Communion

A Memorial to Our Savior

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Instructions for Godly Worship

1 Corinthians Chapter 11: Verses 17-34

What is the greatest problem of the modern church today? The modern church gathers together not for the betterment of the church, but for the worse.

We are to come together to hear the message God has for us on that particular day and apply that message to our lives when we step back into the world.

We know that if we love the Lord, then He knows it.

We had better know that the reason we attend church is also known to the Lord!

Do we come to receive the instructions from Jehovah so that we can grow in the Lord?
Do we come out of curiosity?
Do we come to observe worldly interest?
Do we come without any preparation of heart?

Are we soon wearying of the services we attend?

Eze 14:2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Do we love the Word of God or not?
Are we just partially convinced of the truth of God?
Do we stifle the Holy Spirit?

If we do not come together for the betterment of the Church and our lives, then we will come together for the worse!

This is highly displeasing to Jehovah!

Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

There are only two ordinances assigned to the Church.

One is Baptism.
The other is the Lord’s Supper.

Our lesson today is concentrated on the Lord’s Supper.

Here in the South, when the word supper is mentioned, it used to mean that the last meal of the day, when the whole family would come together to prepare for the end of the day and maybe plan a little for the next day.

For the Jews, that evening supper was the principal meal of the day.

The Lord’s Supper is something that is, for the most part, entirely different.

In our church, we say communion, and communion is fellowship with the Lord.
Communion is between the Lord Jesus Christ and His people.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

The Lord’s Supper is called the cup of blessing because in it there is fellowship with Jesus Christ and His disciples, and among the disciples with one another.

1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Every child of God belongs to Jesus Christ, and we can enjoy our relationship with Him!

Only those who belong to Jesus Christ should take part in Communion.

As the Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon, communion means the good things in us that come by Jesus Christ.

Phm 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Phm 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
Phm 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

*1Co 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

Paul begins his rebuke of the way this Corinthian Church was celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

As Independent Baptists, we only recognize two ordinances, which are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

An ordinance is an outward rite prescribed by Jesus Christ to be performed by His Church.

Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night of His crucifixion.

Luk 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

This was the New Covenant in contrast with the old Mosaic Covenant.

Only through His death could this New Covenant be applied to the Church because it was the death of Christ that provided forgiveness of sins, which is discussed later in this lesson.

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the death of our Savior!

As we celebrate the memorial of our Savior, we must emphasize that we have faith that He died so that we could be forgiven.

This church in Corinth was even divided in this celebration, that is to remind us of what the Lord Jesus has already done for us.

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

* 1Co 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
1Co 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
1Co 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

These Corinthians were tragically abusing the Lord’s Supper!

When divisions are in any church, the Spirit of the Church is in disorder!

Minds and hearts are not upon the Lord but on the causes of this division.

Paul knew how these matters would grow and become rumors and exaggerations.

Paul understood there was great truth in the letter he had received from this church.

This church needed to work on its problems before it could be a true House of God.

None of these things could catch the Lord off guard or by surprise.

In fact, the Lord will allow these things to persist so the true believers can stand out in the turmoil.

These people who cause this division in any church will cause the love and truth of genuine believers to shine brightly, which is what verse 19 tells us.

No Spiritual unity can exist where there is no supreme affection for Jesus Christ.

We are all to unite with Jesus Christ because He is the Head of the Church.

It seems so many places of worship have forgotten this today.

The Lord’s Supper is our way of showing our faith in the Lord but here in Corinth it was perverted into a means of gluttony and drunkenness.

Today, we see churches that are perverted, Bibles that are perverted, and Christian ministries that are perverted.

The one good thing for the pastor of any church was that he could tell who were genuine Christians and those who were not.

*1Co 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
1Co 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

This gathering of this church was meaningless to the Lord, and He would never be a part of such a gathering!

It is impossible to have a divided church and honor the Lord Jesus!

Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

When the early church observed the Lord’s Supper, they would incorporate it with what was called a “love feast”.

Everyone brought all the food they could in order that there would be plenty for everyone, including the poor and the slaves who could not bring very much.

The idea was to have a common meal where everyone shared, and everyone would have enough to eat.

