Yo LKYouths!!
We've come to the last session of the KNOWN series on "Right vs Wrong". Last Sunday we explored the important question:
The Question
Can I do whatever I want if the Bible doesn’t condemn it?
Can I do whatever I want if the Bible doesn’t condemn it?
Consider ...
A. It’s not just about you.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.
§ Illustration: In the summer of 2007, Andrew Speaker came out of obscurity into the spotlight—for a very negative reason. He had a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis, a highly contagious and deadly disease. Knowing he had TB but showing no outward symptoms, Speaker hopped on a plane to Europe for his wedding and honeymoon. When doctors confirmed the strain of TB he had, they found him in Rome, told him to stay away from commercial flights, and put him on a “no-fly” list. However, Speaker ignored the officials, and took a complicated route of flights to Canada and sneaked across the border to the U.S. because he wanted to be treated there. He was eventually put into quarantine in the US and started treatment. Authorities did not pursue prosecution, but he has been highly criticized by many people. One person wrote, “I’m glad HIS wants and desires were met. But at what cost?"
=> This is a great illustration of the ideology “It’s all about me.” We live in a culture that tells us to focus on our own needs and desires and wants. This guy wasn’t concerned about the safety of others. He was concerned solely for himself. But for us as Christians, it’s not just about us. Sometimes a personal choice isn’t just personal. We’re called to look out for the needs and interests of others.
B. It’s about God.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 10:31.
§ Whatever we choose to do, we must ask ourselves what the aim is. When facing a choice—from getting a job to listening to music—our first question must aways be,
§ Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.
§ Illustration: In the summer of 2007, Andrew Speaker came out of obscurity into the spotlight—for a very negative reason. He had a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis, a highly contagious and deadly disease. Knowing he had TB but showing no outward symptoms, Speaker hopped on a plane to Europe for his wedding and honeymoon. When doctors confirmed the strain of TB he had, they found him in Rome, told him to stay away from commercial flights, and put him on a “no-fly” list. However, Speaker ignored the officials, and took a complicated route of flights to Canada and sneaked across the border to the U.S. because he wanted to be treated there. He was eventually put into quarantine in the US and started treatment. Authorities did not pursue prosecution, but he has been highly criticized by many people. One person wrote, “I’m glad HIS wants and desires were met. But at what cost?"
=> This is a great illustration of the ideology “It’s all about me.” We live in a culture that tells us to focus on our own needs and desires and wants. This guy wasn’t concerned about the safety of others. He was concerned solely for himself. But for us as Christians, it’s not just about us. Sometimes a personal choice isn’t just personal. We’re called to look out for the needs and interests of others.
B. It’s about God.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 10:31.
§ Whatever we choose to do, we must ask ourselves what the aim is. When facing a choice—from getting a job to listening to music—our first question must aways be,
“Does this give glory to God?”
Sometimes the answer will be very clear. But other times, the answer is a little murky. Maybe the question you should be asking instead is,
“Does this action point back to me, or does it point to God?"
If we’re honest, we’ll admit that a lot of our decisions are based on selfish desires and wants.
C. It’s about other Christians.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 10:32
§ Think of a Christian you admire. It could be another student in the youth group, a parent, a volunteer, a relative, or another church member. Reflect on the things about that person they admire. Is the person you admire sitting in this room.
§ You have no idea about the impact you have on another person’s life. Somebody watches every one of us at some point. Somebody looks at your life to know how to act. We may not know it, but a younger or less mature Christian is often looking to us for leadership.
§ The text is not referring to legalistic, self-righteous, picky people who would be offended by anything we do. It’s a careful line to walk.
§ When considering whether or not to do something, ask yourself:
C. It’s about other Christians.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 10:32
§ Think of a Christian you admire. It could be another student in the youth group, a parent, a volunteer, a relative, or another church member. Reflect on the things about that person they admire. Is the person you admire sitting in this room.
§ You have no idea about the impact you have on another person’s life. Somebody watches every one of us at some point. Somebody looks at your life to know how to act. We may not know it, but a younger or less mature Christian is often looking to us for leadership.
§ The text is not referring to legalistic, self-righteous, picky people who would be offended by anything we do. It’s a careful line to walk.
§ When considering whether or not to do something, ask yourself:
o Will what I’m doing cause somebody else to stumble?
o Will it tempt a person to sin?
o Does it encourage others?
o Does it strengthen others?
D. It’s about non-Christians.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 10:32-33.
§ The phrase “try to please everybody” has an interesting definition. It can mean “to soften one’s heart toward.” So what does this mean for you as a Christian? For Paul, his heart was soft toward non-Christians. His heart went out to them. He wanted them to know Christ. In fact, he cared about them so much that he was not seeking his own good but their good, so that they would be saved.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians. These are people who acknowledge Christianity with their lips, walk out the door, and deny it by their lifestyle. This is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”—Brennan Manning
§ When considering whether or not something is OK to do, ask yourself:
Will what I’m doing make people want to know Christ? Will my actions give someone a wrong idea about God? Our calling as Christians is to set a good example to those who are indifferent to Christianity.
E. It’s about following Christ’s example.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 11:1.
§ What was Christ’s example? Call out ways in which Christ set an example for us to follow. (Love. Selflessness. Putting others before Himself. Humility.) That is His example. And when it comes to determining whether or not a course of action is right or wrong, it would be wise for us to think of the example of Jesus. He sacrificed Himself for the needs of others. We should do no less.
E. It’s about following Christ’s example.
§ Read 1 Corinthians 11:1.
§ What was Christ’s example? Call out ways in which Christ set an example for us to follow. (Love. Selflessness. Putting others before Himself. Humility.) That is His example. And when it comes to determining whether or not a course of action is right or wrong, it would be wise for us to think of the example of Jesus. He sacrificed Himself for the needs of others. We should do no less.
The Point
§ When making a choice, you must remember that your decisions impact others.
Pls spend some quiet moments in reflection.
Yg
