What Happens to the Church When Christ is Not Center Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11

What Happens to the Church When Christ is Not Center

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11

 

The Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ

We, too, should say the same thing

We should also examine ourselves often

To make sure we are good examples of Christ

We are to be examples that lead others to Christ

From the first time introduction to Him and as examples daily

So what are you following and what is your life an example of?

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11

Where do your examples come from?

What is it you follow?

There is a common button on the internet “Follow”.

You can follow people, sports,

TV Shows, almost anything you want.

Have you ever clicked the follow button?

Or, maybe you are like me, I don’t click “Follow”

but I always go back to the same places.

It amazes me to see how good

many of our young people are at

repeating movie or actors’ lines.

I have watched many preachers prepare

their sermon around movies because

they know what people are following.

Paul in the earlier chapters of 1 Corinthians spends

a lot of time talking about the effects of our examples.

How our examples can affect the lives of others.

We can be free to do something

with a clear conscience before God,

but others may see it as a license to sin.

Some of us recognize we are leaders

and we are to set examples.

Husbands are to be an example to the wife.

The husband’s example is to like Christ.

The wife should see her husband

is an example of Christ.

Paul not being married says it this way…

Follow my example,

as I follow the example of Christ.

 

As much as it is our responsibility

to be a good example,  we do

not always model the best example.

Paul makes it clear.

 Whether we follow a Christian leader,

like the apostle Paul, or a godly husband…

The example we are looking for is Christ.

Jesus gave two words to those

who believe in Him…

 “Follow Me”

When we come to the Lord’s Table to

break bread, we need to realize each

broken piece represents Christ Jesus.

The Bread as a whole, Jesus said…

 "This is my body, which is for you;

do this in remembrance of me." 

It was clear that the Church at Corinth

was following Christ’s command to eat the

bread and drink the cup of the Lord’s Supper.

The problem was the way they were doing it…

 The example of the Church in Corinth

did not fully model Christ.

Paul draws our attention back to

the true example when he says…

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,…

Christ is the only example that is not flawed.

We are flawed examples, even the best of us.

It is important we never lose sight of Jesus even

when we are following God’s leaders in our lives.

Jesus is still the CENTER.

When we are flawed examples, we bring

harm to us and the people watching us.

God judges our examples.

Look at what it says about this… 

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord… That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

The Lord’s Supper is one of

two ordinance Jesus gave us.

The other is Baptism.

Both ordinances remind and

proclaim the Lord’s death for us.

The Lord’s Supper is to be taken often.

1 Corinthians 11:26   

The Lord’s Supper is meant to remind us of what

Christ has done for us and a time to examine yourself.

Christ not only died to save us from our sin unto

death, but to forgive us our daily trespasses, sins.

Each time we partake of the Lord’s Supper,

we should examine ourselves to see

if we are a pure example of Christ.

This is not just to make sure we are right with God,

 but that we are the right example of Christ to others.

So as Paul said…

   

Follow my example,

as I follow the example of Christ.

We, too, should say the same thing.

We should also examine ourselves often to

make sure we are good examples of Christ.

We are to be examples that

lead others to Christ.

From the first time introduction

to Him and as examples daily.

So what are you following and

what is your life an example of?

Scripture Reading

1 Corinthians 11 NIV

11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.

3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head — it is just as though her head were shaved. 6 If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice — nor do the churches of God.

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."  25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."  26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.