HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.  For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. (Psalm 95:1-3 NLT)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I CORINTHIANS: Order, Authority, and Accountability; "The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God!"

I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.(I Corinthians 11:2-3 NLT)

This particular subject causes a lot of controversy among believers, and also causes a lot of unbelievers not to want to accept Christianity. Why? Because this subject deals with order, authority and accountability. Order is the arrangement or disposition of people or things in relation to each other according to a particular sequence, pattern, or method. Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. Accountability is the fact or condition of being responsible; liable to being called to account; answerable.

We have to go back to the beginning to put this in perspective.  In the beginning God created... (Genesis 1:1) God is the "head"! “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth,... for in Him we live and move and have our being,... ‘For we are also His offspring.’ " (Acts 17:24, 28) Next, Then God said, “Let Us... (Genesis 1:26)  "Us" refers to God and His Son, Lord God, the Christ! This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,... (Genesis 2:4)  God "created" the blueprint, and Lord God the Son "made" everything as God the Father desired, therefore God is the "head" of Christ! "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand." (John 3:35)

Of all the things that God the Father created and Lord God the Son made, man and woman were the only things God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;... So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:26-27) And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

Man was formed first, so the "head" of man is Lord God, Christ!  Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:18, 21-23) Woman was made from man, so the "head" of the woman is man!

This system of order is throughout creation, businesses, governments and it should be followed in every Christian home and church.  "Head" deals with order, authority and accountability.  In business, there's usually a president, vice president, manager, staff workers.  In government, there's usually a president, vice president, representatives, constituents.  In the Christian home, there's usually a father, mother, children, maybe pets (Genesis 1:26-31)  Well, in the church, there's usually a pastor, teachers, saints, which refers to all of us who are saved, whether male or female.

Why the distinction between men and women, if God created women to be a helper comparable to man?  The key is, as the KJV states, women were created as a "help meet".  Women were not created to be dominated or subservient, for God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion..." (Genesis 1:28)  Both were given the same responsibilities, but each had separate duties. In God's "order", Adam had "authority", because the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17)  But after Eve believed the lies of the devil, and then convinced Adam to do the same, Adam was held "accountable", because the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” ... Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:9, 11)

Regardless of what happens in a relationship, God holds the man accountable.  You cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying; so He does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. “For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”(Malachi 2:13-16)

That's why God says,  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27) Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. (Colossians 3:19) ...dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (I Peter 3:7)

No woman should have a problem with the man being the "head" in their relationship, if he is a man that will love his wife, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.  That's why women should be very careful who we choose to marry.  As Paul stated in a previous lesson, But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. ...how she may please her husband. (I Corinthians 7:32:34) If we are unmarried, Christ is the "head" of us.

It is good for a man not to touch a woman [or a woman a man].  Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. (I Corinthians 7:1-2)  If we get married, make sure Christ is the "head" of the man, because now the man is the "head" between the woman and Christ.  In God's system of "order", He has given man that "authority" and "accountability".  The woman now becomes the "help meet" to the man.  A "help meet" is not weak, but a weaker vessel, meaning she doesn't control the ship, but she does help to guide it, similar to a tugboat that tows or pushes a large barge.

Women are not to be "virtual" wives, fake and without feelings or opinions or input; but we are to be "virtuous" wives.  Who can find a virtuous  wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. ... (Proverbs 31:10-31)

I CORINTHIANS: Don't Participate in Idolatry of Any Kind; Unbelievers, "they sacrifice to demons and not to God"!

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. (I Corinthians 10:16-17)

In the previous study, Paul concluded by saying, Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. (I Corinthians 10:14-15)  Idolatry is the worship of a physical object as a god; a blind or excessive devotion to something.  God's first of the ten commandments is, “I am the Lord your God,..." “You shall have no other gods before Me." "For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,..." (Exodus 20:2-3, 5; Deuteronomy 5:6-7, 9)

Paul started this lesson by explaining that when we participate in the communion, we are participating in a worship service that replicates our union with Christ.  Jesus had explained it this way: Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53-58)

Jesus was not telling the disciples or us to eat his actual flesh and drink his actual blood, which He demonstrated during the first communion supper. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19; Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22) Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:23-25; Luke 22:20)

