Communion - 1 Cor. 11:17-34

Things done with the correct heart - Doing things for your spouse with the wrong attitude is worse than not doing the thing.

Introduction

This week I wanted to talk about communion (the Lord’s Supper)

This is something that when we practice it we are not to take it lightly or out of simple routine

We are to practice it with all seriousness and deep concern

Several Passages about the Lord’s Supper

Felt it would be good for us to look at this one in particular today

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Paul is rebuking and correcting the believers in Corinth regarding how they are practicing the Lord’s Supper

Verse 17 - This is for worse

1 Corinthians 11:17 ESV

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.

This matter is a serious matter - so serious that Paul tells them that when they come together it is for worse

In other words it would be better for them if they were to not come together at all!

It is better to not practice the sacrament than to do it incorrectly

Example: The time I changed the oil on my truck and damaged the oil pan

It would have been better for me to just not touch it.

Verse 18-22 - Divisions among the people

1 Corinthians 11:18–19 ESV

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.

Divisions in the church

God allowed this to happen so that those who were genuine believers would be clearly recognizable

They would be shown by their fruits

1 Corinthians 11:20–22 ESV

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.

These people were coming together and were getting drunk off of the supper

Others were overeating and others were not eating at all

Paul tells them that if they want to eat just go back home and eat something else!

For when they do these things they were humiliating others who had less and by extension the church!

We should not have divisions amongst ourselves either!

If you have an issue with another believer - do no partake!

The Lord’s supper is to be taken in unity!

Matthew 5:23–24 ESV

23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

This means we are to have Unity in all aspects of relationships of our lives:

Unity in our marriages

Unity amongst one another

Unity in the body as a whole

As members of one body of Christ we are to be united.

Christ’s body was not split or divided!

The Ordinance delivered (V. 23-26)

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

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.

False teaching of Transubstantiation

Belief that the elements literally transform into the body and blood of Christ when it enters your body.

This is clearly false for we know that Christ was being figurative

Also believes that there is a literal re-sacrifice of Christ that imparts forgiveness of sins - this is also not true for Christ has already payed for sins completely by his blood.

Spiritual Presence of Christ

The sacrament is indeed a memorial of Christ’s death - but there is also a spiritual presence of Christ with us.

It is indeed a memorial but Christ is indeed present with use spiritually as we remember Him

In Remembrance of Me

We do this in remembrance of Christ and His sacrifice for us.

As often as you do this you proclaim the Lord’s Death

When we partake in the Lord’s Supper - we proclaim His death!

When we do this we preach the gospel visually - similar to Baptism

Christ gave us this ordinance or sacrament for a purpose

Note: Sacrament just means “something Sacred”

For the purpose that we would remember Him and His sacrifice for us and by doing it we would proclaim it to others!

WE PROCLAIM IT!

Drinking Judgement on yourself (v.27-29)

1 Corinthians 11:27–29 ESV

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.

This is why it is so important that we take the Lord’s supper seriously!

We are called to take it with the right heart with the right intentions!

Conclusion

Come and grab the elements and then examine yourself

If you find that you can partake then take them

If you find that you are not in unity with this body of believers or are angry with a brother or sister in Christ then do not partake!