The Lord’s Table 1 Cor 11:17-34

The Lord’s Table 1 Cor 11:17-34

There are three defining things that all Jesus followers need to have. 1. Personal repentance of sin and acceptance of Jesus as savior and Lord. 2. Baptism. 3. The taking of communion or the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is unique in that it is both an individual and community thing. It is called a sacrament, a Holy event in which God is present.

The first churches celebrated it like it was done in the upper room as part of a meal. They often called it a love feast. The young Corinthian church it seems got the whole thing twisted. The church then as now consisted of both rich and poor. But these people were not having a potluck. This is how Paul describes what is going on. “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.”

 

I think it is hard for us in our right and orderly Presbyterian ways to imagine the crazy semi-roman orgy that was taking place. The situation was so bad that the Lord, through Paul sends them a message.

 

1.      What you’re doing

a.      Humiliate the poor among you

b.      You defile the Body and Blood of Jesus

c.       Bring judgement on yourself

d.      Sickness and even death

2.      Getting back on focus

a.      How to practice the Lord’s Supper

b.      Together

c.       Holy

d.      How to prepare

e.      The visit of the elders

f.        Psalm 139:23 & 24

g.      The conformation student

Next Sunday we will have Communion, the Lord’s Supper. This week prepare yourself to celebrate it. Examine your heart and life. Confess your sin to God. Regain the Holiness of being in the presence of Jesus as He says, this is My body broken for you, this is My blood shed for you.