1 Cor. 11 & 12

Intro:

The influence of culture on Christian thought

We are susceptible to buying the lies that culture teaches

Our beliefs begin to subtly (or not so subtly) shift to conform to societal norms

Example: Protestants in Nazi Germany

German mythological & occult traditions from pagan tribal history

heavy evidence of this sort of pagan deism in Hitler’s writing

certainly heavily used in Nazi propaganda

Dr.  Hanns Kerrl, Reichminster of Church Affairs

"The party stands on the basis of Positive Christianity, and Positive Christianity is National Socialism . . . National Socialism is the doing of God’s will . . . God’s will reveals itself in German blood . . . Dr. Zoellner and Count Galen [the Catholic bishop of Muenster] have tried to make clear to me that Christianity consists in faith in Christ as the Son of God. That makes me laugh . . . No, Christianity is not dependent upon the Apostle’s Creed . . . True Christianity is represented by the party, and the German people are now called by the party and especially by the Fuehrer to a real Christianity . . . The Fuehrer is the herald of a new revelation."

The propaganda worked so well, that they were able to soon suggest even more drastic revisions to German theology

less than 400 years removed from Martin Luther

—> A reality: We are prone to believe the propaganda, the lies of culture. To begin to think that God’s ways are not best, or to be ashamed of some things in Scripture.

When it comes to issues like modern feminism, do we accept the assertions of the politicians, the celebrities, or our favorite movies, music, or books, or do we believe what God has revealed is His intention for His revelation?

1. Gender Roles (Ch. 11:2-16)

Headship (v 3)

Christ is clearly above all things, and He is the head of the church ()

His headship over man is uncontested over believers

Yet Paul says as uncontested as that relationship is, so also is the authority of man over the woman—that is a remarkable association.

There are some cultural elements that we need to understand

There are some cultural elements that we need to understand

Coverings—common adornment for women in public in the ancient world

to go out with head uncovered or with cut hair was a disgrace to a woman

similarly to go around with a head covering for a male was a disgrace, because it was effeminate apparel

> Corinth, like the modern world, had a strong feminist movement.

they resisted bearing children

competed against men in athletic events

endeavored to alter their appearance to appear more masculine

What are some dangers the modern feminist movement represents to Biblical gender roles?

The “why” of headship (v 7-16)

Glory of God vs. glory of man (7)

Man is not created from woman, and in his dominion he reflects something of God’s glory unique to man

Woman is created from man, and she is the glory of man

BOTH are created in the image of God ()

Equality between men and women (v 11)

As beings created in the image of God they stand in their essence as equal

Moreover, while their roles are distinct and complementary, there is no difference in the standing of men and women in Christ—they are all one in Him! ()

Therefore, there is no room for the Christian male to be a chauvinist, sexist, or minsogynst. The equality of his sisters in Christ is unquestioned, and any such abuse is a gross distortion of God’s design.

What do we do when culture insists that equality means we have to be able to do the same things in the same way, even in the church?

3. Nature testifies (v. 15)

a. Note: Contentious, envelope-pushing behavior on matters like these is antithetical to Christianity.

2. The Lord’s Supper (v. 17-34)

Disfunction in the celebration of the Lord’s table (v. 17-22)

There are fractions when there must be unity

There is self-seeking habits (eating before the poorer brethren have arrived)

—> This amounts to despising the church and shaming the poor!

The communion table is not an isolated meal between your soul and God, but a shared fellowship of the church

Go make amends with a brother/sister who you have grieved or feel agrieved by

>When asked if worshiping alone or with ones family is a worthy substitute for church, 58% agree, 30% disagree, with 12% undecided—astounding! Life Together

Do you consider the corporate communal nature of communion, or do you think little of your fellow believers when you take the Lord’s Supper?

Solemnity of the Lords table (v. 23-26)

What is the meaning/Significance of the Lord’s Table?

The continued celebration of the Lords Supper is nothing less than a proclamation of his death until his appearing

The meal is celebrated in remembrance of his selfless love, pouring himself out for us

Before the body of the Lord broken for us and his blood poured out for us, there can be no respect of persons, self-seeking factionalism, or lack of love for a brother or sister in Christ—behaviors that have no communion with Christ himself can have no union with Him at His table!

Therefore examine yourself! (v. 27-34)

Those who eat unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord!

Hebrews 10:26-

Hebrews 10:26–31 ESV

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

To partake of communion without examining oneself leaves one open to judgement

In what ways do you prepare your heart/examine you heart before communion? Do we take this solemnly enough?