Paul says we have freedoms for a purpose – that people may be saved.
1 Corinthians 10: Warning Against Idolatry
1 For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
3 and all ate the same spiritual food,
4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play."
8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,
10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God
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 neighbour.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof."
27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
28 But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience---
29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?
30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,
33 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.
1 Corinthians 11:
1 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 dishonours his head,
5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours 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.
Things to think about…
1. Look at 1Cor 10:1-5. Paul says that the Israelites were all baptised when they crossed the Red Sea and drank from the Rock – which was Christ. It then says they were overthrown in the wilderness, 1Cor 10:5. Does this mean that they lost their salvation? If they didn’t lose their salvation, why were they judged? It they weren’t saved at all why does Paul say they were baptised and drank from the Rock of Christ? Paul is making the point that these are types that point to Jesus Christ and our calling and security in Him, rather than the ancient Jews being covered by Christ the Rock.
2. Paul says in 1Cor 10:6-22 that what happened to the Israelites is an example for us. Christ is not divided. We cannot be united with the world’s idols and still be united with Christ. 23,000 Israelites fell in a day, some of the Corinthians were also dying as a result of mocking the Lord’s table. In what ways do you think the modern church suffers loss through a lack of holiness and honour to the Lord? The sexual immorality and child sex scandals that have happened in Christendom both ancient and modern are a blight on Christ’s name. May the world see a difference between true believers and religion.
3. Paul says we have a freedom in Christ and that “all things are lawful”, 1Cor 10:23. Yes, they are, but for what purpose? Our freedom in Christ is never to be used for ourselves, it is to be used to bring others to salvation, vs 33. Our freedom should allow us to be relevant to a dying generation to show them Christ. It should never be used to compromise our faith or create a stumbling block for others to know Jesus.
4. In our day there are voices that want to take away the freedoms we have in the gospel and throughout society in general. Paul encourages us to stand firm with these words “why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?” 1Cor 10:29. May we constantly assess this phrase and maintain the spirit of freedom.
5. Paul begins 1Cor 11 with a bold statement “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ”, 1Cor 11:1. This is a man who knows his Saviour and is walking by the power of the Holy Spirit. Note however that it is not a blanket statement, he says only do so as he is ‘of Christ’. We should be encouraged to make the same statement.
6. There are so many theological pitfalls, traps and potential points of dispute in 1Cor 11:2-16 that many would fear to tread into these verses. What should we say about head coverings, long hair on men and women, praying, authority and headship. Adding to this that man is the image and glory to God and the woman is the glory of man. What should we say about Paul’s statement “because of the angels”, 1Cor 11:10? I think a blanket statement will suffice. God is a God of order. He created man as the authority directly accountable to God within the context of marriage, as seems to be implied here. This expression of authority must be observable, in this context it was with a head covering. There should be an observable godly submission by a married woman to her husband, the mention of angels I believe is that they are God’s ministers of His order. When there is disorder within marriage and within the church as there was in the Corinthian church, even the angels are grieved that God’s order appointed from creation is not on display in His people. The comforting thing regarding this passage is that Paul’s final signoff in 1Cor 11:16 allows the culture factor to dictate the practise of head coverings or not, which are still worn today, especially within the Middle Eastern and Muslim communities. If the practise is not part of your culture, as is the case in Australia, Paul says that we are not to be contentious as the churches have no general ruling on this. Note that the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 does not mention head coverings either.
7. It is interesting when Paul speaks about head coverings that he says long hair is a shame to a man 1Cor 10:14. Often we see images of Jesus with long hair and a trimmed beard, as is evident in the current series “The Chosen”. As a law-abiding Jew Jesus would have had short hair, only his sideburns would not have been cut, much like modern orthodox Jews, in accordance with the Levitical law, Lev 19:27. He would also have had a full beard as the beard was not to be sculptured in any way, Lev 19:27.
8. Paul says the Lord’s Table is different, 1Cor 11:17. There are some very important guidelines to observe. Note that he says there are divisions and factions among the church, 1Cor 11:18,19. These will come in every church, that “those who are genuine among you may be recognized”, vs 19. This is God’s way of filtering out those who are genuine in their walk and those who are mere attenders for other reasons. Paul says the issue surrounds the body of Christ and its expression of unity through the Lord’s table as the church remembers the sacrifice of Christ. When the church is divided, the communion and remembrance is a shame. Paul says this is why some among the Corinthians have died, vs 30.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. 6:30pm every Wednesday. 5:30pm prayer.
Young adult Life group – This week – how do we know the bible is God’s word?
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR.
2. Pray for Pastor Ric who is still recovering from his fall.
3. Keep praying for Anna and the PlaygPatch on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
4. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School.
5. Pray for peace over the US elections
6. The ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
7. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
8. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
9. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
10. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church once a month on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
11. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for Ric and yesterday’s ministry and new folk arriving at CBC.
2. Praise God for all the work done at the working bee on Saturday. Great effort.
3. Praise God for our Bean Redeemed Café team! Serving you every week
4. Reconciliation beginning in some areas in estranged families
5. Worship team did a great job.
6. Praise God for young people stepping up in a number of ministries.
7. New people helping with Playgroup.
8. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Ron Naylor – Creation Ministries International coming to CBC on the 18th Aug 6pm
2. Members meeting 25th Aug after morning tea.
3. Monday and Wednesday evening prayer at church 5:30-6:30pm
4. Young adults meeting at Kholo Gardens for lunch next week.
5. Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
6. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
7. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for August...
Q. 23. What is meant by transgression? A. Doing what God forbids.
