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Hannah Coe: Love Builds Up (1 Corinthians 10:23-33)
Hannah Coe, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, pointed out, “Creative license has its limitations.” Paul made the same point about freedom. Coe highlighted Paul’s approach to “all things are lawful,” accentuating his qualifier that “not all things are beneficial.” Not all things build up.
Paul addressed the debate over the legitimacy of Christians eating meat left over from pagan sacrifices. Rather than choosing one side or the other, Paul exhorted his readers to choose what benefits the other—builds up the other—for the sake of Christ.
Coe quoted Susan B. Anthony: “I distrust people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.” In keeping with Paul, Coe noted, “Following Christ means considering more than their own desires.”
Paul’s open and unanswered question to the Corinthian church, Coe asserted, is how Christians will live in community with those whose convictions are so different, amidst strong disagreement. The answer is found in Christ’s love.
This sermon was delivered Feb. 13, 2022, for the morning worship service of Calvary Baptist Church in Waco.
A sermon script is available here.
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