Scott LaPierre Ministries

Scott LaPierre Ministries


Concerning Things Offered to Idols (1 Corinthians 8:1) – Using Knowledge Morally to Build Up Others

December 31, 2020

In 1 Corinthians 8:1 Paul writes, "Now concerning things offered to idols: we know that all of us possess knowledge. This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." We must understand the differences between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is like guns, money, and food in that it’s amoral (it’s simply information), but knowledge can be used in moral and immoral ways. This chapter reveals some ways the Corinthian used knowledge immorally, but could use it morally. The Corinthians were asking, “Should they eat meat sacrificed to idols?” But the chapter isn’t primarily about food or days of the week. Primarily the chapter teaches that we should use our knowledge morally in a loving way that builds up others.

https://youtu.be/gpJNxbj_Qzk
"Concerning things offered to idols…Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). The Corinthians used their knowledge immorally versus morally.

Table of ContentsSermon Lessons for Concerning Things Offered to IdolsFamily Worship Guide for Concerning Things Offered to IdolsSermon Notes for Concerning Things Offered to IdolsLesson 1: knowledge is amoral, but the way we use it is moral.Lesson 2: having knowledge doesn’t always mean determining who’s right and wrong.Lesson 3: ignorance is the absence of knowledge.Lesson 4: knowledge is used (part 1) morally when combined with love.

Sermon Lessons for Concerning Things Offered to Idols

Lesson 1: Knowledge is ____________, but the way we use it is __________. Lesson 2: ____________ __________________ doesn’t always mean determining who’s right and wrong (1 Cor 8:4-8; Rom 14:5). Lesson 3: ___________________ is the absence of __________________ (Rom 11:25; 1 Cor 12:1; 2 Cor 1:8; 1 Thes 4:13). Lesson 4: Knowledge is used (Part I) morally when combined ________ ________ (1 Cor 8:1; Eph 4:15; Phil 1:9).

Family Worship Guide for Concerning Things Offered to Idols

Day 1: Read 1 Cor 8 and discuss: Is knowledge moral, immoral, or amoral? Why? List some things that are moral, immoral, and amoral. Who are some people in history and in the Bible who used knowledge morally. What about immorally? Describe the situation in Corinth with meat sacrificed to idols and what the two sides believed. Day 2: Read Rom 14, 1 Cor 12:1; 2 Cor 1:8, 1 Thes 4:13 and discuss: What does it mean that some people had “weak consciences”? Is this a criticism of them? Why or why not? Would you or wouldn’t you eat the meat sacrificed to idols? Why or why not? How should you treat people who do the opposite of you? Why? Day 3: Read 1 Cor 8, Eph 4:15, Phil 1:9 and discuss: What does it mean to be ignorant? Should we always share knowledge with people? Why or why not? What makes someone a guest versus a pest? How do we know when we should or shouldn’t share our knowledge with others? What are some essentials? What are some nonessentials? What does it mean to combine knowledge with love? What does it look like when love is combined with knowledge? What about when it isn’t?

Sermon Notes for Concerning Things Offered to Idols

This morning we’ll be in 1 Corinthians 8.

The title of the sermon, on verses 1-8, is, “Using Knowledge Morally.”

The title of next Sunday’s sermon, on verses 9-13, is, “Using Knowledge Immorally.”

Last Sunday I shared that I wanted to begin a series on wisdom to help us navigate through trials and difficult circumstances.

I think we must understand the differences between knowledge and wisdom…and there’s no better place – at least in my opinion – to understand knowledge than 1 Corinthians 8.

Let me begin w/ a question, and I’ll give you a moment to think about the answer before I ask you to raise your hand…

Is knowledge itself:

MoralImmoralOr amoral

The answer brings us to Lesson 1…

Lesson 1: knowledge is amoral, but the way we use it is moral.

Many things are amoral, but the ways we use them are moral and immoral. For example:

Money is amoral, but the way we spend it is moral or immoral.