Get Your Fill!

Psalm 116:13-19 / 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,”

Problems in Corinth

Division

1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

… I am of Paul / I am of Apollos

1 Corinthians 3:3 “for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”

1 Corinthians 11:19 “for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.”

Seeking division instead of peace may be evidence of unregenerate members. At a minimum it is saved people acting like they’re not.

Partiality

James 2:8-10 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

Gluttony

Bread - Some gaining their fill at the expense of others

Wine - drunkeness is a particular type of gluttony

Note that it was the way the substance was used, not the element itself that Paul corrected

What is the difference between drunkeness and gluttony? Baptist preachers still preach against drunkeness.

God has provided immense variety in flavors, textures, and appearance for us to enjoy. More foundational than that, god has provided enough food and drink for the sustenance and flourishing of mankind. At risk of sounding political, let me make an intentionally spiritual statement:

We need to view food and drink as Holy provision and blessing. That will dictate our attitudes, uses, and choices greatly. Gluttony of any sort is sin.

Commandment #3

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

1 Corinthians 11:29 “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.”

Consequences in Corinth

Cursing instead of Blessing

Personal, Familial, Ecclesiastical

Further Division instead of Unity

1 Corinthians 10:17 “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”

Paul said to partake of the table of demons was to commune with them. To partake of the Lord’s Table, is to commune with Him, and we do it together as one body!

In Baptism, God says this is my child. In the supper, God says we are a family.

...or secondarily, but also true and important:

In Baptism, we individually say we are saved and commit to living so. In the supper we say we collectively believe and belong together in this family in Christ.

Disease and Death

1 Corinthians 11:30 “That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.”

Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5

Acts 5:4–5 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.”

Acts 5:9–10 “But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”

So let us today, and every time

Come to this Meal to show the Lord’s death until He comes.

Come to this Meal seeking sustained and greater unity.

Come to this Meal as equals.

Come to this Meal seeking to be filled spiritually.

Come to this Meal for Christ and His Church.