The Lord's Supper
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This morning we are continuing our study of 1 Corinthians. The passage we are looking at this morning is 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
The topic Paul is addressing in this passage is the Lord’s Supper. Though Paul is addressing many topics in this letter to the Corinthians, there is a common thread which really ties this book together. As I studied this week, I was impressed how Paul’s topic behind the surface is continuing to flow from the previous chapters through this one.
The theme I see running through all of these chapters is this: 1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
As we read through this passage, see if you don’t see this thread weaving through this whole topic, as it has most of the topics in this letter to the Corinthians.
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.
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.
No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.
So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,
for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.
Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, 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.”
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
So then, 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.
Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.
Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.
Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
The Rebukes
The Rebukes
Paul begins this section of his letter very clearly. He is rebuking the Corinthians for the way they are behaving when they come together as a church to partake the Lord’s Supper.
We see this clearly in the opening verses of the this section.
The first rebukes is found in verse 17.
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.
No praise.
No praise.
More harm than good.
More harm than good.
This is strong language.
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.
Divisions
Divisions
Tearing apart like in Matthew 9:16 ““No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.”
To some extent I believe it
To some extent I believe it
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Demosthenes says, “I am at a loss to know whether I should believe or disbelieve the news Menecrates brings me” (Ep. 4.1), using almost the exact same Greek formulation as Paul. The function of such a statement is to shame the audience, since it implies that the behavior in question is so inappropriate that the report of its occurrence should not be true and that a charitable person would hardly credit such a report.
For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
Differences / Factions
Differences / Factions
There word here is the Greek word for heresy. Though in this context it is not a doctrinal heresy. It is pointing out that there are differences of opinions in the group which are leading to the divisions.
If we have been paying attention in this letter, we have seen this is true.
Who do you follow?
lawsuits
supporting/approving sinful behavior
Asceticism
Meat sacrificed to idols
Who is approved?
Who is approved?
NIV translators have supplied God as the One approving. Paul just said who was approved. In the context, I think it is who has the approval of others or the majority in the church.
That is the whole problem in Corinth. Pride. Trying to rise higher than others in people’s eyes.
They were being torn apart by these differing opinions which they were holding so strongly that they were fighting over them to show that they knew better and were better than others.
Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,
It is not the Lord’s Supper You eat
It is not the Lord’s Supper You eat
They were coming together to supposedly celebrate the Lord’s Supper together. But with how they were acting, Paul says that it was anything but the Lord’s Supper that they were having.
How could it possibly be the Lord’s Supper when there were such divisions, and lack of love and consideration for others?
What showed this lack of love and consideration for others?
for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.
Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
You think of yourselves first
You think of yourselves first
Some go hungry
Others get drunk
You Despise the church of God
You Despise the church of God
Despise - think badly of others; scorn; look down on
Shall I praise you? Certainly not!
In this matter.
Do you see the common thread of 1 Corinthians?
Do you see the common thread of 1 Corinthians?
They were seeking their own good, and not the good of others.
They were torn apart, divided because of their strong opinions on matters.
They thought badly of others who said or did things they didn’t like.
They knew better! And so they knew they were better than the others. They had no concern for truly fellowshiping with others around the Lord Jesus.
It was just another occasion for them to think of themselves and despise the others.
This is not what the Lord’s Supper is.
Paul has rebuked them rather strongly, because in this particular way, they were truly bringing condemnation on themselves. They were acting wrongly in the different areas he has already addressed. But in this particular situation, their behavior was so bad that it was causing harm in a specific way to the name of Christ, and to themselves.
What should the Lord’s supper be like? He has pointed out how they were wrong. Now Paul shows them what it is supposed to be.
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, 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.”
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The Lord’s Supper - Focus on Jesus!
The Lord’s Supper - Focus on Jesus!
His Body, given for you!
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
What was Christ’s example when He instituted the Lord’s supper?
Washing the disciples feet
Going like a lamb to the slaughter
Thinking not of Himself, but others, even the sinners who were putting Him to death
Loving and Considering others and their good, their salvation
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—
even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
The Lord’s Supper - Focus on the New Covenant in His Blood!
The Lord’s Supper - Focus on the New Covenant in His Blood!
What is that covenant?
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
What is that law?
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
What is proclaiming the Lord’s death?
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Warning
Warning
So then, 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.
Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
What is an unworthy manner?
What is an unworthy manner?
Thinking you know something and holding so strongly while despising others...
Thinking badly of others
Thinking of self
What is Discerning the Body and Blood of the Lord?
What is Discerning the Body and Blood of the Lord?
The body: all believers, equal in Christ
The Blood:
washing us clean of sin,
making us righteous
establishing the covenant - God’s law on our hearts to love Him and love others
Examine yourself to avoid judgment
What is this threat of Judgment?
What is this threat of Judgment?
weak and sick
died
Discipline
Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
Final encouragement:
Final encouragement:
So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.
Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.