They [the early church] were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. - Acts 2:42
Good morning, beloved. The following message is the 19th in our current sermon series, “The Messed Up Church: Paul’s Letters to Corinth”. We have already addressed several issues that were impacting the church in Corinth. The later half of 1 Corinthians 11 deals with the Lord’s Supper. In this passage, Paul provides helpful information for both churches who administer the ordinance and those individuals who partake of it.
I. PAUL’S CONCERN (1 Cor. 11:17-22)
Before giving instruction on this issue, Paul first stated a serious concern. Based upon the reports he’d received, Paul was fairly convinced that divisions among the congregation were having a significant and detrimental effect on the Corinthian church. His hope was that those who were acting in an approved manner would become evident and serve as an example to those who were not. This was particularly true as it pertained to their observance of the Lord’s Supper.
When the church met to observe the Lord’s Supper, their behavior resembled something else altogether! Rather than conducting a dignified ordinance, many treated it like a regular meal or even a festive banquet. Some even brought additional food items to supplement the elements. They were selfishly indulging themselves in the lavish spread to the point that some were left out. Still others went so far as to get drunk on the wine. Paul strongly rebuked the Corinthians for acting so shamefully. Perhaps such behavior might be acceptable in their own homes, but it was quite disgraceful in the church and completely inconsiderate of the poor who had nothing to eat.
II. THE LORD’S PRECEDENT (1 Cor. 11:23 -26)
To provide them some direction, Paul restated the historical account of the first observance of the Lord’s Supper. On the night before His arrest, while sharing the Passover meal with the apostles, Jesus took some bread, gave thanks for it, broke it, and gave it to them to eat. He said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then He took the cup, blessed it, and gave each of them a drink, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (Matthew 26:26-30, Luke 22:14-20, Mark 14:22-26)
Paul stated that the purpose of the Lord’s supper was twofold. First, it was a memorial of Jesus’ brutal and substitutionary death on the cross through which the new covenant of grace was established. Second, it was to proclaim and anticipate His coming again. The Corinthians were not told often to observe the Lord’s Supper, but they were instructed to conduct it with the proper reverence whenever they did administer it.
Various Christian denominations and churches differ slightly upon the procedure and/or frequency with which they observe the Lord’s Supper. Some partake of it weekly, others monthly, and still others even less frequently. There are minor variations from church to church in the manner that the elements are distributed, the exact types of bread and wine (or juice) that are used, and the inclusion of other events during the observance. These details are not expressly prescribed in Scripture and are left to the church’s discretion - so long as the main emphasis is maintained.
III. THE PARTICIPANT’S OBLIGATION (1 Cor. 11:27-32)
Next Paul addressed the behavior of the people who participated in the Lord’s Supper. He warned that whoever partook of the bread or cup in an unworthy manner was guilty of profaning the body and blood of Christ. To be clear, Paul was talking about the flippant and irreverent manner with which the Corinthians were observing the Lord’s Supper - not the depravity of their condition due to sin. The truth is, all of us are unworthy of the Lord’s love, grace, and forgiveness. Only in Christ are we made righteous. As such, our condition does not exclude us from partaking of the Lord’s Supper, so long as we conduct ourselves with due honor and respect.
Each individual who participates in the Lord’s Supper should take time before and during the observance to sincerely examine themselves. This is a special occasion for reflection and introspection. Those who participate in the Lord’s Supper should carefully consider, identify, and repent of unconfessed sin in their lives so that they might partake of the elements in a holy and righteous manner. They should also solemnly consider what the meal represents and should behave accordingly.
Those who participate in the Lord's Supper without any regard for its significance or for their own sinfulness put themselves at risk. Paul stated that many were sick, weak, or had even died as a result of their callous and indifferent approach to the Lord’s Supper. He stated that when we as Christians fail to rightly judge and discipline ourselves, the Lord disciplines us so that we will not be condemned with the rest of the world.
IV. PAUL’S CORRECTIVE INSTRUCTIONS (1 Cor. 11:33-34)
Finally, Paul gave the Corinthians 2 specific directives. First, he told them to be courteous and patiently wait for one another whenever they observed the Lord’s Supper. They were to ensure that no one who wished to participate was excluded. Second, they were not to misuse the Lord’s Supper as a means to satisfy their appetites. Paul told them to eat at home if they were hungry, and to partake of the Lord’s Supper as an act of reverent worship. He concluded that he’d give them additional instructions and arrange any remaining matters as necessary when he came.
CONCLUSION
The Lord’s Supper is 1 of the 2 ordinances of the church, with baptism being the other. Jesus instituted it and instructed His disciples to continue observing it after He had gone. As we have read this morning, Paul gave instructions to the church for the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper. While baptism is for individual believers, the Lord’s Supper is a corporate act of the entire congregation.
As we have discussed on several previous occasions, our church recognizes The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our denominational statement of faith. Concerning the Lord’s Supper it states: “The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.”
This morning, we are going to conclude our service by conducting the Lord’s Supper. This ordinance is for Christians only - for members of His church. As we prepare, I’d ask that each of us, myself included, approach this holy ordinance as an act of wholehearted worship. My prayer is that we would examine ourselves, repent of any unconfessed sin, and then partake of the elements in a sincere and reverent manner “in remembrance of” Jesus.