This church at Corinth began to abuse the Supper. Instead of sharing, everyone sat off in their little group of friends and shared the food they brought only with that group.

Some were neglected and had very little to eat, if anything.
Some were indulging as gluttons, trying to make sure that group had nothing to eat.
Some treated the whole thing as a social gathering, bringing alcohol to drink off to the side and becoming drunk.

This was no longer a Christian fellowship, and there was no love shown to the brethren.

This was no celebration of the Lord’s Supper!

This celebration was meaningless and useless in furthering the Gospel and strengthening the Church.

This celebration ruined the testimony of this church.

Some outside the church who believed would talk about how Satan had accomplished so much in the church in such a short period of time.

Satan is working hard in many churches today!

Paul said you must despise the House of God to do such things.

Paul said Do you not have homes to do such things and not bring this inside the church.

They abused the sanctity of the Church.
They shamed the poor and the slaves who had little food.
They corrupted the Lord’s Supper.
They slapped the face of the Lord Jesus Christ.
They were proud of themselves.

A divided church is a sin against the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul said, “How can I praise such a gathering in the House, the Lord Jesus has built”?

1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Paul tells this church the truth of the Lord’s Supper.

*1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come

What is the real meaning of the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord’s Supper involves our looking back to the historical event of the cross and anticipating His return, which could happen any day now.

The Lord’s Supper is a communion of believers with each other.

1Co 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

At the Lord’s Supper, we will all eat and drink the same symbolic elements of the body of our Lord as we become the Body of Christ in common faith!

**What is the meaning of the bread? Jesus said: “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me”.

We must remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Glory of God!

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The Lord Jesus took part in His final meal Himself. He was standing there with His disciples, who would become the Apostles.

That bread symbolized the Lord’s body.

**In passing the cup, Jesus said: “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”.

Jesus did not say this was His blood, but it symbolized His blood, just as it was a symbol of the New Covenant God has made with mankind.

His body had to be broken for this New Covenant to take place, and it was broken for all mankind, but especially for those who love Him.

The Lord Jesus substituted His body for my body on that cross and the body of every sinner who has ever lived and will live in the future, though that future may now be short.

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

**The Lord did these things for us, and of the bread He said: “This do in remembrance of me”

Of the cup He said: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”.

This means we are to stir up our minds to meditate upon the person of Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God.

The Old Covenant, the Old Testament, is set aside, and this New Covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ and not the blood of bulls and goats.

Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Every church is to set time aside to observe the Lord’s Supper, which is to concentrate our minds upon our Savior.

His death.
His return.

Jesus Christ died for us that we might live for Him!

We must understand that there can be severe consequences for taking part in the Lord’s Supper unworthily!

*1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

We know that Paul has sent this letter by Timothy to preach to the Corinthian church, but this letter would be preached to every Christian church of that day, and we have a copy of it today.

We know that if we have sin in our hearts, God will not answer our prayers.

Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

In partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we must understand its purpose.

Psa_116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psa 116:14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

The same night of the Lord’s Supper, we know that He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

If we partake of the Lord’s Supper with sin in our lives, then we are not saved by the “grace” of God, we have not accepted the New Covenant of God, and we have partaken of the Lord’s Supper unworthily.

The Lord Jesus died for our sins; He had no sin.

The Lord’s Supper shows forth His death until He returns!

This event commemorates the death of our Savior.

1) Not His life, for He lived in holiness without sin.
2) Not His teaching, though He spoke in Divine Truth.
3) Not His miracles, though He walks in mercy.
4) But His death, not glorious, but broken. His blood, not flowing through His veins, but shed for all mankind.

The Lord’s Supper is when we see our own sins laid upon Him
The Lord’s Supper is when we see our souls washed by Him.
The Lord’s Supper is when we see our doom reversed by Him.
The Lord’s Supper is when we see our lives secured by Him.

So, we must show forth His death till He comes.

The eleven disciples who remained became more faithful witnesses after the Lord’s Supper, and we should also, if we can see how great our salvation is.

Those who partake of the Lord’s Supper unworthily put the Lord in open shame.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Those who have no concept of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His death in payment for our sin, and partake of the Lord’s Supper show irreverence of the body and the blood of the Son of God, will stir the judgment of God the Father.

