CHRISTIAN LIBERTY 1 Cor 8-11; Rom 14-15

What is Christian Liberty? Review : What is Christian Liberty? Thought? When it comes to daily living, there is a large part of life that is not specifically directed by revelation in God's Word. Christian liberty deals particularly in the use of/not use of things. It deals with a whole range of “matters of opinion” that as Christians we wrestle with We need to find the balance. Christians who tend to promote liberties can fall into an undisciplined and loose lifestyle Christians who tend to limit liberties can fall into legalistic thinking and become people who are no longer defined by “What they believe” but by “What they are against” This can cause people to become Grace Deniers

What Does Our Confession Say The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel, consists in their !eedom !om the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the rigor and curse of the law, and in their being delivered !om this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin, !om the evil of afflictions, the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave, and ever-lasting damnation: as also in their !ee access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and wi$ing mind What does this mean? Put this in your own words. Thoughts? It tells us that Christian liberty is a special Christian inheritance which flows from the Gospel providing freedom from the power and corruption and guilt and condemnation due to sin

What Does Our Confession Say A$ which were common also to believers under the law for the substance of them; but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their !eedom !om the yoke of a ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fu$er communications of the !ee Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of. ( Galatians 3:13; Galatians 1:4; Acts 26:18; Romans 8:3; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 8:15; Luke 1:73-75; 1 John 4:18; Galatians 3:9, 14; John 7:38, 39; Hebrews 10:19-21 ) What is this saying? OwnWords? Thoughts? Acts 10 makes it clear that our relationship to the Ceremonial Law is different the the Saints of the OT

What Does Our Confession Say We live in the days when the fullness of God's is revealed in Christ The Holy Spirit has been abundantly poured out on all believers We are now able to eat and drink, and do whatever we do to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31) We no longer need to "abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth, for every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." (I Tim. 4:3-5) At the end of the day this is saying that no one can tell you that your freedom and peace with God rests in faith in Christ plus the keeping the law. In fact we would say standing against us here makes you an enemy of the Gospel

What Does Our Confession Say God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath le' it !ee !om the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or not contained in it. So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also. ( James 4:12; Romans 14:4; Acts 4:19, 29; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:20, 22, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 1:24 ) Thoughts? Own Words? Basically you, man, have no right over my conscience. Like Luther’s famous quote “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason and not by Popes and councils who have so o'en contradicted themselves, my conscience is captive to the word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and I wi$ not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me”

What Does Our Confession Say They who upon pretense of Christian liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction, so they who$y destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of a$ our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, a$ the days of our lives. ( Romans 6:1, 2; Galatians 5:13; 2 Peter 2:18, 21 ) Thoughts? Own Words? Christian Liberty is not a license to sin. We are not free to pick and choose what to believe and obey from the Word Romans 6:1–2 (NASB95) What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

Why Study Christian Liberty All of this being said why should we study Christian Liberty and is it important? Thoughts? I believe it is very important. We will primarily be looking at 1 Cor 8-10 and Rom 14-15 which are very practical and “Pastoral” in nature In these chapters Paul is not discussing theoretical issues; he is dealing with very specific controversies. Like the Roman church and the Church at Corinth we need learn how to get deal with adversity, differing opinions, different cultural perspectives, practices and influences, and different levels of Biblical understanding, wisdom, and maturity. All of this needs to happen among a group that has wide ranging personalities The personality differences, the maturity differences, the educational differences etc.... These were present in Paul's day as they are in the Church today. How can such a diverse group ever hope to get along?

Problems with Today’s Christian Liberty Can you think of any problems in how people address Christian Liberty? Imagine being on a boat and the captain explains there isn’t much fuel. Then you hear their isn’t an anchor and the ship’s navigation system is on the fritz. How would you feel about our trip? Now imagine the Captain comes and says “no problem everything will be fine, once we’re out on the water I’ll watch another ship on the horizon to make sure that we were not moving?” What’s wrong with this idea? The problem is that you cannot be confident of your location by comparing yourself to something else that is moving. As believers it is most important that we fix ourselves to the Bible. Biblical principles must be our foundation rather than comparing ourselves to other believers or churches in our culture. Too often in issues of Christian Holiness, Walking Worthy and Christian Liberty we compare ourselves to others

Now Concerning Disputable Things 1 Corinthians is a series of Questions which Paul addresses. In Chapter 8 we have the 3rd question. 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB95) Now concerning things sacrificed to idols .... The text goes on to provide a series of principles we can apply to our lives to figure out the answer to questions like; What can a Christian wear? What movies can I watch? Where exactly am I allowed to go? What music can I listen to? In addition to this how do I deal with my brother/sister who doesn’t have the same conviction/principle I do on these kinds of issues When it is all said and done my encouragement is to use your Bible as a sieve or a filter. May it be your Sunglasses

1 Cor 8-10 Overview Paul addresses the believer’s relationship regarding meat offered to idols. The question was can a believer eat meat offered to idols? Some of the Corinthians said that worthless idols and their meat had no way of impacting one’s relationship with God. Paul responds with principles to consider before eating the meat. First, we will see that believers need to consider the impact that their choice might have on their brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of the Corinthians were saved out of idolatrous backgrounds and Paul wants each Corinthian believer to consider the possible impact that this decision might make on other believers in the church

1 Cor 8-10 Overview Secondly, we will see the need of promoting the gospel in all our decisions regarding Christian Liberty. In other words, How might my choice impact the spread of the gospel? Thirdly, We will see that as believers we need personal discipline in our walk with God Fourthly, We will see the need to be cautious in light of the failures of the children of Israel in the Old Testament Scriptures Fifthly, we will see guidelines on being relevant and flexible in different social and private settings with their choice of food Finally we will see that what really matters in our decision making process is glorifying God. Whether one eats the meat or not, he must consider the potential impact of his actions upon the testimony of God Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NASB95) — 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Guiding Principles Don’t put stumbling blocks or hindrances in the way fellow believers Romans 14:3 (NASB95) — 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Walk in Love Romans 14:15 (NASB95) — 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died

Guiding Principles Pursue Peace and Edification within the Body Romans 14:16–19 (NASB95) — 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another Know what You are Convicted of and Don’t Adopt your Brother’s View Romans 14:5 (NASB95) — 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind

Guiding Principles Be Prepared to Give an Account to the True Judge Romans 14:10–12 (NASB95) But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Don’t Live your Life Like Others don’t Exist or Matter Romans 14:20 (NASB95) Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense

Guiding Principles Consider Others More Important then Liberty Romans 14:21 (NASB95) — 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles Enjoy the Liberties God has Provided Romans 14:22–23 (NASB95) The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin Imitate the Lord’s Willingness to Deny Himself for Others Romans 15:3 (NASB95) — 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”