1 Corinthians 10:18-22 

¹⁸ Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? ¹⁹ Do I mean then that food sacrificed 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?

Once a month

         In this church, we celebrate The Lord’s Supper once a month; every first Sunday of the month specifically. The Lord’s Supper is ordinance from Christ for us to remember him, his life, his death, his resurrection and his coming again.

We practice Open Communion. This means that believers who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, who are not members of this church, just yet, are welcomed to actively participate by receiving the Bread and the Cup.

The Bread represents the crucified body of Christ. Whenever we eat the Bread, we believe that the Lord took and crucified with Christ all our sins—past, present and future sins. And the Cup represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Whenever we drink the Cup, we proclaim that the shed blood of Jesus washed our sins away so that in Christ we become perfect and flawless before God.

         Together, let us seriously reflect on the last dinner of Jesus Christ with his disciples before he was crucified in Matthew 26:26-28, ²⁶Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” ²⁷Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

         How should we explain to a child the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ? Life is more precious than material things. Christ sacrificed his precious life for us to have eternal life. And, we trust that Christ truly cares also for our practical needs, and not just our spiritual needs. The cross reminds us that Jesus Christ endured gruesome torture and painful crucifixion just to save us from eternal hell. We trust that he provides practical things for us to live godly life as we wait for his return.

         Let’s reflect on what King David testified in Psalm 65:1-4, ¹Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. ²You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. ³When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. ⁴Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

         By the grace of God and through faith, we believe that God sent his Son Jesus Christ to be crucified and punished for our sake. Now, ever since you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, had there been changes in your life? What practical change would you testify that your life has been transformed?

King David depended on the Lord whatever concern he had in life. He was very quick to give praise to the Lord and acknowledged that God provided for his needs abundantly. He also personally sensed forgiveness of their transgressions.

Praise of God is instantaneous response to the transformational work of Christ.

Praising God should not be forced; we do not pretend praising God. When the Holy Spirit fills us with joy, we sing songs of praises to God for the many great things he has done for us. How often do you praise God for his blessings?

The Lord has revealed in the Scripture how we may receive his blessings. His commands include blessing to obedient believers. If we obey his instructions, we receive his blessings. And because godly commands require godly efforts, we have to pray and ask his Holy Spirit to inspire obey him practically and diligently.

Most of the commands of God are not specific, so we need the Holy Spirit to interpret for us. Let’s reflect on what Jesus Christ declared in John 14:26:

²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you

Make no mistake. To practically interpret the word of God according to his purposes for us personally is not easy, unless the Holy Spirit empowers us.

Some Israelites rebelled against God because they cannot internalize his commands. God punished the rebellious Israelites, but he blessed the people of Israel who obeyed his commands. Seriously reflect and consider that reality.

1.  Consider

¹⁸Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? ¹⁹Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? ²⁰No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 

         Again, be reminded that God is a jealous God. Believers are required to worship God only. God decreed punishment for idolatry. To prioritize anything ahead of God is idolatry; anything that causes us to disregard the Lord is an idol. Anything that causes us to commit sin is an idol. Idols cannot change life. Idols have no power. And food sacrificed to idols have no significance at all.

         So, if idols cannot do anything, why does God hates anything we prioritize before him? God wants us to be sensible and wise in our behavior and choices. It is sensible and wise to prioritize God. God our Creator gave us life and provision. In contrast, idols cannot give life and have no power. It’s foolish to prioritize idols.

Behavior practically proves the transformational work of Christ in us. Our behavior at home, church, school or workplace should reflect transformation in us. Prayerfully ask God to help you behave and choose practical thing according to his preferences. Be aware that human instinct is not very pleasant to the Lord.

So, if our behavior and choices are patterned to any ordinary person in the neighborhood, how can others see the difference of being a Christian?

         God despises and hates anything that may take his sovereignty, power and control in our life. And why does God want to control our life? God is love; he wants us to experience his grace and love for us. We should diligently obey him.

So, when we prioritize other things, does it imply that we insult, belittle, reject and look down at the mighty power of the Lord, his grace and love for us? Certainly, it implies we have not completely trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord, just yet.

The biblical record, how the Lord punished the rebellious Israelites, serves as warning that God has already decreed punishment for disobedience to him. Consistent obedience is what the Lord requires, and not just onetime obedience.

Devoted Things

The Israelites who entered the Promised Land were obedient to the Lord in the wilderness. Before they conquered Jericho, it warned in Joshua 6:17-19, ¹⁷The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord… ¹⁸Keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. ¹⁹All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.

         Clearly, they were warned! Everything in Jericho was devoted to the Lord. They were warned to keep away from devoted things because by taking any of the devoted things, it brings trouble to the camp of Israel. But one of the Israelite soldiers named Achan was tempted and disregarded the warning of destruction.

