I Corinthians 10:14-22
“One Loaf”
Sermon by
Mark A. Horne
If you follow Golf any, you most likely know that the Ryder Cup is being played this weekend. My wife will tell you, I get more excited about watching this event than any other - even more than watching the Masters. And the reason I enjoy this event so much is because it brings golfers together, who play on an individual basis week in and week out, so they can play as a team. Men who rely only on their personal ability and a caddie every day to win has to rely on a partner in order for their country to win a trophy. Men who play every weekend for a substantial amount of money – now play only for the sake of the game and pride. Emotions run high because something significant takes place in the course of the week. Individual’s who play as individuals almost every day of their life turn into a unit. They turn into a team. They become as one – a body of men who play an individual role but so the body itself, the team, can win.
This morning, as we study our passage, we will see Paul talking about such actions within the church. Yet Paul’s discussion with the Corinthians deals with an issue that we all have to deal with – that of idolatry. Some of us have this particular sin under control more that others – but I dare say it still exists among the controlled. And Paul sets this discussion around something we all are familiar with, the Lord’s Supper. The Sacrament that we partake of as one body, he uses as an example for the Corinthians and for us to keep our hearts guarded so we will not be idolatrous.
I believe Paul sets before us three points we need to take heed of in our Christian walk:
1. we are Christ’s invited guests when we come to the Lord’s Table
2. idol worship is idol worship, no matter how you view the action
3. God’s jealousy is something we need not test.
We are Christ’s invited guests when we come to the Lord’s table. Verses 14 through 17 explains what Paul’s intention was for his church in this passage. In fact verse 14 makes that clear in and of itself. There needs not be any explanation for this verse. Paul hits you square in the eyes with the statement. He tells us – flee from idolatry. But notice the tone the passage seems to have taken versus other passages. In many of our previous studies we have been able to sense that Paul is angry, or agitated, or tense to say the least. But here Paul begins his thought with “dear friends…” It is as if he is taking a pause to reassure them that he is not so bent out of shape with their conduct that he has lost interest in the relationship he has with them. I think this is a crucial turn the Holy Spirit has made in Paul’s heart when writing this part of the letter. For what Paul is about to discuss with them in that of having dinner with other people – and not just any old dinner – but a feast that remembers what Christ did for them. Paul tells them, “My dear friends, flee from idolatry…” because it is the most heinous sin one can commit as it does nothing but slaps God in the face. It is a sin that tells God to his face that He is nothing more than crutch in a time of need.
Then Paul continues with his endearing bid to his church. He explains to them that they are “sensible people.” Notice that he did not say wise like they think they are. But Paul realizes that these people in Corinth have reason ad judgement. And so do we. God has given us the abilities to make rash decisions about what goes on around us. Paul appeals to that freedom with what he is about to tell them. If they want so badly to think about what is allowable and if he is really an apostle or not – then they should be able to think what he about to tell him through and come up with a sound conclusion.
Verse 16 and 17 begin his argument. He explains to the Corinthian Church some of what really happens when the Lord’s Supper takes place. We will look more closely at the Lord’s Supper when we get to chapter 11 in a few weeks. However Paul, appealing to man’s ability to reason and think, asks two questions. Is not the Lord’s Supper a sacred rite where we profess that we actually do hold communion with Christ? When we hold communion with Christ we show to everyone how significant the Lord’s Supper is in our lives. It is an extremely religious meal. And looking back to chapter 8, it would seem extremely unsophisticated to think that one could participate in an idol feast and not be involved with idolatry in some sort of way.
You may think that we don’t have that sort of culture to get wrapped up in like the Corinthian’s did. But I think we do. No, we don’t have temples to go and eat meat from as Corinth had; but we do have all of the stadiums and arenas where our idols play before us. And we feast there and we participate with friends. And we go to our favorite shops and restaurants and get the things we want most, instead of the things we think will make us better Christians. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that life should be somber and all we should be is uptight. But what I am challenging you to think about, like Paul challenged Corinth, is what do you place as most important in your life? Do you place things and games before God? I hope you don’t, because that is not how our Savior treats us as His covenant people. He places before us His meal, his sacrament as his personally invited guest. And we all come to the table as one body in Him.
That brings us to our second point; idol worship is idol worship, no matter how you look at it. Paul confirms this using Israel’s example. It was only those people who were admitted to eat of the offerings that were allowed to partake of the sacrifice itself. It was through this sacrifice that that the people actually participated in worship. It is Christ’s sacrifice that we come to partake of. It is only those who are called by him that are allowed to partake of this sacred meal. It is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are allowed to participate in the true worship of God. Because of these things, we can never think that doing something “in place” or “other than” is acceptable to God. Our Father will never overlook our desire for something over what His Son did for us.
Idolatry is like adultery. The same attitude of covenant disloyalty lies behind both sins.
We can’t feast with idolaters on their sacrifices. We can’t set the things God has given us to love and enjoy equal to or above our love and enjoyment for Him. An idol was and still is nothing. What we sacrifice to get or obtain our idol isn’t anything either. The only Something is Christ. He is the One we live for. He is the one we die for. He is the one we glorify and enjoy forever. If we do anything else then we are eating with the devil. We feast with demons. We renounce what has been graciously offered to us. We can never have communion with Christ and communion with demons at the same time. It is the work of the Prince of Darkness that people get carried away with placing things before worshiping God. There has to be a decision Paul says. One cannot maintain both. One has to be renounced. You cannot worship both God and man. It is because of this that we must seriously look at our sins before we eat and drink at the Lord’s table.
Finally, we must remember that God’s jealousy is something that we need not test. God does not hide the reason He want’s us to only remain faithful to Him. In Exodus 20:5, right after the commandment not to have idols, He says, “…for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me….” God does not play around with those who think nothing of Him. He does not show mercy to anyone who thinks His grace is not sufficient enough to sustain him or her.
Our God is a jealous God. But remember the jealousy does not stem from envy like ours sometimes is. But it stems from wanting to keep something pure like our jealousy should be. Jealousy is an attribute God has. It is a description of His divine nature. By His nature, He deserves and demands exclusive worship and allegiance. He desires our love for Him only. He desires for us to love Him for Christ’s sacrifice. Therefore, God’s jealousy is one aspect of His love for us. God has exclusive love for those He calls His own and he demands the same from them.
Those who have fellowship, or worship other idols provoke Him to jealousy. A violation of His nature has taken place. The intensity of His love for His children shows through. Paul asks the question, “are we stronger than HE?” This is a valid question after asking ourselves if what we are doing or worshiping an idol. Because, for one to think that he or she can worship something other than God and not falter in life is sadly mistaken. Those who think nothing of God must seriously consider if they are stronger than He is. It is very dangerous to provoke God’s anger. If we do then we have to deal with His power.
I want to close by turning to Deuteronomy 13:1-5. In this chapter you will find that idolatry was a capital crime in the Old Testament. But also we will find eloquence in why we worship only one God.
You see, when we follow after idol worship evil is in our hearts. We must constantly be in prayer for keeping our hearts guarded and loving God with all of our heart and soul.
Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, Help us this day to seek you and only you. Keep watch over us Dear Father. Do not let our hearts be drawn to what is evil. Help us to remember that we are in communion with Christ as children. For we do not want your wrath upon us. We only want your love. These things we pray in Your Name, Amen.