When we partake of the communion, eat the bread and drink the wine from the cup, we are doing it in remembrance of Christ death for the remission of our sins.  Therefore we have to be mindful and careful what other kind of worship services we participate in.  Paul went on to explain, Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? (I Corinthians 10:18-22)

Paul was explaining that we can't participate in any and every kind of worship service, because all forms of religious worship aren't necessarily to God.  Paul again, as in the previous lesson, used Israel's history as an example.  Moses specifically explained what they did, which Paul compared to what the non-believing Gentiles do: "Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock [Christ] of his salvation. They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; With abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know,  to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear. Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, And have forgotten the God who fathered you." (Deuteronomy 32:15-18)

But God is a merciful God, and He offers forgiveness and restoration after we repent from our sins and acknowledge Him as the One and True Living God, even to the Gentiles.  “For the Lord will judge His people and have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power is gone, and there is no one remaining, bond or free. He will say: ‘Where are their gods, the rock in which they sought refuge? Who ate the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise and help you, and be your refuge. Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people.” (Deuteronomy 32:36-39, 43)

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness. [Psalm 24:1] If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness. [Psalm 24:1]” (I Corinthians 10:23-28)

We who are Christians have the freedom to do whatever we want.  However, All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.  Paul was specifically writing to the church in Corinth, and Corinth was a very immoral society, which practiced all kinds of religious rituals to hundreds of false gods.  It was very possible for a convert to Christianity in that society to go to the market place to buy food and end up buying food that was offered to idols.  Paul said in a previous message, Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. ...for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. (I Corinthians 8:4, 8)

It's almost like the old motto, "don't ask, don't tell".  But Paul went on to say that if the Christian had a meal with a non-believer, and if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake.  “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? (I Corinthians 10:29-30)  Paul was saying that even though we as Christians know food is just food, and as long as we partake with thanks, we're fine with God, because “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness."

But our witness for Christ is never to cause someone else to stumble.  But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. (I Corinthians 8:9)  We established in a previous lesson, "Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)  And the answer is, Yes we are!  We shouldn't participate in the idol worship of the world because of the world's conscience, not our own.  Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:16-17)

No matter what we do or who we're around, we should always represent Christ in such a way, ...that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:11)  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (I Corinthians 10:31-33) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1)  Our goal should always be to lead others to Christ, and not just satisfy our personal desires! To God be the Glory! AMEN

I CORINTHIANS: God's Chosen People, Our Example; "All these things happened to them as examples!"

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud [Exodus 13:17-22], all passed through the sea [Exodus 14], all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; all ate the same spiritual food [Exodus 16], and all drank the same spiritual drink [Exodus 17:1-7]. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. (I Corinthians 10:1-5)

What a miraculous existence!  God had promised Abraham, Isaac and Israel (a.k.a. Jacob) that He would bless their descendants, "blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies." (Genesis 22:7)  And He fulfilled that promise and prophecy just as He said. He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed, For the fear of them had fallen upon them. He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy promise, And Abraham His servant. He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations, That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 105:37-45)

God did all of this for the children of Israel, mainly for two reasons: 1. because He promised their forefathers He would; “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19) And 2. because He had chosen them to demonstrate His existence and power through, as an example to ALL people; “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

All the children of Israel had to do to remain in peace and harmony with God was to obey Him.  “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them. [Deuteronomy 7:12-26; 8; 10:12-22]" (Deuteronomy 7:9-11)  God even had His Son, Lord God with them the whole time they were traveling through the wilderness, that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. From the very beginning, Christ was, and just as He told the woman at the well, "...whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)

But how did the children of Israel treat the blessings and commandments of God? Moses recounted, “Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord. Also in Horeb you provoked the Lord to wrath, so that the Lord was angry enough with you to have destroyed you. Furthermore the Lord spoke to me, saying, ‘I have seen this people, and indeed they are a stiff-necked people. Let Me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.’(Deuteronomy 9:7-8, 13-14)

“Thus I prostrated myself before the Lord; forty days and forty nights I kept prostrating myself, because the Lord had said He would destroy you. Therefore I prayed to the Lord, and said: ‘O Lord God, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look on the stubbornness of this people, or on their wickedness or their sin, lest the land from which You brought us should say, “Because the Lord was not able to bring them to the land which He promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.” Yet they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your outstretched arm.’ (Deuteronomy 9:15-29)

