Weekly Sermon Reflection Questions

READ | SERMON NOTES (Sermon notes and recording available after 03 Oct 2023.) PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Today’s sermon looks at the first 2 of 3 issues in corporate worship – 1) head covering, 2) holy communion, 3) use of spiritual gifts. Use of spiritual gifts will be covered in later sermons.

Worship is about honoring God, and the focus of worship should rightly be on Him.

The eating of meat sacrificed to idols was contentious in the Corinthian church. While such meat could be consumed if its origin was unknown, the apostle Paul absolutely forbade the consumption of such meat in the context of an idolatrous worship in a pagan temple.

The experience of failing is a wake-up call and Paul also warned the Corinthian church of their presumption and demanded their exclusivity. 

In 1 Cor 8, Paul addressed the issue of whether meat that has been offered to idols can be eaten in temples, at home or at social events. Was it even permissible for Christians to purchase them even though it would be difficult to identify the source of meat that had been sacrificed to idols? Would rituals taint food? What about more overtly religious rites in temples? Ch 8-10 introduced the concept of laying down our rights for the sake of love and unity.

Laying down our rights is an anathema to the world. We think we are entitled to have everything our own way. However, it becomes problematic when it leads to an inability to see beyond our own needs. Paul shares valuable insights on how to lay down our rights for the sake of the Gospel.

Joyfully freed in Christ and eagerly anticipating His return will determine how accountably we live for God, whether married or single. 

Right after Paul talks about sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6, he moves on to address another issue faced by the church in Corinth, namely marriage and singlehood. There appeared to be two extreme views on sexuality: one being that sex was simply a bodily appetite that needed to be met while the other was a denial of sexual needs. Right after Paul talks about sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6, he moves on to address another issue faced by the church in Corinth, namely marriage and singlehood. There appeared to be two extreme views on sexuality: one being that sex was simply a bodily appetite that needed to be met while the other was a denial of sexual needs. In this chapter, Paul mediates between these extremes as he discusses marriage and singleness…