Last week I talked about not being able to see because of the blindness that come because of selfishnessII

Last week I talked about not being able to see because of the blindness that comes because of selfishness.

We cannot see God; we/others cannot see God in us, we cannot see God in others.

Today we will have communion for the last time this year.

This scripture in 1 Corinthians fits with our communion today.

One of the fears that I have as a Pastor is that we do things as a tradition but forget the true meaning of it. But there is so much more than traditions and rituals.

The communion like baptism represents something that is happening on the inside of us.

The ability to see in the everyday things the supernatural will of God. The communion is what? It is a material substance, flour, water, salt, fermented grapes, plates, cups….

Idolatry would be to place an over emphasis on the natural objects themselves, to the point of worshiping the creation more than the creator. (Ro. 1:19-25)

(Drop a piece of bread on the ground)

This can be referred to as reductionism.

But worse that perverting and falsely attributing it all to an idol is to forget who they really represent.

1 Corinthians 10: 14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s Table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23 “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake— 29 the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. NIV