1 Cor 6:12-20

Facts:

Give me the three contrasting statements of Paul.

Everything permissable	but not everything beneficial

Everything permissable	but I will not be mastered by anything

Food for the stomach and	but God will destroy them both

the stomach for food

Interpretation:

Context: Find examples in the context of people who believed they could do whatever they wanted, but did things that weren't beneficial.

Why are some things not beneficial? What is it about some activities that makes them detrimental? Scripture!! Two reasons. What two reasons does Paul give for some things being "not beneficial?" master you and be destroyed. What logical conclusion could follow that insight? But what did 1 cor 3 tell us? If we're building on the foundation,

Comparison: How does an permissive attitude lead to becoming enslaved or mastered by something?--scripture!! Some things that we might choose to do, do things to us which we did not expect!

Bonus: Which element--foundation or fire--is Paul advocating here when he says, "food for the stomach and the stomach for food--but God will destroy them both?"

What principle of growth is Paul advocating? Self-discipline.

What motivation does Paul offer for living a life of self- discipline? Are you hearing that. I don't know half-a-dozen people who believe it. I don't even believe it myself when it's 6 in the morning and I planned to get up and get into the word, but don't feel like it! What motivation do we have to be self- disciplined?

Application:

If one wanted to avoid those things that are not beneficial, what two warning signs would one look for in any activity? Am I being mastered by this, is it going to be destroyed?

What are some examples of things today that are permissable, but master people, take over their lives? Will these things be destroyed, like the stomach?

Paper

write down

1. Is there anything in your life that has mastered you which will be destroyed?

You'd be surprised at the # of Christians involved in romances novels or pornography, even internet, computer games, television, gambling on the stock market--one friend who's on e-trade night and day, losing money faster than he can wink.

2. What is it?

3. What is the first step you'd have to take to get rid of it?

Is there anybody here tonight who's saying, "I'm convicted, and I need support of body to act on my convictions?" Here are your roots, your support so that when the sun of truth shines on You that You will not shrivel up and fall away.