God spared the nation of Israel, But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”[Exodus 32] Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell [Numbers 25]; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents [Numbers 21:1-9]; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. [Numbers 16] (I Corinthians 10:6-10)

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (I Corinthians 10:11) ...knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11)  We would be wise to learn from Israel's example, and obey God now why we can.  God will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

That's why Paul spent so much time in the previous lessons instructing the church in Corinth, and all of us who profess to be Christians, that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. (Acts 15:29)  Just as He did for the children of Israel, God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure.  Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which He command you, and observe them.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. (I Corinthians 10:12-15) With the help of God's Holy Spirit inside of us, we can learn from Israel's example and overcome the temptations of this world! AMEN!

I CORINTHIANS: Leading Others to Christ Jesus; " I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to lead some to salvation!"

How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!  If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News. (I Corinthians 9:16-18 NLT)

In the previous lesson, Paul explained to the church in Corinth that they were not to listen to anyone who questioned his authority as an apostle, For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. (I Corinthians 9:2) And as a leader in the church, he and all leaders, If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? (I Corinthians 9:11-12)  But even though they as leaders had that right, Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. (I Corinthians 9:12) He concluded by saying, Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! (I Corinthians 9:15-16 NLT)

Let this be a warning to all leaders and all people under another's teaching.  Leaders, make sure we are called by God to teach the word; and those of us under another's teaching, make sure that person's teaching lines up with the Word of God.  If we are Christians, we are filled with God's Holy Spirit, and He has given us the spirit of discernment.  Learn, but study at the same time, and God will reveal to us if the teaching we are receiving is His ordained Word or not.  As for the leaders, Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. ... Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (I Timothy 2:14-19)

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. (I Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT)

We who profess to be Christians have to take evangelism seriously, and seek out opportunities to lead others to Christ.  I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.  We know we can't "save" anyone, but we can lead them to salvation, saving faith in Christ Jesus.  But in order to do that, we have to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.  Each of us can evangelize in some way to someone.  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (I Timothy 4:16) “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15) In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. (I Peter 3:1-2 NLT)

These are just some examples of different ways we can evangelize and lead others to Christ Jesus.  We find common ground with everyone, but not with the intention of leaving them where they are, but always with the hope of leading them to something better.  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)  Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (I Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT)

Finally, another important lesson we all can benefit from.  We have to be totally committed to God and spreading His Word, leading others to Christ Jesus.  We do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.  But in order to do what God has called us to do, we have to discipline our body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.  We Christians should be the most disciplined in our lifestyles and behaviors, because “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

We don't want to  preach to others, then we ourselves might be disqualified. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16) Blessed is the man who endures...; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

I CORINTHIANS: How the Church Should Treat Its Leaders, and How Leaders Should Respond; “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain!"

Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. (I Corinthians 9:1-2 NLT)

Obviously ...concerning the things of which you wrote to me: (I Corinthians 7:1) The church in Corinth must have had a questions regarding Paul's authority as an apostle. Remember, Jewish religious leaders kept following Paul wherever he went starting new churches to try and convince the new converts that he could not be an apostle, because ...all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. (Acts 9:21, 23)

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city [Antioch], raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. (Acts 13:45, 50) Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there [Derbe]; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (Acts 14:19)  But regardless of the opposition the Jewish religious leaders tried to create against Paul's authority and teaching, Paul reminds the church in Corinth that the fact that they even exist is a testament to his authority; You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. 

This is my answer to those who question my authority: Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals? Don’t we have the right to bring a Christian wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves? (I Corinthians 9:3-6 NLT) Paul moves on to explain that he and Barnabas were no different than the other apostles.  When the other apostles traveled teaching the gospel they who had wives brought them with them, and they were welcomed into believers homes, to live in your homes and share your meals.  Paul is stating that he and Barnabas should have been treated that same way even though they weren't married; but instead they were expected to work to support ourselves.

