J.C. Ryle' Call to Make Christ Our All in All

"Alas, I fear there is a great piece of pride and unbelief still sticking in the hearts of many believers!  Few seem to realize how much they need a Savior.  Few seem to understand how thoroughly they are indebted to Him.  Few seem to comprehend how much they need Him every day.  Few seem to feel how simply and like a child they ought to hang their souls on Him.  Few seem to be aware how full of love He is to His poor, weak people, and how ready to help them!  And few therefore seem to know the peace and joy and strength and power to live a godly life, which is to be had in Christ.

"Change your plan, reader, if your conscience tells you are guilty; change your plan, and learn to trust Christ more.  Physicians love to see patients coming to consult them; it is their office to receive the sickly, and if possible to affect cures.  The advocate loves to be employed; it is his calling.  The husband loves his wife to trust him and lean upon him; it is his delight to cherish her and promote her comfort.  And Christ loves His people to lean on Him, to rest in Him, to call on Him, to abide in Him.

"Let us all learn and strive to do so more and more.  Let us live on Christ.  Let us live in Christ.  Let us live with Christ.  Let us live to Christ.  So doing, we shall prove that we fully realize that Christ is all.  So doing, we shall feel great peace, and attain more of that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)" (Holiness, J.C. Ryle).

Finishing Well

John Stephen Akjwari, a world class distance runner, competed in the marathon at the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico City.  As author Sandy Grant writes, “Approximately 19 km into the 42 km race, there was jostling between some runners and he fell badly.  He wounded his knee and his shoulder also hit hard against the pavement.  In fact, his leg was bleeding and his knee was apparently dislocated.”  Medical staff, after tending to his injuries, urged him to withdraw from the race.

However, Akjwari continued running while at times slowly limping in his effort to finish the race.  Of the 57 competitors who completed the race he finished last, well over an hour later than the winner.

As he entered the stadium only a few thousand people remained to witness his crossing the finish line.  When asked later why he ignored the advice of the medical staff to withdraw, Akjwari stated, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles just to start the race; they sent me to finish the race.”

Every disciple of Christ is called to finish the race of life well.  What does this look like?  How can we know that we are finishing well?  Why is it important to finish well?  What is the reward for those who finish well?

Join us this week as we look at 2 Timothy 4:6-8 in search of the answers to these and other questions.  May we be prayerfully prepared to hear the call of the Holy Spirit as we dig into God’s Word and may we grow to understand how God is calling us to finish  well.

Striving to know Christ and make him known.

A Life Centered on Christ

“God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves” (D.L. Moody).

In general the American culture as a whole is extremely full of itself.  Commercials on television cater to instant gratification and consumerism.  Movies focus on how to satisfy our own cravings.  We cannot even walk through a grocery store without being bombarded with ways to please our own desires.  In short, our culture trains us to have a life centered on us, a very dangerous focus given the eternal consequences of such a life.

This Sunday morning we will begin a series on 2 Timothy, exploring what God has to say about a life centered not on ourselves, but on Christ alone.  What difference does a life centered on Christ have in our daily lives?  How do we grow closer to Christ?  What do we need to do to help others in their daily spiritual life?

Join us this week at Elm Creek Community as we seek God’s truth and gospel message.  May the Spirit prepare us to hear and be sharpened by God’s Word.

Striving to make Christ known,

Mark

J.C. Ryle: The Overcoming Christian

"I fear much for many professing Christians.  I see no sign of fighting in them, much less of victory.  They never strike one stroke on the side of Christ.  They are at peace with His enemies.  They have no quarrel with sin.  I warn you, this is not Christianity.  This is not the way to heaven.

