1 Corinthians 10:14-22

                                                     1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 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? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 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. 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. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

 

Idolatry is the natural condition of fallen man.  Since we were created by God as worshipers, we will always worship someone or something.  When we don’t worship God, we will turn to idolatry.  Even as believers, we will struggle with this tendency in our lives.  Paul warns us that we need to do all that we can to flee from this sin.

 

WE REJOICE IN THE TABLE OF THE LORD: Jesus established a memorial service in which we remember His death and resurrection as an act of worship.  We as a community participate in the blood and body of Christ in a figurative way that demonstrates our love for Him and gratitude for all He has done to save us from sin.  This is an act of worship that should fill our hearts with joy.  It is a serious matter that is not to be taken lightly because of the magnitude of the love of Christ.  

 

WE REJECT THE TABLE OF DEMONS: When pagans offer meat to idols, they too are participating in acts of worship that are meaningful to them but are blasphemous to our Lord.  We must not take these things lightly either.  When people in Paul’s day purchased meat that had been offered to idols, they in some way, were legitimizing the idolatry of their day and were participating in it.  Reality dictates that there is no such thing as an idol, but in the minds of men they are real.  Paul makes it clear that we are to avoid such associations.  We continue to face issues where we may be tempted to be involved in the worldly practices of this generation.  We must not make these kinds of associations or take these risks.

 

APPLICATION: Celebrate the Lord’s supper with joy and gratitude in our hearts.  Worship Him and be thankful for all He has done.  Be careful to check our hearts for idols we place above the Lord.  Don’t participate in questionable activities or associations that other associate with false religion.

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