Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

·         */ /*

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.