Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church (Toowoomba)

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 separate 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:

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the third sermon in our mini series in ‘Winter Warmers’. This sermon is ‘The Lord is My Light’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Psalm 27

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

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me

to devour me,

it is my enemies and my foes

who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the LORD,

this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, LORD;

be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, LORD, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me,

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the LORD will receive me.

Teach me your way, LORD;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: What prompts you to look to the shepherd? What troubles/concerns this week could you bring to him?

WARM-UP

1. Have there been any times in your life in which there has been physically a complete (or almost complete) absence of light? How did this make you feel?

2. Did David have significant cause to be fearful? What causes you to be afraid?

Read Psalm 27:1-6

1. Who does David describe the LORD as in verse 1? What do each of these names mean?

2. How is it clear that this knowledge about the LORD is not just objective truth, but also a personal reality to David? Do you know this to be true as well?

3. How does David have confidence even in the presence of trouble? Do you ever struggle with this in your own life? How so?

4. When you face trouble or stress, what is your natural instinct? What helps you be redirected to God?

5. How does David’s example steer us away from both complacency and self-reliance? Do you think that this is particularly counter-cultural in Australia?

6. What knowledge helps you to trust in God even in the face of trouble? What practices help you to trust in God even in the face of uncertainty?

7. How is knowing God a great gift even when we experience uncertainty, stress, or danger?

8. What did David long for more than anything? What does this mean?

9. How do you seek God? How can we be sure of knowing him?

10. What are the practical ways in which we can seek the goodness of the LORD?

Read Psalm 27:7-13

1. How does David reflect his desire to be known by God in these verses?

2. What does David mean in verse 11? How is obedience an expression of our trust?

3. How does Jesus make it possible for us to have a clear and certain confidence of the future?

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

PRAYER

Gracious Father, we thank you so much that we can have every confidence that you will keep us ultimately safe through the Lord Jesus. Please help us to trust in you regardless of the circumstances. 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? stbarts.com.au/alpha 

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: “One thing I have asked” by Aneirin Glyn

• AUDIO: “I will see the goodness of the Lord” by Richard Bewes

• AUDIO: “Walking with Our God” by James Faux

• INTERVIEW with Maryam and Marziyeh at HTB Church, London:
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Outline by St Bart’s Toowoomba: https://stbarts.com.au/blog/2021/6/20/winter-warmers-miniseries-outline

• Website: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/

• Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom Wright

• Devotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim Keller

• Course: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/

• Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families:

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the second sermon in our mini series in ‘Winter Warmers’. This sermon is ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Psalm 23

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

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk 

through the darkest valley, 

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me 

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?

WARM-UP

1. Where have you heard this Psalm before but not in a Sunday service? Why do you think this Psalm is so popular even in the world?

2. How have your friends who aren’t christian reacted to the past 18 months of uncertainty?

Read Psalm 23

1. What was the role and purpose of a shepherd in these times of David? Why were the sheep so dependant on the shepherds?

2. How does God provide for us the best and most fruitful place to live and thrive?

3. Can you recall a time when you have felt the refreshment of the soul that David speaks of in V3? Where does our greatest refreshment and restoration come from?

4. What does it mean to walk in the right paths? Who do we follow to guide us along these paths?

5. What does V4 assume for us this side of eternity? How can we possibly not be afraid in this darkness and even in the face of death?

6. How has the Lord provided for us in abundance? Where do we primarily see God’s goodness and love poured out for us?

7. How can we have the confidence of dwelling in the house of the Lord even after death?

8. What could it look like for us to act more like a sheep in our lifetime? How can we continually keep our eyes on the shepherd

Read John 10:11-18

1. What does the good shepherd do for his sheep? How have we seen this? Why does the shepherd do this for us?

2. How well does the shepherd know us? How could that shape our relationship with him?

3. What does the opposite of this Psalm say to the person who isn’t a believer? Who could we tell of the comfort of the shepherd this week?