Paul was making it clear that he and Barnabas were already working, had been teaching the gospel and starting churches.  Their pay should have been that the people help provide for their needs.  What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.”[Deuteronomy 25:4] Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest. (I Corinthians 9:7-10 NLT)

Paul refers to the Mosaic law to prove his point.  “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow." (Deuteronomy 24:19-21) “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." (Deuteronomy 25:4)

The point is all of us who have should share the extra we have with others, especially those who are sincerely doing the work of God - ...apostles, ...prophets, ...evangelists, ...pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12); or those who are really trying to help themselves and better their situation - like the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. The perfect example of this is Boaz towards Ruth.  Ruth the Moabitess [a widow] said to Naomi [her mother-in-law], “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. ... Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” ... Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” ... So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.” (Ruth 2:2-7)

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.” So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner [stranger]?” And Boaz answered and said to her, “ ...The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” (Ruth 2:8-12)

Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back. And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied. (Ruth 2:13-18)

We as Christians should have no problem helping to take care of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. But back to the context of what Paul was saying, he explained it this way to Timothy: Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (I Timothy 5:17-18) And as an apostle of God, Paul was saying those wages the church in Corinth should have been willing to give him and Barnabas was to live in your homes and share your meals, just like the apostles who were married and traveled with their  Christian wives received.

Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ. (I Corinthians 8:11-12 NLT)  Paul says that even though he and Barnabas should have received the same treatment as the married apostles because they were doing the same work, planted spiritual seed among you, they didn't let that stop them from doing what God had called them to do.  Even thought they had the right as an apostle to be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine, they would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.

We must make mention here that a lot of ministers today expect to be counted worthy of double honor, without having done the labor in the word and doctrine.  That is an awful testamony to the life and doctrine of Christ Jesus.  So many leaders of so-called churches are living lavish lifestyles on the tithes and offerings of their members, instead of using that money the way God intended, which is to take care of their needs, not wants, the needs of the church and then the needs of the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)  But instead of doing this, many of today's leaders are doing what Jesus convicted the Jewish religious leaders and lawyers of doing.  And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers." (Luke 11:46)

A leader should do the work first and then trust that The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God.  But even if the Lord doesn't repay with the material and physical extras, then just as Paul said, rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.  But as for us who are a part of the body of the church, Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. (I Corinthians 9:13-16 NLT)

I CORINTHIANS: Should I or Shouldn't I? "You must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble!"

Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. (I Corinthians 8:1-3 NLT)

So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. (I Corinthians 8:4-6 NLT)

Before we go any further, we all have to make sure that we believe this with our whole being.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) There is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him! There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life!  "He said: ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.'" (Deuteronomy 5:4,7; Exodus 20:1,3)  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) 

If we aren't sure that we believe there is only one God, and that His Son, Christ Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with Him, nothing else we believe or do matters.  This Truth has to be rooted and grounded in our hearts!  However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do. (I Corinthians 8:7-8 NLT)

We must keep in mind while studying this letter to the church in Corinth that the Christians there are mostly Gentiles, and their former religious customs were idolatry.  Paul made that observation when he was in Athens. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth,... "(Acts 17:16, 22-24)

For any of the Gentiles to accept Christianity is a miracle of God, but they, just as we do today, still had former ways of thinking and believing that they had to overcome.  In their mind, Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.  Most of us know that ...God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good; (Genesis 1:31)  That Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them; (I Corinthians 6:13) That ...He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. (Romans 14:6)

But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. (I Corinthians 8:9-12 NLT)

In other words, "Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)  Yes we are!  We have to learn to love one another more than being right, for it is love that strengthens the church.  Freedom doesn't mean being able to do whatever we want; freedom means not being forced to do what everyone else does.  The believer with a weaker conscience would eat the meat offered to idols, and their weak consciences are violated; but they don't want to feel left out, so they do it anyway.  They don't operate in the full freedom that we have in Christ Jesus.  The believer with your “superior knowledge” would eat the meat offered to idols and not worry about it, because we don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (I Corinthians 6:12) This is True Freedom! So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble. (I Corinthians 8:13 NLT)

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)  Notice the commandments emphasize first our love for God and then our love for others, not ourselves.  We are to love others as we love ourselves. 

The freedom Christians have is to sacrifice the temporary satisfaction of what we want for the long term benefit of others.  That is True Love!  Yes, we can eat whatever we want, and for that matter we can do whatever we want.  BUT, we are our brother's keeper!  “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me [those with a weaker conscience] to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.  Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” (Mark 9:42, 49-50) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) And don't cause them to stumble!