Embracing Unity and Reverence in Communion

 

Summary

Today, we explored the profound significance of the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. This passage serves as a reminder of the sacredness of this meal and the importance of approaching it with reverence and unity. The Apostle Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their improper conduct during the Lord's Supper, highlighting the divisions and selfishness that marred their gatherings. Instead of fostering unity and reflecting the body of Christ, their actions led to disunity and misrepresentation of Jesus.

The Lord's Supper is a gift from God, instituted by Jesus Himself, and it carries deep spiritual significance. It is a time to remember Christ's sacrifice, to give thanks, and to recognize our unity as the body of Christ. Paul emphasizes three key lessons for taking the meal rightly: remembering Christ, examining ourselves, and welcoming one another. These lessons are not only relevant during Communion but also in our daily Christian walk.

Remembering Christ involves acknowledging His sacrifice and the new covenant established through His blood. It is a call to focus on Jesus and His redemptive work. Examining ourselves requires introspection and confession of sins, ensuring that we approach the table with a pure heart. This self-examination is crucial to avoid taking the meal in an unworthy manner, which can lead to spiritual consequences. Lastly, welcoming one another emphasizes the communal aspect of the Lord's Supper. It is a reminder to wait for and honor each other, fostering unity and fellowship within the church.

As we prepare to partake in Communion, let us reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. May we approach the table with gratitude, humility, and a heart open to reconciliation. This meal is a powerful reminder of God's grace and the unity we share as believers. Let us live in communion with God and each other, not just during this sacred meal, but every day of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The Sacredness of the Lord's Supper: The Lord's Supper is a gift from God, instituted by Jesus, and it carries profound spiritual significance. It is a time to remember Christ's sacrifice, give thanks, and recognize our unity as the body of Christ. This meal is not just a ritual but a powerful reminder of God's grace and our shared faith. [06:40]

- The Importance of Self-Examination: Before partaking in Communion, we must examine ourselves, confess our sins, and ensure our hearts are right with God. This self-examination helps us avoid taking the meal in an unworthy manner, which can lead to spiritual consequences. It is a call to introspection and repentance, fostering a deeper relationship with God. [26:55]

- Unity in the Body of Christ: The Lord's Supper is a communal act that emphasizes our unity as believers. Paul urges us to welcome one another, wait for each other, and honor the body of Christ. This unity transcends social and economic divisions, reflecting the true nature of the church as one body in Christ. [32:37]

- Remembering Christ's Sacrifice: The Lord's Supper is a time to focus on Jesus and His redemptive work. It is a reminder of the new covenant established through His blood and the salvation we have in Him. This remembrance should direct our attention toward heaven and inspire us to live in gratitude and obedience. [19:54]

- Living in Communion Daily: While the Lord's Supper is a special occasion, the principles of self-examination, unity, and remembrance should permeate our daily lives. As Christians, we are called to live in communion with God and each other, continually seeking reconciliation and fostering unity within the church. [41:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:20] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians
- [06:40] - Paul's Rebuke to the Corinthians
- [11:05] - Misrepresentation of Christ
- [16:37] - The Origin of Communion
- [19:54] - Different Views on Communion
- [26:55] - The Importance of Self-Examination
- [29:23] - Consequences of Taking Communion Unworthily
- [32:37] - The Meaning of Eucharist
- [37:00] - The Historical Event of Christ's Sacrifice
- [39:29] - Building Unity in the Church
- [41:20] - Daily Communion with God
- [43:00] - Preparing for Communion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Lord's Supper

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Observation Questions:
1. What specific behaviors did Paul rebuke the Corinthians for during their gatherings for the Lord's Supper? [06:40]
2. How did the Corinthians' actions during the Lord's Supper lead to disunity within the church? [06:40]
3. What are the three key lessons Paul emphasizes for taking the Lord's Supper rightly? [16:37]
4. How does Paul describe the consequences of taking the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner? [26:55]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul stress the importance of self-examination before partaking in the Lord's Supper? How does this practice affect one's relationship with God and the church? [26:55]
2. In what ways does the Lord's Supper serve as a reminder of the unity of the body of Christ, according to Paul's teachings? [32:37]
3. How does the concept of the Eucharist as "thanksgiving" deepen the personal connection believers have with the Lord during Communion? [32:37]
4. What does it mean to "welcome one another" in the context of the Lord's Supper, and how does this practice foster unity within the church? [32:37]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal practice of self-examination. How can you incorporate this more intentionally into your preparation for Communion? [26:55]
2. Consider a time when you felt disconnected from the church community. What steps can you take to foster greater unity and connection with fellow believers? [32:37]
3. How can you ensure that your participation in the Lord's Supper is a true reflection of gratitude and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice? [32:37]
4. Identify any divisions or unresolved conflicts within your church community. What actions can you take to promote reconciliation and unity? [06:40]
5. Think about the last time you approached the Lord's Supper. Were there any distractions or attitudes that hindered your focus on Christ? How can you address these before the next Communion? [19:54]
6. How can you apply the principles of self-examination, unity, and remembrance from the Lord's Supper to your daily Christian walk? [41:20]
7. Is there someone in your life with whom you need to reconcile before partaking in Communion? What steps will you take to address this relationship? [41:20]

Devotional

Day 1: The Sacredness of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is a profound gift from God, instituted by Jesus Himself. It is not merely a ritual but a sacred time to remember Christ's sacrifice, give thanks, and recognize our unity as the body of Christ. This meal serves as a powerful reminder of God's grace and our shared faith. As believers gather to partake in this holy meal, they are called to approach it with reverence and unity, reflecting the true nature of the church as one body in Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, rebukes them for their improper conduct during the Lord's Supper, emphasizing the need for unity and reverence. [06:40]

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and gratitude when participating in the Lord's Supper?