APPLY:  hat prompts you to look to the shepherd? What troubles or concerns this week could you bring to him?

PRAYER

Gracious God, thank you for your compassion for us in being our shepherd. Please help us to remember that we are your sheep, that you care for us, and that we can call upon you to help us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: Alpha begins Monday 12 July. Who could you invite along? 

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: The Future! by Dick Lucas

• AUDIO: The Psalm of the Sheep by D.A. Carson

• VIDEO: Psalm 23 by Peter Orr

• AUDIO: The Shepherd Who He Is and What He Does by Simon Manchester

• SONG: I’m Not Alone by Church by the Bridge
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Outline by St Bart’s Toowoomba: https://stbarts.com.au/blog/2021/6/20/winter-warmers-miniseries-outline

• Website: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/

• Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom Wright

• Devotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim Keller

• Course: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/

• Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the first sermon in our mini series in ‘Winter Warmers’. This sermon is ‘The Lord is My Rock’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Psalm 28

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

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: Psalm 28

To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock,

do not turn a deaf ear to me.

For if you remain silent,

I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands

toward your Most Holy Place.

Do not drag me away with the wicked,

with those who do evil,

who speak cordially with their neighbors 

but harbor malice in their hearts.

Repay them for their deeds 

and for their evil work;

repay them for what their hands have done

and bring back on them what they deserve.

Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD

and what his hands have done,

he will tear them down 

and never build them up again.

Praise be to the LORD,

for he has heard my cry for mercy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.

My heart leaps for joy,

and with my song I praise him.

The LORD is the strength of his people,

a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Save your people and bless your inheritance;

be their shepherd and carry them forever.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?

WARM-UP

1. When was the last time that you got stuck in a situation and had to call someone for help?

2. What comes to mind for you when you think of justice? What does the world think about justice?

Read Psalm 28:1-5

1. Who does David call upon for help?

2. What does it mean when we see a big capital ‘L’ in our bible and then the rest of the word ‘lord’ in small caps? Why is this significant?

3. Why is the Lord more than able to help? What is he like?

4. What does it mean for David to lift up his hands towards the Holy Place? What was dwelling there?

5. Who are the wicked and what are they like? What does David want for them?

6. How can we reconcile the command that we are to love our enemy and this Psalm which calls upon God to repay David’s enemies?

7. How is God’s justice different to that of any human justice? Why are his judgements good news for us? How then should we act when we face opposition?

Read Psalm 28:6-9

1. What is David’s response to seeing God at work in the world? How should we respond even when our prayers aren’t answered in the way that we may have hoped?

2. For you, what does it mean for the Lord to be your strength and shield? Can you recall a time that you have had to explicitly remind yourself of this?

3. When we aren’t feeling particularly close to or joyful in the Lord, who and what can we turn to?

4. What does it mean for God to save his people? How are God’s people sustained through the ages?

5. How does relying on God as our rock and strength change the way we live on our frontlines? How could this shape your actions and words to others?

APPLY:  How can you remind yourself that the Lord is your Rock this week?

PRAYER

 Heavenly Father, thank you that you love us, that you care for us, and that you are more than able to save us. You are the God who has sustained and been and will be faithful to his promises for eternity. Help us to rest in the sure hope that you are good, that you will judge, and that you will strengthen us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: Who could you invite along to a Sunday service? With the appeal of warm food - Winter Warmers might be a great opportunity.

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• VIDEO: Prayer in the Psalms: Discovering How to Pray by Tim Keller

• VIDEO: Psalm 28 Devotion by Peter Orr

• COMMENTARY: Psalm 28 by John Calvin

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Website: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/

• Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom Wright

• Devotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim Keller

• Course: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/

• Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians) from our 6PM service. This sermon is ‘Building Up’. Preacher: Amy Norman. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 7

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: How could you use your circumstance - right now - in more focused devotion to the Lord?

