1 Corinthians 11- The Lords Table Part 1

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Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 1 Corinthians 11:17-20

One thing that is very clear about the Apostle Paul, is that he doesn’t mince words, he was a straight shooter. Notice how he rebukes the Church of Corinth here, he says “I praise you not, that you come together not for the better , but for the worse” Most Pastors would be encouraging their people to come to Church, however these Christians at Corinth, it was better they didn’t even come! I’m sure some of us probably could relate to a Church like this we know.

What was the problem here? Isn’t  “Going to Church” a good thing? Well not if you are doing it in an unworthy manner. If you are not going to Church , with the love of God in your heart, you’re not going for the right reasons. We don’t just gather with Christians to check off a box, we go to worship and fellowship with the body of Christ.  Paul was saying when alot of these “Christians” in Corinth got together, there was actually more problems than good

So what were some of the problems, well Paul lists divisions and heresies, doesn’t that sound familiar in todays Church? Satan loves to divide the Church, Satan loves to plant new ideas in the minds of prideful people and run with it. Today we have over 40,000 different denominations of Christianity, how did we get to this point? 

One command Paul did give to these divided Christians, “therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper” Now there are a few things we can take away from this, First having Communion or the Lord’s Supper, was a common practice in the early Church. I only say this because there are many Christians today, who have seemed to abandon the sacrament all together. I think it’s a shame, if you have never broken bread with the body of Christ, it’s a powerful practice

Secondly, The Lord’s Supper is to be taken seriously and in reverence. On one hand we don’t want to forbid the children from coming to The Lord (Matthew 19:14) but on the other hand we should make sure those partaking are Christians and understand the symbolism behind the elements

The Church of Corinth was abusing The Lord’s Supper as a time to eat and get drunk. We should inject some historical context here also. Communion was not the same as we know it today in the Church, The Lord’s Supper was an actual meal together , more similar to a “pot luck dinner” most Churches have today, it was known as a Agape Feast. So many people in Corinth would just come to the Lords Supper to get a free meal, and have no reverence for The Lord Jesus Christ at all

We will continue more on this topic in my next post, but remember when coming to The Lords Table, examine yourself and make sure your heart is right with God , Amen!

1 Corinthians 11- Followers of Christ

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Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 1 Corinthians 11:1-8

 The Bible tells us that Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) So knowing this, it’s not surprising everything the world pushes for is against the nature of God. When we read these scriptures today by Paul, it’s probably highly offensive to most people, because everyone has been so conditioned by the world what to think or believe. It’s ingrained in our minds, however the belief system of this world is Satanic in origin.

If you don’t believe me just read what the Holy Spirit revealed to the Apostle Paul here, “the head of the woman is man” I can see the riots going on in the streets right now, how offensive, how dare Paul make such a statement! However this is the wisdom of God and not of this world. So Paul starts by saying “Be followers or imitators of me, as I am of Christ” Paul is teaching these principles, not because he has a masculine agenda, but because it was revealed to him by Christ, who is our Lord

We worship a God of law and order, that’s just a fact. God is not the author of confusion or chaos. So there has to be an order to humanity, Paul reveals it here, Christ is above man, and man is above the woman. Why? Because if you remember , the woman was created from man. This is a creation, authoritative order designed by God. I know there are many people who don’t like it, or rebel against it, but that’s Gods design, again if you are going to be a follower of Christ, you should imitate Christ

Now you might ask, what is up with the head coverings? Again going back to the authoritative order, Christ, Man, and Woman. It’s a sign of respect and reverence, the long hair of a woman symbolizes the head covering. Again, I know there are a million arguments against this teaching, but again this is the inspired Word of God, if you have an issue with it, take it up to God, allow the Holy Spirit to further reveal the purpose to your heart

The bottom line is if Jesus is our Lord, he is our Master, imitate Christ, be a true Born Again follower of Jesus, Amen!

1 Corinthians 10- Glory to God

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All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 1 Corinthians 10:23-30

As Born Again Christians in Christ, we have freedom in Christ. Jesus set us Free, not only from the wrath of sin, but from every chain that Satan wants to bind us down with (John 8) As the Apostle Paul says “All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient, beneficial, or edifying”  As Paul will later say “Whatever we do, we should do for the glory of God” (v31)

But you do something, ask yourself, does this glorify God? Are you being the hands and feet of Christ, are you the Salt and Light that we are called to be? (Matthew 5) I like what Paul says here also “For the Earth is The Lords” Amen! Christians get so wrapped up in whether something is pagan or should we eat kosher stuff, the bottom line is everything belongs to The Lord. Jesus Christ is King of all KIngs, every knee will bow before him, there is nothing that above The Lord or not under Christs authority

So why is my liberty judged of another mans conscience, as Paul said. If you are convicted to not eat pork or if you don’t want to celebrate Christmas, don’t condemn other believers because of your conscience. We are now under the Law of Christ and not the Mosaic Law in the New Covenant

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.  1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Whatever we do , do it for the glory of God, what we think , what we drink, what we speak about, everything should be to glorify our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!

1 Corinthians 10 – The Lords Table

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Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:14-17

One topic that the Apostle Paul clearly taught to me is about Communion, in this Chapter and the next Chapter, Paul really goes on into extensive teachings about the symbolism and importance of Communion. It grieves me when Christians reject the partaking of communion or just feel like it’s not important or relevant to their walk with Christ

Just for the record , I don’t believe in transubstantiation, that is the belief the bread and cup become the physically blood and body of Christ, I believe it’s only a symbolic gesture, however I think the remembrance and honor we bring to The Lord when we partake in Communion is important. 

I love what Paul says here “Being Many Are One Bread, and One Body, for we are all partakers of that One bread” When we think about taking Communion at Church, we are all partaking from that One loaf of bread, symbolic of the body of Christ. We are all united with Christ, One Body, which is the Church. The only thing that unites us is Christ, it’s such a spiritual fellowship that can’t be replicated

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 1 Corinthians 10:18-22

The Apostle Paul says “ You cant drink the cup of The Lord and the cup of devils, you cant be partakers of the Lord’s table and table of devils” Wow you could write an entire sermon about this, again more context on Communion. When we come up to the altar to partake Communion, we are to examine ourselves, repent of our sins, the worst thing someone could do is partake in Communion for the wrong reasons

How many partake in Communion , maybe every Sunday  and live like the devil? You can’t partake from the Lord’s Table and Satan’s Table, you are either Born Again or dead in sin. As Paul says “Do we provoke The Lord to jealousy”? Do you love The Lord or not? Don’t come to The Lords table unless you are coming with a clean heart for Christ, Amen!