"I often fear much for those who hear the gospel regularly.  I fear, lest you become so familiar with the sound of its doctrines, that insensibly you become dead to its power.  I fear, lest your religion should sink down into a little vague talk about your own weakness and corruption, and a few sentimental expressions about Christ, while real practical fighting on Christ's side is altogether neglected.  Oh, beware of this state of mind. 'Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.'  No victory - no crown!  Fight and overcome! (James 1:22)

"Cheer up, dear brothers and sisters.  Take comfort, I entreat you.  Look at the bright side of your position.  Be encouraged to fight on.  The time is short.  The Lord is at hand.  The night is far spent.  Millions as weak as you have fought the same fight.  Not one of all those millions has been finally led captive by Satan.  Mighty are your enemies, but the Captain of your salvation is mightier still.  His arm, His grace and His Spirit shall hold you up.  Cheer up.  Be not cast down.

"What though you lose a battle or two?  You shall not lose all.  What though you faint sometimes?  You shall not be quite cast down.  What though you fall seven times?  You shall not be destroyed.  Watch against sin, and sin shall not have dominion over you.  Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you.  Come out boldly from the world, and the world shall be obliged to let you go.  You shall find yourselves in the end more than conquerors; you shall 'overcome.'"

Our Tongue Reveals to Us Our Heart

“On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone.  The quaint stone bears an epitaph not easily seen unless you stoop over and look closely.  The faint etchings read:

“Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, / lies Arabella Young, / who on the twenty-fourth of May, / began to hold her tongue.” (Source Unknown)

It doesn’t take much for us to realize that our tongue can get us in trouble.  In fact, all we usually have to do is open our mouths and let the inconsistencies and harm ensue.  This isn’t to say that everything we say is harmful or hurtful, but according to James, the tongue doesn’t just have the potential to do great harm, it will do great harm.  Something so small corrupts the entire body and reveals to us our heart.

James tells us that no one can control their tongue.  So, what hope is there for us?  If our tongue is evil (James 3:8) and with it our own evil heart is revealed, how can we find any encouragement in this passage?  We will find it only a few verses later in James 4:6-10.

Join us on Sunday morning at First Baptist in Emery as we strive to find joy in God’s glory through the exploring of His Word, the conviction of our hearts, and the encouragement of His Truth.

All or Nothing

The University of Buffalo football team has been invited to a bowl game only once in its 102 year history.  In 1958 the team had a record of 8-1 and was invited to play Florida State University in the 13^th annual Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida.  But before they could get fitted for their new sports coats for the trip down south they were informed that two players on the team could not play in the game.  The lease holder for the stadium prohibited any African-American athlete from playing on the field.

The players gathered together in the basement of the university to take a vote on whether to play the game without two of their players.  Just before the slips of paper were handed out the players verbally voted not to go.  In essence, their vote said, “We bring all the team or none of the team.”  They had an “all or nothing” view on the issue.

In James 2:8-13 we see the same mentality when it comes to true and genuine Christianity.  It is an “all or nothing” deal.  If obey the entire law of God but fail at one small point we have failed at the law in its entirety.  We either obey the entire law or disobey the entire law.  There is no middle ground.  So, where does this leave us as believers?  How do I view my own sin?  How are we called to view our sin?  What hope is there for those of us who continue to struggle to obey the law of God?  What reassurance does God give our faith in this passage?

I would encourage us all to read through the first two chapters in James in preparation for what God is going to say to us this Sunday.  May He speak truth into us and may we grow in spiritual maturity through the hearing and doing of His Word.

How to Listen to a Sermon

My father is a preacher and I have heard many sermons from him throughout my short lifetime.  Every once-in-a-while he would make a statement that would stick with me throughout the years.  One such statement was, “Don’t take my word for it.  Look for yourself.” His reasoning behind this statement was very much founded in Scripture and is a great lesson in how to listen to a sermon.

 

In Acts 17:10-15, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke have escaped the dangers of Thessalonica for a town called Berea.  As is their usual habit they find the local synagogue and begin to preach the Gospel Message.  There are some who come to the faith, but this time Luke describes a much different process that these Bereans use before believing the Truth. 

 

This week we will be studying and diving deep into the reaction of the Bereans to the Gospel Message.  I would encourage each and every one of us to read through this very short passage and come prepared to hear and experience what the Holy Spirit has in store.  May we be prayerfully ready for His Word as we study and are transformed together.

