July 24, 2020
Over the next 16 days we will be reading through the book of 1 Corinthians together. The church in Corinth was an absolute mess! They were plagued by serious issues of arrogance, division, sexual immorality, and confusion concerning doctrine as well as the particulars of their moral living under the gospel. This church needed a wake-up call, a call to repentance and purity, to renewed devotion to Christ, to love and unity, and to zeal for the gospel. The church has changed little over the last 2,000 years, but praise God that there is abundant grace for the mess! Each of us needs this same call to humility faithfulness, unity, and fervor today as much as they needed it then. Let’s heed this call which God gave the church at Corinth through the apostle Paul and let it shape the way we live as Christ’s body!
In the next section of his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul applies the truths he has been discussing about putting others in the church before ourselves to the ways we participate in corporate worship. He lays out the principle we are to follow in this regard in verse 1, that we are to “Be imitators of [Paul], as [he is] of Christ.” In this chapter he applies this principle to two aspects of corporate worship: head coverings worn by women and partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
Paul’s first instructions about corporate worship concern the wearing of head coverings by women in the church. The wearing of a head covering by a woman in first century Roman society was a symbol that she was married and under the authority of her husband; to remove her head covering would bring shame on her husband, and Paul therefore instructs that they should not remove it even when praying or prophesying in the church.
Though we may initially gawk at what Paul seems to be saying here, it is vitally important to note that Paul is not in any way demeaning women, their role in the church, or their worth in relation to men. Paul actually goes on to affirm the mutual interdependence of men and women and to say that the church should be a place where the differences between men and women, their distinct but equally valuable and necessary roles in family, church, and society, should be celebrated rather than diminished or demeaned (v.11-16).
The principle at play here is the same as it was in chapters 8-10: the wife should, out of respect for her husband, lay aside what she believes to be her right for the spiritual good of others! While the cultural form varies (we, thankfully, do not expect married women to wear head coverings now), the principle remains the same, and wives are to honor their husbands even as husbands are to love their wives sacrificially and provide for all their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs (Ephesians 5:22-33)
Paul’s next set of instructions for corporate worship involve abuse and social snobbery taking place during the Lord’s Supper. The Corinthians, in their characteristic arrogance and disregard for others, had been partaking of the Lord’s Supper in a way which excluded the poor and needy and allowed the rich to go first and over-indulge themselves. Paul says that what they are doing falls so short of what the Lord’s Supper is and represents that they cannot even truly call what they are doing the Lord’s Supper at all!
Paul sternly warns them that having such a casual, selfish approach to the Lord’s Supper leads to judgment and discipline from the Lord. Instead, those who have much ought to leave more of the bread for those who have less, thereby following in the selfless and sacrificially loving example which Christ left for us!
The way in which we relate to one another in the church as we gather for corporate worship is of huge significance. We cannot treat it casually, and when we gather we had better make sure that the way we treat one another resembles the way that Jesus treated us! If we don’t, we could find ourselves under God’s discipline!
1 Corinthians 11
11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Head Coverings
2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 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. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 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. 7 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. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.
The Lord’s Supper
17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- If the gathering of the body of Christ for corporate worship and to celebrate the Lord’s Table is such a sacred thing, why do we often treat it so casually? How do our attitudes towards others in the church expose our irreverence for Christ Himself?
Jesus, thank You for Your sinless life and sacrificial death. Help us to live in light of Your return.
AMEN!!!
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!!! Lord I am waiting for the day of your return. You have forgiven me of my sins. I praise you my almighty Lord. I want to live in your word. I ask this in Jesus Christ name Amen
Father, God in heaven. Please be with my husband, Ernest L. Hill. He is 80 years old and in the hospital here in Columbus MS with Covid. I can not be with him. He is all by himself depending on the nurses and doctors for everything. Please give him strength to fight through this and get well enough to come home. In Jesus name I pray, amen .
