The Lord’s Table 1 Cor 11:17-34

The Lord’s Table 1 Cor 11:17-34

There are three defining things that all Jesus followers need to have. 1. Personal repentance of sin and acceptance of Jesus as savior and Lord. 2. Baptism. 3. The taking of communion or the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is unique in that it is both an individual and community thing. It is called a sacrament, a Holy event in which God is present.

The first churches celebrated it like it was done in the upper room as part of a meal. They often called it a love feast. The young Corinthian church it seems got the whole thing twisted. The church then as now consisted of both rich and poor. But these people were not having a potluck. This is how Paul describes what is going on. “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.”

 

I think it is hard for us in our right and orderly Presbyterian ways to imagine the crazy semi-roman orgy that was taking place. The situation was so bad that the Lord, through Paul sends them a message.

 

1.      What you’re doing

a.      Humiliate the poor among you

b.      You defile the Body and Blood of Jesus

c.       Bring judgement on yourself

d.      Sickness and even death

2.      Getting back on focus

a.      How to practice the Lord’s Supper

b.      Together

c.       Holy

d.      How to prepare

e.      The visit of the elders

f.        Psalm 139:23 & 24

g.      The conformation student

Next Sunday we will have Communion, the Lord’s Supper. This week prepare yourself to celebrate it. Examine your heart and life. Confess your sin to God. Regain the Holiness of being in the presence of Jesus as He says, this is My body broken for you, this is My blood shed for you.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 
  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.  
  Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 
Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 
but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as if her head were shaven. 
For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 
For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 
For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 
Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 
That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 
for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 
Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 
Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 
but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 
If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

1 Cor 11:2-16 Symbols of Authority

Some of the troubles in Corinth were worship related. Things happened in worship that had implications in the life of the church. In this section the question is hair, hats, and authority. I have heard various ways of trying to make sense this whole passage, yet they all fall short in some way.

We could spend time trying to decide what constitutes a head covering, or how long is long hair? What do the Angels have to do with this question? But the real question is not one of hats and hair it’s authority. Hats and hair are just symbols of being under authority. Do we follow what God says even when it does not make sense to us?

These symbols were and are part of the middle east culture. They were part of Jewish culture. They became part of Christian Culture as well. Should we practice them today? The strict Biblical answer is yes. Though vs 16 is hard to understand.

Does vs 16 indicate that the church does not have a rule or practice about this? Or is vs 16 saying that disagreement on this issue is not allowed?

1.     Authority

a.      The man is under the authority to God.

b.      The woman is under authority to her husband

c.       We live in a world that rejects authority

d.      Men and women, even in the church reject the authority of God

e.      Men and women, even in the church reject the authority of their spouse.

2.     Are we subject to authority or are we contentious?

a.      Do we listen to those God has put in service over us?

b.      Will men fulfill God’s requirements in the home and the church?

c.       Will women fulfill God’s requirements in the home and the church?

3.     Giving up your right to self determination

a.      This is not forced subjection but the giving up of power from strength

b.      The following of Jesus is not as easy as it seems

c.       Luke 9:23 – 25 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.   ²⁴For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.   ²⁵For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

So, do not worry about questions of hats and hair. Ask the more important question. “Do you live your life under the authority of Jesus. Does God get the first and last word in what you do. Do you show respect for those who are put in positions of authority? If you say yes, then how is it shown? Can people see it? This is not a question of hair and hats, it is a question of respect for God’s authority in our lives.

1 Cor 10:31-32 “All To The Glory of God”

1 Cor 10:31-32 “All To The Glory of God”

1 Cor 10:31-32 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.

Remember that the Corinthians were concerned with eating meat. As Paul sums up his answer we find a guiding principle for our lives. This principle has often been called the Protestant work ethic. “Do all to the glory of God!” The notion of  how you do your work says something about God. The Bible has many things to say about this subject. We will look at a few.

1.     Work is ordained by God

a.     Genesis 3:18-19 “and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken;”

b.     Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

c.      Colossians 3:23 – 25
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

d.     Proverbs 16:7
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

e.     It by Joseph’s diligence at work that God delivers him time after time.

f.       It is by Daniels work that he gains the favor of the king.

g.     Doing our best at work, not to get a raise, not to make our employer rich.

h.     Working to honor God.

i.        “Hack saw Ridge” honor God by not carrying a gun. 74 men to safety “just one more”

2.     Whatever you do.

a.     The way you live at home, treat your spouse and children.

b.     What you do for recreation.

c.      Our idol time

d.     Whatever you are doing do you honor God by what you do and how you do it?

What we do and how we do it effects the people around us. It has opened the doors to nations and kings. It may open the door to someone who sees your work and because of it, listens to what you say about God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Your freedom in Christ

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
²³  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

 

While the Corinthians question was about eating meat sacrificed to idols that is sold in the market it brings an answer that has much to say to us today. The question of freedom and responsibility is one that we struggle with in our courts and on the streets of our nation every day.

Exodus 20:4-6 (ESV)
⁴  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. ⁵  You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶  but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

1.      Freedom from the Law

a.      In buying meat in the market that is offered to idols are you not approving?

b.      The answer is no, not unless it’s advertised as such.

c.       If you are at a person’s house and they serve meat are you not approving?

d.      The answer is no, not unless they make a point of telling you.

2.      All things are Lawful, but not all things are helpful

a.      American rights, and the bill of rights

b.      Dress the way you want, Party the way you want, Stay out on the street in the middle of the night, Eat any thing you like

c.       Church don’ts go to movies, play cards, drink, smoke, chew, or listen to rock music or gamble.

d.      You are not bound to the Jewish law.

e.      But is it helpful to your relationship to God and the church?

3.      All things are lawful, but not all things build up.

a.      Freedom of speech

b.      But is our speech building up our country and community

c.       We have the freedom to speak in church

d.      Is what we say and do building up our faith?

e.      Is what we say and do building up the church?

f.        Is what we say and do building up other people?

4.      Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor

a.      Does the way we dress help destroy our neighbor?

b.      Does the way we treat the flag hurt our neighbor?

c.       In the church do we seek what will please us or do we seek the good of the church

d.      Are we truly concerned with our neighbors salvation or walk with Jesus?

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
²⁴  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
²⁵  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
²³  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

 

Let us seek things that are helpful. Let us seek things that will build and encourage each other. Let us seek to put our church’s and our neighbors walk with Jesus above our own rights.