Participating in the Body of Christ

Introduction

“A healthy church is less about a place that looks a certain way, and more about a people who love in the right way.” - Mark Dever

Pastors and elders will stand before God and give an account for how they have led the congregation

Yet — in many churches — we believe the responsibility rests solely on the elders of the church to abide by the instructions in Scripture

Every member of a church — every true Christian in the church — is greatly responsible before God of what your church becomes

If you claim to be a Christian — if you claim to have placed saving faith in Christ — then as a disciple of Christ Jesus you will give an account for…

Whether or not you gathered together regularly w/ the church

Whether or not you spurred the church on to love and good deeds

Whether or not you fought to maintain right teaching of the hope of the gospel

A majority in the West — tend to view their Christianity as a personal relationship w/ Christ and not a corporate one w/ others

There is the personal (individual) relationship that you do indeed have w/ God — which is very important

However — most Christians seem to not realize there is another relationship that Christ has established for His bride

That relationship is between the child of God and the family of God

It is the relationship between Christians and Christ’s body

There is to be a participation w/ Christ’s body as a Christian

If you become a hermit and say that you grow on your own — then you are not carrying out true Christianity

True Christianity is one where the members of the family of God — gather together to bring love — encouragement — and accountability to one another

It’s impossible to carry out these acts of righteousness when you forsake to attach yourself to a local congregation

It’s impossible for us to be a healthy church if we are not participating in the body of Christ together

For we can not participate in the body of Christ apart from another other

Read: I Cor 10:14-22

1 Corinthians 10:14–22 ESV

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?

CONTEXT

Paul is making the case that the Corinthians should avoid taking part in pagan religious ceremonies

These words that he has written — are actually a step further than what he shared w/ the Corinthians a few chapters earlier.... (I Cor. 8:1-13)

1 Corinthians 8:1–5 ESV

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”—

In other words has made it clear that eating the food is a matter of freedom as long as that freedom operates under the law of love

Is there a limit to the freedom/liberty a believer has? — Truthfully there cannot be a straight answer

The liberty that a Christian has is going to differ from one to another — due to the variety of maturity levels

However — in this case — in these verses — Paul states — taking part in the ceremonies is another thing entirely — making the case that to do so is to fellowship with demons

Paul also shares w/ us some very important things about the Christian ceremony of the Lord’s Supper—taking part in the Lord’s Supper by faith is to fellowship with — and to share in the benefits of, Christ

Our objective this morning is to see that participating in the body of Christ is provides health to our church

In some cases — as is the case today — we will begin by seeing how we do not participate before we understand how and why we participate in the body of Christ — then we will conclude w/ another stern warning from Paul on what not to do

I. We Do Not Participate in Idolatry (v. 14-15)

1 Corinthians 10:14–15 ESV

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

John MacArthur has said — “Idolatry is the most serious and contaminating sin there is.”

I would have to agree w/ this statement

Idolatry is where the individual begins to have unworthy thoughts about God

It then leads to a departure of what is the truth for that which is a lie — then soon enough as we encountered last week in the beginning portion of 1 Corinthians — you begin to commit sins that are in total and complete opposition to God

All sin is in complete opposition towards God — yet it begins w/ have such thoughts of slander against the character of God

If we are going to participate in the Body of Christ as members of God’s family — it begins and must always begin by not committing idolatry

It really is as simple as that

In fact — Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians is — flee from idolatry

In other words — rapidly — and intentionally disappear from the presence of such sin — idolatry

Paul tells them in v. 15 — you are sensible people — you ought to use your mind — and when you use your mind — when you actually think through what I am telling you — then you will agree and obey

In other words — Paul tells them to run from idolatry — to flee it

When you think it through that you ought to run from idolatry because of what it will do in your life — you will

As a Christian — there is to be this specific understanding that we are not to fall into idolatry as it contradicts our very profession in Christ

The Christian is not to connect him or herself w/ such wickedness for it is unallowable

We handled idolatry briefly in our message last week — yet let’s take it into more consideration today…

Idolatry — we can make our way back to the 10 Commandments

The first three commandments deal explicitly w/ idolatry

Exodus 20:1–7 (ESV)

1 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Christians owe God not only the inward — secret affection and honor — but also the outward honor that is due to his Savior

It seems for many Bible-believing Christians they speak of Christ in such precious tones — yet their actions display their affection towards idols

Their actions prove the true love of their heart — the old saying “actions speak louder than words” — rings true in the modern era of Christianity

Back to our examples from earlier in the passage …

1 Corinthians 10:7 ESV

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.”

When we fail to have the proper understanding of God — we will loose all in the end

Failing to have a true perspective of God — leads to a life of chaos

I think many have this idea of idolatry as this picture of a certain person bowing down w/ strange clothes on to a statue or a rock — this is very possible but it is so much more than that

In a nut shell — idolatry is assuming God to be something that He is not — when our view of God is not solid and foundational — brought forth from God’s Word — we pervert the God we claim to know and commit idolatry

Paul makes this very clear in Romans…

Romans 1:20–21 ESV

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Bringing God down to our image is not the way it works — Man does it all the time — yet it doesn’t mean it is right

Man was made in God’s image as we learn in the beginning chapters of Genesis

For the creation to attempt to redesign the Creator — means (1) they know the true Creator — (2) they do not honor Him — and (3) they are vain and foolish

Transition

Charles Hodge once said, “The only safety is keeping at a distance. This includes two things: first, avoiding what is questionable, and second, avoiding the occasion and temptations of sin.”