WARM-UP

1. Have you met a “know-it-all”? Why can they be so difficult to be around?

2. What governs the food you eat? Have you ever had to make cultural choices when travelling?

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

1. In Paul’s time, why was food offered as a sacrifice to idols? Do you see a difference between eating food you know is offered to idols compared with eating food that probably was offered to idols?

2. What are the benefits of knowledge? What are the dangers of knowledge?

3. Do you think that you’re ever in danger of being ‘puffed up’ by knowledge?

4. What is better than knowledge? How is it better?

Read  1 Corinthians 8:4-8

1. Why was it okay for the Corinthians to eat food sacrificed to idols?

2. What does say Paul say about the difference between idols and God who we worship?

3. What did Jesus say about food (see Mark 7)?

4. What does it mean when Paul writes that “not everyone has this knowledge”? How are their “consciences defiled"?

Read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

1. Why should we be careful about what we do around others? Are we living according to others’ convictions instead of our own?

2. Should we be willing to sacrifice our enjoyment for others? If we misuse our freedom, what are we doing?

3. Should loving others ever be at the expense of truth? How do we work this out?

4. What did Christ do for us? As a consequence of that, what should be willing to do for others?

5. What other areas, besides food sacrificed to idols, does this principle apply to?

APPLY:  How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to be mindful of the experiences and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we don’t cause anyone to stumble but rather build each other up in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: Are there any other Christians on your frontline that you could encourage, as you serve Jesus together?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• TALK: “We have a ministry” by John Stott

• TALK: “Don’t cause others to stumble”

• TALK: “Why not to prize freedom too highly” by Hugh Palmer

• ARTICLE: “Christian: Will you negative split your life?” by Steve McAlpine:
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Overview Published by St Bart’s

• Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible Project

• Course: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course)

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the eighth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Building Up’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 7

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: How could you use your circumstance - right now - in more focused devotion to the Lord?

WARM-UP

1. Have you met a “know-it-all”? Why can they be so difficult to be around?

2. What governs the food you eat? Have you ever had to make cultural choices when travelling?

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

1. In Paul’s time, why was food offered as a sacrifice to idols? Do you see a difference between eating food you know is offered to idols compared with eating food that probably was offered to idols?

2. What are the benefits of knowledge? What are the dangers of knowledge?

3. Do you think that you’re ever in danger of being ‘puffed up’ by knowledge?

4. What is better than knowledge? How is it better?

Read  1 Corinthians 8:4-8

1. Why was it okay for the Corinthians to eat food sacrificed to idols?

2. What does say Paul say about the difference between idols and God who we worship?

3. What did Jesus say about food (see Mark 7)?

4. What does it mean when Paul writes that “not everyone has this knowledge”? How are their “consciences defiled"?

Read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

1. Why should we be careful about what we do around others? Are we living according to others’ convictions instead of our own?

2. Should we be willing to sacrifice our enjoyment for others? If we misuse our freedom, what are we doing?

3. Should loving others ever be at the expense of truth? How do we work this out?

4. What did Christ do for us? As a consequence of that, what should be willing to do for others?

5. What other areas, besides food sacrificed to idols, does this principle apply to?

APPLY:  How can your choices and actions this week be sensitive to the needs of others?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to be mindful of the experiences and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we don’t cause anyone to stumble but rather build each other up in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: Are there any other Christians on your frontline that you could encourage, as you serve Jesus together?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• TALK: “We have a ministry” by John Stott

• TALK: “Don’t cause others to stumble”

• TALK: “Why not to prize freedom too highly” by Hugh Palmer

• ARTICLE: “Christian: Will you negative split your life?” by Steve McAlpine:
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Overview Published by St Bart’s

• Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible Project

• Course: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course)

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the seventh sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Marriage & Singleness’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 7

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

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 7

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

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CONNECT: Is there an area of sexual immorality that you need to address and flee from?

WARM-UP

1. What is the worst relationship advice that you have ever received?

2. What are some of the lies do you think our culture tells about sex and relationships?

Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-7

1. What were the questions that prompted Paul to write this part of the letter? Can you explain them?

2. According to Paul (and Jesus), how is it clear that marriage is the context for sex? Was that a counter-cultural idea in Corinth? Is it a counter-cultural concept today?

