 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:13.240 things came 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.119 and for 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:15.240 whom we 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:15.859 live. 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:16.980 So our 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.180 God is the 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.059 creator God 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.680 of all of 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.059 life. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.299 the winds 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:21.639 and the 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.220 rains of 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.720 hurricane 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.259 Desmond 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.799 that we've 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.000 been 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.779 experiencing. 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.319 God is 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.960 the creator 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.539 and the 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.240 ruler of 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:29.799 all that 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.159 happens. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.099 He sustains 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.740 all things 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.379 and he 00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.240 provides for 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.720 all things. 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.579 There is 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.359 no life 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.159 outside of 00:17:36.159 --> 00:17:36.559 God. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.940 But this 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.639 God is not 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.419 distant and 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:41.019 removed and 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.779 uninterested. 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:42.500 Do you see 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:42.980 what it says 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.740 in verse 6? 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.480 He is the 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.179 father. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.819 So this 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.440 is a God 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.119 we can know 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:49.919 personally. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.220 relationally 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.819 and intimately. 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:54.419 He is the 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:55.359 father God 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.200 unlike the 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.779 idols that 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.159 we read 00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:57.960 about who 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.899 loves us 00:17:58.899 --> 00:17:59.960 and who 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.000 can speak 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.559 to us 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.139 through his 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.500 word. 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.519 Who listens 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.240 to us when 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:04.980 we cry out 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.819 to him and 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.679 who answers 00:18:06.679 --> 00:18:07.679 us when 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.359 we call out 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:08.779 to him. 00:18:09.419 --> 00:18:10.200 He is the 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.679 God who 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.139 not only 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:11.819 made the 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.759 universe but 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.659 actually came 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.319 as a person 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.319 and walked 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.819 on planet 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.200 earth. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.200 God 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.200 is the 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.480 God who 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.200 gives life. 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:24.180 He is the 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:24.720 son who 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.299 redeems 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.640 life. 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.039 Look at the 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:26.420 rest of 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.019 verse 6. 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:29.720 And there 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.380 is but 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.420 one Lord 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.860 Jesus 00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:33.519 Christ 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:35.259 through whom 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.160 all things 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:36.660 came 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:38.080 and through 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:38.580 whom 00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:40.160 we live. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.740 God 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.440 came to 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:42.980 us in 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.700 a person 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.080 in the 00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.620 person of 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:44.980 Jesus 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.500 Christ. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.460 He came 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:46.900 so that 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.500 we could 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.120 know him. 00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:50.160 But remember 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.740 the reason 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.180 why he 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.500 came. 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:51.920 It came 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.320 for a 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:52.640 purpose. 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:53.460 Jesus 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.080 came to 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:55.160 redeem us. 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:56.860 Look what 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.380 it says in 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:57.960 verse 6. 00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.660 The one 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.420 through whom 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.279 we live. 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.519 He is the 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:02.860 one who 00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:03.360 gives us 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:04.480 true life. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.720 He redeems 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.460 us from the 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.360 emptiness and 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:08.279 the hopelessness 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.120 of our false 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:10.100 gods and 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.619 our made 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.379 up religions. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.799 The ones 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.139 that we 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:13.759 seek to 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.279 try and 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.079 perform to. 00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:16.219 Christ sets 00:19:16.219 --> 00:19:16.980 us free 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.599 from all 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:17.899 of that. 00:19:18.219 --> 00:19:18.759 He alone 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.119 is the 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:19.459 one who 00:19:19.459 --> 00:19:20.359 saves us. 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:21.359 He alone 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:21.719 is the 00:19:21.719 --> 00:19:22.019 one who 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.799 will satisfy 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.719 us completely. 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.359 This is 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:25.959 the gospel 00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:26.439 that we 00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:27.159 know to 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:27.859 be true. 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:29.859 God 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.539 sets us 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.539 free from 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.139 the gods 00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:32.480 of our 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.159 own making 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:33.659 which can 00:19:33.659 --> 00:19:34.399 never save 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:34.679 us. 