The Lord's Supper

I Corinthians 11:17-34

Good morning and welcome!

We are continuing on in our series on the book of I Corinthians.  Last week, Carl covered the first portion of chapter 11.  Now, we’ll pick up there and finish the chapter with the subject of the Lord’s Supper. 

This whole chapter is best understood in the context of actions done in public gatherings, rather than what goes on in the privacy of one’s own home.  And, these themes continue through the remainder of the entire book of I Corinthians.

Let’s pray before we start into today’s verses.

Lord Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your own body on the cross for us.  Thank you for the memorial of the Lord’s Supper.  Please sharpen and freshen our minds and our hearts regarding this special remembrance of You.  Teach us, we pray.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Coverings

(I Cor. 11:1-16)

Welcome! Today we continue our series into I Corinthians, coming to Chapter 11. Let me say this is a hotly debated and contested passage, one of the most debated passages in all of scripture. One key question is whether the specific practice, head covering, is applicable today. There is also a question about appropriate hair length. Another key question is what the passage has to say about men’s and women’s roles in general. We will talk about all these questions today. You could say we have a lot to “cover,” so let’s get right to the passage.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. – I Cor. 11:1

Running from Idolatry

1 Corinthians 10:14-33

On December 2nd, 2006 I made a choice.  I said “I do” to Miriam.  And that meant that I said “I don’t” to every other woman on the face of the Earth.  I’m glad I said “I do.”  Miriam actually said the words “I sure do.”  

When it comes to loving God, you say “no” to everyone else and every other thing that can come between you and God.  It doesn’t mean you can’t love a spouse.  We just can’t put the spouse before God.  It doesn’t mean that you can’t make money.  We just don’t want to serve money over God.  

So, Paul talks about this issue of idolatry in 1 Corinthians 10, which is putting something before Him.  I divided up this passage into two sections.  One is focused on clear issues of idolatry.  The other is focused on grey areas of the Christian life.

Running to Win

I Corinthians 9:24-10:13

Welcome! Today we continue our series into I Corinthians, finishing Chapter 9 and going on into Chapter 10. Although today’s passage starts with verse 24 of Chapter 9, I want to back up a little and go back to verses 19-23.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. – I Cor. 9:19-23