When we take the Lord’s Supper, we are called to remember the ultimate act of self-sacrifice—Jesus giving His body and blood for us. This remembrance is not just a ritual, but a powerful way to refocus our hearts on Christ and away from our own self-centeredness. As we reflect on His sacrifice, we are reminded that the church is not about our preferences or desires, but about honoring Jesus and following His example of love and humility. When we truly remember Him, it changes how we see ourselves and others, and it transforms the atmosphere of our church into one of unity and grace. [01:16:00]
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 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.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what specific aspect of Jesus’ sacrifice do you need to remember today, and how might that change your attitude toward others in your church family?
Before taking the Lord’s Supper, we are called to examine ourselves honestly. This is a time to reflect on our relationship with God, to consider if there is any bitterness, anger, or sin that needs to be confessed, and to restore any lost love for Christ or others. Self-examination is not about pointing out others’ faults, but about humbly looking within and allowing God to reveal what needs to change in our own hearts. When we do this, we approach the Lord’s table with reverence, sincerity, and a desire to be made right with God and with one another. [01:20:02]
1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (ESV)
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life or a relationship that needs to be made right before you take communion? What step can you take today to seek reconciliation or confess to God?
The early church struggled with divisions—rich and poor, different backgrounds, and cliques that left some feeling ignored or despised. But the Lord’s Supper is meant to unite us as one body, reminding us that every person matters and that we are all equal at the foot of the cross. When we welcome and love everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of their past or status, we reflect the heart of Jesus and create a church culture where people feel valued and at home. True unity is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of genuine care and inclusion for all. [01:02:25]
1 Corinthians 11:17-19 (ESV)
But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
Reflection: Who in your church or community might feel left out or overlooked? How can you reach out to them this week to show Christ’s love and help build unity?
Self-centeredness can creep into any church, shifting the focus from Jesus to ourselves—our wants, our preferences, our comfort. When this happens, the church becomes divided, cliquish, and loses its power to change lives. The Lord’s Supper is a powerful antidote to self-centeredness, reminding us that Jesus was never selfish but always self-sacrificing. As we remember Him, we are called to lay down our own desires for the good of others and the glory of God, creating a culture where everyone is welcomed, loved, and served. [01:18:50]
Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed self-centeredness to influence your actions or attitudes at church? What is one practical way you can put someone else’s needs before your own this week?
If we want to change the culture of our church, our community, or even our county, it starts with each of us choosing to love, welcome, and serve others as Jesus did. The Lord’s Supper is not just a personal act, but a corporate one that unites us in mission and purpose. When we take it seriously, it inspires us to be a lighthouse of grace, reaching out to people from every background and story, and showing them the love of Christ. As we do this together, we become a family that truly reflects the heart of God to the world around us. [01:31:48]
Romans 12:10-13 (ESV)
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Reflection: What is one intentional act of welcome or service you can offer to someone new or different in your church this week to help change the culture for the better?
Today’s gathering centered on the transformative power of the Lord’s Supper—not just as a ritual, but as a means to reshape hearts, relationships, and the very culture of a church. The Lord’s Supper, when approached with reverence and self-examination, draws us back to the self-sacrificing love of Jesus and away from the self-centeredness that so easily creeps into our lives and communities. In a world—and often, in churches—where people can become absorbed with their own wants, needs, and preferences, the table of the Lord calls us to remember that church is not about us, but about Christ and His body, the people.
Reflecting on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11, we see that the early church struggled with division, favoritism, and neglect of the less fortunate. Some would eat their fill while others went hungry, and the Lord’s Supper became just another meal, stripped of its meaning. This self-focus made the church worse, not better. The antidote, Paul says, is to remember Jesus’ sacrifice—His body broken and His blood shed for all, not just for a select few. When we take the Lord’s Supper seriously, it humbles us, unites us, and reminds us that every person matters, regardless of background, status, or past.
The call is to examine ourselves, to reflect on our relationships with God and with one another, and to let the example of Christ’s self-giving love shape our actions. The Lord’s Supper is not just a personal moment, but a corporate one—a time when the church comes together, waits for one another, and proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes. This unity and humility are what change the culture of a church, making it a place where all are welcomed, loved, and valued. When we remember Christ rightly, we become a church that reflects His heart to the world, and that’s how we begin to change not just our church, but our community and beyond.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (ESV) —
> 17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
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> 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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 also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
>
> 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
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> 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
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