The Gospel announces the Great Banquet feast of heaven (Mt 22:1-14). It is an invitation to fellowship and communion with our God. Because of Jesus salvific works, we can now approach the table of redemption where the riches of righteousness is served to all who respond in faith to his invitation (call). As a Christian approaches God, we at the same time must depart (flee) from our former life of dining at the table of the world (i.e., sin rooted in earthly affections) which only offers temporal delights with long-term dissatisfaction.

Paul now concludes his exhortations about idolatry. In this subject text, he highlights the contrast between fellowship with the Lord and worship at the altar of idolatry. He refers (again) to ancient Israel’s priestly rituals in the temple to emphasize the truth that a Christian cannot partake of Satan and God at the same time.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:18-22

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Reverence and affection for God above all things helps us overcome worship of things in creation. Faith puts out the fires of unbelief before the flames of idolatry consumes our entire heart. Paul has labored much in this chapter (10) to warn the Corinthian saints of the dangers of unbelief. He recalls examples from the history of the Israelites continual cycles of disobedience in the wilderness that invited the judgement of God as a cautionary tale to the church today, thus (v11), “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”

In Part 4 of this sermon series, Paul reminds the church of how our fellowship and unity with Christ should restrain idolatrous living, like the OT saints participated in.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:14-17

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Marriage can only be fruitful when it lived out the way God prescribes in his Scriptures. In the first two parts of this sermon series, Paul dedicated his teaching to the topics of marital conjugal rights, single people, divorced, and mixed marriage (i.e., a believer with an unbelieving spouse). He now continues his teaching on marriage by diving into the following areas:

· Engagement (betrothed) as relates to marriage and wedding vows.

· What are realistic expectations for a married couple in dealing with the troubles of this life in how it impacts marriage and service unto God.

Paul provides an eternal perspective on how to live for God regardless of one’s marital status.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7: 25-31

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