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:35.279 And he 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.959 brings us 00:19:35.959 --> 00:19:36.419 into a 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:37.000 relationship 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.799 with God 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.439 the Father 00:19:38.439 --> 00:19:39.099 who is 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.799 the source 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.500 of all 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.240 life who 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.139 speaks to 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:42.419 us, 00:19:42.419 --> 00:19:43.299 who talks 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.940 to us, 00:19:44.159 --> 00:19:44.700 and who 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.579 listens to 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:45.980 us. 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.659 So because 00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:51.819 of my 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.740 trust in 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.480 this God, 00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:54.839 I have 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.519 been set 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:55.940 free. 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.079 So I'm 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.819 free to 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.659 do as I 00:19:58.659 --> 00:19:59.379 please, 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.799 so long 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.399 as I do 00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:02.379 not disobey 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:03.339 God's 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:03.819 word. 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:05.000 I'm 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.480 no longer 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.059 trying to 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.619 perform 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.960 by my 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.500 actions 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.279 and by 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.460 the 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:09.919 things I 00:20:09.919 --> 00:20:10.339 say. 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.339 I've 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:11.559 been 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.279 accepted 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.659 by 00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.220 Christ. 00:20:14.419 --> 00:20:15.200 So we 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.740 are free 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.139 to do 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:16.559 what we 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:16.939 like, 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:17.399 aren't 00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:17.659 we? 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.099 Well, 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.659 not 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:22.159 exactly. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.319 We are 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:24.859 free by 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.059 the 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.439 gospel, 00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:27.519 but we've 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.000 been set 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.679 free for a 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.179 purpose, 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.039 set free 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.700 to love. 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:33.059 You see, 00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:33.859 the sign 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:34.359 or the 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.180 evidence 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.259 that we 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.599 have been 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.259 set free 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.700 by the 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.700 gospel is 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.559 we will 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:39.839 love 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.460 others. 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.599 So if 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:41.980 you're here 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.619 this morning, 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:42.980 you're 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.379 wondering, 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.039 have I 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.579 been set 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:44.940 free? 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.339 Well, 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:46.899 the evidence 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.319 will be 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.839 love in 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.480 your life. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.059 Look at 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.599 chapter 8, 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:52.159 verse 1. 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:53.920 Now about 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.899 food sacrificed 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.440 to idols, 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.659 we know 00:20:56.659 --> 00:20:57.259 that we all 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.720 possess 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.559 knowledge. 00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.480 So he 00:20:59.480 --> 00:20:59.639 says, 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.360 we know 00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:00.900 about the 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.259 gospel, 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:02.660 we know 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.080 what it's 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.620 all about, 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.700 but here's 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.320 the catch, 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.540 knowledge 00:21:07.540 --> 00:21:08.180 about 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.160 something 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:10.480 is not 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.920 enough. 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.000 Look at 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.300 the rest 00:21:12.300 --> 00:21:12.660 of verse 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:12.940 1. 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:13.860 Because 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.480 knowledge 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.360 puffs 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:15.680 up, 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:17.660 but love 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.380 builds 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:18.740 up. 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:19.880 The 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.240 person 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.759 thinks 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.580 he knows 00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:22.140 something, 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:23.580 does not 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.500 yet know 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.240 as he 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:25.920 ought to 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.200 know. 00:21:27.800 --> 00:21:28.020 Do you 00:21:28.020 --> 00:21:28.220 see, 00:21:28.540 --> 00:21:28.820 knowing 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.379 God 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.539 intellectually 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:32.279 is not 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.759 the same 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.419 as knowing 00:21:33.419 --> 00:21:33.960 God 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:35.139 relationally. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.720 I can 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.399 know all 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:38.179 about God. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.240 I can 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.939 explain who 00:21:39.939 --> 00:21:40.460 the Father 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:40.899 is. 00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:41.980 I can 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.419 tell you 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:42.839 perfectly 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.319 clearly 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.359 what Jesus 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:44.859 did, 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:47.059 but never 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.859 believe and 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.740 trust God. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.500 I could 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.220 have a degree 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.000 and a PhD 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.839 in theology, 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:54.059 but never 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.879 be changed 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.679 and transformed 00:21:55.679 --> 00:21:56.599 by that 00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:57.199 knowledge. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.359 You see, 00:21:59.439 --> 00:21:59.980 to know 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.079 about God, 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.740 to know 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.519 about the 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.919 scriptures, 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.399 to have 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:03.779 all the 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.339 knowledge and 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.899 understanding 00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:05.459 of what the 00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:06.000 Bible has 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.519 to say, 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:07.500 is not 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.259 the same 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.199 as being 00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:09.819 known 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.079 by God. 