How To Stay Alive For Communion
When We Gather
January 22, 2023
Scripture calls it:
- The Lord’s Table
- The Lord’s Supper
- Breaking Bread
- The Eucharist
- Communion
17In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not! —1 Corinthians 11:17-22
What’s happening in Corinth?
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. —1 Corinthians 11:23-26
COMMUNION IS ABOUT REMEMBERING
The bread helps us remember that Jesus’ body was broken for us.
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation… —Colossians 1:21-22
24He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. —1 Peter 2:24
The cup helps us remember the new covenant.
26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. —1 Corinthians 11:26
COMMUNION IS ABOUT OUR COMMON-UNION IN CHRIST
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. —1 Corinthians 11:27
Unworthy manner, refers to the attitudes and actions that are causing division in the church.
28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. —1 Corinthians 11:28
BEFORE COMMUNION WE MUST EXAMINE OUR HEART.
29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. —1 Corinthians 11:29-34