Holy Scriptures August 11 2021

St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 10:12-22

Brethren, let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. 

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. I speak as to sensible men: judge for yourselves what I say. 

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion in the body of Christ? 

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 

Consider Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 

What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. 

I do not want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of the demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of the demons. 

Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Matthew 16:20-24

At that time, Jesus strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 

And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.” 

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”