Title: What is idolatry?
Contents
Sermon Date: January 25, 2009
Text: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
14 Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry.
15 As I speak to the wise, judge for yourselves what I say.
16 Does not the cup of blessing, which we bless, share in the blood of Christ, and the bread that we break does not share in the body of Christ?
17 There is one loaf, and we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
18 Behold Israel, born after the flesh, are not those who eat the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What then do I say? What are sacrifices to idols, and what are idols?
20 Whatever the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not want you to be communers with demons.
21 You will not drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons, nor will you partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons.
22 Then shall we provoke thee? Are we stronger than thee?
Topic: What is idolatry?
1. What is an idol?
Anything that shows the formless God in the form, or anything that is loved more than God, is called an ‘idol’. So what is idolatry? Scarecrow, figurine, lofty pole, bow, 'Things made of wood, stone, or iron, invisible or visible, serving as gods, superstitious behavior, or higher than God's. Every act of loving more' is translated into the Korean dictionary.
What spirituality is implied in idolatry and eating things sacrificed to idols? In the text, Paul points out that the devil is behind it. When the Gentiles sacrifice to their gods, they appear to be sacrificing nothing but idols, but in reality they are sacrificing to a spiritual reality other than God. Therefore, even if you did not participate in the ritual, the act of eating the sacrifice will result in union with the demon who receives the sacrifice. And by showing it to many new believers or Christians, it does not edify all later believers, and it cannot be seen as a true Christian. It is really embarrassing and troublesome when you refuse to eat it at first, but for a separate life, it is fair to not eat the soup or the side dish and fill it in moderation. That's why sometimes I blush very thoroughly and get annoyed, and a few ...