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:11.539 Look at 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.179 verse 3. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:13.959 But the man 00:22:13.959 --> 00:22:14.459 who loves 00:22:14.459 --> 00:22:15.079 God is 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.379 known by 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:16.819 God. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:18.919 to be 00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:19.639 known by 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.200 God is 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.159 to trust 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:21.419 him, 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:21.740 is to 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.319 live in 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.079 that vibrant 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.899 relationship 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.579 with God, 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.220 to know 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.139 him personally. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.279 So the 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.059 sign that 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.240 I truly 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.639 know God, 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.619 the evidence 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.259 that I have 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.879 been set 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.879 free by 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.419 the gospel 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:36.980 is that I 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.539 am in a 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.019 vibrant 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.599 living 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.319 relationship 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.259 with God 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.480 and the 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.159 outworkings 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:42.519 of that 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.379 is I 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:43.859 will be 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.299 loving 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.000 other 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.460 people. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.480 You see, 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.240 knowledge by 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.879 itself 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:50.240 is 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.879 destructive. 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:52.240 All 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.639 knowledge 00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.399 does is 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:54.359 puff up. 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.279 Do you 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.639 see what it 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.019 says in 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.559 verse 1? 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.599 Knowledge 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:59.000 puffs up. 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.639 Now we're 00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.659 not anti-knowledge. 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.299 Knowledge is 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.639 good. 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.240 We encourage 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.799 people to 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.299 go to 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.039 NBC. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.859 We encourage 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:07.439 people to 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:07.799 come on 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.460 Wednesdays and 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.379 Sundays to 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:10.259 learn in our 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.299 understanding of 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:11.740 who God 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:11.980 is. 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.879 But if all 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.679 that understanding 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.339 is is just 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:14.819 giving us 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:16.259 information and 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.659 clever 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.460 arguments, 00:23:18.060 --> 00:23:18.600 then it's 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.040 nothing. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:20.980 All it 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.620 will do is 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.200 puff you 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:22.440 up. 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.080 You'll just 00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:23.740 wander around 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.080 with a 00:23:24.080 --> 00:23:24.620 great big 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:26.140 head going 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.560 look at 00:23:26.560 --> 00:23:26.960 all these 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.519 things that 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:27.940 I know. 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.320 You see, 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:30.880 with that 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.320 knowledge, 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.040 I might be 00:23:32.040 --> 00:23:32.460 able to 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.120 explain to 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:34.060 somebody why 00:23:34.060 --> 00:23:34.720 I can drink 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.240 and smoke 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.800 and go to 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.600 yoga classes 00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:38.580 and how the 00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:39.779 Bible talks 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.420 about those 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:40.900 things. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.640 None of 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.240 those things 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.660 actually 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.220 contradict 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.720 God's 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.000 words, 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.440 so I'm 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:47.940 free to 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.339 do them. 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.420 But that's 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.000 just knowledge 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.359 of the 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:51.599 head, 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.140 isn't it? 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.339 It's not 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.200 taking other 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.000 people into 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.359 consideration and 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.079 how my 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.980 actions may 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.740 affect other 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.140 people. 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.160 It's a 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.859 knowledge that 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.559 does not 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.160 love. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.740 Knowledge just 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.700 simply puffs 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:05.960 up. 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.420 Instead of 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.279 knowledge puffing 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.799 up, we want 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.420 love that 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.160 builds up. 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.019 That's what the 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.819 rest of verse 1 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.500 says, knowledge 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:16.299 puffs up, but 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.339 love builds 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.700 up. 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:19.279 You see, if we 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.839 know God 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.919 relationally, if 00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:22.839 the gospel has 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.980 set me free, 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.119 then I will 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.059 use my 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:28.200 knowledge to 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.819 build other 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.519 people up. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.740 In other 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.319 words, I will 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.119 seek to help 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.179 people understand 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:34.079 and apply the 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.799 gospel to their 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.740 lives and try 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.319 and help them 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.980 work through 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.439 what the 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:38.259 scripture says 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:38.980 about a 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.700 certain matter. 