Sermon Tone Analysis

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

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.

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.

No praise.

More harm than good.

This is strong language.

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

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.

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?

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.

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?

You think of yourselves first

Some go hungry

Others get drunk

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?

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.

The Lord’s Supper - Focus on Jesus!

His Body, given for you!

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

The Lord’s Supper - Focus on the New Covenant in His Blood!

What is that covenant?

What is that law?

What is proclaiming the Lord’s death?

Warning

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?

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?

weak and sick

died

Discipline

Final encouragement: