Celebrating Our Union in Communion Part 1
1 Corinthians: A Gospel Cure for What Ails the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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17 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.
18 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,
19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.
21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.
22 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.
23 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,
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 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.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Introduction:
In December of 1977, then President Jimmy Carter planned a trip to Poland to deliver a speech. At this time the Polish nation was struggling under pressure from the Soviet Union. Unfortunately for Carter, what should have been a dull, routine-type speech, turned into a disastrous misunderstanding that wasn’t just politically insulting, but embarrassing as well.
The President’s intentions were to tell the nation that he wanted to learn about the Polish people’s desires for the future.
What the President meant, and what his translator said, were two things so utterly different that it’s hard to believe. The translator told the people that the president “desired the Poles carnally”.
Later on Carter spoke of his departure from the United States, which was translated to mean that “he had abandoned the United States forever.”
The Last glitch came when Carter praised the Polish Constitution of 1791. Somehow this compliment was translated to how the President thought their constitution was to be ridiculed. One can only imagine the reaction of the Polish citizens in attendance. Being told by the most powerful man in the world that he had abandoned his country and desired to fondle their private parts. This incident is arguably the most embarrassing misunderstanding resulting from a Presidential speech.
Worship at the Lord’s Table is a sacred privilege which demands our utmost sincerity.
Proclaim - to make known in public!
We are preaching - declaring the gospel when we partake of these elements. This is the gospel with a picture.
We are preaching - declaring the gospel when we partake of these elements. This is the gospel with a picture.
Question
When we worship is the gospel clarified or confused?
When we worship is the gospel clarified or confused?
17 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.
The cross is the crux of Christian communion.
The cross is the crux of Christian communion.
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Communion declares our union with God through Christ’s alienation.
Communion declares our union with God through Christ’s alienation.
MY God My God why have you forsaken me!
Communion declares our unity with the covenant community.
Communion declares our unity with the covenant community.
So what happens when we play loose and fast with the Lord’s table?
When we are reckless at the Lord’s Table we ruins the picture of the cross.
When we are reckless at the Lord’s Table we ruins the picture of the cross.
17 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.
This causes a distortion in our gospel!
How does it distort the gospel?
Reckless Worship Emphasizes
Division not union
Division not union
The Janitor and the CEO!
Those might carry different weights in our society and in our culture - But in the kingdom the gourd is level at the foot of the cross.
Reckless Worship Emphasizes
Me not we
Me not we
The rich ate first and the working man hadn’t gotten off work yet.
Reckless Worship Emphasizes
Man not God
Man not God
Reckless Worship Emphasizes
Sin not salvation
Sin not salvation
21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.
We must guard the Lord’s Table.
We must guard the Lord’s Table.
How do we do that?
This meal is for the family.
This meal is for the family.
You don’t partake of these elements apart from the church family.
Closed Communion - Only for those whom the church attests to their credible profession of faith.
Don’t approach the table casually.
Don’t approach the table casually.
You are on Holy Ground! Take off your shoes!
Is there sin I need to confess?
Is there sin I need to confess?
Is there a relationship I need to reconcile?
Is there a relationship I need to reconcile?
Does this table highlight your sin? - I can’t believe he’s partaking.
Does this table highlight your salvation? What a gracious savior?
Does this table emphasis your autonomy? My Christian experience is private and personal.
Does this table emphasis your corporate identity? Im part of the body?
Does this table highlight the gospel? Or does it highlight my guilt?
1 cor 11 22
22 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.
Despise -
καταφρονέω -
To look down on someone or something with contempt or aversion, with implication that one considers the object of little value.