How the Lord's Supper Guides the Order of the Church

Introduction:

The way we order our lives will reflect the principles that have shaped our priorities. For some their priorities are shaped by the principle of fear. Because they are afraid of consequences, they will institute certain practices to avoid the problem.

For others their priorities are shaped by the principle of pleasure. Because they want maximum enjoyment at all times, they will view their priorities through that lens: “Is it going to be fun?”

Then, there are some principles that shape our behaviors and which have become so normal for us to live in such a way, that we don’t even realize that we are living by that principle. It just has become part of the process, and we don’t even realize it. These are what we call habits.

BAD HABITS ILLUSTRATION:

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Dear Abby

Dear Abby

Dear Abby: I am 44 and would like to meet a man my age with no bad habits.

Dear Rose: So would I.

Source unknown

GOOD HABITS ILLUSTRATION

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2531 Refusing $5 Million

2531 Refusing $5 Million

George Jones started as a clerk in a crockery store, where he was known as a bright, active, and honest young man. On account of his good habits, correct deportment, and affable manners, Henry J. Raymond, the great journalist, became interested in him, and together they started The New York Times.

Mr. Jones was an indefatigable worker, and his unswerving fidelity to duty and conspicuous honesty soon made him a power in the metropolis. When the Times was waging a crusade against the Tweed dynasty, he was approached with an offer of $500,000 for him to retire to Europe and live like a prince. “Yes,” said Jones, “and know myself for a rascal.”

But when it comes to Christ’s church, there were apparently some poor order that was identified in the church. NOTICE THE OPENING OF THE CHAPTER AND THE END OF THE CHAPTER. The Lord is dealing with order within the place of worship. When the community of believers have been changed by the gospel of Christ, it causes a certain order within the church; but when the message of the cross is treated casually and consistently believed, it leads to disorder or an reversion back to bad, unChrist-like behaviors that we had before we were saved.

For example:

Some of those unChrist-like practices could include a reversion back to unforgiveness. So, we accept forgiveness from Christ; but we are bitter towards each other. Another could be impurity or immorality. Thus, we accept the purity of Christ, but we revert back to impurity. Both of these examples are examples of living outside of the order of the Lord - as a gospel-professing community.

Here, in this passage, there is evident selfishness that is characterizing the gathering of believers. This passage is a reminder that as people who profess Christ:

(i) We are to be part of a community where we are accountable to each other

(ii) We are to be living out the gospel towards each other

(iii) There are many who think they are selfless but they really are not

Proposition:

Because you have received Christ, you are enabled and therefore commanded to live out His order in the church.

It is important to understand at the outset of this lesson that the gospel calls us to vet what we are giving according to what we’ve received of the Lord and NOT to listen to a message like this to see how everyone else is failing to give to me.

1. (v. 17 - 22) It is good to be graciously confronted if there is disorderly, economic division inside of the church.

The household of Chloe had apparently brought this report to Paul. It was a report that left Paul saying that it was worse for the church to come together than it was when they were apart (v. 17)

Why would Paul say this? (v. 18 - 19) They were coming together, but they were not really coming together. He calls the divisions “heresies” which means “factions.” In addition, what Paul knew about the people of Corinth seemed to give credibility to the report he’d received. The factions that were taking place in these gatherings revealed those who were genuine about the Lord and those who were not genuine in their faith in the Lord.

The confrontation ensues based upon the report Paul had received (v. 20 - 22). As was typical, the Lord’s Supper in the church family was partaken at the conclusion of a “love feast” or meal among the body. Paul tells them that what they are partaking of is NOT the Lord’s Supper.

Apparently, there was economic division that was being exploited when the church gathered. The rich and affluent would not only bring big, extravagant meals; but they would splurge in front of those who did not have. Paul implies that those who do this are actually “looking down” (despise) the church of God.

Principle:

It is disorderly, unChrist-like, shameful conduct when believers gather together and economic differences are exploited.

IOW: It is disorderly, unChrist-like to live opposite of the gospel when you are together at church.

Application:

Successful church attendance is not if you leave feeling full but if you leave having loved another individual who is not just like you (specifically in an economic manner).

This means that when you come to the place of worship, it is not a successful gathering if the only people you have spent time edifying are those in your click. This is disorderly conduct in the place of worship.

This means that as the gospel is the “good news” that God has come to us in Christ, when we were undeserving and underprivileged (economically, spiritually, socially, practically), we are to manifest the “good news” to others when we come together.

It is not orderly to always sit amongst the same people.

It is not orderly to bring resources purely for ourselves and those of our inner circle.

It is not orderly to always talk to the same people.

It is not orderly to just say HI to someone new during handshake time.

It is not orderly to just say HI to someone new during handshake time.

The Jesus we received did a lot more than just say “Hi”.

Quote:

There is a “critical difference between a mere religious or moral person, and a Christian. A Christian has more than an intellectual believe in Christ; they sense a personal relationship. And they know that this relationship is not given to them solely for their own personal comfort and joy. They know they have a responsibility to reveal Christ to others through what they are, do, and say.” - Keller [Galatians for You]

TRANSITION:

So, Paul, is there an account that we can look to that would show us what this order is supposed to look like?

2. (v. 23 - 26) The gracious, selfless example of Christ is the way the church should be ordered

Paul references back to what he had specifically received from the Lord. In , Paul reference the fact the he’d spent time in Arabia. It was there that Paul had received training from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul outlines the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Each detail is presented with the intention of showing the Corinthian believers what order in the gathering looked like. It was to look like this ultimate act of SELFLESSNESS as depicted by the Lord. Notice: (1) Christ was betrayed but He gave thanks (2) Christ personal broke the bread and gave it to others (3) Christ explained that it was his broken body and that it was broken for those he’d gathered with (4) Christ commanded them to gather together and do this in remembrance of him.

