Message
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Being Community
The church in Corinth is well known as a church with issues.
Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and read about an issue they were having with the Lord’s Supper.
The news of Lord Supper chaos has come to Paul from Corinth through “some from Chloe’s household” (1 Cor 1:11)
As we read through Paul’s response to the situation it becomes very obvious that the way the Corinthians come together for the Lord’s Supper is somewhat different to how many Christian communities act today.
How much wine is available, at church mind you, that it is possible to get drunk?
And if only one person in our congregation ate all the bread which is here today – well there are some of us who could do that and still go home and have lunch.
We look to the believers in Corinth and realise they are cultural strangers.
So, our first task is to get a clearer understanding of what is actually happening.
Let’s start with the location.
Right across the Roman Empire there were many public buildings and places to gather in groups.
Temples were prolific … but all worshipped false gods.
There were large buildings like gymnasiums and schools … but they also were dedicated to the gods.
There were plenty of outdoor meeting places … but it is hard to have a meal there.
When the Gospel first came to the city synagogues were used – but welcome never lasted very long.
In the first century it was actually quite difficult for Christians to find an indoor venue to use for church.
So the solution was to meet in homes. Using homes wasn’t just a Corinthian solution – it was a common first century church solution.
Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house (1 Corinthians 16:19). Aquila and Priscilla live in Ephesus.
Give my greetings … to Nympha and the church in her house (Colossians 4:15). Nympha lives in Laodicea … which is 15 km from Colossae.
To Philemon … and to the church that meets in your home (Philemon 1:1-2) Philemon most likely lived in Colossae.
As the church spread across the Roman Empire often the physical location of the worshipping community would be a house. Invariably it was in the home of one of the wealthiest people in the congregation, since they were the ones with the biggest homes.
These homes were built with two main rooms – a dining room which would hold about 10 people and a courtyard which could seat up to forty. So structurally there is the potential for division.
A space for 10 here … where the meals of the house were served.
A space for 40 over there … a bit off to the side.
We are one in Christ. “In Christ … there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).”
In Christ social conventions shouldn’t matter. But, even in the church, social conventions are hard to break.
Perhaps you remember these words from Galatians 2.
11 When Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I (Paul) opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.12 For before certain men came from James (the leader of the church in Jerusalem), he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
Galatians 2:11-13
Peter and Paul – apostles – having a very public confrontation related to … in this case Jewish … social conventions. Paul rebuked the social convention.
A different sort of social convention is causing issues in the Corinthian church.
Listen to this very telling description from an author called Martial who lived in the first century AD.
Seeing that I am invited to dinner … why is not the same dinner given to me, as to you?. Before you are placed splendid mushrooms; I help myself to such as are fit only for pigs. The golden turtle-dove fills your stomach with its over-fattened body; a magpie which died in its cage is set before me. Why do I dine without you, Ponticus, when I dine with you? Let us eat of the same dishes.
Martial Epigrams 3.60
Overt class distinction which comes out at meal gatherings. That is what Martial was calling out. It was a social convention that had infected the church at Corinth.
The church in Corinth was a mixed group. There were some Jews, but most were Gentiles. Some come from socially humble backgrounds, including being slaves. But there is also a group that were wise, powerful, and even of noble birth – people used to privilege.
The diversity shouldn’t matter.
But this diversity caused huge divisions.
When the church gathered – and even when the Lord’s Supper was being celebrated –
… some got drunk and were very satisfied with food.
… some left hungry.
… some because of wealth or status presumed privilege – eating the best as others watched on.
… some because of social position were treated as second class – having to be content with the left-overs.
… some were “in here” … the room that holds 10.
… some were “out there” … the room that holds 40.
Indeed you can imagine some members asking themselves Why do I eat without you, fellow Christians, when I am eating with you? Let us eat of the same dishes.
That is what is happening in Corinth.
What happens at NEC?
As I look around it is very clear that we embrace diversity.
In this room right now there is younger and older and all in between. Higher incomes, lower incomes and no incomes. Australian, European, South American and African. Married, single, with children, without children, having raised children and hoping … hoping one day … to be empty nesters. Primary school education, Tertiary education, multiple tertiary education, no formal education. Blue-collar, white-collar, domestic engineers, retirees and trainees. People who recycle and people who don’t. People who eat meat, people who don’t. People who listen to jazz, pop, soukous, funk, reggae, country and western …
You get the point don’t you.
This is NEC. So diverse that there are even differences, and acceptance of those differences, when it comes to theological views and spiritual experience and Christian heritage.
That is our diversity.
The question is – does the diversity create division?
More specifically is there division even at the moment when the Lord’s Supper is taking place?
You see the Lord’s Supper and fellowship and gathering and ekklesia are intricately connected because the Lord’s Supper distils the foundation, purpose, source, and long-term focus of why we are community.
The Lord’s Supper is an act of remembrance.
Twice Paul says “do this in remembrance of me”
Not just … I remember I need milk get some on the way home.
But remembering and meditating and pondering and thinking and mulling over the fact that Jesus died, rose, ascended and is going to return. Remembering .. deeply remembering … that Jesus did this on our behalf and the salvation has been accomplished and can be applied to our lives.
We remember we are community because of this Gospel truth.
The Lord’s Supper is an act of unity
Just a little earlier Paul says:-
16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Our unity in Christ brings us in unity with each other – with participation in the Lord’s Supper symbolising this community and unity.
The Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of the Gospel
We often think that proclamation is something we do with our mouths – but we saw last week – proclamation can be non-verbal. You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world.
Paul says in verse 26 “whenever you eat and drink you proclaim the Lord’s death.”