It sounds serious because it is serious!

1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

*1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
1Co 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
1Co 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

If we know we have unconfessed sin, we should not take part in the two ordinances of the Church, and certainly not the Lord’s Supper.

If we take that word “judgment” to mean “discern,” we need to examine ourselves to make sure we are not living in sin or carrying some unconfessed sin in our hearts; we must certainly not take part in the Lord’s Supper.

We must confess our sin and repent of that sin, knowing that God will chasten us, but He chastens us out of His love for us. If we continue in sin, we may be running the risk of being judged with the unbelievers.

We must share and demonstrate our love by putting others first, serving one another.

We must not bring condemnation upon ourselves. We must repent of our old life. We must change what we have been doing.
We can eat our meals at home, but the Lord’s Supper is for those who truly trust in the salvation plan of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jonah realized His sin, he cried unto the Lord with these words: Jon 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

Amen

Disorderly Worship In The Church

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Problem Of Disorderly Worship

1 Corinthians 10:16-11:34

That word disorderly means, confused, lawless, contrary to the law.

The Bible says:

2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Again we know that the Apostle Paul was addressing questions that had been sent to him in a letter from this Church at Corinth.

For the most part, the disorderly of any Church are all those who claim to be Christian but the way they live outside the Church says otherwise!

Let’s begin:

*****1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Throughout this epistle, Paul has stated that the wise are all those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior!

In other words you cannot be very wise until your name is written in the Lamb’s Book Of Life!

It is a fact that we can never substitute the wisdom of this world for the wisdom that is in Christ Jesus!

The Jewish Passover included 4 cups, the cup of thanks giving, the cup of plagues, the cup of praise, and the cup of redemption.

It was the cup of redemption that held the blood of the sacrificial lamb.

It was the cup of redemption that the Apostle Paul was making reference to as the “cup of blessing”!

It is this cup that symbolized what Jesus Christ has done for all believers!

1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”

John the Baptist said this when he first saw the Lord Jesus:

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”.

If we remember the last meal the Lord had with the Apostles, He had these words:

Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins”.

Communion means, a gathering of like minded people that participate in something that is real important to all those that are gathered!

The Apostle Paul is saying that it is in the “Blood of Jesus” that we realize our Christian benefits.

The “life” of Christ gives us our example of how to walk with Him!

It was the “death” of Christ that has given us the ability to share in His Divine Life!

Jesus explains these things Himself!

Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

It is the Church that is to be the “Body of Christ” still walking as the example that Christ gave us in His own walk.

The Church is the one body and Christ Jesus is to remain the Head of that body and the Church is to walk as Jesus walked until He returns to take us all home to be with Him!

The Church is to have communion with Christ Jesus.

In Jewish worship there is only communion with the altar, where the sacrifices were made.

*****1Co 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
1Co 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

The Jews were directly connected to the Temple altar, the sacrificial animals and all that they symbolized.

The Apostle Paul said the same thing is true of all those who partook of sacrifices to idols!

Though an idol is nothing, then sacrificing to a nothing is meaningless!

BUT, if you have it in your mind that the idol represents a deity then your actions are sinful!

Any worship offered to anything other than Jehovah God is the same as sacrificing to the Devil!

The truth is, that God will not allow us to worship false deities and then take part in holy communion without consequences!

This would be an offence to the God we say you serve!

*****1Co 10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

What is the truth?

Exo 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Exo 34:15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

Why would we even think we would not be offending God and we certainly can never be as strong as God!

Who has ever stood up to God and prospered? God has already condemned all who do not accept His Son!

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

It is true that if you know that an idol is a nothing and a false god is nothing then you could take part in eating of meat that was sacrificed to an idol without sin.

The fact remains that a “babe in Christ” who observed you may not have those same feelings and it could then be a stumbling block to him.

It is also just as true that the one who offered you that meat is a believer in his falseness and he will believe you have sinned against your own God!

The truth is Christian Liberty must always be modified to insure that our testimony is not blemished!

The love of our brothers and sisters must always be considered in all our actions!

