Kress Biblical Resources :: The Wisdom of the Cross and Christian Liberty (1Co 8; 9; 10; 11:1)

Detailed Outline of 1 Corinthians

The Wisdom of the Cross Purifies and Unites Believers, the Wisdom of the World Pollutes and Divides

5. The wisdom of the cross and Christian liberty (1Co 8; 1Co 9; 1Co 10; 1Co 11:1)
   1. The instruction concerning our freedom in Christ (1Co 8:1-13)
      1. Knowing the truth is not enough—it must be governed by love (1Co 8:1-3)
         1. A response to a question about our freedom (1Co 8:1a)
         2. A rebuke of knowledge without love regarding our freedom (1Co 8:1b-2)
         3. A relationship of love with God is the key to our freedom (1Co 8:3)
      2. Knowing the truth is extremely important (1Co 8:4-8)
         1. The truth about an idol—it is neither a god nor alive (1Co 8:4a)
         2. The truth about God—He alone is God (1Co 8:4b)
         3. The truth about idolatry—there are many so-called gods and lords (1Co 8:5)
         4. The truth about saving faith—there is only One God and One Lord (1Co 8:6)
         5. The truth about the conscience—it is informed by knowledge (1Co 8:7)
         6. The truth about food—it can neither commend nor condemn before God (1Co 8:8)
      3. Knowing the truth is sin if it is not governed by love (1Co 8:9-13)
         1. The caution concerning the exercise of your freedom (1Co 8:9-12)
            1. Your freedom can be a stumbling block to others (1Co 8:9)
            2. Your freedom can entice others to violate their conscience (1Co 8:10)
            3. Your freedom would then actually be sin against a brother for whom Christ died (1Co 8:11)
            4. Your freedom would ultimately be sin against Christ (1Co 8:12)
         2. The care you must take when contemplating the use of your freedom (1Co 8:13)
   2. The illustration concerning our freedom in Christ—the life of Paul (1Co 9:1-27)
      1. The “rights” or freedoms Paul chose to forgo (1Co 9:1-14)
         1. The rights/freedoms of an Apostle examined (1Co 9:1-7)
            1. The “free” position of Apostle (1Co 9:1-3)
               1. The provocative questions (1Co 9:1)
               2. The proof of Paul’s authority as Apostle—the Corinthians church (1Co 9:2-3)
            2. The “freedom” of partaking in food and drink (1Co 9:4)
            3. The “freedom” of partnering with a spouse (1Co 9:5)
            4. The “freedom” of partaking of financial support (1Co 9:6-7)
               1. The right to financial support implied (1Co 9:6)
               2. The right to financial support illustrated (1Co 9:7)
         2. The record of the Scripture confirms these rights (1Co 9:8-14)
            1. The questions by way of introduction (1Co 9:8)
            2. The quotation and the clear instruction (1Co 9:9-14)
               1. The quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4 (1Co 9:9)
               2. The clear instruction (1Co 9:9c-10)
               3. The consistent application (1Co 9:11-12)
               4. The clear implication from the Old Testament sacrificial system (1Co 9:13-14)
      2. The reason Paul chose to forgo those freedoms (1Co 9:15-18)
         1. So that he might be a role model of integrity in ministry (1Co 9:15)
         2. So that he might fulfill His responsibility (1Co 9:16)
         3. So that he might receive a full reward (1Co 9:17-18)
      3. The “rights” or freedoms Paul chose to freely exercise (1Co 9:19-27)
         1. Freedom to serve everyone for the sake of the gospel (1Co 9:19-23)
            1. Freedom to serve as a slave to all (1Co 9:19)
            2. Freedom to serve Jews who are under the Law (1Co 9:20)
            3. Freedom to serve Gentiles who are not under the Law (1Co 9:21)
            4. Freedom to serve those who are weak concerning their “freedoms” (1Co 9:22a)
            5. Freedom to serve for the sake of the salvation of others (1Co 9:22b)
         2. Freedom to self-discipline and self-sacrifice for the sake of the reward of the gospel (1Co 9:24-27)
            1. The analogy of running to win the prize (1Co 9:24-25)
               1. Live out your freedoms with your eye on winning the prize (1Co 9:24)
               2. Live out your freedoms knowing that the rewards are eternal (1Co 9:25)
            2. The application of spiritual discipline to win the prize (1Co 9:26-27)
               1. Don’t let your “freedoms” let you drift off course or become lazy in the fight of faith (1Co 9:26)
               2. Don’t let your “freedoms” cause you to forfeit the honor given to those who win the prize (1Co 9:27)
   3. The idolatry to avoid that corrupts our freedom in Christ (1Co 10)
