Food and Idolatry

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Hebrews 13:9 Food and Idolatry Sermon Outline for June 18, 2006 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri Context: A Creation Meditation on Hebrews 13:7-17 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow , considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp , bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come . 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips , giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey those who rule over you , and be submissive , for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account . Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Today’s Text: 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. Notes: 1. The text is referring to unconverted Jews. v. 10 2. But these apostate Jews were gross idolaters. Joshua 24:14; Ezek. 8 3. This makes the text very relevant for our apostate Christian culture. A, Fallen man is frequently pre-occupied (“occupied”) with food, which the bible says is generally unprofitable. Mt. 15:17; Mk. 7:19; Jn. 6:27,49; 1 Tim. 4:8; Col. 2:16-23; 1 Cor. 6:13; 8:8; Phil. 3:17-21 B. This is idolatry precisely because food (like sex) is so good a gift from God. C. Food idolatries are frequently linked to pagan philosophies, 1 Tim. 4:1-5; Gen. 9:3; The Sixties Counter-culture D. God’s grace takes dead food and ministers life graciously to us through it. E. This focuses us on the grace of the: Lord (we are commanded “do not”) Jesus (we are saved and sanctified by His grace and atonement) Christ (the continuance of brotherly love is the header for the larger section and to do good and communicate matches is the twin of today’s verse.).