Grace Bible Church, of Seabrook, MD Sermons

1 Corinthians 10.18-33

1. Contemplate How We Know What We Know (8.1-2a)
2. Analyze the Trinity of Knowing (8.1-3)

Symbolism, Logic, and Persuasion properly related facilitate an experiential encounter with meaning/truth.

Our Symbolism is rooted in OUR experiences and OUR theories.  We must show more openness and humility if we want to grow.

3.  Reflect on Conscience & Consciousness (ch. 8-10)
4.  Exhibit Functional Humility (ch. 8-10)

1. Stop Making the Temporary (or False) Permanent. (8.1-8)
2. Show Respect to Appropriate Forms Even If They Are Localized or Temporary (11.3-16)
3. Adopt Other People’s Forms.  Don’t Make Them Adopt Yours (9.19-27)
4. Stop Judging Other People Just Because They Make You Uncomfortable (10.25-30) (To the More Sensitive/Symbolic)
5. Develop Sensitivity (8.9-13) (To the Less Sensitive)

1 Corinthians 8.1-13

Questions of Conscience, What Is Revealed, and What is Reasoned

1.  Contemplate How We Know What We Know (8.1-2a)

John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God; the only (unique generation of) God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (“exegeted him”)

Metaphorically: to draw out in narrative, unfold a teaching
to recount, rehearse
to unfold, declare the things relating to God
used in Greek writing of the interpretation of things sacred and divine, oracles, dreams, etc.

John 8.31-32: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8.42-45: “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

Q1 - If Jesus “exegetes” the Father, and if the truth must be experienced to really be known, does that mean true spiritual life is merely a personal, subjective affair?

Q2 - If there is an objective component to true, spiritual life, how is that discerned?

Consider an example from math. Which answer is more logical?
3 + 6 × 2 = 18
3 + 6 × 2 = 15

2.  Analyze the Trinity of Knowing (8.1-3)

Grammar/Language, Logic, and Rhetoric properly related facilitate an experiential encounter with meaning/truth

1. Grammar/Language: What is symbolized
2. Logic: What is understood; facts arranged in non-contradiction
3. Rhetoric: What persuades, convicts, leads to change

1 Corinthians 8.1-13

Questions of Conscience, What Is Revealed, and What is Reasoned

1.  Contemplate How We Know What We Know (8.1-2a)

John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God; the only (unique generation of) God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (“exegeted him”)

Metaphorically: to draw out in narrative, unfold a teaching
to recount, rehearse
to unfold, declare the things relating to God
used in Greek writing of the interpretation of things sacred and divine, oracles, dreams, etc.

John 8.31-32: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8.42-45: “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

Q1 - If Jesus “exegetes” the Father, and if the truth must be experienced to really be known, does that mean true spiritual life is merely a personal, subjective affair?

Q2 - If there is an objective component to true, spiritual life, how is that discerned?

Consider an example from math. Which answer is more logical?
3 + 6 × 2 = 18
3 + 6 × 2 = 15

2.  Analyze the Trinity of Knowing (8.1-3)

Grammar/Language, Logic, and Rhetoric properly related facilitate an experiential encounter with meaning/truth

1. Grammar/Language: What is symbolized
2. Logic: What is understood; facts arranged in non-contradiction
3. Rhetoric: What persuades, convicts, leads to change

1 Corinthians 7.10-35

1. State the Simple Principle
   Obedient disciples of Jesus do not divorce (but they can be victims of one) 
   We must:
   1. Confess the Church’s Failure
   2. Gain an Overview of Biblical History
2. Establish a Framework for Discussion
   1. Distinguish what is revealed from what is reasoned
   2. Consider the concept of covenants (treaties)
   3. Avoid the trap of relying on “law”
3. Define Marriage & Divorce Biblically.
   1. Interpret scripture conservatively
   2. Separate biblical divorce from civil divorce
   3. Define the terms
4. State the Principle of Our Faith (10-11)
5. Embrace Your Mission as a Believer (12-14)
6. Accept Reality (15-16)
7. Fight the Battle for Contentment (17-24)

