Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20010318.htm

1 CORINTHIANS: MINISTERING TO BELIEVERS WITH DEEP PAGAN BACKGROUNDS
Part XXII: Taking Righteous Advantage Of The Lord's Table
(1 Corinthians 11:20-34)
  1. Introduction
    1. During our communion services at Nepaug Church, we often repeat our stand opposite the Roman Catholic view of transubstantiation, that the communion elements do not turn into the body and blood of Christ. Then, opposite the Lutheran view of consubstantiation, we often repeat that we do not see the spiritual presence of Christ as uniquely adhering in these elements.
    2. Well, in making these stands of what we do not believe, we create a vacuum as to what we DO say it is, and why and how the Lord's Table is to be beneficial for us to observe.
    3. Paul reveals how we take proper, righteous advantage of observing the Lord's table as follows:
  2. Taking Righteous Advantage Of The Lord's Table, 1 Corinthians 11:20-34.
    1. The Corinthians suffered God's discipline for mishandling the Lord's Table, 1 Cor. 11:20-27, 30, 32.
      1. Paul noted they were not partaking of the Lord's Table correctly, 1 Corinthians 11:20.
      2. Specifically, they were abusing the meeting: some hoarded the bread and cup so others could not partake, and some were even becoming drunk at the Lord's Table, 1 Corinthians 11:21-22.
      3. Consequently, they were repudiating the meaning of Christ's death in the observance, 1 Cor. 11:27.
      4. For this repudiation, God had disciplined some with poor health, and others with even death, 11:29-30.
    2. Paul then set down an order for believers to use in partaking of the Lord's Table so as to be blessed:
      1. In the communion service, the bread first and then the cup were to be taken after each was appropriately blessed, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. This action implied several key applications:
        1. Partaking of the bread first and then of the cup minimized the temptation to gluttonous consumption and hoarding of the elements among just the few. This further supplied the time needed for individuals to focus on the meaning of the elements in the communion service.
        2. Partaking this way so as to allow all who came to participate in the Lord's table also indicates moderate amounts of drink and bread are to be used by each one to show their consumption is not for solving hunger needs, but for corporate, selfless worship, 1 Corinthians 11:34a.
      2. Yet, prior to partaking of the elements, the believer was to examine his relationship with the Lord so as to confess any unconfessed, post-salvation sins, 11:28, 31-33. This way he escapes God's discipline.
      3. Then the believer could focus on the centrality of Christ's cross, and proclaim the Gospel through partaking the elements before an observing world, 1 Corinthians 11:26 with Revelation 22:17.
Lesson: Affirmatively put, the Lord's table is meant to be a checkpoint along the Christian's spiritual pilgrimage that PREPARES him for making proper adjustments toward the Judgment Seat of Christ after the Rapture: (a) the believer is to examine if he is living separate from sin, and dedicated to the Lord, and (b) if he is busy about his call from God to show forth the Lord's death in life and service.

Application: (1) As it relates to the believer's LIFE of living separate from SIN, the self-examination time of the communion service, (a) he can evaluate if he is living separate from the lusts of the flesh, the eyes and the pride of this earthly life, 1 Cor. 11:21 with 1 John 2:15-16. (b) He can examine if he is living selfishly or if he is considering his neighbor as himself, 1 Cor. 11:21b with Mtt. 22:37-40. (c) He can ask himself if he is uplifting the Lord Jesus Christ in his life and actions, or if he is diminishing His testimony or Person and Work, cf. 1 Cor. 11:27. (2) As it relates to his service, the believer can review his life's course during the examination time of the communions service to see if he is heeding the Lord regarding the use of his spiritual gift and job assignment in discipling others for Christ, 1 Cor. 11:26 with 2 Tim. 1:6-7; Col. 4:17 in light of Mtt. 28:19-20. (3) In other words, the Lord's table offers an excellent time for the believer to evaluate where he is with the Lord, and make necessary adjustments by way of confession and rededication if need be in preparation for the Judgment Seat of Christ, cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11a. (4) All said, the believer is reminded that his central goal and purpose is the glorification of Jesus Christ, not himself or the promotion of his own agenda.