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:39.819 other. 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.400 But I will 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:42.920 be also 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.660 taking into 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.400 consideration 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.120 how my 00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:46.240 choices and 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.740 how my 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.860 decisions will 00:24:47.860 --> 00:24:49.019 affect another 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.500 person. 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.980 So instead of 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.140 thinking, oh, 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.880 the gospel has 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.779 freed me, I 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.539 can do what I 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:57.819 want, I will 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.500 see that the 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.259 gospel actually 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.360 frees me to 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.779 love what is 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.319 best for other 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.700 people. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.200 My choices and 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.980 decisions are not 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:09.700 about me, but 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.920 how I can build 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.380 other people up. 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.920 So what does 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.599 all this look 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.599 like in 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.019 practice? 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.339 Yes, we've 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.079 been set free 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.880 by the gospel, 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.519 but that 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:25.039 gospel sets us 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:26.180 free to 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.460 intentionally love 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.460 others, to 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.000 look out for 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.200 them. 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.799 So what will 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.539 it look like in 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:31.880 practice? 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:33.900 Well, third, 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.759 we're set free 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.680 to protect the 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.039 weak. 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.960 So we need to 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.720 understand who 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.420 is the weak 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:42.220 person among 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.759 us. 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.380 First, our 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.840 weaker brother 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.560 or sister. 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.180 Look at verse 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.580 nine. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:54.000 So he says, 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.720 be careful, 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.279 however, that 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.580 the exercise of 00:25:57.580 --> 00:25:58.420 your freedom 00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:00.140 does not become 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.840 a stumbling 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.759 block to the 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.080 weak. 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.560 Well, who are 00:26:03.560 --> 00:26:04.220 the weak that 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.920 that's being 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.560 talked about? 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.059 Well, read 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.559 on, verse 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:06.919 10. 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.599 For if 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.399 anyone with 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:09.919 a weak 00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:10.839 conscience 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:14.059 sees you 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.619 who have 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.619 this knowledge 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.859 eating in 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.639 an idol's 00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.119 temple, 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:19.779 won't he 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.720 be emboldened 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:23.879 or encouraged 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:25.019 to eat what 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.339 has been 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.980 sacrificed to 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.359 idols? 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.500 them. 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.719 So, do 00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:31.240 you see how 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.099 our actions 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.659 and our 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:33.519 behaviours can 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.099 affect other 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.479 people? 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:36.819 We could 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.539 imagine two 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.259 Christians in 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.899 the church in 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.199 Corinth. 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.219 We'll call 00:26:41.219 --> 00:26:41.719 them Lucas 00:26:41.719 --> 00:26:43.179 and Stephanas. 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.979 And Lucas 00:26:45.979 --> 00:26:46.879 gives Stephanas 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.879 an invite saying, 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.559 I'll meet you 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.039 down at the 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:49.679 local shrine 00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:50.319 for a burger. 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:54.220 Well, Stephanas 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.319 has been a 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.079 Christian for a 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.700 long time. 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:58.939 On the other 00:26:58.939 --> 00:27:00.299 hand, Lucas 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.039 not, and 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.639 he's kind of a 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.179 bit cautious 00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:03.819 about going 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.379 down to the 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:04.919 local shrine 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.359 because the 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.939 last time he 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.339 was down 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:06.659 there he 00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.139 was offering 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.639 food to 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.159 his God. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.319 He says, 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:09.839 I can't 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.139 go. 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:11.819 I think it 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.259 will give the 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.939 wrong impression 00:27:12.939 --> 00:27:13.519 to people. 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.700 The other one 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.220 gets a bit 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.519 annoyed. 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:16.759 He says, 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.139 come on, 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.900 we're not 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.759 sacrificing, 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.360 we're just 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:19.980 having a bit 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.480 of food 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:20.920 together. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.660 What's the 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.240 big deal? 00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:22.860 Don't be so 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:23.380 boring. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.280 Don't you 00:27:24.280 --> 00:27:24.640 know that 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.020 you've been 00:27:25.020 --> 00:27:25.680 saved by 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.040 grace? 00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:26.900 These idols 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.560 aren't real 00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:28.000 anyway. 