What does true freedom look like?
The gospel of Jesus brings about true and lasting freedom: freedom to live according to our true selves, redeemed in Christ. Jesus gives us a new identity – washed, sanctified, and justified (6:11); bought at a price (6:20, 7:23); Christ’s slaves, the Lord’s freed people (7:22).
In these chapters of his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reflects on how Christian freedom shapes how we live in a world caught up in the worship of idols. The gospel means we won’t be insular and self-protective; or thoughtless and compromising in our faith. As those who are eternally free and secure in Christ, his people can live in a world of idols with happy self-sacrifice, careful self-discipline, and gospel-shaped love, all to the glory of God.
Series Outline:
23rd October: Freedom! (to live in love) – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
30th October: Freedom! (to be a gospel slave) – 1 Corinthians 9:1-23
6th November: Freedom! (to beat ourselves up) – 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:13
13th November: Freedom! (to live for God’s glory) – 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1