Upholding God's Design in Worship and Community

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the importance of understanding and adhering to God's design for our gatherings, as outlined in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. The central theme revolves around the idea that when we allow cultural influences to infiltrate our worship, we risk corrupting the divine order God has established. This is particularly evident in the context of head coverings, which, in the Corinthian church, had become a symbol of status and self-glorification rather than a sign of submission and respect for God's order.

Paul's message to the Corinthians was not merely about the physical act of wearing head coverings but about the heart posture behind it. The men and women in Corinth were allowing cultural symbols of status and rebellion to overshadow the purpose of their gathering, which was to glorify God. By focusing on their own status and freedoms, they were missing the point of worship and community.

We delved into the cultural context of Corinth, where societal norms and movements, such as the "new women" movement, were challenging traditional roles and values. Paul addressed these issues by pointing back to God's creation order, emphasizing that men and women, though different in roles, are equal in value and are both created in God's image. This divine order is meant to reflect God's glory and maintain harmony within the church.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of examining our own dispositions when we come to worship. Are we seeking to elevate ourselves, or are we truly there to glorify God? Our possessions, positions, and personal preferences should not become distractions that take away from the worship of God. Instead, we should strive to maintain the purity of our gatherings by keeping Christ at the center and considering others above ourselves.

Ultimately, the call is to affirm God's design for creation, leadership, and submission, recognizing that these are not burdens but blessings that lead to a more profound experience of God's presence and glory in our lives and communities.

Key Takeaways:

- Cultural Influence vs. Divine Order: It's crucial to recognize when cultural influences begin to overshadow God's design for our gatherings. In Corinth, head coverings became a status symbol rather than a sign of respect for God's order. We must be vigilant in ensuring that our worship remains focused on glorifying God, not ourselves. [13:59]

- Heart Posture in Worship: The physical act of worship, such as wearing head coverings, is less important than the heart posture behind it. Are we coming to church to elevate ourselves or to glorify God? Our focus should be on God, not on our status or possessions. [13:59]

- Understanding God's Design: God's creation order, where men and women have different roles but equal value, is meant to reflect His glory. By adhering to this design, we maintain harmony and honor God in our gatherings. [13:59]

- Examining Our Dispositions: We must examine our motives when we come to worship. Are we seeking to glorify God or ourselves? Our possessions and positions should not become distractions that take away from the worship of God. [13:59]

- Affirming Leadership and Submission: Biblical headship and submission are not about domination but about partnership and glorifying God together. By embracing these roles, we reflect God's design and experience His presence more profoundly. [13:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Prayer
- [01:45] - Teaching the Rules of the Road
- [03:20] - Cultural Lenses and God's Word
- [05:00] - Corinthian Context and Head Coverings
- [07:15] - Cultural Symbols and Status
- [09:00] - Heart Posture in Worship
- [11:30] - God's Design for Creation
- [13:00] - Examining Our Dispositions
- [14:45] - Leadership and Submission
- [16:30] - Gender Roles and Equality
- [18:00] - Maintaining Purity in Worship
- [19:30] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 11:2-16

#### Observation Questions
1. What cultural influences were affecting the Corinthian church's gatherings, as mentioned in the sermon? [13:59]
2. How did Paul address the issue of head coverings in the Corinthian church, and what was the underlying heart issue he was concerned about? [13:59]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the roles of men and women in God's creation order? [13:59]
4. How did the cultural context of Corinth, including movements like the "new women" movement, challenge traditional roles and values? [13:59]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the significance of head coverings in the context of the Corinthian church, and what does it reveal about the heart posture in worship? [13:59]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that cultural symbols can overshadow the purpose of worship and community? [13:59]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of biblical headship and submission, and how is it different from cultural perceptions of domination? [13:59]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of examining our motives when we come to worship? [13:59]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own worship practices. Are there cultural influences or personal preferences that might be overshadowing your focus on glorifying God? How can you address these distractions? [13:59]
2. Consider your heart posture when you come to church. Are you seeking to elevate yourself or to glorify God? What changes can you make to ensure your focus remains on God? [13:59]
3. How do you perceive the roles of men and women in your church community? Are there ways you can better affirm God's design for creation, leadership, and submission in your interactions? [13:59]
4. Examine your motives for attending church gatherings. Are you more focused on your status or possessions than on worshiping God? How can you shift your focus to maintain the purity of your gatherings? [13:59]
5. In what ways can you affirm and embrace biblical headship and submission in your relationships, recognizing them as blessings rather than burdens? [13:59]
6. Think about a time when you allowed cultural symbols or status to influence your behavior in a church setting. How can you ensure that Christ remains at the center of your worship? [13:59]
7. Identify one specific way you can consider others above yourself in your church community this week. How can this action reflect God's glory and maintain harmony within the church? [13:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Cultural Influence vs. Divine Order
When cultural influences infiltrate our worship, they can overshadow God's divine order. In the Corinthian church, head coverings became a status symbol rather than a sign of respect for God's order. This serves as a reminder to be vigilant in ensuring that our worship remains focused on glorifying God, not ourselves. The challenge is to discern when cultural norms begin to take precedence over spiritual truths, and to realign our focus on God's design for our gatherings. [13:59]

1 Corinthians 11:3-4 (ESV): "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head."

Reflection: What cultural influences in your life might be overshadowing your focus on God during worship? How can you actively refocus your heart and mind on glorifying Him?


Day 2: Heart Posture in Worship
The physical act of worship is less important than the heart posture behind it. In Corinth, the act of wearing head coverings was overshadowed by the focus on personal status and possessions. The true purpose of worship is to glorify God, not to elevate ourselves. This calls for a self-examination of our motives when we come to worship, ensuring that our focus remains on God rather than on our own status or possessions. [13:59]

Matthew 15:8-9 (ESV): "‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’"

Reflection: When you come to worship, are you more focused on how you appear to others or on glorifying God? What steps can you take to ensure your heart is in the right place?


Day 3: Understanding God's Design
God's creation order, where men and women have different roles but equal value, is meant to reflect His glory. By adhering to this design, we maintain harmony and honor God in our gatherings. This understanding challenges us to embrace our God-given roles and to see them as a reflection of His divine order, rather than as limitations. [13:59]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: How do you view the roles God has given you in your life? Are there areas where you struggle to see them as a reflection of His glory?


Day 4: Examining Our Dispositions
We must examine our motives when we come to worship. Are we seeking to glorify God or ourselves? Our possessions and positions should not become distractions that take away from the worship of God. This calls for a conscious effort to keep Christ at the center of our gatherings and to consider others above ourselves, ensuring that our worship remains pure and focused on God. [13:59]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: What personal ambitions or possessions might be distracting you from fully worshiping God? How can you shift your focus to prioritize Him and others in your worship?


Day 5: Affirming Leadership and Submission
Biblical headship and submission are not about domination but about partnership and glorifying God together. By embracing these roles, we reflect God's design and experience His presence more profoundly. This understanding invites us to see leadership and submission as blessings that lead to a deeper experience of God's presence and glory in our lives and communities. [13:59]

Ephesians 5:21-23 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior."

Reflection: How do you view the concepts of leadership and submission in your relationships? In what ways can you embrace these roles to reflect God's design and experience His presence more deeply?

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Transcript
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