Endure Everything for The Love of Those Who Are Chosen

HOUSES PASTOR: EDITH CRUZ

STUDY #988-CHURCH IN THE FROM: JULY 10 @ 16, 2018

TOPIC: "Endure Everything for The Love of Those Who Are Chosen" 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 These verses tell us about the way we should live for others. Things are according to God, they are not as we men think or believe. We let ourselves be led by what we believe, each according to what has been learned in this world. Everyone has his way of seeing things and acting due to many reasons: for what has been lived, for what is convenient, etc. But, in God things are as they really are.

I. It is said that there are two great rules to guide us as believers.

A. The first is to do things for the glory of God, and the second for the good of our fellowmen.

1. One is united with the other.

2. "...or (if) whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (Vs. 31)

3. What you do is for the glory of God and there is good involved for others.

4. There are decisions to make, for example: choose a job, move to another university, etc. But, think: "Is there glory for God in what you are going to do?"

5. Before being a participant of it, can you bow your head and ask the Lord to be glorified by what you are about to do?

6. The good of our fellowmen is a rule for you, you cannot get rid of this.

7. We should not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews or Gentiles, "nor to the Church of God." (Vs. 32)

8. Humanity is divided into three classes: first are the Jews, the nation of Israel; second the Gentiles who are the unconverted of the other nations; and third, the Church of God that includes the true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, whether Gentiles or Jews who have believed.

9. The Word of God here is warning us against using our legitimate rights in such a way that we cause others to stumble. For example, go to India and eat cow! Freedom is not for pride, it is humility to love.

10. In His glory there is no strife, no pride, neither arrogance or rebellion.

11. Seek to please everyone, not for personal gain, but seeking the benefit of many.

12. Let's look at the example of the life of the apostle Paul, who writes the epistle:

a. Acts 20:24 "I consider my life worth nothing to me..." His ambition was to obey God and please Him. If for this his "life" was offered to God, what mattered to him was to finish his career and the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus.

b. Paul going to Jerusalem was destined for pain (Acts 21:13). The brothers asked him not to go to Jerusalem. But their tears only served to break his heart. Should fear of chains and jail restrain him from doing what he considered God's will? No, he was willing to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

c. 1 Corinthians 8:13 Because it is a sin against Christ to cause a brother to fall, Paul says that he will never eat meat, if that leads him to cause his brother to stumble. There are many things in the Christian life today that, although not forbidden in the Word of God, would nevertheless cause an unnecessary offense for the weakest Christians. Although we may have the right to participate in them, a more sublime right is to "renounce this right" for the spiritual good of those we love in Christ, our brothers in the faith.

d. 1 Corinthians 9:23 For the sake of the Gospel I do what I do to become also a participant of the gospel. Weak with the weak, to win them, to save some. He submitted his

rights and also his wishes to the work of the Lord to become a participant of the gospel. And you? How much do you love the gospel?

e. 2 Corinthians 12:15 The love of the Apostle for the people of God. He was gladly willing to give himself in "untiring service and sacrifice" for their souls, that is, for their spiritual welfare. He loved them more than the false masters, but he was loved less by them. This did not cause "his love to be different." If here was no hope that his love for them would be reciprocated, "he would continue to love them." In this way he was following the Lord completely.

f. 2 Timothy 2:10 I endure everything for the sake of the elect! Paul tolerated everything for the chosen ones. Those guilty sinners are now saved by the grace of God; that was enough to inspire Paul to endure everything. Amen.