May the Lord bless you.
Good morning, beloved. The following message is the 19th in our current sermon series, “The Messed Up Church: Paul’s Letters to Corinth”. We have already addressed several issues that were impacting the church in Corinth. The later half of 1 Corinthians 11 deals with the Lord’s Supper. In this passage, Paul provides helpful information for both churches who administer the ordinance and those individuals who partake of it.
I. PAUL’S CONCERN (1 Cor. 11:17-22)
Before giving instruction on this issue, Paul first stated a serious concern. Based upon the reports he’d received, Paul was fairly convinced that divisions among the congregation were having a significant and detrimental effect on the Corinthian church. His hope was that those who were acting in an approved manner would become evident and serve as an example to those who were not. This was particularly true as it pertained to their observance of the Lord’s Supper.
When the church met to observe the Lord’s Supper, their behavior resembled something else altogether! Rather than conducting a dignified ordinance, many treated it like a regular meal or even a festive banquet. Some even brought additional food items to supplement the elements. They were selfishly indulging themselves in the lavish spread to the point that some were left out. Still others went so far as to get drunk on the wine. Paul strongly rebuked the Corinthians for acting so shamefully. Perhaps such behavior might be acceptable in their own homes, but it was quite disgraceful in the church and completely inconsiderate of the poor who had nothing to eat.
II. THE LORD’S PRECEDENT (1 Cor. 11:23 -26)
To provide them some direction, Paul restated the historical account of the first observance of the Lord’s Supper. On the night before His arrest, while sharing the Passover meal with the apostles, Jesus took some bread, gave thanks for it, broke it, and gave it to them to eat. He said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then He took the cup, blessed it, and gave each of them a drink, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (Matthew 26:26-30, Luke 22:14-20, Mark 14:22-26)
Paul stated that the purpose of the Lord’s supper was twofold. First, it was a memorial of Jesus’ brutal and substitutionary death on the cross through which the new covenant of grace was established. Second, it was to proclaim and anticipate His coming again. The Corinthians were not told often to observe the Lord’s Supper, but they were instructed to conduct it with the proper reverence whenever they did administer it.
Various Christian denominations and churches differ slightly upon the procedure and/or frequency with which they observe the Lord’s Supper. Some partake of it weekly, others monthly, and still others even less frequently. There are minor variations from church to church in the manner that the elements are distributed, the exact types of bread and wine (or juice) that are used, and the inclusion of other events during the observance. These details are not expressly prescribed in Scripture and are left to the church’s discretion - so long as the main emphasis is maintained.
III. THE PARTICIPANT’S OBLIGATION (1 Cor. 11:27-32)
Next Paul addressed the behavior of the people who participated in the Lord’s Supper. He warned that whoever partook of the bread or cup in an unworthy manner was guilty of profaning the body and blood of Christ. To be clear, Paul was talking about the flippant and irreverent manner with which the Corinthians were observing the Lord’s Supper - not the depravity of their condition due to sin. The truth is, all of us are unworthy of the Lord’s love, grace, and forgiveness. Only in Christ are we made righteous. As such, our condition does not exclude us from partaking of the Lord’s Supper, so long as we conduct ourselves with due honor and respect.
Each individual who participates in the Lord’s Supper should take time before and during the observance to sincerely examine themselves. This is a special occasion for reflection and introspection. Those who participate in the Lord’s Supper should carefully consider, identify, and repent of unconfessed sin in their lives so that they might partake of the elements in a holy and righteous manner. They should also solemnly consider what the meal represents and should behave accordingly.
Those who participate in the Lord's Supper without any regard for its significance or for their own sinfulness put themselves at risk. Paul stated that many were sick, weak, or had even died as a result of their callous and indifferent approach to the Lord’s Supper. He stated that when we as Christians fail to rightly judge and discipline ourselves, the Lord disciplines us so that we will not be condemned with the rest of the world.
IV. PAUL’S CORRECTIVE INSTRUCTIONS (1 Cor. 11:33-34)
Finally, Paul gave the Corinthians 2 specific directives. First, he told them to be courteous and patiently wait for one another whenever they observed the Lord’s Supper. They were to ensure that no one who wished to participate was excluded. Second, they were not to misuse the Lord’s Supper as a means to satisfy their appetites. Paul told them to eat at home if they were hungry, and to partake of the Lord’s Supper as an act of reverent worship. He concluded that he’d give them additional instructions and arrange any remaining matters as necessary when he came.
CONCLUSION
The Lord’s Supper is 1 of the 2 ordinances of the church, with baptism being the other. Jesus instituted it and instructed His disciples to continue observing it after He had gone. As we have read this morning, Paul gave instructions to the church for the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper. While baptism is for individual believers, the Lord’s Supper is a corporate act of the entire congregation.
As we have discussed on several previous occasions, our church recognizes The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our denominational statement of faith. Concerning the Lord’s Supper it states: “The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.”
This morning, we are going to conclude our service by conducting the Lord’s Supper. This ordinance is for Christians only - for members of His church. As we prepare, I’d ask that each of us, myself included, approach this holy ordinance as an act of wholehearted worship. My prayer is that we would examine ourselves, repent of any unconfessed sin, and then partake of the elements in a sincere and reverent manner “in remembrance of” Jesus.
May the Lord bless you.