“Consideration for Those who See Things Differently”
Jan.18, 2009 Annual Meeting 1Cor.8 Play
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● Agreeing to Disagree
○ differing opinions even among
Christians
○ tempted to ‘set them straight’
● A Solid Basis for Absolute Truth
○ know there is one God and one
Lord, Jesus (4,6; Rom 11:36; Jn 1:3; Deut 4:39)
○ know idols are nothing at all
(4; 10:20)
○ know food doesn’t bring us near
to God (8; Mk 7:18f; Acts 15:29)
○ treasure to have God’s precious
promises, inspired by Holy Spirit through prophets and apostles (2Pet
1:3f,21; 1Cor 2:11ff)
○ but if think we know something,
don’t know as ought (2)
● Love Builds Up Those with Weak Conscience
○ Jesus critical of knowledgeable
Pharisees, scribes (Mt 23:4,23; Lk 20:47)
○ knowledge puffs up with pride;
look down on others (1)
○ love builds up, supportive -
truly ‘know’ God who is love (1Jn 4:8)
○ love the distinguishing feature
of Christ’s followers (Jn 13:35)
○ my freedom limited by another’s
weak conscience (7,10f)
○ to sin against weaker
sister/brother = sin against Christ (11-12; Acts 9:5)
○ would rather never eat meat
again than cause someone to stumble (13; 10:33; 13:5)
● Love One Another - Even When They Seem ‘Dead Wrong’
○ church meetings ideal
opportunity to practise love amidst disagreement
○ make allowance for background of
‘weaker brother’, e.g. association of card-playing with sinful activity