WARNING: CHURCH DINNERS MAY BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
In modern society, we’ve become accustomed to warning labels.
Beginning with the all-too-familiar: "Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that cigarette smoking may be dangerous to your health."
Today just about everything you buy carries some kind of warning label! Such as:
"Warning: Placing this radio in your bathtub may produce shocking results.”
Contrary to popular opinion, such warnings didn't begin in the 20th or 21st century.
Paul attached a warning to his first letter to the Corinthians.
He warned us: “Church dinners may be dangerous to your health!”
This wasn't a forerunner of the dietetic warnings against cholesterol and monosodium glutamate consumed in higher than normal quantities at a potluck.
Though there may be some truth to that warning!
This is just another of the symptoms of the Corinthian problem!
Their lack of love for each other is demonstrated at the Lord's Supper.
The church that had everything --EXCEPT LOVE
This passage is one of the most familiar in the Christian church.
Yet we seldom hear about the problem whici is affecting the church at Corinth.
In fact, we often hear heresy taught from this passage because we haven't taken time to analyze it on the basis of the problem Paul is dealing with.
[ The passage begins with a . . . ]
REBUKE–Paul rebukes the Corinthians because of their lack of concern for one another. 11:17-22
The problem described
Background–purpose and establishment of the Lord's Supper
Compare Deut. 6 & Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20
Two elements most common on their table: bread and wine-"As oft as you do it"
The context of the supper–The Corinthian custom–Acts 2:42-47
Brethren would get together for meals–“fellowship suppers.”
The meals were "potluck" style.
Chafin-"I hadn't realized the degree to which churches have "sanitized" the ordinance until I attended a communion service on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.
Instead of having it in the sanctuary, it was held in the gym.
Instead of having it at the conclusion of the morning worship service,
we had it at the end of a Thanksgiving meal.
Instead of having beautiful silver trays with glasses of juice, and silver plates with unleavened bread, there was a pitcher of juice with small plastic glasses and an unsliced loaf of bread covered by a napkin.
As we came closer to the time to observe the memorial supper,
I looked at the tables with what was left of the meal-dirty plates, eating utensils, half empty tea glasses, spilled salad dressing, and crumpled napkins.
I thought: surely before we serve the Lord's supper, someone will clear away everything.
I had the terrible feeling of the inappropriateness
of acting out such a great event under such ordinary circumstances."
FAMILY picnics, family reunions, church suppers, etc.
The love feast-
Chafin-". . . each member brought what he or she was able to share.
Resources were pooled, and the church sat down to a common meal;
It provided a beautiful picture of the oneness we share in Christ."
At Corinth, instead of bringing unity, it brought division.
The rich brought rich foods and sat in one corner.
The poor brought simple food and sat in a different corner.
They’re divided.
Potluck at our house in Guatemala.
Paul points out that there is something good to be said for distinctions.
It’s inevitable that differences of opinion will exist.
They provide a means for those approved in God's sight to show it.
They enable us to separate the true from the false; the good from the bad.
Robert Frost: "All men are born free and equal--free at least in their right to be different.
Some people want to homogenize society everywhere.
I'm against the homogenizers in art, in politics, in every walk of life.
I want the cream to rise."
At Corinth there’s ABUSE
• They’re observing class distinctions. “I’m better than you are!”
• Each one tries to get ahead in line. “I’m more important than you are!”
• Some are drunk from excess wine. 21 “I want what I want!”
• While others are still hungry.
The result: what’s intended to unify God's people
becomes a cause for tearing each other down. 17
Each one is looking out for his own good.
We start thinking about ourselves;
NOT about Christ's death for us. 20
We just go through the motions of repetitious religious ritual,
while rejecting each other based on culturally-determined class distinctions.
The rich are acting pious, but keeping their goodies to themselves!
They want to form local chapter of the "FCS" Fellowship of Christian Socialites!"
When they’re done with the meal they take the elements
-the symbol of our “unity with Christ.”
Paul argues that this isn’t the Lord's table.
They aren’t doing this to remember Jesus!
THEY’RE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD!
Each is thinking only of his own body.
They’re divided; NOT united!
REMINDER 11:23-26
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the purpose for the supper.
A look back 23-26a
Paul reminds us that the Lord's table is for the purpose of remembering Him.
He gives such a great explanation of the supper
that we often overlook the problem he’s writing about.
Three purposes of the supper:
1) To remind us of Jesus and what He did for us 24-25
2) To proclaim His death 26
3) To wait for His coming 26
Focuses our attention on His return.
