First Corinthians 11 Part 1 Will We Follow Jesus?

Doing all for the glory of God is our chief aim.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32)  Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33)  Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 

We move into chapter eleven today, but the first verse really connects with the last verses of chapter ten.

Paul is reminding us that whatever we do, it should be done for the glory of God. We should not do anything that offends a Jew, a Gentile or those in the church of God. 

Our goal is promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ and we must avoid doing or saying anything that impedes the progress of the gospel into our communities.

Follow the apostles because they followed hard after Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 

The words "Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ" properly closes Paul's position stated in the previous chapter. 

Paul preached a pure, apostolic doctrine for the church to receive and believe. He also lived according to the gospel that he preached, as a living example of a Christian life they ought to imitate. 

The Greek word translated "followers" is contained in the words mime and imitate. 

The dramatic conversion of a church persecuting Saul to Christ on the road to Damascus, resulted in a new life, a new calling and a new name for him.

He was commissioned by Jesus Christ to be an apostle. He began walking in newness of life with His Lord. His name was changed to Paul.

Paul never wavered or turned back from his faith. As we study his letters, the vibrancy of his faith is noteworthy and inspiring.

All of the things that Saul previously valued were renounced and abandoned by Paul the apostle of Christ. 

The idea of imitating Paul is conditioned upon the apostle remaining a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  

A pastor who seeks to guide his flock into the wonderful ways of God does it best when he leads them by his godly example.

Loving one another is putting others convictions and needs before ours.

Romans 15:1-3  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2)  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3)  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 

Paul encouraged the Christians at Rome to think along the same lines as the Corinthian Christians. 

When it comes to Christian liberty, though we may have liberty to do something, we will be forbearing with weaker Christians who do not have the same conviction that we do.

We will defer to them and not seek to please ourselves first.

The principle is that we love our neighbors by doing all things for their good and to build up their faith in Christ. 

The ultimate example in all of this is the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The curses and blasphemies of those who hated God fell upon Christ. 

He bore all their vile reproaches for our sakes.

Loving one another means loving others as Christ loves us. 

Ephesians 5:1-2  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2)  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

We must be followers of God as His dear, beloved children. We must walk in love toward others even as Christ loved us.

This is a spirit of self denial and self sacrifice for the sake of the gospel of Christ.

Following Christ's apostles means we are sensitive to the needs of others. 

Philippians 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

"Loving one another" as Christ commanded means we must put others feelings, needs and convictions before acting upon our own convictions. 

Follow Christ and be a good example to other Christians. 

1 Thessalonians 1:5-7  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7)  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  

Paul rejoiced in the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation to all who will believe it. 

Many believed at Philippi and the new converts became followers of Paul and Silas. Their testimony matched how they lived among the Thessalonians. 

In following Paul and Silas, who themselves followed hard after Christ, led to the Thessalonians being living examples of the gospel.

Have no hesitation about following Christ as He commands.

Matthew 4:18-22  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19)  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20)  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21)  And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22)  And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. 

Jesus called Simon and Peter and they both dropped what they were doing and followed Jesus. 

He called James and John and the immediately left their faith and followed Christ. 

Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Jesus teaches us that we must deny ourselves, our own agendas and passions and set them to the side, so that we are not hindered from following the Lord of Glory.

May we glorify God with our response to His Word.

May we be willing to deny self and follow Christ no matter the cost.

My we learn to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Bob