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.360 And after 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.400 much persuasion 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.759 and against 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.680 his conscience, 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.700 he gives in 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.200 and he goes 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.720 along with 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.340 his friends. 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:40.340 Three weeks 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:40.840 later, 00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:42.900 Lucas is 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.759 horrified to 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.520 discover that 00:27:44.520 --> 00:27:46.080 Stephanas is no 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.700 longer going 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.360 to church, 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.960 but he's 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.960 back sacrificing 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.620 to his 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:50.980 idols. 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.240 Look at 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.880 verse 11. 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.860 So this 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:58.000 weak brother 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.900 for whom 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.940 Christ died 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:03.380 is destroyed 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:04.960 by your 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.480 knowledge. 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.519 Now that's 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.660 really serious, 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.259 isn't it? 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.400 We may have 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.259 knowledge and 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.319 understanding about 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:13.960 the grace of 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.799 God and all 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.400 that he's done 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.259 for us and 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.819 how he set 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.160 us free, 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.740 but if we 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.259 use that 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.819 knowledge in 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.480 a wrong way 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.460 to upset 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.119 somebody who 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.859 hasn't quite 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:23.240 understood the 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.140 gospel of 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.539 freedom, 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:27.420 that's a 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.299 serious matter. 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.180 Let me give 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.960 a few examples. 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.259 The lads from 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.980 church are all 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.559 heading into 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.160 town to 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:37.019 celebrate the 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.460 end of their 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.420 Christmas exams. 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.119 They persuade 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:42.200 Gary, he's a 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.000 new guy at the 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.859 CU, to go 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.399 along with 00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:44.579 them. 00:28:45.699 --> 00:28:46.419 They've had a 00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:46.879 great night 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.099 out. 00:28:47.199 --> 00:28:47.599 The problem 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:49.159 is, well, 00:28:49.179 --> 00:28:49.799 Gary stopped 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.459 going to the 00:28:50.459 --> 00:28:50.759 CU. 00:28:51.199 --> 00:28:52.059 He's back 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:53.299 in drinking 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.379 with his 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:54.699 buddies. 00:28:57.959 --> 00:28:58.779 The girls 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.379 have decided 00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:00.139 to go for a 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:00.759 night out to 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.439 the nightclub, 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:02.719 just for a 00:29:02.719 --> 00:29:02.959 bit of 00:29:02.959 --> 00:29:03.859 Christmas crack. 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.959 Some are a 00:29:05.959 --> 00:29:06.599 bit reluctant 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.459 and not so 00:29:07.459 --> 00:29:08.919 sure, but 00:29:08.919 --> 00:29:09.519 after a little 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.079 bit of peer 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:10.719 pressure, come 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.140 on, it's 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.779 just this 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:13.400 once they 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.059 all decide 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.519 to go. 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.600 The problem 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.200 is, Sharon, 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.759 who really 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.240 didn't want to 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.620 go in the 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.279 first place, 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.700 feels really 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:21.400 guilty about 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:21.940 going and 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.759 has stopped 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.559 reading her 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.140 Bible and 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.880 is struggling. 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.180 So, can 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:29.880 we begin to 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.640 see how our 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.380 choices and 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.400 decisions have 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.079 a profound 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.900 effect on our 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.480 brothers and 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.059 sisters in 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.480 Christ? 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.980 Using our 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:40.120 freedom in 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:42.219 Christ can 00:29:42.219 --> 00:29:43.500 actually destroy 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:45.479 my family in 00:29:45.479 --> 00:29:45.919 Christ. 00:29:47.239 --> 00:29:48.139 It's a 00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:49.039 serious matter. 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.719 We need to 00:29:52.719 --> 00:29:53.519 love the 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:55.679 weak, not 00:29:55.679 --> 00:29:56.479 destroy the 00:29:56.479 --> 00:29:56.799 weak. 00:29:57.699 --> 00:29:58.159 Look at 00:29:58.159 --> 00:29:58.839 verse 12. 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:01.019 When you 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.699 sin against 00:30:01.699 --> 00:30:02.299 your brothers 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.219 and sisters in 00:30:03.219 --> 00:30:04.739 this way and 00:30:04.739 --> 00:30:05.679 wound their 00:30:05.679 --> 00:30:06.719 weak conscience, 00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:09.059 you sin 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.179 against Christ. 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.179 You see, while 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:13.779 going to the 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.379 pub might not 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:14.919 be wrong, 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.720 while going 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.579 to a night 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.119 club might 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:18.839 not be against 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:19.579 God's word, 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:22.000 but if by my 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.679 choices and 00:30:22.679 --> 00:30:23.379 decisions I 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.139 cause another 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.980 believer to go 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.659 against their 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.279 conscience, 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:29.679 it is sinful. 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:32.399 It says in 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.220 verse 12 that 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.599 we actually sin 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.480 against Christ. 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:35.539 Christ. 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.779 So let's 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.279 try and work 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.779 this through in 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.279 a few more 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.900 applications. 