Text: 1 Cor 11:17-34, Title: Drunk in the Church, Date/Place: NRBC, 10/16/11, AM
A. Opening illustration: In spite of his tendency to project sometimes speculative imaginative scenarios in his more popular study You Wretched Corinthians! Hans Frör well captures the connection between 11:2–16 and 17–34 in the following projected dialogue initiated by his fictitious barmaid Mara. Mara exclaims: “They’re bothering about veils, as though one had only to throw away a bit of material and everyone would be equal at the Lord’s table.… ‘Not slave and free, not poor and rich! That makes me laugh! Clearly the better class gentlemen have been looked after for quite some time in the dining room when our kind comes rushing along. They eat lavishly, drink the finest wines.… They mix up the well-laid table of the master of the house with the Lord’s table.… If we’re lucky, all that’s left for the shared meal is a bit of bread and a sip of wine.… We get the bits.” Tippy coming in first, and eating every last bite of dog food before Buddy gets there,
B. Background to passage: Paul has been answering questions since chapter five on various issues that the Corinthian church had sent to him in a previous letter. But now he brings up a subject that again he has “heard” about before moving to the next expressed question. He wants to rebuke them about how they approach the Lord’s Table. He understood (but gave them the benefit of the doubt) that they were following through with their accepted cultural practices of separating the classes of people at a meal. Part of this may have had to do with the actual houses that they were in. Nevertheless, he commanded (“instructions” is a strong word, used of orders given in the military) them that when they “gather as the assembly” to eat the Supper, they were doing much harm.
C. Main thought: So here are Paul’s thoughts regarding their error and their ideal.
A. Despising the Church (v. 17-22)
1. BTW, the meaning of “church” in the NT is “assembly.” So when Paul uses the term in this text, he is talking about the gathering of the believers for corporate worship. The early church met in homes (and just for your info, there is never a time when the bible speaks of church’s having church buildings). Usually in the dining room of a home, 10 people was the max capacity. At a dinner, the most important guests would be in the dining room, and the lesser would kinda be in an overflow atrium area that help about 30-40 people. So the largest church written of in the NT would have been about 50 people. The lower socially you were in the class structure, the further away from the food you sat (or stood), and the less quality and quantity of food you received. This was Greco-Roman culture. The more prominent guests would arrive first and eat first and the best, all the while looking down on those not worthy of the dining room. The main problem Paul is condemning in Corinth here is carrying on these cultural practices in the assembly of the family of God.
2. The higher class Corinthians were using this gathering to gorge themselves, get drunk, and put on display their selfishness and utter disregard for the “have-nots” of the church. Obviously in our way of doing the Lord’s Supper, this wouldn’t be a problem. Even if you took our way into a home, this still wouldn’t be a problem, why? We don’t have a meal. The early church have what were called “love feasts” because they saw the occasion of gathering as a special time to show love to one another. And so they had a meal together in the home which they were meeting in, and concluded the meal with the Lord’s Supper. So the problem here is multi-faceted: lack of love (selfishness), cultural import, and pride in socio-economic class. And Paul says this is despising the church of God! The word means to show contempt, look down upon, scorn, care nothing for, disregard as unimportant. Big accusation!
3. Jude 1:12, 2 Pet 2:13, Phil 2:3-4,
4. Illustration: Grace Family Baptist Church in Houston (Voddie Baucham) practices this. Each week they all come and share a meal following the morning worship, and conclude with the Lord’s Supper. "The church is more than simply a human society in institution; it belongs to God. To show contempt for the church, which is God’s, is to despise what God has made his own, and on which God has set his love, and therefore given it status and honor in his own eyes," “God AIMS to fill the universe with the glory of his Son, Jesus, by making the church the showcase of his perfections. Or, to put it another way, and include the idea of body: God means to fill the universe with the glory of his Son by putting the church on display as the embodiment of his Son…“The church of Jesus Christ is the most important institution in the world. The assembly of the redeemed, the company of the saints, the children of God are more significant in world history than any other group, organization or nation. The United States of America compares to the church of Jesus Christ like a speck of dust compares to the sun. The drama of international relations compares to the mission of the church like a kindergarten riddle compares to Hamlet or King Lear. And all pomp of May Day in Red Square and the pageantry of New Year's in Pasadena fade into a formless grey against the splendor of the bride of Christ.” Jesus Loves the Church and So Should You, Earl Blackburn
5. Side application: we must rethink our CP efforts to include house churches. We are working on some info that may help us develop a strategy for this. We are not to look like the culture of our community in our church, especially as it relates to social customs. Our relationships with each other should far exceed social norms.
6. Let’s think about two of these: 1) How do you treat your brethren at New River? Is it similar to the way that you treat your family or similar to how you treat coworkers, or strangers on the street? In church gatherings, you have a special opportunity to let folks know that you love them, care for them, esteem them. Sometimes we are in such a hurry on Sundays or Wednesdays to “do ministry” that we forget one of the main purposes we gather for. Stop, and look at people’s faces. Find someone each week that you can bless. Stop and pray with individuals in the hall. My experience at SEBTS first day. Intentionally develop deeper friendships, and show preference to church members. Look for ways that you might go over the top for your brothers in Christ. Share the table bond, regularly.
