EARLY OUTLINE!

Well isn't this a first! This Sunday's outline is being published now! Today! Not after the fact!

The title doesn't exactly fit, although it implies what some of the talk is about, drawn from 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1, as we wrap up the theme of witness. How easy it is to have conversations with others about Christian topics and never talk about Jesus. Such conversations can lead one to think that there is THE Christian position on a topic, where you may be offering A Christian position.

How should you handle such things? Paul offers us three "action items." First, make it a priority to do whatever it is to the glory of God (10:31). If you're not sure that it does that, then don't do it--even if you have the freedom to do so!

Second, don't compromise the core. Whether Jew or Greek, Paul's core was a crucified Messiah--Jesus--who was physically raised and is alive now and always. That was his gospel--he emphasizes that at 1:22-24, 2:1-2, and 15:1-3. Paul gave up his rights in order to advance the gospel--the right to financial support as an example (9:4-5, 12, 15, 18)--and took up Jewish scruples in order not to offend (Acts 21:20-25). His goal in doing so was to save as many as he could by "cutting to the chase."

Third, we are to mimic the Messiah. Jesus' whole life was to the glory of God. In flesh as a Jewish male, he observed Sabbath, kept Torah and dietary laws. But when condemned for not holding to man's interpretation and application of those laws, Jesus drew a line. Although exempt from paying a tax (Matthew 17), in order not to offend, he had Peter pay for himself and Peter. Jesus did this for others.

We are to lay aside our demand for our rights and shoulder our responsibility to look out for the good of others. If they must stumble, let it be over the message of the cross, not our behavior, not over our opinions, Realize that these opinions that we hold so dear ARE merely opinions--and we might even change our thinking about them one day!