Category: Devotions

Paul is correcting them for their communion services. They have become a farce. Division, class warfare and self-serving attitudes should be no where near the Communion. 

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬-‭26‬ 

I wonder how many times you have heard these words as I wonder how many times I have said them. 

This morning it’s these words, ‘on the night’ that are striking a chord and causing me to ponder.

On the same night when Christ was attacked by outsiders and betrayed by insiders (and deserted also) He surrenders His life for us.

What are we doing if we are attacking one another and then going to Church to worship Christ for what He did on the cross for us?

What are we doing if we approach these times with bad thoughts regarding other people?

Are we not simply demonstrating what happened to Christ?

Are we no better than those who taunted, flogged and crucified Jesus? 

Are we no better than Judas?

Paul would say ‘We are just the same’. 

I have been moved recently by 2 friends who both contacted people they had fallen out with. One to apologise and one to reacquaint in some way. They felt led by the Holy Spirit to do so. Whatever happens, even if it makes no difference, their conscience is clear, they are not re-enacting what happened on the same night. 

Is there someone you need to go to also? 

It is hardly a surprise that this church which has political divides over leadership, taking people to court, sexuality and food sacrificed to idols are also divided when it comes to corporate worship.

Over the years I have witnessed people storm out of services, dogs escaping from the pew and running amok and I’ve seen people stand up to object about someone’s sermon. Recently on social media videos there are examples of Pastors shouting at members to ‘get out’ and members challenging pastors equally to get out. At first glance the response can be quite funny and then you realise this is God’s church.

So here we are at the communion service…..(oh and think far less of the use of those plastic communion cups with a wafer but that of a shared meal as a church where prayers and worship also took place).

“In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬-‭22‬ ‭

So what was happening?

Why was Paul (I think) being sarcastic when in v19 he says, “No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval”?

The centre of Christianity is the cross of Christ and there is no greater way of commemorating this than with the Communion service. It is what unites us. We are united around the broken body and the shed blood, the sacrifice of Christ, the total surrender of His life that we might be forgiven.

If in this moment we are behaving the opposite of what He did in that we are self-serving and focused solely on our pleasure or rights then it is not only that we are making a mockery but we ‘do more harm than good.’

Whatever was actually taking place it involved those who had were having more and those with less were not even being fed. There was excess in one section and hunger in another. This was not the church that was representing Christ on the cross. 

Paul told them it was far better to stay at home.

It is still the message today. We should remind Christians that if they cannot approach worship with hearts that are united and in recognising what Christ has done, they too lay their lives down for others, which includes not arguing over everything that divides, then, stay home. 

Don’t knock herd mentality because it can be the best protector for the Church,. The power of community is good.

The culture that you live in and in whatever generation speaks loudly to the Church. Wisdom is not running from it but embracing the good within it.

A shepherd needs to be able to bring correction and not just pats on the back.

“Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, ¹⁵ but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. ¹⁶ If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.” (1 Corinthians 11 v 13-16)

1. There are times when Christians should simply know the answer to their behaviours: ‘judge among yourselves’. It is the community that are the best judges of situations. Community.
2. The obvious within our culture can be the teaching points for the Church: ‘the very nature of things’. Not all that is found in culture is bad. Culture.
3. There are times we need to square up and tell people to stop being argumentative over things when we have laid out the practice of how we should behave beforehand, v16. Custom.

Paul seems to be calling for a return to the standard practice that he had drawn up for the churches. It seems he felt it to be tried and tested.

Christian men should be the best examples of being men and Christian women should be the best examples of being women in worship.

That’s what the churches of Paul – and of God – are like, according to Paul.

This church was in danger of moving away from this and it is still the case today.

Community, Culture and Custom. These 3 are crucial to Church worship.

I really don’t understand this passage. Paul just isn’t clear. But I’ve had a fresh thought which will come through at the end. 

“But I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head – it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. “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 did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.” 1 Corinthians 11:3 -12 NIVUK

Is this about wearing a hat or how we have our hair?

Should men take their hats off to prophesy? 

Should women put theirs on to do so? 

What does Paul mean with the word ‘head’?

How can this be: ‘the head of Christ is God’? Christ is God.

How can this be: “the woman is the glory of man”? What about the glory of God?

What’s the role of angels in all this?

Is this still appropriate in 2025 to read these verses about man and woman?

