1 Corinthians 8-11
Imitate Paul
and Christ
0 MIN READ
Psalm 136:1-26 Praising God's Hesed
His Loving Kindness Endures Forever
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever; 25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Application
God always fulfills His covenanted promises, for His loyal love flows out of His eternal goodness and sovereignty. His promises to bless are not limited by any power greater than Himself, only by our loyal obedience to our covenantal responsibilities.
Prayer
TMS Joshua 1:8 Implications for Applications
Observations
1:8-9 These are two of the most important verses for getting the most out of life, both materially and spiritually. Who doesn't want prosperity and success. Here God tells us how to get it: Do what He wants. Meditate means to “revolve in the mind” or look at from different angles. The purpose of meditation is application (do it). You think about how God's instructions can apply to different aspects of your life. See Truthbase.net or Digging Deeper (below) for Suggestions on Application. Then, as a consequence of obedience (doing what is right in His sight) you get blessing, prosperity, and success. This yields the mantra:
Meditation is thinking through implications for applicatons.
Verse 9 follows verse 8 for a reason. If God commands us, it's doable. He provides the resources to make it happen, foremost of which is His word.
Application
Whenever you encounter Scripture, think about how it applies, and then do what God wants. Better yet, memorize these verses, so the Holy Spirit can remind you about what He's said for your benefit.
Prayer
God, thanks that You are concerned about my prosperity and well being, and have given me instruction in Your word to achieve it; may I be faithful to do what You've said. Amen.
1 Corinthians 8-11 Imitate Paul and Christ
These chapters focus on the use of our liberty and freedom so that we reap blessing rather than judgment. Paul provides a model of limiting ourselves for the benefit of others (a kind of love), for the eternal reward of Christ. He also provides instruction on the role of women in the church, and the Lord's Supper.
1 Corinthians 8 Love Builds
Food Sacrificed to Idols
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.Application
When around “weaker” believers, accommodate your behavior to their conscience to win a hearing to help them mature. It they refuse to move toward truth, hang around those who want to follow the Lord according to the revelation of the Scriptures.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thanks for limiting Yourself for me, may I do so for others. Amen.
1 Corinthians 9 All Things to All Men
The Rights of an Apostle
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? 8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Paul the Servant to All
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.Run Your Race to Win
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.Application
Learn how to forget about yourself and your desires so you can be all things to all people, establishing commonality, so you can communicate in a way they can understand and accept truth; you can't win them all, but you can win reward for being faithful in trying.
Prayer
Lord, help me develop the perspective and practices that Paul displayed, so I can serve You like He did. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10 Victory Over Temptation
Warnings from Israel’s Past
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, 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.Flee from Idolatry
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?All to God’s Glory
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 neighbor. 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.Application
Since most folks can't even define glory, much less do their eating, work, leisure, sleep, relationships, etc to His glory, there is an outline page in TOYL which helps you do that, as well as a couple of sermons on Truthbase.net to help you do EVERYTHING to the Glory of God.
Prayer
God, may I fulfill the purposes for which You created me, living victoriously for Your glory. Amen.
1 Corinthians 11 Imitate Christ
Roles in Worship
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.Sharing in 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.Application
Next time you celebrate the Lord's Supper, praise Him for His forgiveness, deliverance, grace and power over sin, as well has His saving acts in answering your prayers and pouring out His blessings upon His children; it's just of foretaste of what will happen when He returns.
Prayer
Lord, thanks for delivering me from the penalty and practices of sin, so I can enjoy my relationship with You every day, until I am in Your physical presence in the Kingdom. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God clearly judges OT and NT saints for disloyal disobedience and sin, so don't do it.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the one who sustained Israel in the wilderness, and does the same for us today.
Us in a nutshell: We need to limit our liberty for the benefit of others if we wish blessings in this life, and eternal reward.
Suggestions for Application
Although application is a natural outcome of Bible study, there are some specific areas to consider as you seek to make your study more personal and meaningful. The following questions could be used in applying Scriptural truths to your life:
1. FAITH - What does the Bible passage teach me about personal faith? What do I learn about God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and my relationship to them? What specific truths should I believe? Why should I believe them?
2. ATTITUDES - What do I learn about good or bad attitudes? What are the results of each kind? What should be my attitude? How can I change negative ones? What do I learn about emotions? Is there help suggested for release from destructive emotions such as fear, worries, anxieties, hates resentments, jealousies?
3. ACTIONS - What should be my actions? Are there errors to avoid? Are there any actions which I need to change?
4. SINS - What sins are pointed out in my life? Are there some which I need to confess to God? To others? Which I need to forsake? What safeguards should I build?
5. EXAMPLES - What examples are there to follow? Not to follow? Why?
6. CHALLENGES - What are some admonitions/warnings which I should make my own? How can I follow these admonitions in a concrete way: In my relationships in my home? In school? In work? With others? With friends?
7. PROMISES - What promises can I claim for my own? Are there any conditions which I must fulfill in order to claim these promises? Are there any specific prayer promises to claim?
Where to go for more
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