Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

The way we order our lives will reflect the principles that have shaped our priorities.

For some their priorities are shaped by the principle of fear.

Because they are afraid of consequences, they will institute certain practices to avoid the problem.

For others their priorities are shaped by the principle of pleasure.

Because they want maximum enjoyment at all times, they will view their priorities through that lens: “Is it going to be fun?”

Then, there are some principles that shape our behaviors and which have become so normal for us to live in such a way, that we don’t even realize that we are living by that principle.

It just has become part of the process, and we don’t even realize it.

These are what we call habits.

BAD HABITS ILLUSTRATION:

Dear Abby

Dear Abby: I am 44 and would like to meet a man my age with no bad habits.

Dear Rose: So would I.

Source unknown

GOOD HABITS ILLUSTRATION

2531 Refusing $5 Million

George Jones started as a clerk in a crockery store, where he was known as a bright, active, and honest young man.

On account of his good habits, correct deportment, and affable manners, Henry J. Raymond, the great journalist, became interested in him, and together they started The New York Times.

Mr. Jones was an indefatigable worker, and his unswerving fidelity to duty and conspicuous honesty soon made him a power in the metropolis.

When the Times was waging a crusade against the Tweed dynasty, he was approached with an offer of $500,000 for him to retire to Europe and live like a prince.

“Yes,” said Jones, “and know myself for a rascal.”

But when it comes to Christ’s church, there were apparently some poor order that was identified in the church.

NOTICE THE OPENING OF THE CHAPTER AND THE END OF THE CHAPTER.

The Lord is dealing with order within the place of worship.

When the community of believers have been changed by the gospel of Christ, it causes a certain order within the church; but when the message of the cross is treated casually and consistently believed, it leads to disorder or an reversion back to bad, unChrist-like behaviors that we had before we were saved.

For example:

Some of those unChrist-like practices could include a reversion back to unforgiveness.

So, we accept forgiveness from Christ; but we are bitter towards each other.

Another could be impurity or immorality.

Thus, we accept the purity of Christ, but we revert back to impurity.

Both of these examples are examples of living outside of the order of the Lord - as a gospel-professing community.

Here, in this passage, there is evident selfishness that is characterizing the gathering of believers.

This passage is a reminder that as people who profess Christ:

(i) We are to be part of a community where we are accountable to each other

(ii) We are to be living out the gospel towards each other

(iii) There are many who think they are selfless but they really are not

Proposition:

Because you have received Christ, you are enabled and therefore commanded to live out His order in the church.

It is important to understand at the outset of this lesson that the gospel calls us to vet what we are giving according to what we’ve received of the Lord and NOT to listen to a message like this to see how everyone else is failing to give to me.

1. (v. 17 - 22) It is good to be graciously confronted if there is disorderly, economic division inside of the church.

The household of Chloe had apparently brought this report to Paul.

It was a report that left Paul saying that it was worse for the church to come together than it was when they were apart (v.

17)

Why would Paul say this? (v.

18 - 19) They were coming together, but they were not really coming together.

He calls the divisions “heresies” which means “factions.”

In addition, what Paul knew about the people of Corinth seemed to give credibility to the report he’d received.

The factions that were taking place in these gatherings revealed those who were genuine about the Lord and those who were not genuine in their faith in the Lord.

The confrontation ensues based upon the report Paul had received (v.

20 - 22).

As was typical, the Lord’s Supper in the church family was partaken at the conclusion of a “love feast” or meal among the body.

Paul tells them that what they are partaking of is NOT the Lord’s Supper.

Apparently, there was economic division that was being exploited when the church gathered.

The rich and affluent would not only bring big, extravagant meals; but they would splurge in front of those who did not have.

Paul implies that those who do this are actually “looking down” (despise) the church of God.

Principle:

It is disorderly, unChrist-like, shameful conduct when believers gather together and economic differences are exploited.

IOW: It is disorderly, unChrist-like to live opposite of the gospel when you are together at church.

Application:

Successful church attendance is not if you leave feeling full but if you leave having loved another individual who is not just like you (specifically in an economic manner).

This means that when you come to the place of worship, it is not a successful gathering if the only people you have spent time edifying are those in your click.

This is disorderly conduct in the place of worship.

This means that as the gospel is the “good news” that God has come to us in Christ, when we were undeserving and underprivileged (economically, spiritually, socially, practically), we are to manifest the “good news” to others when we come together.

It is not orderly to always sit amongst the same people.

It is not orderly to bring resources purely for ourselves and those of our inner circle.

It is not orderly to always talk to the same people.

It is not orderly to just say HI to someone new during handshake time.

It is not orderly to just say HI to someone new during handshake time.

The Jesus we received did a lot more than just say “Hi”.

Quote:

There is a “critical difference between a mere religious or moral person, and a Christian.

A Christian has more than an intellectual believe in Christ; they sense a personal relationship.

And they know that this relationship is not given to them solely for their own personal comfort and joy.

They know they have a responsibility to reveal Christ to others through what they are, do, and say.” - Keller [Galatians for You]

TRANSITION:

So, Paul, is there an account that we can look to that would show us what this order is supposed to look like?

2. (v.

23 - 26) The gracious, selfless example of Christ is the way the church should be ordered

Paul references back to what he had specifically received from the Lord.

In , Paul reference the fact the he’d spent time in Arabia.

It was there that Paul had received training from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul outlines the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

Each detail is presented with the intention of showing the Corinthian believers what order in the gathering looked like.

It was to look like this ultimate act of SELFLESSNESS as depicted by the Lord.

Notice: (1) Christ was betrayed but He gave thanks (2) Christ personal broke the bread and gave it to others (3) Christ explained that it was his broken body and that it was broken for those he’d gathered with (4) Christ commanded them to gather together and do this in remembrance of him.

In like manner, Christ pointed to the blood of the New Covenant.

Here the blood is important because of the necessity of it for the cleansing of sin.

They are to SHEW THE LORD’S DEATH.

This ordinance was to be accomplished among Christ’s followers.

Important word:

Notice the word “shew”.

It means to declare, and is also translated as the word preach.

Paul is telling the Corinthian believers that in the original Lord’s Supper, Christ is telling them to PREACH JESUS TO EACH OTHER BY PARTICIPATING IN THE LORD’S SUPPER IN THIS MANNER.

Principle:

The Lord’s Supper account shows the message that is to be preached among believers.

It is the fundamental account that should guide the order of our gatherings.

Illustration:

Fellowship in the N. T. basically means sharing and self-sacrifice with other believers.

As N. T. scholar J. R. McRay has noted, “Fellowship in the early church was not based on uniformity of thought and practice, except where limits of immorality or rejection of the confession of Christ were involved.”

Christianity Today, March 18, 1988, p. 3

Application:

So, ask yourself the question this morning, “Has my life shown this kind of selflessness to those in the body of Christ this morning?”