The Ten Commandments & Marriage

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. (Keep me first)
2. You shall make no idols. (Put nothing above me)
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Respect who I am as a person)
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy. (Make restful time for us)
5. Honor your father and your mother. (Manage the in-laws well)
6. You shall not murder. (Deal with your anger well)
7. You shall not commit adultery. (I am your only sexual outlet)
8. You shall not steal. (Honor boundaries. I am a separate person)
9. You shall not bear false witness. (Don’t trash me to other people. Value my perspective and my side of the story)
10. You shall not covet. (Don’t secretly wish for someone else)

1 Corinthians 7.10-35

1. State the Simple Principle
   Obedient disciples of Jesus do not divorce (but they can be victims of one) 
   We must:
   1. Confess the Church’s Failure
   2. Gain an Overview of Biblical History
2. Establish a Framework for Discussion
   1. Distinguish what is revealed from what is reasoned
   2. Consider the concept of covenants (treaties)
   3. Avoid the trap of relying on “law”
3. Define Marriage & Divorce Biblically.
   1. Interpret scripture conservatively
   2. Separate biblical divorce from civil divorce
   3. Define the terms
4. State the Principle of Our Faith (10-11)
5. Embrace Your Mission as a Believer (12-14)
6. Accept Reality (15-16)
7. Fight the Battle for Contentment (17-24)

The Ten Commandments & Marriage

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. (Keep me first)
2. You shall make no idols. (Put nothing above me)
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Respect who I am as a person)
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy. (Make restful time for us)
5. Honor your father and your mother. (Manage the in-laws well)
6. You shall not murder. (Deal with your anger well)
7. You shall not commit adultery. (I am your only sexual outlet)
8. You shall not steal. (Honor boundaries. I am a separate person)
9. You shall not bear false witness. (Don’t trash me to other people. Value my perspective and my side of the story)
10. You shall not covet. (Don’t secretly wish for someone else)

Malachi 2.11-17

1.  State the Simple Principle

Obedient disciples of Jesus do not divorce (but they can be victims of one) 
We must:

• Confess the Church’s Failure
• Gain an Overview of Biblical History

2.  Establish a Framework for Discussion
3.  Define Marriage & Divorce Biblically.

Malachi 2.11-17

1.  State the Simple Principle

Obedient disciples of Jesus do not divorce (but they can be victims of one) 
We must:

• Confess the Church’s Failure
• Gain an Overview of Biblical History

2.  Establish a Framework for Discussion
3.  Define Marriage & Divorce Biblically.

1 Corinthians 7.1-9

1. Believe God’s Ideals for human sexuality
   1. Tame Your Animalistic Adrenaline Junkie - Consider Four "N's" of Addiction/Bondage
      1. Neediness
      2. Nice
      3. Naughty
      4. Ne
   2. Abstinence is good (1)
   3. Marriage is the outlet for sexual expression (2b)
   4. Most will be sexually active (2a; 7b)
2. Use God’s Truth to Fight for His Ideals
   1. Reject the lie that your body is strictly your own (3-5) (Note the “Triple A” Exception)
   2. Celebrate both celibacy and sexuality as a gift (6-7)
   3. Deal honestly with the culture (8-9; 7.26)
3. Internalize the Underlying Principle (7.17-23) (Contentment)

1 Corinthians 7.1-9

1. Believe God’s Ideals for human sexuality
   1. Tame Your Animalistic Adrenaline Junkie - Consider Four "N's" of Addiction/Bondage
      1. Neediness
      2. Nice
      3. Naughty
      4. Ne
   2. Abstinence is good (1)
   3. Marriage is the outlet for sexual expression (2b)
   4. Most will be sexually active (2a; 7b)
2. Use God’s Truth to Fight for His Ideals
   1. Reject the lie that your body is strictly your own (3-5) (Note the “Triple A” Exception)
   2. Celebrate both celibacy and sexuality as a gift (6-7)
   3. Deal honestly with the culture (8-9; 7.26)
3. Internalize the Underlying Principle (7.17-23) (Contentment)

James 3.13-4.10

1. Consider This Verse (1 Cor. 6.12) (Negate Naturalistic Narcissism)
2. Choose  Between Two Foundations (6.13-15a) (Fight for Spiritual Ideals)
3. Contemplate The Bigger Picture of Oneness (6.15b-17)
4. Commit to The Sanctity of Sexuality (6.15a)
5. Cherish Marriage as A Symbol of Our Faith (7)