God Speaks
Paul Comments on Various Topics: The Rights of an Apostle, Missionary Support, Eating Food Offered to Idols, Headcovering in Worship and Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
Verse of the Day: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV 2011)
Read or listen on BibleGateway.com
Watch TBR Day 335
We Respond
1 Corinthians 9
Reflection: Paul seems to be having to defend his apostleship to the Corinthians, people to whom he had brought the Gospel and to whom he had ministered for one and a half to two years. Paul saw both conversions and persecution in that time. There Paul had taught the truths of God, trained leaders (Priscilla and Aquila), and led a synagogue leader (Crispus) and his household to faith in the Jesus as their Messiah. Paul listed some of the rights and privileges they, scripture, and common courtesy granted to other apostles and religious workers. Then he explained why, although he had the right to expect this from them, he chose not to require it. His reasoning included: the satisfaction he gained from preaching the gospel without charge; the reward he received for faithfully carrying out his assignment from God; the freedom of not having to obey anyone but God; the ability to blend in with various cultures to reach more people for Christ; and the blessing he received from seeing people put their faith in Jesus and grow in Him. To accomplish all this, Paul kept his body and fleshly motives under strict control so that he would win the prize–God’s, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Prayer: Dear Sovereign Lord, thank You for the spiritual mentors You have given me over the years whether in person, via their writings, or through various broadcasts or recordings. Please use me to pass on Your truths to the next generation of spiritual leaders. May I have the privilege of leading at least one person to faith in Jesus during the next twelve months and watching them grow in You. Please help me to respond appropriately to any persecution I might face. May the fiery trials melt the sins and imperfections in me to reveal the loving countenance of Jesus in my life. Help me to discipline my mind, will, emotions, and body so that I can serve You more effectively. I long to hear You say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” For Your glory, Lord. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will ask the Lord how I can encourage my spiritual mentors and then do what He says.
- I will get out of my shell and meet people so that I can interact with them about Jesus.
- I will volunteer to help with an activity where I can interact with people and share the Gospel.
- I will interact with people who are of a different opinion, culture, language, or background so that I can relate with them about Jesus.
1 Corinthians 10
Reflection: The Apostle Paul begins this chapter by pointing his readers back to God’s dealings with the Israelites in the past, especially His bringing them through the Red Sea and His provision for them during their wanderings in the wilderness. “All these things happened to them as examples–as object lessons to us–to warn us against doing the same things; they were written down so that we could read about them and learn from them in these last days as the world nears its end.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 TLB) Have we or will we really examine the trials and triumphs of the past and use those lessons to make a better present and future with God’s help? I pray so. Then Paul goes on to explain what our motivation and procedure should be on questionable issues. First, we should keep our sacred union with Christ and other believers as our top priority and strongly resist anything that interferes with that. To help us do this, verse 13 promises that we are not alone: other believers have faced the same struggles and come through it. God Himself promises to show us the way out of the maze of temptation and difficulty. First Corinthians 10:24, Romans 12:3-5, and Philippians 2:4 tell us to not just think about ourselves and what’s best for us but to think of what is in the best interest of others as well. As Paul pointed out previously, we should be willing to set aside our “rights” on behalf of bringing people to Jesus. The second thing is to respond to each situation appropriately: in private and with God’s assurance that it is right for us personally, go ahead and eat the meat that may have been offered to idols and thank God for it. When in public with either unbelievers or believers, we should not ask but politely partake. When we are told that this is something offered to idols, we should not eat it for the sake of the consciences of others. We should seek to be stepping stones not stumbling blocks in leading people to faith in Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Father God, thank You for the ways You guide and provide for Your children, even when we are stubborn and rebellious. Please help me to learn from the past whether that is from the Israelites coming out of Egypt, other people in the Old Testament, the Corinthians and other New Testament believers, or true Christ-followers down through the centuries. Help me to learn from my own past mistakes so that I am drawn even closer to You. Thank You for providing and showing me a way of escape whenever I ask You with a sincere and humble heart. Please make other believers aware of Your presence and provision as well. May we encourage and learn from each other. Remind us of all the efficacy of the blood and body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise His holy name. Whenever I am trying to decide a questionable issue like this, please help me to turn first to You and Your Word, then think how it might affect other people, and finally consider what seems best for me. That will ultimately bring me pure JOY. As the old adage teaches, I want to think of Jesus, others, and you (myself) in that order. Most of all help me to do everything for Your glory, Lord. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will write out one lesson I’ve learned from the Old Testament passages mentioned in this chapter.
- I will write down one problem I have avoided by heeding the warning of an Old Testament prophet.
- I will ask the Lord to show me a way of escape regarding a temptation or problem I am currently facing, then follow it.
- I will ponder how to handle a current-day questionable issue using the JOY acronym, then do whatever God shows me.
1 Corinthians 11
Reflection: In this chapter Paul focuses on two issues: head coverings for men and women as signs of authority and how to behave during the Lord’s Supper. We are to follow our leaders’ authority as they follow Christ’s authority. The head covering issue was really about maintaining the chain of command in a household: God → husband → wife. This does not devalue her or inflate the man: it only maintains order and brings tranquility. Conversely, the wife is to yield to her husband as he yields to God. The head covering traditions of the early church only gave a visible reminder of that. We should do in our present church culture whatever honors and strengthens that God-directed chain of command. Single men and women are responsible directly to God. Regarding the Lord’s Supper: Paul was not with Jesus and his disciples when Jesus explained the meaning of the Lord’s Supper, but Jesus met with him personally after he came to faith and taught him what to do. Interestingly, it’s this passage that most pastors use when celebrating communion. First, it isn’t about us. It’s about commemorating Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on our behalf as well as His resurrection and return to reign. We need to remember that it is not for us alone, but we need to be aware of and care about those who are celebrating with us. We are to examine ourselves to see what sins we need the Lord to forgive and cleanse. We need to tell them to Jesus. Then, we should see if there is anything between us and other worshippers. Some churches even allow time right then for people to confess and forgive each other. Jesus said in Matthew 5:23-24 to leave worship and go to be reconciled to someone who isn’t there. At any rate, we should be aware of the needs and feelings of those around us in worship. If we judge ourselves now, God will need to judge us later.
Prayer: Dear gracious Creator God, thank You for being such a loving commander and guide. You always know what is best for us even when we can’t see beyond our current circumstances or don’t know what to do. Please guide couples to establish or reestablish this God-planned pattern of decision-making and authority. Please direct each person so that each one will be in proper alignment with You and other people around them. Please help me to properly assess my thoughts and behavior before communion so that I don’t take it unworthily. Although I never can be worthy of Your mercy and grace on my own merit, it’s Your sacrifice, Jesus, that we commemorate in communion that made me worthy. Help me to keep short accounts with You regarding my own sins, but also to be quick to forgive others because You did the same for them. Please help me to act appropriately regarding others and holy communion. Again, all for Your glory, Lord. AMEN
Action: (Ask the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will thank God for His sovereign rule over everything in heaven and on earth, especially the chain of command or responsibility He has established.
- I will accept the authority God has placed over me–husband or other leaders–and look for specific ways I can show them respect.
- I will, before the next communion service, examine my thoughts and actions and see those things for which I need to repent and be reconciled to God and other people. (Be specific.)
- I will go to someone I have hurt or wronged or who has hurt or wronged me and repent and be reconciled. (Be specific.)
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.