In Remembrance

Intro:

The People

1 Corinthians 11:17–18 ESV

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. 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,

1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV

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.

Paul begins with the people who participate in the Ordinances.

His phrase is “when you come together.”

He is addressing a church, the church at Corinth

Both of the ordinances were given by Jesus to the church.

The people of the Ordinances are believers.

Believers who have gathered as a church.

Neither ordinance is meant for a single Christian

I can’t decide to have the Lord’s Supper at home, I wouldn’t be “coming together”

I can’t baptize on my own authority, the church authorizes that.

The Point

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

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, 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.” 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Paul reminds them of the purpose of the Lord’s Supper

The ordinances were both for the same purpose.

Proclaim Christ.

Look at

1 Cor 11:26

1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Baptism is the same:

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

The ordinances are a symbolic display of Christ’s atoning sacrifice and its application to us in cleansing our sin.

We observe the Lord’s Supper to remember Jesus and what He did for us.

In other words, the ordinances are the gospel

They point to His physical incarnation, sacrificial death, resurrection, and coming Kingdom.

The Preparation

1 Cor 11:19-22, 28-34

1 Corinthians 11:19–22 ESV

for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 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.

1 Corinthians 11:28–34 ESV

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

Unworthy Participation

The early church practiced fellowships.

Worship often occured at a meal

Acts 2:46 ESV

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

They called these “love feasts” which usually ended in observing the Lord’s Supper

Much like Jesus last meal recorded in Scripture at which He began the Lord’s Supper.

The worldly church at Corinth had turned these sacred meals into gluttonous, drunken parties.

To make matters worse, the wealthy brought plenty for themselves, but instead of sharing, they partied and allowed the poor believers to depart hungry.

They were divided, fussing, fighting, and partying while excluding others.

Paul challenged them for their unworthy participation

ritualistically

indifference

Unrepentant heart

bitterness

etc.

Discipline

God was disciplining them for the ungodliness

They were ill

They even had some die!

1 Corinthians 11:27 ESV

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.

Unworthy/guilty

partaking of the LS while clinging to one’s sin dishonors the celebration, but even worse, it dishonors and shows indifference to the Lord Himself

Paul’s advise to remedy this:

1 Cor 11:32, 34

1 Corinthians 11:32 ESV

But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

1 Corinthians 11:34 ESV

if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

Examine self and church

Look at Motives

Why are you observing the LS?

Why as a church are we doing this?

Look at Actions

Are we living out our faith

Are we living in a way which glorifies God

Repent

If the examination reveals flaws.... REPENT!

Conclusion:

Let us do, what Paul here advises:

First we, will wait on each other.

use this time to search for and repent of any sin you are harboring.

Now Let us Remember and Proclaim the Lord’s death and the atonement made possible through it.