The Jenga Principle If you’re new to Lifpoint | Worthington, take 30 seconds to fill out our Welcome Card! Have a question about today's message? Ask it here. 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 (ESV) 1 Now concerning 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. 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 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 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. Introduction: The Jenga Metaphor Following Jesus is like handling a Jenga piece: how you use it matters. You are either helping to build up the community or contributing to its collapse. Our individual actions and freedoms always have a communal impact. Idols and the Problem of Knowledge The Corinthian church was divided over meat offered to idols. Knowledge (being “right”) often leads to being puffed up, creating distance. Love, by contrast, builds up and closes the distance between people. “Being right” can become a false way to feel safe or superior. True maturity involves acknowledging that none of us has perfect knowledge. “Knowledge says, ‘I am right, and you are wrong.’ Love says, 'I am yours, and you are mine.'” Have a question or pushback on this? Ask it here. Freedoms for Tearing Down Some believers had the “theological facts” right but used them carelessly. Spiritual maturity is recognizing the impact your freedom has on others. A “right” can easily become a stumbling block to those with a weaker conscience. We must view others not as nuisances, but as a treasure for whom Christ died. Following a Crucified King means choosing to limit our own freedom for the sake of others. The Gospel Call to Allegiance Jesus had all the rights of God but emptied himself for our benefit. Faith in Jesus means pledging allegiance to His way of self-sacrifice. The goal of the Christian life is to maximize love, not individual freedom. Have a question or pushback on this? Ask it here. Leading Others to Growth We don't bow to “offense” just to keep peace; we slow down to act as a teacher. The goal for our brothers and sisters is not permanent weakness, but growth. We restrict our freedom temporarily so that others can grow permanently. Real knowledge understands both the facts and the state of the person we are talking to. Application: The Slow Work of Building Building one another up is slow work that requires noticing those around us. Ask yourself: “How am I using my piece today?” We are sustained not by our perfect building, but by the Great Builder who sits with us in the rubble. The vision for 2026 is a long obedience in the same direction. As always, if you'd like to talk more with me about anything we discussed, you can sign up for meeting time. If you have any questions from the message today, send them here and I'll follow up!