Transforming Hearts Through the Lord's Supper

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.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Lord’s Supper is a call to self-examination and humility. When we approach the table thoughtfully, we are reminded to look beyond ourselves and consider how our actions and attitudes affect the whole body of Christ. This practice helps us root out self-centeredness and renew our focus on Jesus’ sacrificial love. [78:50]
• 2. Division and favoritism have no place in the church. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for allowing social status and cliques to shape their gatherings, reminding us that the church is made up of all kinds of people—rich, poor, educated, uneducated, from every background. True unity comes when we see every person as valuable and worthy of love and welcome. [62:25]
• 3. The Lord’s Supper is not just a personal act, but a corporate one. We take it together, waiting for one another, because it is a declaration that we are one body in Christ. This shared act of remembrance is a powerful antidote to isolation and individualism, drawing us into deeper community. [82:01]
• 4. Remembering Christ’s self-sacrifice transforms how we treat others. When we truly grasp that Jesus gave Himself for us, it compels us to move from selfishness to self-giving, from demanding our own way to serving others. This is the heart of gospel-shaped community and the foundation for a healthy church culture. [74:23]
• 5. Change in church culture begins with each of us. If we want our church to be a place of love, welcome, and transformation, it starts with our willingness to reflect, repent, and realign our hearts with Christ’s example. As we do this together, we become a light to our community and a testimony to the power of the gospel. [90:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [14:15] - Worship and Special Music
• [24:35] - Introduction to the Lord’s Supper
• [57:32] - The Problem of Self-Centeredness
• [62:25] - Division in the Early Church
• [72:00] - The Lord’s Supper and Church Unity
• [74:23] - The Antidote: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [78:50] - The Call to Self-Examination
• [80:02] - The Dangers of Taking Communion Lightly
• [82:01] - United in Remembrance
• [90:07] - Living Out Self-Sacrifice
• [91:48] - Welcoming All and Changing Culture
• [92:30] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Reading

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.
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> 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 11, what specific problems were happening in the Corinthian church when they gathered for the Lord’s Supper? ([01:02:25])
2. What does Paul say is the purpose of taking the Lord’s Supper, and how does he describe the right way to do it? ([01:14:23])
3. What does Paul instruct believers to do before taking the Lord’s Supper? ([01:18:50])
4. In the sermon, what example did the pastor use to show how self-centeredness can creep into church life? ([57:32])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner brings judgment, and what does it mean to “examine yourself” before participating? ([01:18:50])
2. How does remembering Christ’s sacrifice help to root out self-centeredness and division in the church? ([01:14:23])
3. The sermon mentioned that the Lord’s Supper is both a personal and a corporate act. Why is it important that the church takes it together, “waiting for one another”? ([01:22:01])
4. What does it look like for a church to be shaped by self-giving love instead of favoritism or cliques? ([01:02:25])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to examine our hearts before taking the Lord’s Supper. Is there a relationship in your life—inside or outside the church—that needs to be made right before you come to the table? What steps could you take this week to move toward reconciliation? ([01:18:50])
2. Think about a time when you felt left out or ignored in a church or group setting. How did it affect you? What can you do to make sure no one feels that way in our church? ([57:32])
3. The pastor said, “Church is not about us, but about Christ and His body, the people.” Are there ways you have made church about your own preferences or comfort? What would it look like to shift your focus to serving others? ([01:14:23])
4. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for allowing social status and cliques to shape their gatherings. Are there “groups” or barriers in our church that keep us from true unity? How can you personally help break down those barriers? ([01:02:25])
5. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Jesus’ self-sacrifice. What is one practical way you can show self-giving love to someone in our church family this week? ([01:30:07])
6. The sermon said that change in church culture begins with each of us. What is one area where you need to reflect, repent, or realign your heart with Christ’s example? ([01:30:07])
7. When we take the Lord’s Supper together, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. How can you live out that proclamation in your daily life, so that others see Christ’s love through you? ([01:22:01])