Sunday, January 29, 2006

Synopsis of the Armenian Message

I Corinthians 8: 1-13

Food Watchers

A rich lawyer was riding his limousine when he saw two men nearby eating grass. He was so disturbed that asked his driver to stop. He got out and asked the men, “Why are you eating grass?”

“We don’t have money for food,” they replied.

The lawyer said, “Well, come with me and I will feed you!”

“But sir, my wife and children are eating under that tree.”

“Bring them along,” the lawyer replied.

The second man said, “I have a wife and six children with me!”

“Bring them all and get into my car,” was the reply. They all jammed in the huge limo.

“You are so kind, sir. Thank you for taking us all.”

“Glad to do it,” the lawyer replied. “You will love my place; the grass is almost a foot high!”

Was this funny or Sad? Do Christians act in a similar way with others?

In the First Century Corinth was the main city of Greece. The population was about 250,000 plus as many as 400,000 slaves. Corinth was famous for its commerce, culture, religion as well as its immorality.

Paul had done a lot for the Church of Corinth and he was concerned with the problems they were facing. As it was a pagan city, idol worship was very common. The animals sacrificed to idols were often sold in the meat market for very reasonable prices.

Some Christians used to buy this meat and use it. However, this bothered the new believers very much. These Christians became “stumbling blocks” to the new believers. Those who “possessed knowledge” (vs. 1) knew that “an idol is nothing” (vs. 4) and that eating this meat would not harm. The believers were divided in this matter and were seeking Paul’s counsel.

You might ask yourself: How can we relate this problem to us today in the 21st Century in San Francisco?

The Church is a family; it is a family of individuals who have different stories. Some have been in the Church for many years and have grown deeper in their spiritual life. There are new believers who have just found Christ and desire to grow deeper in their walk with Christ. Well, some issues bother them cause them to stumble.

“Stumbling block” or scandalos in Greek means causing your brother to fall into sin. Each believer needs to be cautious in his/her life not to cause a fellow believer to fall into sin. Paul advises us in a wonderful way: “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (vs. 9).

As a family, we are responsible towards each other. We do not live alone. We need each other.

We will continue in English sermon.