Growing in Maturity

As we grow older in age most of us tend to grow in maturity.  What used to be humorous to us at ten years old seems silly and immature at thirty years old.  This is the natural course of life.  The older we get the more mature we become.  But do we view our spirituality in the same light? 

The idea of growing in spiritual maturity is not a new concept.  In fact, it may seem obvious to some of us that growing in spiritual maturity should be the natural course of our faith in Christ. But in the same way that we must work to become more mature in character as we grow older in age, spiritual maturity does not come naturally or easily.  Hebrews 5:12-14 speaks to this:

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (ESV)

In this passage the writer of Hebrews is exhorting the spiritual maturity of his readers.  He desires that they grow in spiritual maturity but realizes that they lag far behind the curve.  They should be mature in their walks with Christ, but something has kept them as spiritual infants who need milk and not solid food.

In this week’s passage Paul and Barnabas are on the last leg of their first missionary journey where they revisit the cities where they have preached the Good News.  While in these cities they work to guide these new believers into spiritual maturity.  What did they do?  My encouragement to us all is to read Acts 14:21-28 before worshipping together this week and be prayerfully prepared for what God has in store for us.

Church Growth - New Testament Style

Since its creation and establishment by Christ, the church has faced persecution of all kinds.  Even Christ himself stated to his disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33) and that this world will hate them because they are his disciples (John 15:18).  Persecution has not been a stranger to the church.  And yet, the church has continued to grow in the face of overwhelming odds.  This is church growth, New Testament style.

This week we will be studying Acts 12:20-25 where a gruesome story of pride on the part of Herod results in his painful death.  Herod was an enemy of the church, attempting to destroy the Christians by killing off its leadership.  But this is nothing new to the early church.

In the words of Jerome, a church father from the second century,

“The church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it.  Persecutions have made it grow; martyrdoms have crowned it.”

In the midst of this persecution God’s sovereign hand is working.  The gospel message continues to be spread, the church continues to multiply, and the enemies of God are thwarted once again.  The church cannot be defeated because God does not leave his people.  God is always there, always working, always active. 

What does this mean for us as the church of God today?  What does this passage teach us about our reaction to the persecution the church experiences today and in the future?  May we prayerfully be prepared for God’s word to speak to us this week.

The Fascinating Battle Between Flesh and Spirit

1 John 2:15 (ESV) 
 Do not love the world or the things in the world.

This is a very plain and simple admonition to seek God first in all things.  The "world" here is a system of rebellion and pride that seeks to dethrone God in my life.  And this world system is a constant threat to a believer's walk in Christ.

It has always fascinated me to observe the battle of my flesh and the Spirit within me.  1 John 2:17 reads,

"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

The battle within me has been fascinating because as a believer I know that the things of this world will pass away, but the desire of the flesh within me towards the world is strong.  More often than not I give into my flesh and in a way dethrone God from my life at that moment.  But there is One who is greater than my flesh and the desires of this world.  There is no five-step process to defeating the world.  There is only One who can defeat the world.  And one can say that the one-step process is to believe with all my heart, mind, and soul that Jesus is Lord.  Then my life will truly follow.

Faith in Action

1 John 2:5-6 (ESV) ⁵ By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶ whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Legalism is the strict adherence to law which in turn will bring salvation.  This is where the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' time got it wrong.  The Law of God had become a list of requirements (some of which were added by man) to show or prove their "holiness."  Spirituality had become a set of regulations.  The better one held to the regulations the more spiritual one was considered.

Christ's coming flipped this thinking upside down.  Jesus did everything different.  He spent time with tax collectors, Samaritans, women, and prostitutes and spoke against the legalism of the spiritual leaders of the day.  So how should we take the verse above?  It seems as if John is promoting legalism in saying that whoever abides in him ought to do what Jesus did (works).

John Calvin has a wonderful commentary on this passage.  He gives a few passages from the words of Moses to the people of Israel concerning the Law of God.