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:43.200 If I go to 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.799 play a match 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.420 on a Sunday, 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.779 or spend my 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.640 morning studying 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.420 for exams 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.039 instead of 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.519 going to 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.539 church because 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.220 I'm free, 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.900 if I attend 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.720 the local yoga 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.660 class, or if I 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.539 decide to watch 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.299 an 18 plus 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.779 movie, or if I 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.579 decide that we 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.460 can serve meal 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.920 at dinner time 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.539 in our home, 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:05.299 if by my 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.180 attitude and 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:08.299 my actions I 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.519 encourage somebody 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.559 else to do the 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:12.680 same, and that 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.799 causes them to 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.619 go against their 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:17.539 conscience, we 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.299 are in effect 00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:19.279 causing them to 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.000 go against 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:21.259 Christ. 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:26.299 If I feel that 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:27.019 I can be 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.000 involved in this 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.579 church, and 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.420 well I'm a 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.159 Christian and I'm 00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.920 free and I can 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.440 go and attend 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.119 other churches 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:32.839 when I like, 00:31:34.459 --> 00:31:35.699 if by my 00:31:35.699 --> 00:31:36.719 actions I 00:31:36.719 --> 00:31:37.519 cause others 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.159 to do the 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.059 same and it 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.699 goes against 00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:40.799 their conscience, 00:31:41.959 --> 00:31:43.559 rather than 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.259 building them 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.919 up in their 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:47.319 faith, I'm 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.479 actually tripping 00:31:48.479 --> 00:31:50.000 them up in 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.579 their faith. 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:54.159 All our 00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:55.659 choices and 00:31:55.659 --> 00:31:56.219 all our 00:31:56.219 --> 00:31:57.019 decisions that 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:58.119 we make have 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:58.979 a profound 00:31:58.979 --> 00:31:59.879 effect on the 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.439 family of 00:32:00.439 --> 00:32:00.819 believers. 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:03.299 verse 13, 00:32:04.739 --> 00:32:07.439 therefore, if 00:32:07.439 --> 00:32:08.599 what I eat 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.479 causes my 00:32:09.479 --> 00:32:10.339 brother or 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.059 sister to 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.639 fall into 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:13.159 sin, I 00:32:13.159 --> 00:32:13.919 will never 00:32:13.919 --> 00:32:14.979 eat meat 00:32:14.979 --> 00:32:16.939 again, so 00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:17.519 that I will 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.339 not cause 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:19.599 him to 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.019 fall. 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.519 Instead of 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.239 saying, yes, 00:32:24.459 --> 00:32:25.299 I can do 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.379 this, or my 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.339 conscience allows 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.919 me to do 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:29.559 that, I 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.059 will learn 00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:31.179 to say no 00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:32.559 because I 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.039 do not 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.480 want to 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:33.980 cause my 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.519 brother or 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.059 sister to 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:36.139 sin and 00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:36.639 to fall. 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.519 You see, the 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.440 church is not 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:41.700 about me and 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.599 my private 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.960 individual choice 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.879 and what I'm 00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.700 free to do 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.359 whenever I 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:46.779 like. 00:32:48.179 --> 00:32:49.440 Church is a 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:51.279 family and 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.279 we do what's 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.399 best for the 00:32:53.399 --> 00:32:53.759 family. 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:54.539 We make 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.339 choices and 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:56.179 decisions about 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.400 not how is 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:57.900 it going to 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.519 help me, but 00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:58.960 how is it 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.299 going to 00:32:59.299 --> 00:32:59.680 help the 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.299 other person. 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.660 And those 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:03.480 who know the 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.080 freedom of 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:04.620 the gospel, 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:05.580 those who 00:33:05.580 --> 00:33:06.000 have been 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.120 truly changed 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:07.860 and transformed 00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:08.700 by God's 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.480 grace, will 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.680 be incredibly 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.180 free. 00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.720 But that 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:17.220 freedom is 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:18.460 always used 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.360 to serve 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:21.519 others and 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.060 to build 00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:22.620 each other 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.740 up in 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.080 love. 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.820 Therefore, 00:33:27.060 --> 00:33:27.340 look at 00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:28.039 verse 13. 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.640 If what I 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:33.799 do or 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.620 if what I 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:37.019 say causes 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.960 my brother 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.920 or sister to 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.480 fall into 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.600 sin, I 00:33:40.600 --> 00:33:41.259 will never 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.039 do those 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.960 things again 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:45.680 so that I 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.120 will not 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.640 cause them 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.120 to fall. 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.680 We have 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.259 been set 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:51.759 free in 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:53.680 Christ, but 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.340 we use our 00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.920 freedom to 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.480 build each 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.100 other up 00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:58.460 in love. 00:33:59.380 --> 00:34:00.140 Let's pray 00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:00.800 together. 00:34:05.360 --> 00:34:07.039 Let's pray 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:08.000 together. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:14.820 Let's pray 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:14.980 together. 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.240 Let's pray 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:15.680 together. 00:34:15.680 --> 00:34:15.700 Let's pray 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:17.139 together. 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.900 Let's pray 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.079 together. 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:20.019 Let's pray 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.320 together.