1 Corinthians 11:17-34
17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
“Behold our God, in whom we hope and we rejoice in our salvation, that he may grand rest to this home.”
Tucked away in the heart of Thessaloniki, closer to the mountains. This Acts of the Disciples House Church is debated to be 4th, 5th or 6th Century A.D. It is removed from the center of Thessalonike, the Church of Hosios David was not converted to a mosque immediately after the Turks conquered the area, as the Turks converted all the best churches, and best locations first.
The original architecture of the Church of Hosios David was constructed in a cross pattern with squares as the main shape of the floor plan. The structure contained square bays in the corners and then the bays all connected to the main cross room via hallways. The bays also connected to the outside.
The early Churches felt Communion was a meal. Just as Christ had the Last Supper. And just like John 21, this Chapter shows - they had trouble being - not people.
The roof on Osios David has had many, many changes. Sometimes it has been very, very wavy and worn out red tiles. Another season had green clay tiles. For a time Osios David was covered with intense shade by a steel structure we use a lot in Texas. The looks dwarfed the building and held the fragile and very, very curvacious from the elements. And actually, what we call the steel structures - Barns and sometimes Shopping Centers.
I'm happy to report the front porch of Osios David is frequently used for the Church Family to do things like hold - children's birthday parties on Sunday afternoons or any 'ol time.
In fact this 1,600 year old Church tells us of seasons of Change.
About the infancy of the Church in 390 A.D.
Thessaloniki's location was a revolt against the emperor Theodosius I and his Gothic mercenaries. Botheric, their general killed in an uprising triggered by the imprisoning of a favorite local charioteer 7,000 - 15,000 of the citizens were massacred – an act which earned Theodosius a temporary excommunication.
A quiet interlude followed until repeated barbarian invasions after the fall of the Roman Empire, while a catastrophic earthquake severely damaged the city in 620, resulting in the destruction of the Roman Forum and several other public buildings. Thessaloniki came under attack from Slavs in the 7th century (most notably in 617 and 676–678); however, they failed to capture the city. Byzantine brothers Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius were born in Thessaloniki and it was Byzantine Emperor Michael III who encouraged them to visit the northern regions as missionaries where they adopted the South Slavonic speech as the basis for the Old Church Slavonic language. In the 9th century, the Byzantines decided to move the market for Bulgarian goods from Constantinople to Thessaloniki. In 904, Saracens, led by Leo of Tripoli, managed to seize the city and after a ten-day depredation, left after having freed 4,000 Muslim prisoners while capturing 60 ships, and gaining a large loot and 22,000 slaves, mostly young people.
Following these events, the city recovered and the gradual restoration of Byzantine power during the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries brought peace to the area. As the population of the city expanded, according to Benjamin of Tudela, a Jewish community of some 500-strong was also established in the 12th century. During that time the city came to host the fair of Saint Demetrius every October, which was held just outside the city walls and lasted six days.
Amazing the 1,600 year old Church survives.
Then, again, considering that Empires usually begin with anhilation - surprising - The Church honoring Jesus Christ continues.
How does the Church continue. The Word of God. What is the Law of God? The 10 Commandments? The Moses first 5 books of the Bible - The Pentateuch? Jesus told us He came to fulfill God's Law.
Matthew 5
17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Jesus went on to say that when we put God first, in Love, and ourselves with our neighbor we are close to the Kingdom of God. And, and, and Jesus said:
18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Jesus has caused the world to survive plagues - mankind was willing to have hospitals as 1/3 of the world - vanished. Men died to bring forth the Word of God in other languages. The Mongols are reportedly 1 of every 6 people today due to war and rape. They ended when Christian women married these amazingly awful people. The Word and Will of God have gone FAR.
And to what will we compare this?
Love. And the desire to put down self glory and rise up in Jesus.
Acts of the Apostles - Chapter One
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
When a man loves the Lord, even his enemies are at Peace with Him. The Light of Christ Shines.
Matthew 5
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Abba,
Even in the photos we can taste and see the goodness of the Lord Jesus.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Blessed be You, Father God, for giving us Jesus.
We lift up our prayers to You, in confidence and approach the very Throne of God. Knowing with gratitude we lift up those we love, good health, the people You have given us and the days to come. Lifting up healing ears, allergies, and say we want our souls to feed our mind, body and will in Jesus the Lord.
Amen for ourselves in Jesus, for the communion of saint, living here and in Heaven's Home. Amen and Glory to God for His Goodness.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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