1Corinthians 11_17-34
Secular:
By both instruction and example we believe that Christ initiated two Ordinances.
We see both demonstrated throughout the NT.
Last Supper, Upper Room, closest friends and followers, disciples.
The Lord’s Table is the moment of clarification… the defining moment when the true nature of his sacrifice is spelled out. In close company… In historic terms…
Passover – Celebrating the redemption of God’s people
- freedom from 400 years of enslavement
- angel of death passed over the homes of those whose lintels and doorposts were smeared with lamb’s blood
n We are often disappointed and annoyed with those who hammer at the letter of a document or law and forget the underlying Spirit… the true meaning
n We gather as a church not celebrate ourselves…but to celebrate Christ
n Not to sing our favourite hymn or chorus… but to sing out praise to God… to express our love
n We come not to be seen taking the bread and cup… because it is what we are supposed to do
n We are here celebrating the Lords Table… because it is right… because Christ commanded it….
n We need to come with right motives…
n Listen to Paul’s Words…
Biblical:
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.
18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes 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 praise you for this? Certainly not! 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
Personal:
- Motive – wrong motive… just sense of duty
n Pharisee… do it to the letter
- Right – motive
n Obedient follower…
n Love
n Recognition
n Join as a body
Bridge:
As we celebrate:
Look at the the
Perversion of the Lord’s Table
Purpose of the Lord’s Table
Preparation of the Lord’s Table
Body:
1) The Perversion of the Lord’s Table
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes 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 praise you for this? Certainly not!
· No praise…
i. Self-interested church ekklesia
1. not a building
2. A family, gathering, body
ii. Divisions (no focus)
iii. PRIDE in God’s approval (demonstrating)
· Around the table
i. not putting others first
ii. In appropriate use of the elements
1. feasting / drunkenness
2. NO MAGIC IN THEIR CONSUMPTION
3. NO REWARD FOR OVER CONSUMPTION
· Eat at home… physical feeding… meeting personal selfish-goals
· Or in putting “YOU” first do despise God’s church… elevate personal goals and desires…
· Communion… coming together… humbly before God
· Is Paul going to praise them for selfish feeding… self centred faith or faith practices?
· What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
· God first… then others… lastly ourselves
· Is that how we come to the table…
· Recognizing our Saviour is not a personal triumph… but personal surrender
i. To the mission of Christ
ii. To the Father of Christ
iii. To the people of Christ
iv. To the people who need Christ!!
· 1 Cor 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
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The Perversion of The Lord’s Table is failing to act in accordance with our faith…. Acting as our Saviour would as we partake in his Communion Meal.
2) The Purpose of the Lord’s Table
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
· “Diamond dropped on a muddy road”
· In the midst of harsh rebuke of worldly, carnal, selfish and insensitive attitudes and behaviours…
· For I received from the Lord: Not Paul’s version, Not Doug’s version, Not SBC version… Jesus’ teaching… his institution of a vital church ordinance that continues to reflect of the sacrifice of love by merciful almighty God and Saviour
· Probably a pre-gospel writing… for the original audience this maybe there first ‘inspired’ account of the First Lord’s Supper…
· No Gospel or Pauline details on the Passover Meal…. But focus on the ‘new’ meal…
· Passover Explanation!!
· Bread represents the ‘whole’ person of Christ
i. Whole mysterious incarnation
· “For you”… amazing!
· Lamb’s blood… the cup… Passover angel of death
· Heb 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
· From the Red Sea and Exodus
· To The Cross and Salvation
· The purpose of the Lord’s Table is to acknowledge the great love of our Saviour, to acknowledge the immeasurable sacrifice, to acknowledge the healing of our brokenss in the Redeemer King
· The Purpose of the Lord’s Table is to obediently remember Our Lord Jesus Christ… and his unconditional love for his people… sharing and celebrating in unity of Spirit..
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3) The Preparation for the Lord’s Table
27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
** Trample the Flag
· Examine your heart…
i. Unity of believers
ii. Right before God
iii. Right with their brothers and sisters
· We could never draw close to our Holy and Awesome God when we were lost in sin…
· People burst into flames when their heart, their motive are not in sync with God!!
· When we approach the table… we are approaching presence of God… we are drawing near to Lamb of God… it is where we meet God in our obedience…
· Draw into the light of Christ and make clear your motives!!
· Heb 6: 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
· When we identify and fail… because we haven’t examined our hearts… we crucify Christ all over again!!
· If we judge ourselves rightly… act appropriately… 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
· Wait for one another… wait on one another
· Demonstrate the love of your Svaiour
· Wave the Flag boldly….
· Lift our Saviour high
· Celebrate the greatest event… the event with the most incredible impact in human history!!
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Conclusion:
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