      1. The biblical illustrations from the Old Testament record (1Co 10:1-11)
         1. Remember Israel’s privileged position corporately did not exempt most of them from divine punishment (1Co 10:1-5)
            1. Remember God’s good gifts to Israel corporately (1Co 10:1-4)
               1. They all benefited from God’s miraculous presence and protection (1Co 10:1)
               2. They all benefited from God’s messenger—Moses (1Co 10:2)
               3. They all benefited from God’s manna (1Co 10:3)
               4. They all benefited from God’s Messiah (1Co 10:4)
            2. Remember God’s displeasure with most of them individually (1Co 10:5)
         2. Remember Israel’s persistent idolatry in the face of God’s good gifts (1Co 10:6-11)
            1. Freedom does not lead you to crave evil things (1Co 10:6)
            2. Freedom does not lead you to into idolatry (1Co 10:7)
            3. Freedom does not lead you to immorality (1Co 10:8)
            4. Freedom does not lead you to test the Lord (1Co 10:9)
            5. Freedom does not lead you to dissatisfaction (1Co 10:10)
            6. Freedom does not lead you to forget how God has dealt with His people in the past (1Co 10:11)
      2. The biblical imperatives from this New Testament epistle in light of Israel’s history (1Co 10:12-33; 1Co 11:1)
         1. Take care as to where you stand with God (1Co 10:12)
         2. Take heed as you face temptation, and flee idolatry (1Co 10:13-14)
            1. Face temptation (1Co 10:13)
               1. Remember it is common to man—your situation is not totally unique
               2. Remember the character of God
                  • Faithful
                  • Sovereign—will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able
                  • Compassionate—providing a way of escape, so that you may endure
            2. Flee idolatry (1Co 10:14)
               1. Remember how to deal with temptation
               2. Remember that you are loved
               3. Remember to run
         3. Take time to think about what your actions identify you with (1Co 10:15-22)
            1. The call to discernment (1Co 10:15)
            2. The communion/identification involved in acts of worship (1Co 10:16-18)
               1. The Lord’s supper dentifies believers with Christ (1Co 10:16)
               2. The Lord’s supper dentifies believers with one another (1Co 10:17)
               3. The Levitical priesthood is dentified with its altar and sacrifices (1Co 10:18)
            3. The conclusion—your actions in worship identify you either with God or idolatry (1Co 10:19-22)
               1. Nothing created by God is inherently sinful in itself (1Co 10:19)
               2. Nevertheless, spiritual realities are represented by our actions in worship (1Co 10:20)
               3. Never confuse communion with pagan practice (1Co 10:21-22)
                  • You cannot share the cup of Christ and the cup of demons (1Co 10:21)
                  • You do not want to provoke All-mighty God to jealousy (1Co 10:22)
         4. Take into account how your freedom will affect your neighbor and honor God (1Co 10:23-33; 1Co 11:1)
            1. A slogan qualified (1Co 10:23-24)
               1. All things are lawful (1Co 10:23ac)
               2. Not all things profit or edify (1Co 10:23bd)
               3. Selfishness is not freedom (1Co 10:24)
            2. A scenario considered (1Co 10:25-30)
               1. The freedom to eat of the Lord’s creation (1Co 10:25-27)
                  • As a consumer in the marketplace (1Co 10:25)
                  • As a creature in God’s good creation (1Co 10:26)
                  • As a guest—not needing to question the host (1Co 10:27)
               2. The forsaking of one’s reedom for the sake of your neighbor’s good and God’s glory (1Co 10:28-30)
                  • The conscience of the informant (1Co 10:28)
                  • The concern for the informant’s good (1Co 10:29)
                  • The concern for your testimony for the glory of God (1Co 10:30)
            3. A steadfast conviction and pursuit (1Co 10:31-33)
               1. Glorify God in verything—even one’s freedom (1Co 10:31)
               2. Give no offence in your reedom—to Jew, Gentile or the church (1Co 10:32)
               3. Glorify God by using your reedom to seek the salvation of all men—as Paul did (1Co 10:33; 1Co 11:1)
                  • Paul used his freedom to please others for the sake of gospel influence in their life (1Co 11:33)
                  • Paul imitated Christ in this—so imitate Paul as He imitated Christ (1Co 11:1)