Father God, our Great Physician, we pray for healing of your child, Mr. Hill. Pray the he receives the care he needs from those attending to him. Pray for peace and comfort for Mrs. Hill and the rest of their family. You are in control. None of this, none of it – is a surprise to you. Our anchor holds behind the veil. We love you. And we ask for Jesus’s swift return. In His name. Amen.
Thank you for your prayers for my husband. I can’t be with him, so I have to depend on what he tells me and if I can speak with a doctor or a nurse. Have not spoken to him as of yet this morning, but he text that he thought he might be feeling a little stronger. We feel your prayers. And we thank you so very much.
It is written, “the prayers of the righteous accomplishes much”. Thank you a Lord taking care of Ernest Hill. Please keep you eye on him, draw near to him & let him feel your presence to know that, though his wife can’t be there, that he is not alone – You are near. Bring about his complete healing & recovery from COVID & return him home. Thank you for what you have done, are doing & will do. In Jesus name Amen!
AMEN!!!
When I grew up, men wore hats. But etiquette required men to remove their hats in the presence of ladies and when entering a building. Men NEVER wore hats at the table or in the House of the Lord. It appears that this rule of etiquette has been repealed for some men. However, I find such behavior to be rude, uncultured and disrespectful. When you visit the Alamo, removal of hats is mandatory. Let’s have the same respect for God as we do the fallen Texas patriots.
Father , before your table always help me remember the things I need to be for given of so that I may ask for that forgiveness and partake of your blessings.
Dear Heavenly Father,
“I was glad when they said until me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” I was taught that the church was the house of the Lord and we are to reverent and respectful when we enter it. The same is true when we have the Lord’s Supper. When we practice respect it honors God. Dear Lord, help us all to teach our children respect for their parents and for You, their heavenly father and the church by being good models ourselves. You are great and greatly should be praised. Help me to bring honor and glory to Your name always. In the name of Jesus Christ, my LORD, I pray. Amen
I will be an imitator of Christ.
I grew up Catholic and were not not allowed in church with out something on our heads.I remember as a young child the teacher would put a Kleenex on my head if I left my beanie which was my little school cap to wear to church.
Dear Lord , Thank you for this reminder today that you are a holy God and you deserve far more than we do or can give you in worship. You are God and there is no other, we elevate you Lord above all things and pray Lord that we will learn humility to love our brothers and sisters, our neighbours as our selves. To learn how to put other’s first and to learn to care about other people’s needs not just ours.
Your word is precious Lord. Thank you for the Lord’s supper that continually reminds us of your broken body and the precious life giving covenant in your Blood. All Praise adoration and Thanksgiving to you dear Lord. We lift all the sick people up to you for healing Lord that your people shall break out in singing and joy when you lift your hand Oh Lord. to save us from this pestilence. Thank you Thank you Lord. We long to worship you as before. In Jesus name we pray Amen!!!.
Thank you Lord for the orderly creation you have provided, even in how as humans beings we are to relate to each other as men, women, husbands and wives. Help us be more reverent of those ordinances you have given us to know and experience you in an active manner.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for another day and for your word. Help us all to be more like you and to show no favoritism within and outside of the church. Help us to see the heart of an individual and give us the wisdom to grant others the grace that you give us all so freely. Help us all to honor and praise you daily for dying on the cross for our sins. Bring this world back to you as we are in desperate need of our Savior Jesus Christ. I pray these things in your precious name. Amen
I Don’t know if you know Jose “Luis” Sauceda.. He is an ICU Nurse Practioner at Willowbrook Hospital. He has been in ICU for 5 or 6 weeks with this Covid 19!! He is very active on the medical team at church. A great Christian! Ann Granguist just notified me of His turn for the worst!! His wife Angela is a nurse also and needs our prayers also. She has been sick from Covid also, but is recovering from home. They covet our prayers?.
Weldon & Barbara Willis
7/23
Just got word that Luis has taking a bad turn. He’s much worse. He’s still in ICU but his lungs are in bad shape. He’s critical
Please pray for him
7/24 Today Luis has been life flighted to the medical center in septic shock! He needs all of our ??Prayers??!!!