1 Corinthians 11:17-34

1 Corinthians 11:17-34
¹⁷ In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. ¹⁸ In 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. ¹⁹ No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. ²⁰ So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, ²¹ for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. ²² Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

The Lord's supper in this time period was a full meal.  All would bring what the could and then all would eat from the table.  And just like our churches today there were conflicts among the members.  Some groups would break off from the main group and only share with their friends because they did not get along with other.  Paul told them they may as well stay home if that is their attitude.

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In 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.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Sounds so familiar as I grew up in the church.  I need to pay attention to vs 26 and remember exactly what I am participating in when my church celebrates the Lord's supper.

²⁷ So then, 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. ²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. ³⁰ That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

If you chose to take part, examine yourself.  To fail is to invite God's wrath.  Some have died for being so flippant.

³¹ But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.

I love when I forget that it is communion Sunday and when I see the table I actually think, "Yay, I don't have a laundry list to get right with God.", because during that time I've been more discerning with my actions.

³² Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

Discipline is never fun, but it serves a purpose for our good.

³³ So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. ³⁴ Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
And when I come I will give further directions.

Paul was telling them to use the meal as a chance to share with the right heart and not be a glutton.

When we gather in church for a meal, let it be for the benefit of others.  Make sure we come together in mind and body.  Don't use the church meal as a chance to be a glutton.

At the Lord's table examine yourself, but live in such a way that it is a brief survey of the last few minuets/hours instead of the past few weeks/months/years.

God Bless.