During Pastor Brad's message about Rock N Roll on Sunday, he quoted the Apostle Paul's comments from 1 Corinthians 10:23-31.  When we read the passage we see it's about eating meat sacrificed to idols:  ²³You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.  ²⁴Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.  ²⁵So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. ²⁶For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it."  ²⁷If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.  ²⁸(But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. ²⁹It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?   ³⁰If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?  ³¹So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

What does what we eat or don't eat have to do with Rock N Roll?  A lot!  Consider Paul's main point:  As followers of Jesus we MAY do anything, but whatever we do, we ought to consider the Kingdom impact.  In Corinth in Paul's day, Christians faced the situation he wrote about---a non-believing or newly believing friend would invite you to dinner.  The meat provided as the main course may well have been sacrificed to a pagan idol.  Paul's point is, "So what?"  The idol has no power.  The sacrifice has no meaning.  BUT--if it's a big deal to the one offering it, if it's a test of your commitment, or of their faith, then do what will build up the other person.

What's that have to do with Rock N Roll?  Same thing.  If the music we listen to causes another to go down the wrong path, or implies to that person that it's good for them, when it may be a stumbling block to them, then we ought not listen.  Is Rock N Roll bad, in and of itself?  No.  Is it good, in and of itself?  No.  As we've been saying all week, music is neutral the lyrics are the key.  Paul's reminder to consider the good of others helps us remember that as with everything in life, it's not about us.  It's about God and what will bring Him glory--whether that's the music we put on our iPods, the food we eat, or anything else.  As we go about the day, let's be intentional about what we do, and may all we do bring God glory!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for who You are and for the freedoms we enjoy in You, because of the salvation Jesus purchased for us on the cross!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may use those freedoms to honor You and to encourage others to come to know You or to grow deeper in You. This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.