1 Corinthians: Living for the Glory of God
Opening Prayer:
Glorious God,
Creator and Sustainer of all things, you are worthy of all praise and glory. May our entire lives - all that we say and do, alone and together - be dedicated to giving you all the glory that is yours, in grateful response to all that you are and all that you have done for us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Key Scripture:
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
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This sermon on 1 Corinthians 10 explores what it truly means to live for the glory of God in our everyday life. Challenging the passive idea that glorifying God is restricted to singing songs on Sundays, the sermon examines the biblical Hebrew concept of glory (Kavod), which translates to "heavy," weighty, or significant—much like a breathtaking sunset or an authority figure entering a room.
Addressing the early Corinthian dilemma about whether to eat food sacrificed to idols, Paul highlights that Christian freedom is not merely about exercising personal rights or claiming that everything is permissible. Instead, he stresses that while believers have freedom, not everything is beneficial or constructive, and no one should seek their own good above the good of others.
The sermon identifies two primary ways we give God glory in our ordinary routines:
Through Gratitude: Enjoying God's physical gifts, such as food and drink, with a posture of deep thankfulness and prayer.
Through Loving Sacrifice: Voluntarily laying down our personal rights and freedoms out of love to protect, encourage and uplift others and avoid causing them to stumble.
The example of Jesus washing his disciples' feet calls us to become "people of the towel". Just as Christ chose to use his supreme position to serve rather than assert his status, we display true divine glory when we sacrifice our privileges for others. Ultimately, whether eating, drinking, or navigating ordinary daily decisions, our lives are designed to point a watching world toward the generous, loving character of God.
Discussion Guide:
Living for the Glory of God
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1
Starter: What is something ordinary in your week (a favourite meal, a quiet cup of coffee, a daily routine, or a beautiful view) that recently brought you genuine joy or gratitude?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23–33 & 11:1 aloud together.
Key Ideas from the Sermon:
Redefining Glory (Kavod / Mana): We often limit "glory" to singing songs on Sundays. But in scripture, the Hebrew concept of glory (Kavod) means heavy, weighty, significant, or worthy of honour. Like a sunset pointing to a creative Creator, our daily lives are designed to reflect God’s weight and beauty to the world.
Gratitude in the Ordinary: Glorifying God isn’t restricted to religious activities; it happens in ordinary moments like eating and drinking when done with thankfulness. Gratitude is an “all-life” stance.
Freedom for the Good of Others: Christian freedom isn't about defending our personal rights or saying, "I have the right to do whatever I want." True freedom chooses to yield our own rights out of love for others, to build up others and honour their conscience.
People of the Towel: In John 13, Jesus expressed his glory not by asserting his status, but by washing his disciples' feet. Following him means becoming "people of the towel"—using our position and rights to serve.
Discussion Questions:
Rethinking Glory: When you hear the phrase "Do everything for the glory of God," what usually comes to mind? How does understanding Kavod (weight/significance) change how you view your everyday decisions?
Gratitude in Common Life: Verse 31 highlights eating and drinking as ways to glorify God. Why do you think simple acts of thankfulness and enjoying gifts from God honour him so deeply?
Rights vs. Service: Paul writes that “not everything is beneficial” even if it’s permissible. In what modern areas (e.g., social media usage, consumer choices, lifestyle habits, personal preferences) do we tend to cling to our "rights" rather than considering how it impacts others?
How We Decide: What principles do we learn that should govern our decision making about eating the sacrificed food or not? Why is the food itself not tainted?
“And everything in it (v.26).” How does this relate to issues where the world may have twisted something that God designed as originally a good thing? How do we navigate these areas?
The Nature of Freedom: How does Paul redefine Christian freedom in 1 Corinthians 10:23–30? What would it look like for us to live by this definition of freedom? What might change?
Practice:
Individual Practices
The "Meal Gratitude" Practice: At every meal or drink or snack this week, pause before taking the first bite or sip. Offer a silent or voiced prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God as the giver of all good things ("The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it").
Identify a "Towel" Moment: Look for one instance this week where you have the "right" or power to put yourself first and intentionally yield it to serve someone else instead (e.g., letting go of an argument, serving a coworker, laying down a preference).
Communal Practices
People of the Towel": Identify a practical way your group can be "people of the towel" in your neighbourhood or church community—serving behind the scenes without seeking credit or recognition.
Additional Resources:
For a printable version of this guide click here.