1 Corinthians 8 – “Grace for the Differences” 5/24/20 – Pastor Tim Meendering

Questions for family/small group discussions:

a. Where do you see the most potential for division and the “social distancing” of relationships in the church family at this time of the pandemic? Why is there such emotion and struggle around reopening —generally, and for worship?

b. Where do you see your own impatience rise up with those who have different beliefs and actions? Why are division and strained relationships so dangerous?

How are we to relate to each other through our differences and diversity? For all of our differences, we are called to a posture of gospel grace. We see three principles to help us understand what this means:

1. Everyone is on a different winding journey. a. Can you see how you sometimes insist that other people believe, think, and act like you? Do you see the

arrogance in that? What do you see in 1 Corinthians 11:1 about the responsibility of looking for others to be like you?

b. Why would God design the church community so that it always involves those who are at different and changing levels of maturity and knowledge?

c. Would you lean toward being a rule-follower for the sake of your conscience or one who “knows better” and doesn’t worry so much about the rules?

2. Relationship over right. a. What do Romans 15:1, 7 and 14:1 say about God’s priorities when there are differences in beliefs and

practices? What is your history or inclination when you engage with those who are different or wrong in their beliefs about reality and God?

b. What are some ways that you could “bear with the failings of the weak” or bear their burden (Romans 15:1)? Do you naturally work to really understand, sympathize, and weigh the pluses and minuses of others’ beliefs?

c. What does 1 Corinthians 8:13 and 9:19-23 say about what Paul was willing to do for those who were “weak” or very different? What could this look like for you this week with a co-worker, neighbor, or family member?

d. Do you catch yourself gleeful over the failures of others? Where do you most tend to feel superior over others?

3. Down is the way up. a. Who are the highest concerns in 1 Corinthians 8:1 and 9:19-23 and what are we to do for them? What

makes it possible for us to make real progress for changing, stooping, and submitting for the sake of others?

b. How do you think you most demonstrate self-dependence and self-salvation? What does the gospel say about what is the basis for your acceptance by God?

c. Do you see how Jesus pursued, changed, sacrificed, submitted, welcomed, bore your weaknesses, and accepted you long before you could believe rightly? How does this change how you are to approach others who think wrongly or differently than you? Who could you pursue, welcome, and accept this week?

Resources for further study, application and loving Jesus: a. Christians in the Age of Outrage: How to Bring Our Best When the World Is At Its Worst – Ed Stetzer

b. Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference – Timothy Keller & John Inazu

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The real danger—is how we react to those people who think and act differently than we do.

The coronavirus has real potential to divide and destroy our unity so that we develop an ugly social distance with each other.

How are we to relate to each other through our differences and diversity?

We are called to posture of gospel grace.

1. Everyone is on a different journey.

“Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. Switchback after switchback.” John Piper

Who are you to insist that other people believe, think and act like you?

By God’s design, the church community always involves those who are at different AND changing levels of maturity and knowledge.

1. Everyone is on a different journey.

Conscience = moral compass - the collection of an individual’s moral beliefs and principles that makes judgments about what is right and wrong.

1. Everyone is on a different journey.

You have rule-followers and those who “know better” and don’t worry so much about those rules.

The knowledgeable people think that they are quite tolerant, accepting and not making any negative evaluations. BUT, at the same time, they are refusing to enter into a relationship with “those people” who are bigoted and living in such a small world.

2. Relationship over right.Romans 15:7 - “Therefore welcome (accept) one another as Christ has welcomed (accepted) you, for the glory of God.”

Romans 14:1 - “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome (accept) him, but not to quarrel over opinions.”—NIV – “…without passing judgement on disputable matters…”

We are to enter into a relationship with even those whom you are convinced are seriously wrong in their beliefs about reality and God.

Romans 15:1 - “the strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak…”

2. Relationship over right.It takes time, knowledge, and growth to make the transition from feeling inferior and condemned and into an orientation around the love, grace and acceptance of Jesus.

I will work to understand and sympathize with you and weigh the weaknesses and strengths of your position.

I will change for the sake of having a relationship with those who think differently.

2. Relationship over right.“But knowing isn’t everything. If it becomes everything, some people end up as know-it-alls who treat others as know-nothings. Real knowledge isn’t that insensitive.” 1 Corinthians 8:7 (The Message)

Pride drives us to puff up our ego and sense of value by gleefully comparing ourselves to others who are failing in the area where you believe you are strong.

It’s not merely about knowing…or being right…

Will you accept one another? Will you bear each other’s weaknesses? Will you enter into a relationship?

3. Down is the way up.

I will bend down for the sake of raising up the whole.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 I will change, stoop, submit and transform myself into whatever I need to for the sake of the gospel and the salvation of others.

Our stooping, submitting and transformation is possible only to the degree that we understand and experience the gospel.

3. Down is the way up.This is the natural inclination of our hearts and then we live in a culture that is permeated with religions that affirm that we are accepted by God because we have right actions and beliefs.

We all have a history of self-dependence and self-salvation.

We believe and stew and revel in the gospel that says that I am completely accepted through Christ’s past, Christ’s record, and Christ’s performance, not mine!

3. Down is the way up.I am simultaneously righteous, loved, accepted, AND sinful.

I will welcome and accept those who I think are wrong only when I realize that Jesus welcomed, accepted and suffered death for me when I was dead wrong.

I will stoop down with love, humility and grace when I see how Jesus has stooped down with love, humility and grace for me.

If I separate myself from anyone because I think they are wrong, I have lost touch with my Savior who pursued me at the cost of his life.

Jesus was driven to the cross because you were wicked, lost, and headed for hell—and because he loves you.

Can we accept one another and bear each other’s weaknesses?

We can when we remember and celebrate how Jesus has put up with our weaknesses and accepted us.

Jesus moved toward us while we were in conflict with him so that we will move toward others in love.

Jesus took the ultimate slide into the sewer of conflict, suffering and death so that we can rise up to show the beauty of a love that transcends all of our differences.