3. If married, how does sex only between the husband and wife honour God?
   If single, how does abstinence from sex also honour God?

4. If someone was single, would it be right for them to grieve longings (e.g, for sexual expression or to be a parent) that cannot be expressed outside of the context of marriage? What would be a healthy way to go about expressing such grief to God?

Read  1 Corinthians 7:8-16

1. What are all the various reasons that people were considering getting divorced?

2. How can we best care for and love those who experience the brokenness of a marriage? How can we help support healthy marriages in the context of our local church?

3. Do you think our culture ever diminishes single people? What are some of the common ways?

4. If single, do you think it’s ever possible to idolise marriage? How might this be a distraction?

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-40

1. In what way can marriage and singleness both be gifts to God? What dictates...

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the sixth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Flee from Sexual Immorality’. The audio recording this week comes from the 6PM service. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 5-6

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

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 6:12-20

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

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CONNECT: How could you show humility and demonstrate grace on your Frontline this week

WARM-UP

1. Why do you think the church can be hesitant to discuss sex? Why is ignoring it not helpful?

2. Is sexual promiscuity just a modern day problem? What was it like in Paul’s Corinth?

Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:11

1. What were the cases of sin that Paul has reported to him amongst the Corinthians? How shameful was it even in the pagan culture?

2. What does the original word for ‘sexual immorality’ mean? What is the God-given context for sex?

3. What was really at the heart of the problem in the Corinthian Church? Is that a problem for us?

4. What does Paul mean in 5:8 by sincerity and truth? What does it look like to test our desires against God’s Word with sincerity and truth? How might this be costly?

5. Are we ever in danger of trivialising sexual immorality? In what way?

6. What is the danger of sin that goes ‘unchecked’? What image does Paul use to describe this danger?

7. What is meant by 1 Corinthians 5:5? What did Paul hope to achieve for the man and the community?

8. Why would expelling someone from a community only be used as a last resort? What steps would a community reasonably engage in before someone was expelled?

9. If we fall into sexual immorality, are we condemned? How is 6:11 of encouragement to us?

Read  1 Corinthians 6:12-20

1. How does Jesus’ resurrection confirm the reality that are bodies (and what we do with them) matter?

2. How is marriage a sign of our union with Christ? How does this affect who we are ‘united’ with?

3. In what ways are believers a temple of the Holy Spirit? How can we glorify God with our bodies?

4. Can you think of a time in which you had to flee something? What does it mean to flee sexual sin?

5. If a close friend shared that they were struggling with sexual sin, what would you advise them to do?

APPLY:  Is there an area of sexual immorality that you need to address and flee from?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times in which we our pride deceives us and we trivialise your will for our lives. Please convict us of sin, remind us of forgiveness, and help to live lives that honour you. Please especially reveal to us an areas of sexual immorality from which we must flee. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: How can you practically care for someone on your frontline this week?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: Revolutionary Sex and the Gospel by William Taylor

• ARTICLE: Purity after Impurity by Huisman and Johnston

• ARTICLE: The Problem of Porn and the Gospel of Grace by Simone Camilleri

• ARTICLE: Can we live without sex? by Dani Treweek

• BOOK: Seven Myths of Singleness by Sam Allberry

• BOOK: Chapter 9 “Isn’t Christianity Homophobic” from Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

FOCUS Talk & Small Group Resources

This is the third talk from the St Bart’s Toowoomba FOCUS weekend. This talk is ‘God our Hope’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Rhys Bezzant. Bible Reading: Psalm 2.

Download the FOCUS Weekend Study Guide (PDF)

FOCUS Talk & Small Group Resources

This is the second talk from the St Bart’s Toowoomba FOCUS weekend. This talk is ‘God our Guide’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Rhys Bezzant. Bible Reading: Psalm 73.

Download the FOCUS Weekend Study Guide (PDF)