Bethel Sunday School Online - 14 JUNE 2020
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17 - 34

THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTAKING THE LORD’S SUPPER PROPERLY

1. The Lord’s Supper was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ

2. How a person partakes of the Lord’s Supper is important!

3. The Apostle Paul had to rebuke the Corinthians for partaking in an unworthy manner!

THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH REBUKED

1. Gathering as a Church (1 Corinthians 11:17)

a. This would be a reference to gathering for worship

b. This is always meant to be for the good!

c. But this was not so for the Corinthian Church – They had to be rebuked!

2. There were divisions (1 Corinthians 11:18 – 19)

a. This had already been addressed (1 Corinthians 3:1 – 4)

b. They had factions among them – pride and prejudice against each other

c. There was a lack of unity and love for one another as a body of Christ!

3. The Corinthian Church problem
(1 Corinthians 11:20 – 21)

a. Their focus was NOT on the significance of the Lord’s Supper at all

b. They gave more attention to eating and drinking (feasting)

i. The practice was to have a meal together before the Lord’s Supper

ii. The problem was each one took his own supper ahead of others!

iii. Some were left hungry while others indulged and got drunk!

4. Firm rebuke given! (1 Corinthians 11:22)

a. Their gross disregard for the Church of God!

b. They shamed their brethren who had nothing (the poor)

c. They showed disregard for the Lord and for each other as brethren!


RETURNING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD
(1 Corinthians 11:23 – 26)

1. Clear instructions were given by the Lord Himself

a. This is not man’s idea

b. The Lord Jesus Himself taught His Apostles (Paul included!)

c. The Apostles faithfully taught what they received from Jesus

2. This was a solemn feast

a. Remembering the night Jesus was betrayed!

b. Remembering the words of Jesus to His disciples

3. The Bread

a. This is My body which is broken

b. Do this in remembrance of Me

4. The Cup

a. This cup is the new covenant in My blood

b. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me

5. The significance of the Lord’s Supper

a. To remember the Lord Jesus and what He said

b. To proclaim the Lord’s death – There is a message to proclaim in Jesus’ death for us!

STRONG WARNING AGAINST PARTAKING IN AN UNWORTHY MANNER

1. To partake in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27, 29)

a. No regard for the Lord and something as sacred as the Lord’s Supper!

b. They were not discerning of the Lord’s body (the significance of the Lord’s Supper)

2. To examine self (1 Corinthians 11:28)

a. This must be done!

b. To prepare the heart and mind to partake of the Lord’s Supper

c. To make sure we do not partake in an unworthy manner

3. The danger of incurring the judgment of God (1 Corinthians 11:29 – 31)

a. The Lord has every right to judge sin

b. Some of the Corinthians were experiencing unusual sickness and even death!

4. The chastisement of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:32)

a. The Father will chastise His children for the good

b. Our chastening turns us away from being destroyed by sin!

CHANGES MUST BE MADE
(1 Corinthians 11:33 – 34)

1. To repent and seek God’s forgiveness

2. To correct and change as a result of genuine repentance

3. To set the church in order
(There were other issues that needed to be set in order too! But Paul will address them when he next visits the Corinthian Church)

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. To uphold a high regard for the Lord’s Supper

2. To gather for worship with deeper discernment and understanding

3. To practice our faith with a great sense of honor and love for the Lord Jesus Christ!