Paul says flee such wickedness — we are to avoid the occasions and temptations of sins by participating in the body of Christ

How do we participate in the body of Christ? — We begin w/ fleeing idolatry

Fleeing the sin of crafting God into what we want Him to be

We can praise God — knowing that He is able to provide us a way of escape (v. 13) from the temptations to do such evil

We will be given another stern command of flee idolatry — yet before we see that — we encounter what our participation is actually to be in

II. We Do Participate in The Lord’s Supper (v. 16-17)

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 ESV

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.

By participating in the Lord’s Supper — you are showing and proving that you profess w/ faith — Christ crucified — you profess your salvation lies in Him and Him alone

As mentioned in the past — baptism sets apart one individual at a time to claim — “This ONE belong to Jesus”

Whereas — the Lord’s Supper claims — “These PEOPLE belong to Jesus.”

Participating in the Lord’s Supper promotes — nothing short of unity

Why is it then — when we come around the Lord’s Table that there seems to be much disunity in the church?

The Lord’s Table is a time where we are participating in the blood of Christ

The Lord’s Table is a time where we are participating in the body of Christ

A healthy church — an essential church — is one that produces unity

Unity is produced from one common thread — Christ

Christ — provides a participation with the rest of the body — which are the many members (v. 17)

Healthy churches do not just appear — they are worked at by the members sharing in fellowship w/ one another — around the common thread of Christ

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

As a child of God — we are brought into fellowship w/ Christ — allowing us to have fellowship — participation w/ the rest of the body of Christ

When the belieber partakes of the cup and the bread at the Lord’s table — he is in a spiritual way — having fellowship w/ the body and blood of Christ

You are unable to participate in the body of Christ — you cannot take the Lord’s Supper unless you are saved — unless you have been called into the fellowship of Christ

So when we apply this to the participation of the other members — for their our many — the fellowship might not be flawless — however there isn’t going to be grave disunity

You cannot have disunity if there is true fellowship in the Son, Christ

Where there is grave disunity and diseases which are rampant in our churches — it stems from people who claim to know Christ yet their actions point back to idolatry

Their action stem from selfishness and not for God-glorifying attitudes

Transition

We ask — “Why does it seem that people cannot get along in church today?”

The answer is two fold — (1) they have not been called into the fellowship of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord

When you are not called into fellowship then you are not able to participate in the body of Christ

(2) People who claim Christ — yet live idolatrous lives — are those trying to walk in both camps — and Paul continues in the next set of verses to clarify this is impossible to do...

III. We Do Not Participate With Demons (v. 18-22)

1 Corinthians 10:18–22 ESV

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?

Participating in the body of Christ — means not participating w/ demons

Our understanding of idolatry is it is when we take what we think of God and not what we know and mold Him into something that He is not

These types of actions are not only sinful — they are devilish — they are demonic

Participating w/ demons is the very act of committing idolatry

Paul introduces this sections by drawing our attention back to our examples — the Israelites — we ought to consider them as Paul tells us to

In the OT — specifically the Jewish church — sacrifices were made for the sins of the people — these were animal sacrifices — if the sacrifice has meat still left on it and the people ate it — then they were participants in the altar

The offering was on behalf of all who ate — this action of eating of the sacrifice was a public display by identifying w/ the offering and affirming their commitment to God

Paul is making the argument that the principle is the same concerning idols

Making a sacrifice to an idol is the same as identifying w/ and participating w/ that idol — whatever it may be

1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV

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.

It is inconsistent for a believer to participate w/ idols — it is inconsistent for the Christian to participate w/ the body of Christ and demons — its is one or the either

Christ speaks on this just as clearly…

Matthew 6:24 ESV

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

V. 19-20 = The idols and and the things sacrificed to them have no spiritual power

They are nothing — and there is nothing alive in them

They do not have a spiritual nature — nor power

Yet there is a demonic — satanic force behind these idols

2 Thessalonians 2:9–11 ESV

9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

The reality is when Christians venture into places — and they end up joining in idol worship — they join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh — the lust of the eye — and they pride of life — this behavior provokes God

As v. 22 — tells us plainly through two rhetorical questions — God will not tolerate any competition for there is but one True God

God will not allow this wickedness to go unpunished — we found that out quickly w/ the Israelites

To go after the worship of idols — to place your opinions of God above what is laid out in Scripture — is a denial of Christianity and it is communion w/ demons

This behavior places forth the attitude that we are stronger than God — Paul asks the rhetorical question — yet for some they are certain they are their own god

We may not vocalize that we are our own God — yet our actions will always speak volumes

Let me remind you of what was mentioned earlier in this chapter…

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Can you really survive such a confrontation w/ the Lord?? — the answer is NO we cannot not

Conclusion

When Christ died for our sins — rescued us from the darkness — brought us to life and placed us in light — then and only then were we given true freedom

This freedom gave us the ability to turn from sin — and run to Christ

This freedom gave us the ability to participate w/ Christ and His people

The church can only be healthy when its members are also members of Christ’s body

We ought not be so shocked when there is certain troubles in the church — much of the trouble that has risen its ugly head in churches stems from individuals are not participating w/ the body of Christ

Disunity and disease comes because of the participation w/ demons

I must be clear — there will always be messiness in church — even amongst true believers in Christ — WHY?

Our sinful nature still hangs around until we have glorified bodies in heaven above

However — the perpetual sin of disunity will not — the never ending sin of the individual always wanting it his way or her way is not that of a true believer — its that of one who participates w/ demons — it is the truth about idolatry

The health of a church comes down to what the members of that church participate in — and in a true church — the members participate in the body of Christ alone