1 Corinthians: Church's Worship

The Word of the Cross is 

the basis for Church's worship

text: 1 Corinthians 10 – 14

Outline:
Introduction: 10:1-14, Wilderness example for our instruction.

Part I: Lord's Supper

A. 10:15-22, Cup of blessing and Bread of breaking

  B. 10:23-32, Private dinner

  B'. 11:1-16, Private apparel

A'. 11:17-32, Eating of the Bread and drinking of the Cup.

Conclusion 1: 11:33-34, when you come together...

Part II: Spiritual gifts:

A. 12:1-11, Spiritual gifts

  B. 12:12-31, usage gifts in the Church

  B.' 13:1-13, Love of Christ as the foundation for the gifts

A'. 14:1-25, Usage of two particular gifts: tongues and prophecy

Conclusion 2: 14:26-40, when you come together...

Comments: St. Paul begins with examples of Wilderness experience. He starts with Crossing of the Red Sea. Then he follows up with reminding them of idolatry by the Golden Calf (v. 7 – Exodus 32:6). And concludes with the reference to the Bronze Serpent incident (Numbers 21:4-9). All of these happened to them – it is a historic reality. At the same time, the apostle uses these examples to show how we should interpret the Scriptures seeing the past as a lesson for our growth.

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup

When we eat this bread and drink this cup

[Newsletter article for April 2026]

Dear brothers and sisters!

We begin this month with the Paschal Triduum. An observance of the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday through Easter Vigil to the Resurrection Day. All three of these dates and events are intertwine with each other and can not be separated by a simple dissection. We could not celebrate Easter unless Jesus came through the pangs of death on the Cross. At the same time, He wouldn't be on the Cross if Judas stayed in the Upper Room when the Savior instituted the Lord's Supper. The history is a clothing of the world events made without seams...

Advent Readings: Luke 22

Luke 22

This is a famous chapter for the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus sits with His disciples; He knows it is the last night they can spend together before His “hour.” Most likely, they prepared a Passover seder and within the ceremony He takes the bread and redirects the attention from the past into the future. Exodus is still important for Him, apostles, and all believers, but Jesus builds up on the past and commands them to do it in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19).

The volumes and countless papers were written on the Holy Communion: the Words of Institution, the historical setting, Passover roots etc. What I want to point out is the fact that taking part in the Last Supper did not magically preserve the disciples from the fall. First, they begin to argue who is the greatest (Luke 22:24-27). Just think about it – Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave to them, everyone of them (Judas included, cp. John 13:12-30). Yet, devil trod the path into their hearts… I don’t know, did they compare the pieces or what… Somehow, they did not accept Godly equality, they wanted to build the structural pyramid.

It gets even better – Jesus warns Peter, whom He calls Simon, like in the very beginning of their relationships. And one would hope that Simon would be cautious and thankful. No way: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). And we know how it ends for him (Luke 22:54-62).

That’s why we do not believe in magic of Holy Communion – we confess the mystery of His presence in our life in, with, and under the Bread and the Wine. It’s not our acceptance makes it great, His forgiving presence leads to transformation. Being forgiven and restored after the Resurrection (John 21:15-19), St. Peter did endure both the prison and the death. Focusing on Jesus, and not on himself, the apostle was able to make great miracles, preach great sermons, and turn many to the Lord.