In like manner, Christ pointed to the blood of the New Covenant. Here the blood is important because of the necessity of it for the cleansing of sin. They are to SHEW THE LORD’S DEATH. This ordinance was to be accomplished among Christ’s followers.

Important word:

Notice the word “shew”. It means to declare, and is also translated as the word preach. Paul is telling the Corinthian believers that in the original Lord’s Supper, Christ is telling them to PREACH JESUS TO EACH OTHER BY PARTICIPATING IN THE LORD’S SUPPER IN THIS MANNER.

Principle:

The Lord’s Supper account shows the message that is to be preached among believers. It is the fundamental account that should guide the order of our gatherings.

Illustration:

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Fellowship in NT

Fellowship in the N. T. basically means sharing and self-sacrifice with other believers. As N. T. scholar J. R. McRay has noted, “Fellowship in the early church was not based on uniformity of thought and practice, except where limits of immorality or rejection of the confession of Christ were involved.”

Christianity Today, March 18, 1988, p. 3

Application:

So, ask yourself the question this morning, “Has my life shown this kind of selflessness to those in the body of Christ this morning?” “Is that the level of commitment that I have to the body?”

Transition:

Why is this so often not the message we are preaching to each other?

3. (v. 27 - 32) Because this grace amongst believers is so easy to miss, all must examine themselves

Paul sets a sobering warning to the Corinthian believers (v. 27). It’s important to note that Paul does not say they are “unworthy” but that they are doing something in an “unworthy manner.” In not only partaking of the meal in this way but also how they were divided - they were not reflecting the selfless sacrifice of Christ. They are guilty of making a mockery of the sacrifice of Christ.

BRIEF APPLICATION QUESTION: Have you ever considered that some who gather are actually mocking the sacrifice of Christ? Staying within your clique, not giving your body for the edification of those around you....all serve as a mockery of the sacrifice of Christ.

Paul urges the Corinthians believers to test themselves (v. 28). It seems quite easy for these believers to show up to the gathering and immediately go to their Sunday school and to their pew, and to fill up their bellies without any real consideration for what they are doing. In so doing, they are bringing the discipline of Christ upon themselves because they have not RECOGNIZED THE BODY OF CHRIST. (v. 29)

The ensuing verses (v. 30 - 32) point to the fact that God does discipline those who are his and living in this manner. In some cases, they are dead. This should not cause the Corinthian believers to fret because Paul has given to them a very practical test to see if they are believing and behaving unworthily.

Principle:

Refuse to be so spiritually arrogant that you don’t see this same kind of tendency in your own corporate gathering.

Application:

Your self-examination on the day you participate in the Lord’s table should be around how you have treated those in the body of Christ. Do you harbor bitterness towards anyone? Have you personally engaged the poorer believers in the body?

TODAY:

Do the behaviors you have exhibited today show that you have recognized the Lord’s body?

Do the behaviors you have exhibited today show that you have recognized the Lord’s body?

“When we find people to be unworthy of grace, we are believing and behaving in an unworthy manner.”

Transition:

So, having confronted them and having set forth the account of the Lord’s Supper, having urged them to self-test, what does this mean for the Corinthian believers?

4. (v. 33 - 34) Upon examination, believers should gracious practice this order towards each other in the church

These last couple of verses are simple and yet show the practical nature of what the Corinthians are admonished to do. They are to (1) Be considerate of each other (v. 33) and (2) to care for their own sensual appetites before they arrive with other believers (v. 34).

Concluding Application:

What are some reasons that we tend to not believe and live these principles out:

(1) For some, it’s hard for you to give away to people that sometimes we think are poor because they don’t work.

First, remember the context, these are believers in the body of Christ.

Second, remember that you should not falsely give yourself credit for the wealth you have.

Thirdly, the same body that was broken and blood that was shed was for both you and the poorer in the body of Christ

Fourthly, your work ethic is not what caused Christ to come for you.

Be humbled under the weight of the gospel this morning. This is an arrogant and self-exalting position. Ask the Lord’s forgiveness, repent, and behave differently towards those in the body.

(2) For some, our first thoughts are to protect ourselves and our children from those who look poor.

First, notice how inconsistent your judgment is with what Jesus did and commanded us to do.

Second, do you realize that your attitude is what should be protected against in the church.

Third, repent of this unChrist-like disorderliness

Fourth, find an intentional way to recognize the body of Christ.

(3) For some, our personal comfort is too great for us to give up.

(4) For others, you are willfully ignorant that you are the factious one.

To these final two categories, I find them to be the most manipulative and self-deceptive.

First, don’t trust your feelings about how you are doing.

Second, take the test. What test…?

Not the test of what people are saying about you...

Not the test of what you feel about yourself...

But the test:

Are you committed to people in the body of Christ?

Does the body of Christ know that you are committed?

What practical, gospel-like consideration have you accomplished today?

What person who is not the same political affiliation did you love today?

What individual who is not your school friend did you show gospel-love to today?

What teen who does not have the same economic status as you do, did you invite to sit beside you and love today?

What believing adult whose clothes look frumpy did you invite to sit with you or join you in your SS today?

Questions:

Will you be committed to preaching Christ to each other?

Are you willing to take the personal test this morning?

Having taken the test, would you identify and repent of sinfulness?

Would you commit to being sacrificially devoted to those who are not just like you?