After prayerfully investigated who ignored the warning, Achan was found guilty. And he admitted his mistake in Joshua 7:20-21, ²⁰Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: ²¹When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, 200 shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

         Achan was punished for his sin including his family, livestock; everything he owns were burned and covered with stone. Why? When he disregarded the warning, Achan took things devoted to the Lord. He brought trouble to the camp of Israel, how? When the Israelites tried to conquer the next city of Ai, they failed. The Israelites were defeated by the soldiers of Ai. Actually, 36 Israelites died.

         The Israelites were chosen as precious possession of God. He blessed those who obeyed and punished those who disregard him. As children of God, we should be sensible and wise to follow his commands. He blesses obedience. The Lord is our top priority. Other important things cannot be our top priority.

2.  Cannot

²¹You 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. 

         What is the cup of the Lord? It is the cup we drink during Lord’s Supper. What is the cup of demons? It’s festival made in honor of idols or demons.

Genuine Christians cannot participate in the Lord’s Supper and participate also in festivals made to honor idols or demons. During celebration of the Lord’s Supper, it reminds us of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. What else? We are also reminded of our mandate to proclaim his death until he comes.

Idols and demons did not die for the forgiveness of our sins. Actually, they entice us to turn our back and rebel against God our Creator who gave us life.

It’s impossible for genuine Christian to be part of both God and demons.

We cannot be part of God and simultaneously be part of demons.

We must resist demonic practices for us to be faithful to the Lord. But we cannot be faithful to the Lord either, if we do not give up demonic practices.

So, how can we resist the devil for us to be devoted to the Lord faithfully?

It admonishes us in Ephesians 5:15-20, ¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Like Father Like Son

         Christians are children of God and be filled with his Holy Spirit frequently.

Many children like to follow the footsteps of their father. If their father is a fisherman, his son may wish to go fishing. If their father is a preacher, his son may soon become preacher. And if their father is a drunkard, his son may become drunkard like his father. My father was a drunkard. I became drunkard like my father. My life as drunkard was very regrettable. I had no purpose in life.

         I practically proved the transformational power of Christ in my life when I prayerfully asked, “Lord, please remove my craving for bad vices!” He granted my prayer and helped me abide in him. Christ transformed my life for betterment.

         Drunkenness produces unpleasant consequences. In comparison, to be filled with the Holy Spirit results to joyful gratitude of the heart to praise God. Let us reflect on Ephesians 5:8-10, ⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, ⁹for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 

         Here’s a challenge for everyone. Spend time and reflect on your life. What is your priority? Do you prioritize the Lord? Worship leaders come to worship very early on Sundays. Does it practically prove that they prioritize the Lord? Well that’s a very good start of prioritizing the Lord, but pray for consistency. The Lord blesses faithful consistency, and don’t try to provoke or challenge his jealousy.

3.  Challenge

²² Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Most probably, some attendees in the church in Corinth were still confused how they should behave as Christian. Some of them attended festivals of idols. Apostle Paul challenged their intellectuality and explained that it is impossible to partake in the Lord Supper and also attend festivals dedicated to demons.

God is jealous God. Did you know that God does not like any other gods beside him? It is but proper for us to prioritize God, if we truly believe God as our Creator. If we claim that we believe God, we cannot deceive ourselves. Attitude, behavior and choices practically show if God is our top priority or just not yet.

         King David testified in Psalm 84:10-12, ¹⁰Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. ¹¹For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. ¹²Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Travel

         Every summer in Canada, most privileged Christians travel for pleasure and leisure. Sadly, there are even Christian churches in Winnipeg that will close their buildings in summer because church attendees have travelled abroad.

An older pastor had been successful practically and spiritually. He advised younger pastors: “Take you vacation!” That is very appealing advice, right?

But what does the Scripture teach about vacation, particularly for pastors?

Apostle Paul travelled to different cities, but he was busy planting church. There’s no record if he had vacation for leisure. From time to time, Jesus Christ went to solitary place and prayed, but no record that he had vacation for a month. It’s not recorded if King David had ever gone abroad for pleasure. But certainly, he testified that it’s better for him to be in the temple court than somewhere else.

         Have you ever sensed in your life if attending worship service is better than being somewhere else? If you’ve sensed it and actually prefer to attend worship rather being somewhere, you’ve reached the spiritual maturity of King David.

In the church of Corinth, there was division among them because many of them did not prioritize the Lord. Some followed Apollos; others were devoted to Cephas. Still, others say that they followed Paul; another group followed Christ.

         Apollos, Peter, Paul or any other leader did not die for us. No pleasure or leisure in this world can save us from eternal torture. We must prioritize Christ as our Lord and Savior and pray for inspiration of his Holy Spirit because we cannot do it on our own effort. As we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded that Christ died for us to be saved from eternal torture. What is our priority obligation as Christians? We proclaim the gospel of Christ until he comes again.

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