Day 2: The Importance of Self-Examination
Before partaking in Communion, believers are urged to examine themselves, confess their sins, and ensure their hearts are right with God. This self-examination is crucial to avoid taking the meal in an unworthy manner, which can lead to spiritual consequences. It is a call to introspection and repentance, fostering a deeper relationship with God. By examining oneself, believers can approach the table with a pure heart, ready to receive the grace and forgiveness offered through Christ's sacrifice. This practice of self-examination is not only relevant during Communion but should also be a regular part of the Christian walk. [26:55]

"Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." (1 Corinthians 11:28, ESV)

Reflection: What specific sins or attitudes do you need to confess and repent of before approaching the Lord's Table?


Day 3: Unity in the Body of Christ
The Lord's Supper is a communal act that emphasizes the unity of believers. Paul urges the Corinthians to welcome one another, wait for each other, and honor the body of Christ. This unity transcends social and economic divisions, reflecting the true nature of the church as one body in Christ. By fostering unity and fellowship within the church, believers can better represent the love and grace of Jesus to the world. The communal aspect of the Lord's Supper serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the body of Christ and the importance of supporting and uplifting one another. [32:37]

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and fellowship within your church community today?


Day 4: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice
The Lord's Supper is a time to focus on Jesus and His redemptive work. It is a reminder of the new covenant established through His blood and the salvation believers have in Him. This remembrance should direct attention toward heaven and inspire believers to live in gratitude and obedience. By remembering Christ's sacrifice, believers are called to live lives that reflect His love and grace, continually seeking to grow in their relationship with Him. This act of remembrance is not limited to the Lord's Supper but should permeate every aspect of the Christian life. [19:54]

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you keep the memory of Christ's sacrifice at the forefront of your daily life?


Day 5: Living in Communion Daily
While the Lord's Supper is a special occasion, the principles of self-examination, unity, and remembrance should permeate the daily lives of believers. Christians are called to live in communion with God and each other, continually seeking reconciliation and fostering unity within the church. By living in communion daily, believers can better reflect the love and grace of Jesus to the world, drawing others to Him. This daily communion with God and fellow believers serves as a powerful testimony of the transformative power of the Gospel. [41:20]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to live in daily communion with God and your fellow believers?

Quotes

"Now, imagine if at that special occasion, the wedding, the anniversary, if the guests had treated that special occasion like you grabbing something out of the fridge and pop it in the microwave. Okay, they just came, weren't even dressed up, grabbed their own food, brought it over to a corner somewhere, wolfed it down and left. How would that be? That would be totally inappropriate, correct? In fact, the behavior wouldn't fit the occasion." [00:01:42] (29 seconds)




"And they were doing all kinds of things wrong. They were getting a few things right, but on the whole, not so much. And I'm so grateful that 1 Corinthians is in my Bible because I can always, anytime I feel like I'm really not good enough for God and God could never love me, I look at 1 Corinthians and I go, oh, if he could love them, I'm in great shape." [00:03:11] (22 seconds)


"When we take communion, if you do it the right way, if you just do it the way that God instituted it, it should lead to greater fellowship with the Lord, deeper holiness and devotion to God. It should lead to greater unity in the church. But instead, it was having the exact opposite effect. Paul tells us that it was leading to disunity." [00:07:21] (23 seconds)


"Paul says in Galatians 1 that he received the gospel from the Lord Jesus himself during that time. And it's also possible that he received the origin of this ordinance as well during that time. And so, and even if that's not the case, at some point Paul learned this from the Lord. That's what he's saying. He learned how to take communion from the Lord. And in verse 24, Paul says that Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, broke the bread." [00:16:22] (28 seconds)


"Communion matters because Jesus says that it matters, and he tells us to do it. And what we're going to see is communion communicates something to us very, very powerfully. It is a gift, not because of the bread and the cup. And if you grew up in, I can't wait till I can take communion because then I get a snack during the service." [00:22:39] (21 seconds)


"Now, there are other questions that we can ask, but the questions about relationships are especially important because of verse 29. Verse 29 says, Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. What is the body, Paul? What is the body? Now, my first thought when I read this is that it's the body of Jesus Christ because that's what was killed for us on the cross. But think about ever since verse 17, the apostle has been calling out the Corinthians for their lack of unity in the church. And what is another name for the church?" [00:27:52] (36 seconds)

"Now, if you're here this morning and you don't yet know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you don't have that fellowship with Him, what does God want you to hear this morning? Well, taking the Lord's Supper is meaningful. It is a gift, but it's meaningful because it remembers a real historical event." [00:36:43] (17 seconds)


"Jesus Christ, being both God and man, died on the cross 2 ,000 years ago. Real historical event. He really did it. He was really buried. And in His death, God made Him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf so that we could become the righteousness of God. Jesus was buried. He was really buried in a tomb. You can visit it today. And He was raised to life on the third day, just as the scriptures said He would be. If you're here today and you've never put your trust in Jesus Christ, I want to just challenge you and exhort you and encourage you today. Let today be the day. Turn from sin. That means repent." [00:37:42] (38 seconds)


"May God give us the grace that we need to remember Jesus and to remember the church that he died to save, and may we live our whole lives in communion and thanksgiving to the Lord as we prepare for communion now and always. Let's pray." [00:41:38] (16 seconds)


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Transcript
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