Sermon Tone Analysis

The Lord’s Supper

Over the years it has been my intention to focus on the original observance of the Lord’s Supper.

Too often we get caught up in minutia that is not important and it draws our mind way from the real importance of what we are observing.

I have heard folks get stirred up and upset over so many things.

Most do not matter.

Anything that takes your focus off the meaning of the Lords Supper, Understanding why we do it simply does not matter.

Honestly arguing over the arrangement of the table, whether or not our depictions of the first one are correct doesn’t matter.

Discussions on whether they had wine or grape juice doesnt matter.

Where the upper room was doesnt matter.

What matters is it happened and Jesus told us to remember this until he comes.

I usually use the passage that Paul gave us in 1st Corinthians as we begin to share.

I usually just stop at verse 26 because there are those who get too absorbed in this idea of being unworthy.

But this morning I want to delve into what Paul wrote, and why Paul wrote it.

There is a push in pastoral education that causes some people some real grief.

A push towards contextualization of the scripture.

The real purpose of contextualization is to look at the context of the scripture.

The real purpose of this is to look at the historical, cultural, and literary context of a passage.

When you do this then you can take something from the first century and understand how that first century event applies to today.

For some this means that you twist a passage and make it fit into their agenda.

For most it means a search for meaning.

Let me give you an easy example.

In

At first glance Jesus tell you you must hate your family.

But if you take the time to study, you find out that is an idiom.

Websters says “an idiom a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words”

A modern example is it is raining cat’s and dog’s.If you do not understand the history there are phrases you won’t get.

Cultural context is also important.

When you read about the church in Corinth, if you might believe those who tell you at the time of Paul Corinth was this horrible sin city.

Yet if you do the research you will find that Corinth was literally leveled long before.In Pauls time the Romans had rebuilt it and while corruption was creeping it’s way back into the city it was not as horrible as some have said.

I am saying all of this as we being to look at the Lord’s Supper this morning because We are going to look carefully at what Paul wrote and why this morning.

Wit that take your bibles and turn with me to

Why was Paul writing this?

Days when they celebrated the Lords Supper, were marked by a feast together.

They would gather together with the idea of sharing a meal together.

Yet some would come early and bring a lot.

Some would go just to eat and gorge themselves.

They did not plan to share.

They would in essence come and show who was the most important.

Look how much I brought.

Look how I waited for the poor people.

I am so special.

Some go hungry and some get drunk.

Paul is scolding them not just hear but back in chapter 10.

In the first part of chapter ten Paul writes about the Israelites and Moses.

God was taking care of them, but even as he was the were not serving him.

Even as God was with them as a pillar of fire and cloud, they still practiced idolatry.

These folks you would think be examples for us to follow God clearly, to obey what Christ has told us.

But we still do stupid stuff.

We get mad at someone who doesn't dress like we do.

I remember the movie Kevin Can Wait in college.

It was about a guy called into ministry.

But he wasn’t sure what.

So he asked God for help.

So God sends him an angel to help him see.

When the angel is around he is always kind.

When Sunday came he was always dressed in the best, coat an tie.

He greeted everyone.

In comes Kevin.

He worked a gas station so he came from work.

Still in work clothes so he could make it to church.

The angel told him he needed to get to know Kevin.

As long as the angel was around he did.

But no angel no kevin.

Then the angel told him I will be gone for a bit.

I will see you in a while.

Keveon called him and needed help.

Jim didnt have the time.

The angel called and he dropped everything.

So the angel tested him as different people.

Kevin in the meantime had his appendix burst and went to the hospital because Jim was so consumed ith himself.

It is the very thin Paul writes about here

Pay attention.

When Paul writes

it is right after he warns if you think you standing be careful.

Basically he says don’t be overconfident thinking you will never fall, and do not just decide what is the use I am going to sin lets get it over with and move on.

He tells us to think of one another in

That same sentiment is all through Pauls writing Romans 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:19-33; 10:33; 13:5; 2 Corinthians 12:14, Philippians 2:4, 5, 21

This whole concept of putting others first is not new.

It shouldn’t be a new experience for a believer.

The idea that we are to love and support one another is clearly established in Acts so why then is it still a problem here.

Quite simply because mankind is involved.

Sadly our natural instinct is to look out for number one.

One phrase and action you never have to teach a child is mine.

You have to teach them to share.

We have to learn, it is not all about me.

There are time as a pastor that it seems like no one is listening to you.

There are times you feel like why am I even here.

John Calvin would get frustrated that he could clearly preach the Gospel and some would come and others would not do a thing.

Jeff Iorg wrote a book called the painful side of leadership.

He talks about those times when the sheep, the church you are trying to shepherd just doesn’t listen.

He doesn’t say in the book if it happens, he says when.

This last month a pastor - well loved by his church in California committed suicide.

We do not really know the complete whys.

Men leave the ministry every day because they feel like they are preaching to people who do not want to change and grow.

is a mantra of sorts.

Remembering and focusing on all you do is for the glory of God.

All we do not just as pastors but a church needs to reflect that.

Paul wants to make it as clear as possible- if you come for the Lords Supper- it needs to be about God.

In verse 27 he gives some warnings.

Lets look at what this means.