Celebrating The Lord’s Supper

CELEBRATING/Observing The LORD’s SUPPER-I—1Corinthians 11:17-22

Boundaries/Limitations/Parameters/Fences

Attention:

No opener

There are settings suitable for enjoying the game of golf.(See end of sermon)

Likewise, there are settings that are suitable for celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

Paul informed the Corinthian Christians of their shortcomings in the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

The proper Observance of the Lord’s Supper requires proper motives.

What characterizes a proper observance of the Lord’s Supper?

3 settings suitable for celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

1—A suitable setting for celebrating the Lord’s Supper assumes...

The BODY’s BETTERMENT(:17)

Explanation:(:17)Improvement

:17—“Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.”

“Better”— ‘more useful, more serviceable, more advantageous, more excellent.’

Our coming together must infuse us with an advantage.

We are meant to exit better than when we entered.

‘Betterment’ of the Body of Christ requires repentance, sacrifice, bearing up under stress...

“Instructions/Declare/Charging”—paraggellw—Verb—1) To transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce; 2) To command, order, charge. Strong—To charge, is used especially of the order of a military commander to his troops. Strong—To transmit a message, i.e. by implication--To enjoin.

From—para—1) From, of at, by, besides, near. Strong—a primary preposition; properly--Near; i.e. From beside(literally or figuratively),or--At(or in) the vicinity of(objectively or subjectively), or--To the proximity with(local especially)--Beyond or opposed to, or causal--On account of.—&—aggelov—1) A messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God. Strong—from aggellw[probably derived from agw[to lead; bring, drive, go, pass(time), or induce]; compare agelh[a drove](to bring tidings); A messenger; especially--An "angel"; by implication--A pastor.

“Praise”2X[See :22]—epainew—Verb—1) To approve, to praise. Strong—To applaud. Used 6X.

From—epi—Preposition—1) Upon, on, at, by, before; 2) of position--On, at, by, over, against; 3) To, over, on, at, across, against. Strong—properly, meaning superimposition(of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution--Over, upon, etc.; of rest--At, on, etc.; of direction--Towards, upon, etc.—&—ainew—To praise(God)...itself from-ainov(properly--A story, but used in the sense of epainov[laudation]; Praise(of God)).

“Better”—Adj.—1) More useful, more serviceable, more advantageous; 2) More excellent. Strong—comparative of a derivative of kratov[vigor["great"] (literally or figuratively)]; Stronger, i.e. figuratively--Better, i.e. Nobler. Used 18X.

“Worse”—htton—Adj.—1) Inferior; 2) Less. Strong—neuter of comparative of hka(slightly) used for that of kakov; Worse(as noun); by implication--Less(as adverbially). Used 2X.

Argumentation:

Hebrews 10:24—“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love & good works,”

Prov. 3:13—“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;”

Php. 3:7—“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”

Rom. 5:3-5—“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; & perseverance, character; & character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

2Cor. 4:17—“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding & eternal weight of glory,”

Illustration:

Back before internet ordering you had to order by snail-mail/I placed an order one time with a mail-order company/2wks later I received a recognition of the order, with a statement apologizing for the delay. It read, “Present improvements in our shipping procedures may cause a delay in shipping.”/Is the business better?/The Body’s Betterment

Application:

?You seek The BODY’s BETTERMENT in your celebration of the Lord’s Supper?

?Is your Setting Suitable for celebrating the Lord’s Supper?

2—A suitable setting for celebrating the Lord’s Supper assumes...

FREEDOM From FACTIONS(:18-19)

Explanation:(:18-19)Approved

:18—“For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, & in part I believe it.”

Paul “believes” this report but only in part. This is because they are to be the Body of Christ operating in unity. They are his mission, the testimony of the fullness of his work(1Cor. 1:10-17).

1Cor. 1:10-17—“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, & that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind & in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus & Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”