Maybe you know exactly what all this means. The head of the woman is man because Paul says so. And with that you mean in a leadership position, the one who has authority. But following that thought, is Christ then not God? 

I can’t read this in the way that because man came first in the created order that women are somehow suppressed by God and are second. For both prophesy, both are bringing words from God. “Everything comes from God.” There is mutual dependence of both sexes.

In my travels in other cultures I do see head coverings for women not because of this scripture but because it is the culture. It’s what women do. It’s seen as the beauty of women. 

With the immorality creeping into this church maybe, just maybe, Paul is desiring men to be seen as men and women seen as women, especially as God uses them. Don’t mix it up. 

Maybe (again) this is one of the first rules of prophesying. Let God speak through your sex. It will be different to the opposite sex but be who you are, don’t change. For the sex that you are brings glory to God. 

Maybe.

These three aspects have been part of the sacred tradition since the days of Christ. They are still important today.

“I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.” (1 Corinthians 11 v 2)

It’s not sarcasm or simply being charming. This is an introduction to his answering of their question in the following section.

This is not just a complement. This is wisdom.

Wisdom

• If you are going to  bring correction it is good to bring a commendation first, but it has to be true.
• Calls for encouragement.
• Is passing on what has been passed to you without changing it.
  • From Christ to the apostles
  • From the apostles to the Churches
  • From the Churches to the following generations.

King Louie, the orangutan, in Disney’s 1967 animated film, which is based on Rudyard Kipling’s novel, The Jungle Book wants to be like Mowgli, the kidnapped man-cub. He wants Mowgli to teach him how to make fire though Mowgli hasn’t a clue because he was brought up in the jungle. Here’s the song for a Monday morning:-

Oh, oobee doo
I wanna be like you
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You’ll see it’s true
An ape like me
Can learn to be human too

It’s nice to start the day with a song. And here is the connection …!

 ^“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11 v 1)

This could be more connected to what Paul has just written in his summary of the food sacrificed to idols. Or it could be about what he is going to teach next regarding corporate worship.

What we can glean from this short verse is this:-

1. Discipleship is not only about compliance to rules but a journey of transformation. It is about following.
2. It flies in the face of ‘don’t follow me follow Jesus!’ It’s more ‘watch how I follow Jesus and then you will be able to follow Jesus even more closely.’ It is less about desiring to ‘wanna walk like you’ and more a journey to the same direction.
3. The ultimate end goal is Christ. We don’t become like each other as we might follow one another’s example but we do aim to become like Christ.
4. Leadership isn’t about authority it is about leading so that other people can follow your journey in your pursuit of Christ.
5. The Christian journey is not individualistic but set in a community.

I wanna walk like you is more about us being like Christ but for that to happen following others examples of doing so is a positive thing to do.

For 3 chapters Paul has been answering the questions about food sacrificed to idols.

It has been clear that Paul is concerned about two things: God and others.

The purpose of our lives isn’t about us. It is that others be saved and God be glorified.

Some people are not getting saved because of what they see in the lives of those who follow Christ.

We must address every area of our life because people are listening and watching.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10 v 31-33)

• Don’t wait for some grandiose moment to bring glory to God but do it in every mundane area of your life, v31.
• Don’t offend people by your own conduct, v32.
• Prioritise relationships over your own personal convenience, v32.
• Consider others especially people who are different to you, v33.
• Put their spiritual journey ahead of yours in importance, v33.

This title sums it up. If there was one motto that would run through Paul’s teaching on food sacrificed to idols it would be this title.

Paul’s argument was never about the food but it was always about the idol worship. He was against them going into the temple to eat where also idol worship was taking place. For they would be seen as eating at an idolatrous altar. They must have asked him further questions because Paul now speaks of the same food produced for the temples being sold in the market and also accepting invitations to homes where the same food was being served.

 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, ²⁶ for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (1 Corinthians 10 v 23-26)

Unless you were a vegetarian then the chances are as you went to the meat market you would be choosing from meat that had all been previously sacrificed to some idol in the temple.

Paul is clear then: don’t go into temples to eat the meat because in those places it’s not the meat sacrificed that is a problem but it is the idol worship that is. So when you go to the market it is fine choose whatever meat you want because there is no worship there to an idol. God created it and that settles the matter.

But there’s another scenario:-

“If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. ²⁹ I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?” (v27-30)

It is these verses and the following ones that help us understand what to do in an idolatrous world.