7. 2) How do you treat those who are less fortunate in our congregation? Do we harbor the attitude that we are better? Do we show preference to others? It really doesn’t matter what we say if our behavior doesn’t bear that out. Don’t mean to single anyone out, but sometimes our attitude does that. And they feel it. Don’t go overboard to make them feel put on the spot, but treat them as everyone else. How about those at Wal-Mart. Being a socio-economic snob goes further than the church.
8. You put yourself in much danger if you treat Christ’s bride with contempt. The consequences that follow seem much less harsh when you think of a husband defending the honor of his bride. Don’t mess with her,
B. Having the “Lord’s” Supper (v. 27-34)
1. In verse 20, Paul says their gathering is NOT the Lord’s Supper, because it does not praise the guest of honor. So Paul begins verse 27 with the application of their situation. He speaks of coming to the “Lord’s Table” and partaking in an unworthy manner. He says that if you come with behaviors, attitudes, and speech that are unbecoming of a follower of Christ, you will be held accountable. Unfortunate translation in the KJV “damnation” in verse 29, which is technically a possible translation of the word. Most other translations make it “judgment,” but that still lends itself to the interpretation that one might lose salvation. But the word here actually means something like chastisement. You can see this is verse 32 as the same word is used in conjunction with the word that does imply damnation. However, the seriousness of this chastisement is only slightly lessened, as Paul explains that taking the Lord’s Supper in a fashion that takes sin lightly can bring about sickness and death. Yes, God does remove blatantly sinning believers from this life for their own preservation. Also taught in 1 Cor 5 and Acts 5. But he says that if we judge and examine ourselves, we will avoid judgment. He gets very practical at the end, he says wait for the others, and if you are hungry, eat at home. Sharing is more important than getting full or displaying your social status. This is where the word koinania, “fellowship,” comes from: sharing. Notice he doesn’t even mention getting drunk He wouldn’t have been a good Baptist!
2. Luke 22:19, Phil 4:8
3. Illustration: Can you imagine having a memorial supper in honor of Steve Jobs, and everyone bringing PCs and android phones, and all the speeches talking about how bad all the Apple products were? This is one of the reasons that I don’t like it when the Lord’s Supper is given at weddings. I think it should always be preceded with the warning, and a time of reflection and repentance. And maybe we should consider having a love feast each time? Mackenzie not wanting to watch a Barbie movie with Kaitlann
4. Does our Supper honor the Lord? Is it truly His Supper? As we are about to partake of the Lord’s Supper, let me extend the warning. The Supper is for believers only. Those who have been born again and are following Christ may participate with us. If you are not yet a believer please refrain. But if you are a believer, Christ’s command to partake is clear, and you are in disobedience if you do not. Another purpose of the Supper is to demonstrate our unity and solidarity of this body of believers. In Christ we are one, one faith, one baptism, one mission!
5. Don’t invite judgment into your life. We are going to have a time of examination, and I want you to not simply go through the motions. I know that many of you take this time seriously, and in light of the consequences, in light of the worth of Christ and His sacrifice, and in light of the ugliness of sin, you should. But I also know that we are all guilty of times when we simply default to routine. So get out a piece of paper; the back of your sermon notes will be fine. Think with me, what if we asked you spouse or best friend, what answer would they give? Examine:
i. Your relationships at your home – Harsh words? Love? Submission? Peace?
ii. Your thought life – what have you been engaging mentally? Purity,
iii. Your relationships at church – are you right with everyone in this room? Prefer them? Show love to them? Attitude toward older, younger, more recent, less financially contributing?
iv. Relationships at work – jealously, discontentedness, bitterness
v. Private sins – anger, doubt, lack of faith, pride, fear, selfishness?
vi. Personal devotional time – are you nurturing your relationship with Jesus?
vii. Input – TV, Internet, Facebook, music?
viii. Obedience – are you obeying Christ? Are your priorities His?
Write these things down, and let’s take a few, and try to ensure that we are not gathering for judgment.
*Begin the Lord’s Supper
C. Remembering the Gospel (v. 23-26)
1. Jesus’ instruction about our attitude of the Lord’s Supper was one of remembering. We are to remember Him – His life, preexistence, incarnation, passion, death, burial, resurrection, rule and reign, coming again, value and worth, offer of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Christ taught us to give thanks for these things. And of course and important part of giving thanks is actually being thankful. He says that we are to remember the death and resurrection by the unleavened (sinless) Bread of Life that was slain for us. Think on that: the Creator, Giver, and Sustainer of life die for you and me. He willingly laid down His life for you. Don’t become too familiar that the story doesn’t move you. He also says for us to think on the New Covenant. What is the new covenant? It is the rock-solid agreement that God has made with Israel that we, His church, are grafted into on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ. You are now in the family of God, and all the promises are to you, and this is better and an everlasting covenant with a better and lasting Priest and Savior! You are a co-heir with Christ to the kingdom!
2. Jer 31:31-34, Heb 8:6-7, 13, 9:15,
3. Illustration: Mackenzie and Kaitlann sometimes rushing through the prayer so that we can eat.
4. Are you thinking of Christ right now? What part of his life or death are you meditating on? Maybe a parable like the prodigal son; maybe his compassion on the woman caught in adultery; maybe his fearless condemnation of the Pharisees; maybe the sermon on the mount; maybe “Father, forgive them…” In your heart of hearts are you truly thankful for Christ’s death on your behalf? Are you thankful that God drew you, opened your eyes, granted you faith and repentance, and saved your God-ignoring soul? Let the beauty of the gospel be visualized in your eyes by the elements, and in your heart by gratitude, awe, enjoyment, and pleasure!
A. Closing illustration: Billy Sunday, in a sermon he preached called, "Wonderful," communicated with his congregation the sufficiency of Jesus Christ by saying,
B. Christ is the reason that we do the Supper, and that we are worthy to do the Supper. In Him we have everything! And all our sins can be washed away in the blood of Christ!!! Relish the thought that upon Him all my sin was laid. My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin, not in part, but the whole, was nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul
C. Oh New River, rejoice that your names are written down in heaven, and let this thought compel you to serve, worship, witness, and lay down your life for the Kingdom!
D. Some here today have been under conviction, knowing that you need to trust Christ and be born again, He awaits you. Be saved today, it is the day of salvation for you. Don’t wait any longer. Repent and believe!
Additional Notes
• James W. Moore of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston tells a story about one of his minister friends. His name is Tom and he does a fascinating thing each month. Even though he has an extremely busy schedule he still makes the time each month to go down to the homeless shelter in his city to work in their soup kitchen.
After the homeless people have been fed, he then invites them to join him in a service of Holy Communion and many of them will come with him to the little chapel in the homeless shelter. and join in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. They have shared soup together in the soup kitchen and then they come to share the bread and the cup together at the altar in the chapel.
One day, Tom had an unforgettable experience in the communion service. As he was moving down the altar serving communion, he came to a man kneeling there who looked like he had been out on the streets for quite some time.
The man looked up at Tom and whispered: "Skip me." "What? Pardon me?" Tom said. In a louder whisper, the man said again, "Skip me." "Why?" Tom asked. "Because," the man said, "I’m not worthy." Tom said: "Neither am I." Then Tom added: "I’ll tell you what. I’m going to serve communion to these other people. Then, I’m going to come back and serve communion to you and then I would like you to serve it to me." The man blinked and said to Tom: "Father, is that legal?" "Yes, it’s legal; it’s beautiful and that’s
what we are going to do!" Tom answered.
Tom went on down the altar and served all the other people kneeling there. Then he came back to the reluctant man and said: "What’s your name?" And the man said, "Josh." Tom placed the elements of the Lord’s Supper before him and said:
"Josh, here is the Body of Christ and here is the Blood of Christ given for you. Eat this and drink this in the remembrance that Christ came for you and Christ died for you. Amen."
Josh blinked back the tears in his eyes. and he received Holy Communion. Then, Tom knelt and handed Josh the trays of bread and wine and said: "Now, you serve me."
Josh nervously took the trays and again he said: "Father,
are you sure this is legal?" "Yes, it’s legal. Just do it."
Josh’s eyes were darting from side to side as he looked over this shoulder and then the other. as if he expected (at any moment) the police, the FBI, the CIA or the Pope to come rushing in to arrest him.
Finally, he held the trays toward Tom and as Tom received the Sacrament Josh muttered: "Body - Blood - for you, Hang in There!"
Tom said later: "Of all the communion rituals I have ever heard, I don’t recall the words ’Hang in There’ in any of them. but at that moment for me, Holy Communion had never been more ’Holy.’
Christ for sickness, Christ for health,
Christ for poverty, Christ for wealth,
Christ for joy, Christ for sorrow,
Christ today and Christ tomorrow;
Christ my Life, and Christ my Light,
Christ for morning, noon and night,
Christ when all around gives way
Christ my everlasting Stay;
Christ my Rest, and Christ my Food
Christ above my highest good,
Christ my Well-beloved Friend
Christ my Pleasure without end;
Christ my Savior, Christ my Lord
Christ my Portion, Christ my God,
Christ my Shepherd, I His sheep
Christ Himself my soul to keep;
Christ my Leader, Christ my Peace
Christ has bought my soul’s release,
Christ my Righteousness divine
Christ for me, for He is mine;
Christ my Wisdom, Christ my Meat,
Christ restores my wandering feet,
Christ my Advocate and Priest
Christ who ne’er forgets the least;
Christ my Teacher, Christ my Guide,
Christ my Rock, in Christ I hide,
Christ the Ever-living Bread,
Christ His precious Blood has shed;
Christ has brought me nigh to God,
Christ the everlasting Word
Christ my Master, Christ my Head,
Christ who for my sins has bled;
Christ my Glory, Christ my Crown,
Christ the Plant of great renown,
Christ my Comforter on high,
Christ my Hope, draws ever nigh.