These purposes are NOT being fulfilled through what they’re doing!
A family lived on a farm beside a dirt road. Automobiles rarely passed by.
One day as their son was crossing the road on his bicycle,
a car came roaring down the hill, struck the boy, and killed him.
His older brother said, "When my father picked up the mangled twisted bike,
I heard him sob out loud for the first time in my life.
He carried it to the barn and placed it in a spot we seldom used.
Father's terrible sorrow eased with the passing of time,
but for many years whenever he saw that bike, tears began streaming down his face."
"Since then I have often prayed, 'Lord, keep the memory of Your death as fresh as that to me!
Every time I celebrate Your supper, let my heart be stirred as though You died yesterday.
Don’t let the communion service become a mere formality,
but always a tender and touching experience.'"
God established the supper to remind us of what Jesus went through for us, because of His selflessness.
At Corinth, there’s so much self-centered struggle
that they’ve forgotten the purpose of the supper.
A look ahead 26b
RESULTANT APPEAL 11:27-34
Paul appeals to us to examine our motives; to be sure we’re acting properly towards those for whom Christ died.
A look within 27-32
The danger and the exhortation
Some are accused of taking the cup unworthily.
They partake of His body and blood, but by their action bring dishonor to Christ.
He warns us to judge ourselves, lest God judge us with sickness or death.
THREE DANGERS THEY’RE EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO:
1) The danger of participating in an unworthy manner 27a
"In an unworthy manner"-adverbial, not adjectival-
It modifies the verb
It doesn't describe the participant!
It has to do with the way we partake, NOT with our unworthiness.
It doesn't mean that the participant can't be unworthy.
The fact we’re unworthy is what gives the supper its significance.
The supper reminds us that Christ died for unworthy people-like us!
While Christ offered His body and blood for sinners,
sinners saved by God's grace must not treat the supper in a sinful manner.
It’s dangerous to participate in an unworthy manner (inappropriate, out of order)
This isn’t a legalistic restriction as if to say, "You must take it a certain way!"
"Don't make any mistakes!" "Do it right!"
What is the Corinthian problem?
The supper is a source of disorder and division.
They’re lack of love makes a mockery of the basis of the supper.
2) The danger of taking lightly the Lord’s sacrifice
(being guilty of the body and blood of the Lord) 27b
Defile the flag = defile the country it represents
Defile a symbol = defile what it represents
Take lightly the supper = Take lightly the Lord Himself
We ought to be careful to appreciate our privilege and participate in that spirit.
3) The danger of not recognizing the value of His death. 29
We should evaluate our motives to be sure we participate appropriately, remembering what Christ has done for us.
If we aren't careful in this way, He will correct us, for our own good.
The evaluation Paul asks for has to do with our attitude toward the supper.
Participating in an unworthy way => illness => death
Therefore, examine yourself 28
State employment office in Tucson: Sign over a full-length mirror,
directed to all job hunters: "Would you hire this person?"
CONCLUSION -33-34
A look around 33-34
Wait for one another.
If you're hungry, eat at home first.
Don't allow an event that ought to unite us to separate us.
• Don't use the Lord's supper to fill your stomach.
• Let others go first.
Remember the purpose!
LESSONS FOR US?
The importance of this emphasis is underlined
because of the appearance of the problem at this particular supper.
We don't have the same problem because we don't eat a full meal.
How does this relate to Philippians 2?
Again Paul looks at this idea:
"Let each one consider others superior to himself."
How should we apply this instruction today?
How do WE act at church suppers?
Are there other church activities that ought to show our oneness,
that in reality show our self-centered or cliquish attitudes?
How do WE treat each other?
Do we show greater concern for OTHERS than we do for OURSELVES?
Lines in the cafeteria
Testimony at athletic events, etc.
How we use our fellowship times?
Our testimony in general?
Importance of being drawn together in unity . . . .
[especially when we come to His table!]
To remember how unworthy we all are.
To remember the price Jesus paid because of our unworthiness.
To express our gratitude for God's gift
=> for His death for us–while we were still sinners–for His forgiveness to us,
=> by our forgiveness and concern for one another.
When we come to church on Sunday, . . .
When we gather around the Lord’s table, . . .
What’s our focus?
Is it about us? Or is it about the Lord and what He has done for us?
Do we come to have our way? Or do we come seeking that God’s will be done?
Paul wants us to remember what it’s really all about–it’s about Him
–about His will –about His kingdom –about His glory!