So Paul has answered what to do regarding going into the temples to eat the food sacrificed to idols. Don’t do it.

Buying meat from the market even meat that was sacrificed to the idols is fine. You can do that.

Now when a non-Christian invites you round for dinner don’t be anxious about the meat, don’t make a fuss about it, just eat!

However if the owner of the house or another guest tells you that this meat is sacrificed to idols, then for their sake, their conscience, their thoughts over whether a Christian should be eating pagan food, don’t eat it. You could but don’t. If you did you wouldn’t be breaking any law but for the witness to that unbeliever it is better not to. If I can eat with a clear conscience regarding my own standing before God but also my effect upon another person whether a believer or unbeliever then no one can judge me, I am free.

It could be possible that you are a bit confused with what Paul is saying. Though it is quite simple if you view life being not about you but about God and others. Is what I am doing (or saying) righteous? I might feel I have the right to do whatever and within reason you have in your own home. But in public you haven’t. In public you are an ambassador and it is not about being right but being righteous before God and people.

Are you one of them? Or are you a bit silly? I think the lockdown brought some balance to the sensible world we were living in which the pandemic broke. Parents were suddenly joining in their children’s ridiculous dance routines on social media; I remember reading of people dressing up in black ties to take their bins out; perhaps a bit of silliness helps us all to get through certain seasons of our lives. Who wants to be sensible all the time?

But there are people who lives their lives with no sense at all. It’s not the bizarre humorous silliness but a lack of sense to the dangers that befall them. And we find ourselves rolling our eyes and thinking words like ‘unbelievable!’ One friend I know uses the phrase, ‘what’s wrong with people?!’ as they gasp at the lack of sense someone has displayed.

Some people think they are sensible and even pride themselves on how wise they are when actually they have no sense at all! I say that because the Apostle talks about them in the next verses. But first let me set the scene before we read.

I don’t think you will ever meet a Christian who seriously believes idolatry is acceptable. Neither would you find a Christian who doesn’t believe in the Lord’s supper/ Communion.

Idolatry and communion? A strange combination but Paul speaks of them both now in contrast as he commands us all to flee from idolatry.

“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. ¹⁸ Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? ¹⁹ Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? ²⁰ No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. ²² Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” (1 Corinthians 10 v 14-21)

In chapter 3 and 4 we have read how the church thought themselves wise. Paul addresses their arrogance, “I speak to sensible people”.

Sensible people who claim they can then go into pagan temples and eat food that is used to sacrifice to them.

Sensible people who don’t worry whatsoever that people who have been saved from such idolatry may see them enter into the temples.

Sensible people who also celebrate the broken body of Jesus and the shed blood of Jesus during communion.

Sensible people who say idols don’t exist so they believe they only have one true altar, that of Christ.

Sensible people who deceive themselves thinking the altar of Christ can save them from the dangers of idolatrous altars.

Sensible people who are blinded in those temples to the demons that lie behind them.

Sensible people who do not believe the demonic can use their stupidity to attack them.

Sensible people who participate at 2 food tables, the Lord’s and demons.

Sensible people who are so foolish they don’t think the Lord is bothered by their behaviour.

Sensible people who have inflated egos.

Sensible people who do not give to the Lord everything.

Sensible people who think they are sensible are sometimes very unwise.

Children near a fire or a cliff face is a dangerous and an irresponsible picture. What parent would do that? And yet it is also irresponsible for children not to see the beauty and the dangers of such things. So the parent holds tightly the hand of the child or even carries them as they look into the fire or walk along the cliff.

Paul is likening the Corinthian church with the stories of Israel in the Wilderness years.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. ¹² So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10 v 11-13)

We have been reading the warnings of Paul to the Church. It isn’t easy reading. It can cause us to panic and it should. What Paul says in v12 highlights the fearful reality of what can happen when we decide to embrace idolatry. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

We have all seen the devastation of divine judgment on a person. We have heard the tears of brokenness as they realise that idolatry has deceived them. Their lives are like scattered bodies strewn on the Wilderness floor. They went in but never came out and they died there short of their true complete destiny. It is a terrible thing.

And so we panic don’t we? And perhaps this is a good thing and maybe what Paul intended. But wait. There’s no need to live in a state of anxiety. For “God is faithful” to you, v13. “He will not let you …” and “…. He will also provide …”

He is here. Another day. Being faithful to you. Alongside you and holding you up.

Where would you have been if this was not the case?!