DEVOTION: 1 Corinthians 8 English Standard Version (ESV)
Food Offered to Idols
8 Now concerning[a] food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.[b]
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating[c] in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers[e] and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
I have always had a bit of a problem with this passage, especially as an American. I have the right to do what I want, don't I? If I want to eat meat sacrificed to idols that's my business, isn't it? I mean, I know that an idol isn't a real thing, and that meat tastes really good, so I'm going to eat it if I want to eat it. You can't tell me what to do.
The trouble is that sometimes, and I've been guilty of it, we do things that we know aren't against God's will, but others think they are, and so if we rub it in their faces, so to speak, we are hurting them and their consciences. We are causing them to judge us and are also causing them to stumble and sin. So if we are in the company of a person who is against drinking alcohol for whatever reason, we should politely refrain from drinking alcohol in front of him. I have been guilty of this a time or two without even really thinking about it and have felt awful about it afterwards.
It's really all about keeping stumbling blocks away from the path to Jesus. It's about the Gospel and grace. It's about loving people enough to say that we will sacrifice our comfort or our rights to help another person get faith and keep faith. Don't be a stumbling block. Don't make your rights and privileges as a Christian more important than the faith of another. Do everything you do and live the way you live for the sake of the Gospel and you will do well!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of the Gospel. Help me to love you and others enough to refrain from doing things that will hurt my confession and witness. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Oak Pointe worship 1pm; Stephen Ministry 6pm
Thurs- karate 6:15-7:15
Fri- Assemble Newsletter 9am
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45
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Acolyte- 8:30- Dulci Rahn; 11- Luke Rausch
Ushers- Sat- Don Tate; Sun- Rich Talbert, Tom Linke, Don Hance, Kent Jacobsmeyer, 11- Jason Figura
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Brockfelds
Communion assistant- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Rich Talbert, 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Hachtels; 11- Al and Karen Benton
Projectionists- Sat- Gus Klaustermeier; 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Loren Howard
Lay Readers- Sat- Robine; 8:30- Lois Boeger 11- Karen Benton
Organist- Pat Golden
Pianists- Sat- Molly Hendershot
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Zipporah?
(From Pat King) Well, since I haven't been answering in a long time, I decided to do so today. Because I know you've missed me.
So, this is a little known fact – which I, of course know! – but Zippy was the inventor of zip-lock bags. No lie!
But before she was inventing food-storage solutions, she took time to marry Moses. Number 12 refers to her as a Cushite woman who Aaron and Miriam disliked, because of her ancestry. Cushites were supposedly descendants of Kush – Ham's descendants – and identified with nations of Africa (Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, etc). The word "Kushim" was used to describe dark-skinned people.
She is also talked about in Exodus 4 – 24-27, where she circumcised her son, when God came to kill Moses - Harks back to the covenant made with Abraham – and saved the day.
And that's a fact!
Don Nolte also answered: "She was Moses' wife."
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TODAY'S QUIZ: How many times did Pharaoh agree to let the Israelites go out of Egypt to worship the Lord only to take it back?
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NEWS:
A NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR SOLDIERS HAS FORMED CALLED "WARRIORS' JOURNEY HOME"
It is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical group that will be meeting the second Sunday of the month at 2pm at Bridgeway Behavioral Health 1206 E. Veteran's memorial Parkway in Warrenton. Rev. Dr. Gary Ellul (retired from the Army, a licensed counselor, and pastor at St. Paul's In Jonesburg) will be leading the group. You can call his office if you are interested or know someone who is. Phone number is 636-224-1411. Pamphlets are on the counter in the narthex if you would like more information.
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE ON THE SHELVES UNDERNEATH THE CHURCH MAILBOXES IN THE NARTHEX IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!
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OUR LAST DIRECTORY (Last updated in August of 2016) has a lot of outdated phone numbers. If your number has changed, please call the office 456-2888 and let Terry know!
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DUE TO SOME TROUBLES WITH OUR CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ONE
Our new email address is sjwarrlutheran@gmail.com. Please change it in your address books!!
Pastor's email, revklaus@hotmail.com will remain the same.
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A NEW AND EXPANDED VERSION OF LUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM IS AVAILABLE AT A REDUCED PRICE OF $14.49!!
It is a great tool for learning and for daily meditation and devotions. Sign up to get your copy in the narthex today!
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LITTLE LAMBS IS STILL SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!
If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool. Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know. They'll hook you up right quick!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: "You formed m inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13
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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT.
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PRAYERS:
For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF LIBBBY PAILER as she passed from death to eternal life last evening.
For PAT MANESS who has moved to Parklane nursing home in Wentzville and is hopefully moving to Twin Oaks assisted living sometime soon.
For GEORGE HOESCHER as his cancer has returned after a very short time of being in remission.
For PAT JAEGER whose surgery was postponed due to high blood pressure issues.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a sprained his ankle and broke a bone in his leg.
For GINA BOHNING (Roy Bohning's wife), BUCK HAMPTON, and DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