*****1Co 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

We must remember the commandments of Christ Jesus!

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

These are the commandments that we are to observe throughout our days as Christians!

Paul offers some examples:

*****1Co 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
1Co 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1Co 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
1Co 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

Paul is saying to just use common sense!

The “shambles” were to open air markets that lined the streets at that time.

If a Christian just bought his meat in such a place then why would anyone think he was showing favor to some particular idol or show any favoritism at all.

It would be a foolish thing to investigate the source of that meat if it was good meat.

Every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused, this is why it is so important to always pray before consuming our food!

1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Verse 27-28 make reference to a friend who is a non-believer, who has invited you to a meal at his home and these verses explain themselves.

We must always remember that when we are obedient to the commandments of Jesus we will always have more concern for those that are around us, than for ourselves!

*****1Co 10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

When we have received the “Grace” of God, then we are to show the “Grace” of God to those around us!

We must remember what “Grace” is!

Grace is the unmerited favor of God!

We did not deserve God’s “Grace” but we received it because of God’s love!

Those around us may not deserve our own grace but if we have the love that we should have, then we will extend God’s “Grace” through us to them because we are to love them as much as we love ourselves!

Anything that we receive of God and then thank Him for it, is never forbidden in the eyes of God!

Rom 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

*****1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
1Co 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

What is the most important object of our walk in this life after salvation?

1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

It should be obvious that God considers that there are only three groups of people spoken of in the Scriptures.

The Jew.

The Gentile.

The Church which consist of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted that Jesus Christ is our One and Only Savior.

To give “no offence” means to never give an occasion of stumbling to any other person, no matter who they are or where they came from!

Explained in Scripture this way:

Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Once we have received the profits of God through our own salvation, it is our only job to be a testimony for Jesus Christ, witness to those who do not know the Lord, and disciple those who are weak in the “Faith”!

We are to follow those that we know are following Christ Jesus!

*****1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1Co 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

It is our job to be a follower of Christ just as was the Apostle Paul!

A follower, according to the Greek word used here is an imitator.

Our walk after salvation should resemble the way Christ Jesus walked.

A follower of Christ, would use the doctrine of Christ Jesus as their guide in this life!

A follower would use the opinions of Christ as their example.

A follower of Christ Jesus, would obey His Word, worship Him only, and honor the One who sent Him!

Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour

God has placed a certain order of things in this life.

The “head” in this verse refers to the principle person.

The head of man must be Christ Jesus.

In the family, the head of the woman is to be the man, “if they have allowed their head to be Christ”!

Remember the distinction of the sexes is done away with in all those that are in Christ Jesus and this is only an earthly application!

The Head of Christ is Jehovah God and we know Christ came to this earth to do the will of His Father!

Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Christ is only inferior to His Father in His earthly manhood!

In the Godhead the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are all coequal in all things!

The Father is God!

1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

The Son is God!

Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Heb 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Heb 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

The Holy Spirit is God!

Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Yet there is but One God!

Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

The Bible states that God is a Trinity!

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

As these things are all true, we then proceed:

*****1Co 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Co 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1Co 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1Co 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Co 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1Co 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Verses 1-3 have explained the relationship that we should have in our earthly life!

God the Head of Christ.

Christ the Head of man.

Man the head of woman.

Verses 4-13 concern a covering or a veil worn by men and women.

In that day men and women would wear what we would call a shawl to protect them from the harsh conditions.

It is true that all men and women stand on equal ground at the cross but it is also true that the family was established before the Church!

Among the Greeks it was custom for the women to appear in public with her head covered. The shawl could be both head covering and veil.

It was in the rite of marriage that she assumed the veil in token of how her husband was her head.

These things do not speak of authority but of order!

Men also wore a shawl!

When a man began to pray or preach in public when that shawl should not be covering his head because it would show that he was in subjection to someone of this earth and not Christ and this would dishonor Christ his true Head!

On the other hand if a woman appeared in public without her covering it would show that she was not in subjection to her husband who was to be her head in that marriage and she would dishonor her marriage vows.

This woman would put herself on the same level as a woman with a shaven head which was a sign of disgrace.

