Sunday, Sep 27
1 Corinthians 6:1-20
Scripture
Luke 9:23-26 • Take up your cross 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
Quote
“What if: As we keep Christ central, we find peace in setting aside our personal rights and desires”
Quote
“Keeping Christ central: Is not a call to hurt ourselves Is not a call to always be a pushover Is not a call to flog ourselves And There is a clear call to set aside our personal rights and desires”
Dialogue
You receive a text message: Hi! It is so great to be your good friend, and I am SO excited about our 14-day trip together! Just one reminder before we go: I will NOT compromise my rights or desires. NEVER! :-) I hope you’re as excited as I am! The final countdown is on! Take a moment and give each of these vacation situations with this friend a PAIN SCORE. 0 • No Pain: It will be great. No problem at all. 7 • PAIN: It will make me want to buy a ticket and go home immediately.
Dialogue
What became more clear as you did that survey?
Dialogue
What is more challenging for you? Setting aside your own rights and desires Dealing with someone who is unwilling to set aside their own rights and desires
Scripture
Acts 16:16-40 Paul and Silas help the girl who could predict the future Paul and Silas are flogged and jailed for what they did Paul and Silas declare their rights as Roman citizens
Scripture
Romans 7:15 • Paul did have struggles 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Dialogue
What are some general rules of thumb for when we should set aside our personal rights and desires?
Dialogue
What are some general rules of thumb for when we should hold firmly to our personal rights and desires?
Scripture
Luke 9:23-25 • Take up your cross 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
Quote
“This word desire: Θέλω • thelō: (verb) to will, to have in mind, to intend, to be resolved or determined, to purpose, to desire, to wish”
Quote
“There is a call: Deny yourself Don't make your own desires the highest authority Take up your cross Be willing to sacrifice what you want for the sake of following Jesus Follow Me (Jesus) Jesus, rather than self, becomes the direction of your life Don’t focus on SAVING your life Trying to protect and preserve your own life can actually cause you to miss the life Jesus offers Whoever loses their life for Jesus will know ultimate gain Surrender isn't ultimately loss; it's the path to true life”
Dialogue
What helps you recognize when your desires are in conflict with Jesus’ desires?
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:1-20 • Lawsuits Among Believers
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:7-8 • Lay down your rights 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
Dialogue
What do you need to keep in perspective to be willing to lay down your RIGHTS?
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 • Sexual Immorality
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:12 • Permissible, but not beneficial 12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:13 • Desire does not supersede godliness 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:15 • Our bodies are members of Christ 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
Dialogue
What do you need to keep in perspective to be willing to lay down your DESIRES?
Dialogue
How does keeping focus on Jesus impact your rights and desires?
Take it deeper
Question 1
Read Luke 9:23-27.
Question 2
What is something you wanted and you planned, worked, saved, and sacrificed for, and eventually got? (examples: house, car, degree, vacation)
Question 3
What fuels deep persistent desire? How do you know when you see it?
Question 4
How does unwavering commitment to our own rights and desires impact our relationship with Christ?
Question 5
How does setting aside our personal rights and desires impact our relationship with Christ?
Question 6
How are you challenged, focused, encouraged, and/or confused by this text?
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