This morning our family visited a church that we have been to in the past. Riverview Community Church in Holt, MI. Renee and I visited Riverview about seven years ago before we were married. We really liked the church back then, but felt that it was too big for us small town folk. Seven years ago God had a message for us through the Pastor, Noel Heikkenin about sex. We got the CD of the message and listened to it a few different times.
This week God had a message for me. It seems that everywhere I look God is talking to me about the freedom we as Christ followers have through Christ. I recently read a book “Bringing Up Boys” by Dr. James Dobson and part of that book talked about freedom in Christ. I was talking to a customer at the store and he talked to me about the same thing and then this morning. I guess God thinks I need to know my true freedom in Christ.
Freedom in Christ has been something that I have been thinking about for many years, but I never really got it. I couldn't anyone who would explain it to me in plain terms that I could apply to life. Well, this morning I finally found someone willing to tell me in plain terms that I could understand. The text used was 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and it is as follows...
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (ESV)
I do not want to try and explain this passage at this time as I am still trying to process all the information I received this morning. I want to continue studying this passage to increase my understanding before I elaborate on this subject more. If you would like to hear the same message that we heard this morning just click on the link http://rivchurch.com/ .
This week God had a message for me. It seems that everywhere I look God is talking to me about the freedom we as Christ followers have through Christ. I recently read a book “Bringing Up Boys” by Dr. James Dobson and part of that book talked about freedom in Christ. I was talking to a customer at the store and he talked to me about the same thing and then this morning. I guess God thinks I need to know my true freedom in Christ.
Freedom in Christ has been something that I have been thinking about for many years, but I never really got it. I couldn't anyone who would explain it to me in plain terms that I could apply to life. Well, this morning I finally found someone willing to tell me in plain terms that I could understand. The text used was 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and it is as follows...
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (ESV)
I do not want to try and explain this passage at this time as I am still trying to process all the information I received this morning. I want to continue studying this passage to increase my understanding before I elaborate on this subject more. If you would like to hear the same message that we heard this morning just click on the link http://rivchurch.com/ .
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