God, Hats, and Long Hair

1 Corinthians 11.2-16

In this chapter Paul lays down the law and declares that all women in the church must cover their heads, that all men must uncover their heads, that women should have long hair, and men should have short hair. Paul was quite insistent upon these things. It was a big deal.

Are we messing up today?

I don't think so.

In the first century women never went out in public with their heads uncovered. It was considered immodest. In fact, it was the mark of a prostitute to go hatless. Paul was concerned with the reputation of Christian women, that they would not appear to be involved in things that were evil. So he ordered all the women to wear hats.

In that culture hat wearing was a sign of respect for God for women, while taking off your hat was a sign of respect for for for men. And long hair for women was considered a kind of head covering, while short hair for men was considered a kind of head uncovering. Respect, again, was the issue, as well as modesty.

We don't worry too much today about what people wear on their heads or how long their hair is. But three principles remain:

1. We are called to respect God

2. We are called to dress modestly

3. We are called to live in a way that does not harm our witness.

Related scriptures: 1 Timothy 2.9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4.11-12, Acts 2.46-47

Dumb Bunnies

1 Corinthians 10.1-13

Do you remember the Aesop fable, "The Tortoise and the Hare?" In it the slow but steady turtle upsets the much faster rabbit in a race. Despite huge advantages the rabbit suffers a crushing defeat because he is overconfident and distracted by things like play and sleep.

The Corinthians were losing their race as well. Despite having started strong in the faith and having the blessing of God they were now distracted and overconfident and in danger of losing a reward that never should have been in doubt.

So Paul gives them a bit of a history lesson and warns them not to be like their forefathers. He reminds them that the early Israelites had incredible advantages: the Red Sea parting, manna provided for breakfast, miraculous water, and direction by a cloud. But they, like the dumb bunny of Aesop's fable, eventually became distracted by sin and overconfident in their relationship to God. They grumbled, they tested God, they worshipped idols, and they got involved in sexual immorality. So, God punished them, and many never made it to the Promised Land.

It's a sobering fact: people with great advantages sometimes fail.

This can happen today as well.

1 Scores of famous preachers and Christian artists have gotten distracted and had highly publicized moral failures

2. Many strong Christian teenagers get distracted and overconfident when they go off to college and leave the faith

3. Many church attendees start strong and serve Christ, only to disappear from church when tempting hobbies or activities distract them.

4. Many veteran church members lose their edge over time, begin to auto-pilot their faith, and never really regain their fire and intensity for Christ.

Paul warns those of us who think we stand to be careful lest we fall.

Are you pursuing God with great fire and intensity? Or are you napping and playing and coasting? Paul would urge you: "Be careful! Don't be a dumb bunny!"

Additional scriptures: Exodus 32, Numbers 25.1-2, Numbers 21.4-9

Spiritual Training

1 Corinthians 9.24-27

The world came to ancient Corinth every other year for an athletic extravaganza known as the Isthmian games. Athletes from around the globe descended upon the city to compete in sprints, distance races, discus, wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and even music and poetry reading. This was a really big deal. These games were every bit as important in their culture as the Super Bowl is to ours.

Everyone wanted to win. So the runners endured strict training measures with special diets and rigorous physical workouts. Boxers pounded away at each other to toughen themselves up. They practiced. They put in long hours in the gym. They sacrificed the pleasures of life. All to win the race.

The winners received a crown of honor made out of celery leaves. Special songs were written in their honor. Their statues were sculpted and displayed in prominent places. They received big financial stipends. In was exceedingly good to be an Isthmian Games winner!

In the passage today Paul says that life is like a race. And life is a race we want to win. We want to receive the crown of life at the end of our days. When we die we want Jesus to say "Well done good and faithful servant!"

And if we are to win that race we will need to commit ourselves to rigorous training.

How can we train? Let me make some suggestions:

1. Train by committing to worship every Sunday

2. Train by reading your Bible daily

3. Train by praying every day

4. Train by giving generously

5. Train by listening for God's whispers and saying yes

6. Train by helping anyone who comes your way

7. Train by sharing your faith whenever you get the opportunity

8. Train by committing to a small group

Don't be spiritually flabby. Create a training plan that will produce a well muscled spiritual life.

What is your training plan?

Other passages: 1 Timothy 4.7-8, Titus 2.4-5, 2 Timothy 2.5, 2 Timothy 4.8, James 1.12, 1 Peter 5.4, Revelation 2.10