Deuteronomy 10:12 (ESV) And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV) ¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, ²⁰ loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Moses is calling the people to "walk in all his ways" and "obeying his voice."  But there is a deeper sense beyond works based love.  Calvin adds in his commentary, "For the law, which is spiritual, does not command only external works, but enjoins this especially, to love God with the whole heart."  Obeying God's precepts cannot be disconnected from the heart.  The Apostle John is pointing out that if I say I love God then my works and actions will follow suit.  If I love Jesus then I will walk as he walked.  I will obey his commands.  This is not legalism.  This is faith in action.

Restraining the Lips

Proverbs 10:19 (ESV) When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

As a pastor I must confess that I enjoy hearing myself speak.  This enjoyment tends to get me in trouble at times because I don't think before I speak.  This is nothing new for me.  As a young boy I was known by my other to be honest with what comes out of my mouth.  She would frequently come to me and ask the same question, "How does this shirt/dress/outfit look on me?"  And being the young, inexperienced young man that I was I would answer honestly.  Many times the answer was positive, but every once in a while it would be negative.  Where my father, the wise man as he is, would refuse to answer I would jump right in and give my opinion.  Well, why not?  She wouldn't ask me if she didn't want the truth, right?

Years have passed and though I have grown to hold my tongue more often, it continues to get me in trouble.  A man who restrains his lips is prudent or wise.  But the man who uses many words will only allow his sinfulness to rear its ugly head. 

God, may you give me the ability to hold my tongue.  Restrain my sinfulness and let my words be few.  For Your glory, Father.

Is the Narrow Way Really That Hard?

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
¹³"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Rightfully, this verse has been used to speak about our salvation in Jesus Christ.  The road to destruction (Hell) is wide and easy, but in the end all on that road will suffer for eternity.  On the contrary the road to life (Heaven) is narrow and hard, but in the end all on that road will life in the presence of their creator forever.  I cannot and will not disagree with these statements because they are true.  But many times I have overlooked a simple word in verse fourteen that not only speaks about salvation, but the life of the one saved.

The life of a Christian is not an easy one.  It is filled with persecution in many different forms and comes with a changed life from one of the flesh to one of the Spirit.  But why do many believers (including myself at times) get upset when life throws us hard times?  Sickness comes, jobs are lost, family members pass away, money is short, and we seemed surprised.  It's as if we expect life to never have problems because we know the Creator God.

But in reality, the narrow way is hard.  There is a reason that very few find it.  It's so darn hard. 

The life of one individual was particularly difficult.  He was rejected by his friends and family.  He was continually badgered and harassed by those who despised him.  He was accused of a crime that he did not commit.  And in the end he was even rejected by God.  If the life of our Savior Jesus Christ was hard why should we expect anything different.  If the word rejects God it will reject His children.  But in the end life is awaiting us on this narrow road.

Amen.

Take Off The Diapers

Ephesians 4:11-14 (ESV)
¹¹ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

What is the purpose of the church?  Contrary to some thought the church was not created to feed others.  We've all heard the excuse, "I don't like this church or pastor or teacher because I don't really feel fed."  What does that mean, anyway?  Is the purpose of the church to be a feeding trough once a week for people who don't know how to feed themselves?  Thinking like this brings to mind the image of an adult in diapers, sitting at a table, and the 70 year old mother spoon feeding him.  In society today we would call that crazy.  So then why do we assume that as an adult in the church we should be spoon fed everything for our spiritual development and growth?  Maybe it's because we still have "adults," who have been in the church for years, still wearing spiritual diapers.

God is very straightforward through His servant Paul.  The church is there to equip the saints for the work of the ministry of Christ, building each other up until we attain maturity in Him.  Remember, this is addressed to those of us who are believers, whether for a week or fifty years.  We are no longer to be like children who are gullible and fall for any doctrine that seems good to us.

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."  Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

We are to be honest with one another not to tear down, but to grow up.  Our desire should be for each and every member of the body of Christ to become mature in Christ for the glory of Christ.  Take off the diapers and become an adult.  Grow spiritually and become sanctified for the glory of God.