Man is the glory of God because man was made in His image!

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Man is to directly fulfill the purposes of God!

Woman then indirectly fulfills the purpose of God. Woman is God’s glory by being man’s glory!

Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Woman was God’s gift to man to make man a complete person but they are both equal in the eyes of God!

Gen 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, “and called their name Adam”, in the day when they were created.

No doubt that women possess all the gifts fitted for their role here on earth!

Of all the beautiful things of a woman she is still a woman even when she becomes a Christian and we know that each subject must honor their king.

Christ the Head of man, and man the head of woman and it is our duty to accept our place in the order of God!

As the angels are in relation to God, so the woman is in relation to the man.

God’s face is uncovered but the angels on the other hand are covered!

Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; “with twain he covered his face”, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

But the truth remains that neither sex is insulated and independent to the other in Christian life!

Each one needs the other to be complete just as Christ Jesus and the “Bride of Christ”(the Church) will be joined in completeness!

As woman was formed out of man, even so men are born out of woman but all things have God as their source!

Paul said if you just look at the Word of God, then these things just make good sense.

When the Word of God does not make sense to you then you need to pray more and study harder, God is not the author of confusion!

*****1Co 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Men who were Greeks or Jews cut their hair and did not allow it to grow long!

The women on the other hand, shows her beauty and she looks like herself as long hair becomes her!

But still, what is the truth of the New Testament Church!

*****1Co 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

It should be obvious that Paul was addressing a question that had been asked of him by this church!

Paul is saying, that if you must, by using common sense, work out these trivial details that have nothing to do with salvation.

Christianity is not intended to change the customs of any nation beyond those that go against the Word of God.

The use of a veil or head covering of any female in Christian worship is indifferent to God because God only looks at the condition of the heart but anything that causes contentions in the gathering of God’s people is wrong, and it is sin.

Remember to be contentious is to be argumentative!

Church worship must not be disorderly because it defeats the purpose of gathering to worship!

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

It is a foolish thing to burden the church down with ceremonies, the church is to be full of those that the Lord has set free, the Church is free!

It is a sinful thing to argue over trivial matters just for the sake of winning an argument!

The truth is the Apostles had not given any such custom!

The truth is the established churches in Jerusalem and Antioch also had no such custom!

In the church, the decency of apparel is all that is necessary!

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

*****1Co 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
1Co 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

There are many things in the church that can cause some disagreement and they should be settled according to the Word of God and by using common sense.

The partaking of the Lord’s Supper is something that should never cause a disagreement!

1) The Church must gather together to come to maturity!

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

There must be teaching, there must be fellowship, and most of all there must be worship!

Worship is to be the reason for our gathering!

Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

2) The Church must gather to promote Evangelism!

The work of the Church is to make disciples, baptize them, teach them and send them out into the world!

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

3) If there is a third thing, then only after these first two things are set in motion are we to do good to all others!

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

All these things are based on the One truth of the Gospel!

The life, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ!

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

These Corinthians had failed in all these things.

This church was still a divided church!

*****1Co 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Heresies are fundamental errors in true doctrine not just differences of opinions!

In our world today the church has gotten away from the fundamentals of the Word of God!

This church in Corinth had chosen their own way, in a deliberate fashion, of partaking in the Lord’s Supper against what had been taught them by the Apostles.

There were still some in this church that would go out of their way, inspite of instructions in doctrine, to cause divisions in this church!

It is most probable that God had allowed these things to take place so that we could see that there is a certain way we are to observe the Lord’s Supper!

These Scriptures to the church in Corinth are here for the modern day church to learn from their mistakes!

We now have a written record that has been passed down since the beginning of the early church!

*****1Co 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
1Co 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

We should be clear, it was Jesus Christ that instituted the Lord’s Supper on the eve of His crucifixion!

Jesus then “commanded” that all His followers observe it until He returns!

The Lord’s Supper signifies the New Covenant in contrast with the old Mosaic Covenant.

To enact this New Covenant Christ death was necessary because His death provided the means for forgiveness of sins!

Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

And Jesus said:

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: “this do in remembrance of me”.

The Lord’s Supper emphasizes that those who participate in it, demonstrate “faith” in the death of Christ Jesus!