You proclaim the new covenant.
You proclaim a once-for-all sacrificial death.
You proclaim that Jesus has redeemed you.
You proclaim that have heard the good news … called on the name of Jesus … and you will keep calling on the name of Jesus.
In community, as we all eat and drink we are making a huge, unified, proclamation of these truths.
The Lord’s Supper anticipates an eternal future.
We proclaim … “until the Lord comes”. In celebration there is anticipation.
15 Jesus said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 22:15-16
The supper is a meal that is looking forward to a the ultimate spiritual victory. That time when Jesus will participate in fellowship with us.
The wedding supper of the Lamb.
A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.
Nobody’s getting drunk. Nobody’s being a glutton. Nobody’s sinning.
Full diversity. No division. For eternity.
The Lord’s Supper.
In fellowship. Ekklesia. Community.
That is the statement which should be made when the Lord’s Supper happens.
However there are times when a worshipping community … or individuals in that community … can go off course.
Paul’s assessment of the situation in Corinth is scathing.
… I have no praise.
… more harm than good.
… you are humiliating fellow believers.
… you are sinning against the body and blood of Jesus.
… you are being judges and disciple by the Lord.
… when I come I will have even more to say.
That’s Paul’s assessment of Corinth.
The quick response from us … now … could easily be “yes, but we are not like that.”
I would definitely agree. We have amazing diversity and little division.
But let us never become so spiritually arrogant as to think it can’t happen, or doesn’t happen.
I’m sure there was a time when Peter thought, “I’m not like others” – Paul had to rebuke him.
And the Corinthians “sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy” – Paul had to rebuke them as well.
Indeed, when writing about the importance of reflecting on salvation history as recorded in Scripture, Paul says:-
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
1 Corinthians 10:11-12
We don’t want to just think we are standing firm in the spiritual armour.
We want to be those who are standing firm.
That is where the examination comes in.
Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup (1 Corinthians 11:28).
So we are clear on who examines whom here is an extended translation with notes.
Let (not as a suggestion but a required action) each person (as an individual) examine themselves (not anyone else), and in this manner (having examined) let (again not a suggestion) each person eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
As we think about the examination let’s briefly note a few points.
Firstly
This is an examination of yourself
Community doesn’t strengthen by pointing out what you think others need to see.
Community grows when we look at ourselves and humbly hear and do what Jesus wants us to hear and do.
Secondly
No matter what the result of the examination is, the invitation to the Lord’s Table remains. Paul is rebuking participation in an unworthy manner … not unworthy participants. If our personal worthiness was necessary to partake in the Supper … we are all unworthy and sinful. But the grace of God nails our unworthiness to the cross of Christ – so that unworthy participates and take and eat.
Thirdly
See the purpose of the examination.
29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.
1 Corinthians 11:29, 31
The purpose of discerning is to identify unworthy behaviour, so that it can be corrected and changed to be more like Christ. When we participate in this manner – no matter what we discern – we will not be judged.
So, as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper today we have a very immediate and specific opportunity to apply this text into our lives.
And the very specific question is this:-
When I am at the Lord’s Supper with fellow believers have I fallen into the unworthy action of creating division because I treat others as second class?
Or to put it another way.
It looks like I am in fellowship with you, but actually there is a part of me that is not.
In Corinth the outworking of this was very obvious.
Today it is not so obvious.
So here are some suggestions –
I’m not saying that this is, or is not, happening.
Just thinking of ways to apply today this part of Scripture.
I have given more to the kingdom than you have so I have a greater right to …
My Scripture knowledge is more superior to your Scripture knowledge because in your Christian walk you don’t …
My social conscious is superior to your social conscious because …
My Christianity is stronger because I have faithfully endured greater trials than your easy journey …
In my life you are not my friend, you are not my enemy, you are a nobody so …
All my grown up children are walking with the Lord, yours are not, because in your Christian family you didn’t …
My education gives me the greater wisdom so listen to me over others because …
My spiritual experiences are more real than your spiritual experiences therefor I am superior because …
You are single, married, with children, without children, retired, studying, old, young, smart, funny, simple, educated, fit, unfit, ethnically different, ethnically the same, over-weight, underweight …
You are … I am not that … I don’t like that … so there is division.
Where there is arrogant pride there is no unity – just division.
When that division is not discerned and comes to the Lord’s Supper – you may be coming to the Lord’s Supper but it is not really the Lord’s Supper you are eating.
So now let’s take time to examine.
When I am at the Lord’s Supper with fellow believers have I fallen into the unworthy action of creating division because I treat others as second class?
Silence for 2 minutes
Prayer
Father God, we thank you that you sent your Son Jesus who, at the Last Supper, clarified how our sin was to be dealt with – through His body and blood … His crucifixion death and resurrection.
We thank you that for thousands of years, the church has gathered together for communion and that today again we are invited by You to be a part of this great celebration.
May it not be for us empty ritual but a living ritual … celebrating the dead-but-now-living Jesus.
May we be thinking of none other than Jesus for we are mindful of nothing less than our own sin that crucified him.
We come as those who have taken time to look at the Scripture and examine to discern if and where we have been arrogant, prideful and divisive.
Jesus as we get out of our seats, as we partake to demonstrate our faith in you and your love for us, we do so looking towards the eternal meal.
The time when death is no more and we all wear white and tears are no longer shed and funerals are no longer held and wars are no longer waged.
Where you are high and lifted up and we all gather around to sing your praises, to listen to you and to be in eternal fellowship.
We worship you in longing for that day, setting our faces and our hearts toward your table today.
In Jesus name we pray
Amen.