Amen.

Sufficiency of Christ

Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV) ⁹ For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,¹⁰and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

You know the feeling.  When you look into your own heart and are ashamed by what you see.  How can God love such a sinner as I?  And why do I live by the flesh more than the Spirit?  These are only some the questions that run through the mind as we get closer to Christ.

And precisely the problem is that we try to live for Christ on our own too often.  When looking back on my life I have to admit that anything good that came out of me come directly from Christ and His influence.  As scripture says, "No one does good" (Romans 3:10-12).  I am only righteous through the blood of Christ who is fully God and able to forgive sins.  His righteousness is imputed to me.  Oh, the glorious grace of God.

I cannot live for Christ on my own strength.  It is only through the power of Christ in me that any good comes from my life.  He is sufficient.  And with Christ within me, His power strengthening me to fight the battles against my flesh, nothing can stand against me.

"In Christ we have been filled, and since He is fully God, Paul means [in Colossians 2:9-10] that all believers have been filled with the very fullness of the Almighty Himself. . . Thus, indwelt by the Spirit, we have the power of God to conform us to godliness, and we do not need anything or anyone else to make us holy" (Tabletalk, February 2011 issue).
Praise God.

New Year's Resolutions in the New Testament

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) ^"1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

This may be sacrilegious, but with the new year approaching and hoards of people making resolutions that they won't live up to, I thought it relevant to preach this Sunday on resolutions that Paul gives to the church in Ephesus.  Paul makes it very clear in Ephesians 4:17-32 that the life we as believers are to live is one that is focused on our new life in Christ.  We are to put away the old life which was lived in futility or uselessness.  We lived our lives the way we wanted with no real purpose other than satisfying our own sinful desires.  Our new self is focused not on uselessness, but on Christ.

In other words, we are to practice what we preach.  If we claim to love and be a child of God, a true Christian, then our actions will follow our words.  I have witnessed countless occasions where people will claim to be believers with their mouth and two sentences later will be gossiping or slandering or tearing down an individual.  Yep, that's showing everyone how righteous and holy you have become in Christ.  (That was sarcasm for those of you in Rio Linda.) 

The body of Christ, his children, are to imitate their Father.  Our Father (Isaiah 9:6) made the ultimate sacrifices of humbling himself by coming to this earth as a human and giving up his life so that sinful humans like myself can call him Father.  Am I willing to sacrifice my life if that is the will of the Father?

Do you want the people around you to know that you are a child of God?  Then act like one.

No, Nominal, and Active: The Three Groups of (Non)Sanctification

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV) "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."

Sanctification is "to made holy through Christ and . . . to grow into and strive for holiness by cooperation with the indwelling Holy spirit until . . . complete conformity to Christ" (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, pg. 105).  Literally it means "to be set apart."

If we take a look at the Church of today we see basically three types of people involved in one form or another in the work of the Church.  One group of people attends because it is what they have always done and have never truly put their faith in Christ or made him Savior, Treasure, and Lord of their life.  A second group has a relationship with Christ, is actively pursuing Christ, and desires for His glory to be seen and revealed through their lives.  The final group has a relationship with Christ but is very nominal in their understanding and belief in following Christ.  It is this final group that I would like to comment on.

This final group makes many excuses as to why they are not growing in Christ or actively pursuing Him through the work of the Church: too busy, not smart enough, haven't gone to seminary, etc.  The excuses are boundless and they are completely unjustified.  Sanctification is not an option.  It is not something that is only for special Christians who are smart enough to give the Latin definition of the word.  When we put our faith in Christ or better said, when God pursues us because he "chose us as the firstfruits to be saved" we have no choice but to be sanctified.

So, this begs the question: If someone is consistently not actively pursuing Christ then are they truly a believer?

Click here for a powerful video on sanctification suggested by my good friend Paul Veal who pastors in Nebraska.  Or check out his blog here for more on sanctification.