Jesus said: “remember what I have done for you”!

The Bread symbolized Christ perfect sinless body offered in a sin-bearing sacrifice for all our sin.

The juice symbolized His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sin.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The Lord’s Supper involves a looking back to that historical event of the cross and anticipating His return in the near future!

Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

The Lord’s Supper is to be a “communion” of believers with each other, and focusing on their “common” faith in Christ Jesus!

A divided church should never partake of communion, it destroys what Christ has done for His Church!

This church at Corinth had substituted a feast for the Lord’s Supper.

It is true that Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover Feast but they did this before the Lord took the time to explain the New Covenant which was the last meal before He was crucified!

But even in a feast this church could not show love for one another.

Everyone brought their own food and no one shared. Those that had, feasted while those that had not, went hungry.

There is nothing wrong with church fellowship but if they gathered in fellowship they did not show it in love for one another!

Just as He should have, Paul was harsh in chastising this church!

*****1Co 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

Paul said you have houses where you can eat until you are satisfied and drink until you are full.

That is the place to satisfy your appetite and not when you assemble with your brother and sisters in Christ!

No doubt as is normal in every church, there were many who were poor and those that had were showing contempt for those who had not.

Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jas 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

There is no praise of God when we do such things!

The Lord’s Supper must be done in complete reverence!

Fellowship should also be done in complete unity and love for one another!

Paul was not an eyewitness to this last meal with the Apostles but Paul explains these things just as he received them from the Lord!

*****1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Paul said these things did not come from himself but from the Lord!

We know that Paul spent 3 years in the wilderness with the Lord just as the other Apostles had spent 3 years.

It is a fact that Christianity had it’s beginning that night previous to the Lord’s crucifixion!

The ordinance of the Lord Supper began at that time and has continued throughout all these years as the Lord has directed, but it must be done in the correct manner to have it’s real meaning!

These Corinthians ate and drank unworthily!

The are certainly words of no priests over the bread and the juice that can then make these things become the actual body and blood of Christ.

There is not nor can there be a change in substance of these things!

These things should also never be done so often that they become mechanical, the Lord’s Supper is not some mere ceremony!

And most important, we each must examine ourselves to see if we are truly worthy!

The truth is, the Lord’s Supper shows us the death of Christ and must be a solemn observance!

*****1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, “ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come”.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

The Lord’s Supper was instituted by God Himself and not from any man as so many others do!

The truth is, that Christ will certainly return to get His Church and then after this, His promised wrath!

We are all unworthy of the “Grace of God” but when we partake of the Lord’s Supper in a care-less, irreverent, or a defiant spirit, we are certainly unworthy and actually guilty of His death, putting the death of Christ in open shame!

We must test our own feelings!

We must prove our own selves!

We must be sure of our sincerity!

We must be clean when we come to God’s altar!

What are the facts?

Anyone that partakes of the Lord’s Supper unworthily can bring the judgment of God upon themselves!

Paul said look around at your congregation.

Many are weak in body and in faith and spiritually weak.

Many are sickly, weak in mind, stumbling in their faith.

Many, God has already called home who were useless in the work of God.

When God places us flat on our backs, He wants us to look toward Him for our answers!

The truth is, if we would judge our selves by the Word of God, we would not be judged by others and when we repent God will not chastise us without mercy!

*****1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

When we can truly discern between the spiritual and the common carnal things, we would not be seeing God’s displeasure!

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

We must remember God chastises only those He loves!

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

This Church at Corinth was being chastised because God loves His Church!

It is those who are never chastised that should rethink their salvation!

It is those who never chastised, unless they repent that will be condemned with the world!

*****1Co 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
1Co 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Notice Paul still addresses this church as his brethren.

The truth is, we of the church need our toes stepped on from time to time to remind us that it is only by God’s “Grace” that we are saved and God’s “Grace” can come only because of God’s great love for us!

The Church is the called out group whom God has called as a special group of His own!

The Church is the great mystery of the Old Testament that has been revealed to the entire world in the New Testament!

Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

It’s time for the Church to take a stand in this world we live in!

The Lord will certainly set things straight when He returns!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!