Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand spent 14 years in communist prisons, including three years in solitary confinement, and yet he said he had rivers of living water within him. That story opens a sermon on freedom in 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 8; 10). Paul shows that Christian freedom begins with God’s grace, tells us to flee from idolatry, and teaches us to ask not only what I am allowed to do, but also what will build up another person. Listen if you want to check who you truly belong to and what your freedom does to the people around you.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- What does Paul remind the Corinthians about Israel's history in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, and how is that history meant to warn them?
- According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, what does God do when temptation comes, and how does that change the way you think about it?
- The speaker points out that freedom begins with grace, not with choice or rights. How does that change your understanding of freedom?
- How is the question "do I have the right to do this?" different from the question "will this build up the other person?" and where do you see this in 1 Corinthians 8?
- What do you need to flee from in your life, instead of testing how close you can get?
- What right or preference could you willingly give up this week so that it is easier for someone around you to follow Jesus?