My Joy and Glory

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (ESV)
". . . for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.  For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord."

What is my motivation for doing this job?  What is my motivation for staying focused on Christ and His work in my life?  Why do I continue to believe in Christ as my Savior and Lord?  Why do I live?

There are a number of answers for all of these questions: I'm called to be in ministry, I love helping people grow in Christ, I couldn't do anything else, I like the flexible hours, I like working with people, etc.  But Paul gives an interesting answer.  Why do Paul, Silas, and Timothy live?  Because those they lead to Christ "are standing fast in the Lord."

No one would argue whether Paul had a difficult life or not.  He truly understood what persecution was and what it was like to survive it.  But Paul, in essence, says that all the trials, troubles, persecution, "distress and affliction" were worth it because of the faith of the believers in Thessalonica.  He tried and tried to see those believers again but was prevented in seeing them because of the work of "Satan."  But when Paul found out that they had been standing firm in the faith he rejoiced by saying, "For you are our glory and joy" (1 Thesssalonians 2:20; ESV). 

Now, there is a danger in taking this passage the wrong way.  Isn't Christ to be given the glory and not us?  Yes.  Are we to find our glory and joy in those around us?  Yes.  Paul is not putting himself and his glory first in this passage.  His main focus is on the work of Christ in the believers.  But because those believers stayed firm in the faith, rejecting the temptations of the "tempter" Paul can rejoice and find his glory and joy in their faithfulness to Christ.  Christ is still the center of it all.

Where is my joy found?  I can give the normal Sunday School response, Jesus.  But that seems like it should be an obvious answer.  Do I find my joy and glory in those God has used me to have a more authentic relationship with Christ?  I can tell you that when I hear from individuals in this church who desire to be more authentic, real, and relational in their faith it does my heart good.  When someone writes me a note or makes the effort to tell me that the words I spoke in a sermon or Bible Study had an affect on them it does my heart good.  Not because I'm such a good pastor or speaker, but because God is using my simple words to do a profound work.  Those people are my joy and glory because their faith is focused on the glory of God.  Amen and amen.

Drink Away, My Friend! Drink Away!

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (ESV)
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved."

Tomorrow morning I will be preaching on 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 where I will primarily be focusing on verse 31.  In that verse Paul states that everything we do should be to the glory of God.  Of course, our mission at First Baptist is to glorify God by making disciples and this verse is actually one of the verses the church choose long before I came to  minister to represent their mission.  This verse standing alone is very powerful, but when put into the perspective of the context I believe it becomes even more powerful.

Every week I find a few things that I could say in my sermon that would be challenging and some things, if said, would be very unsettling.  When I study for my messages I try to take the context into account and try to understand the author's perspective rather than what I want to hear.  This passage is no different.  When I read and studied the nine verses before 1 Corinthians 10:31 I began to see where Paul was coming from and what he was trying to convey to the church in Corinth.  In this passage Paul is talking about our freedom as believers.  He says very plainly in verse 23, "'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up."  In other words, as believers we are free to do many things without the fear of conviction, as long as it is not sinful.  But even those things, though we can do them with good conscience, are no always the best things for us. 

Here is an example: Drinking alcohol is not sinful, but it may not be the best thing for me to do.  Especially is it is against another's conscience.  Though I may not have a problem with drinking, someone else around me (believer or unbeliever) may and so Paul says that we should not drink in front of them lest we violate their conscience.  We do this not because I need to please others around me, but because the guy who doesn't want me to drink is the weaker brother and so I must be willing to help that weaker brother in his growth in Christ, even it means stopping something that is rightfully allowable.

The background to verse 31 is based off of our freedom as believers without violating the conscience of the weaker brother or unbelieving friend.  "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  We do things in our life not because we want to prove a point of our freedom in Christ, but because we are to bring glory to God through everything.  If it takes for me to not drink to bring God glory than so be it.  But if someone's conscience is not violated then I say, "Drink away, my friend!  Drink away!"  Just do it for God's glory and not to prove a point.