God's Church: Glorifying God

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the ninth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Glorifying God’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 10-11:1

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 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? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: What is one fear in your life that could be dispelled by taking confidence in the LORD?

WARM-UP

1. What are some things in the world that can sometimes have all show but no substance?

2. What have been some highlights that you can recall from 1 Corinthians from Term 2?

Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

1. Read 9:24-27. Why does Paul want the Corinthians to know about the history of the Israelites?

2. What united the Israelites and formed them as a nation? Who did they belong to?

3. Did their lives match up to what they called to be? Why/why not? What was then the result of how they lived?

4. What lesson does Paul want the Corinthians to draw from the example of the Israelites in the wilderness? How do we have it better than the Israelites?

5. What could cause us to not live wholeheartedly for God? How can we seek help in these times of trials? Is there any temptation that can take us away from God?

Read  1 Corinthians 10:14-22

1. What does the Lord’s Supper symbolise and how does it help and impact us? How does it also demonstrate and show our identity?

2. In this world, what other things compete and battle for our allegiance, identity, and worship?

3. How could we prevent ourselves from falling into idolatry and living for things other than God?

Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

1. Are there any other gods and is food sacrificed to idols anything?

2. What would participating in these meals offered to pagan gods show the 1st century society about the Corinthian Christians? What would not participating in any of societies’ activities communicate?

3. How can we live lives that aren’t seperate from society but glorify God in the midst of society? Are there any unconscious ‘stumbling blocks’ that you might be putting up on your frontlines?

APPLY:  How could you live your life in such a way that points others to Jesus on your frontlines?

PRAYER

Gracious God, thank you for your grace for us that you would send your son to give up his freedom to die on the cross so that we may have life and glorify you. Please help us to live consistent lives that reflect your love and grace for us, and please use us to bring other people to repent and believe in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: People are much more likely to trust what their friends endorse. Which friend or colleague could you invite to Alpha?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• TALK: “Examples and Warnings” by Alistair Begg:
  PART 1 // PART 2

• TALK: “Seek the Other’s Needs” by Mike Clark: