Sunday, January 29, 2012, 10:00 a.m.

Allendale Baptist Church, Allendale, MI

Pastor Jonathan DeCou

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

 

BIG IDEA: Do everything you can to avoid idolatry.

 

“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”

1 Corinthians 10:14 (ESV)

 

Christ-followers avoid idolatry because…

 

 It is the __________ __________to __________.  

 

 

 It __________ my __________ to __________.  

 

 

 It __________ the __________ of __________.

  

 

 It __________ the __________ of __________.  

 

BIG IDEA: Do everything you can to avoid idolatry.

 

Read: Re-read 1 Corinthians 10:14-22.

Think: Consider the seduction of idolatry, and then ask yourself the following questions: Were you raised in a permissive environment, or in a strict, but forgiving one? Give an example. With your boss (or parents) do you find it easier to get permission ahead of time or to get forgiveness later if it turns out badly? What do eating the bread and drinking the cup mean? How is that a “participation” in Christ’s body and blood (see Luke 22:19-20; John 6:53-57)?  Why mention eating the OT Sacrifices (v 18) in this context? How do these two illustrations relate to Paul’s instruction to avoid participation in the feasts at pagan temples (v 14, 20)? Why should they flee form these activities (v 20; see also 8:10)?

Do: Idolatry can take many forms. What are two “idols” you see that are “worshipped” by people around you? What “idols” are you enticed to worship? When do you find yourself attracted to this idol? How can you guard against that? List two or three things you can do this week in order to express full devotion to God?