Church - When Worship Dishonors God - 1 Corinthians 11 - March 28, 2010

Bible Study – Church – When Worship Dishonors God – March 28, 2010

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Church Gone Wrong.” We still have one more lesson in the series.

Our scripture is 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

Worship is all about our hearts toward GOD. Often, we go to church and go through the mechanics of church and leave the same as we enter. Church is for Christians to be refreshed and restored. Christians need their batteries charged to prepare them for the next week. We can dishonor GOD by going through the motions of worship. We serve a living and dynamic GOD. HE wants us to let HIM know when we are down and need a boost. Churches used to have revivals to rejuvenate its members. We all need rejuvenating from time to time. Often we do not need a formal revival but we can tell our LORD, “I need a special touch from YOU.” Then look around you and behold HIS handiwork.

Our scripture focuses on participating in the Lord’s Supper with the wrong attitude and purpose. There are other practices that can be observed with the wrong intentions such as baptism, attending church, working in the church, giving money to the church to name a few.

I know there are denominations that will disagree with me regarding baptism. Some Christian denominations believe that a person must be baptized to go to heaven. Some people may get baptized hoping it will be their ticket to heaven.

Baptism is a symbol which reflects what has taken place in a person’s heart when he/she is born-again. Baptism is a very important part of the Christian experience and should be observed but it is not necessary for salvation. It is a matter of obedience, which follows salvation. It reveals to others that he/she is not ashamed of being a Christian. It is symbolic of the person’s rebirth in CHRIST. When the new Christian is baptized by immersion, it is symbolic of him/her being buried with CHRIST, as he/she is immersed in water. When the person being baptized is raised from the water it represents his/her commitment to walk in newness of life as given by his/her relationship to CHRIST through the miracle of rebirth. It represents the new Christian dying to his/her old life and being resurrected to his/her new life in CHRIST. The new Christian already as this new life the moment he/she asked CHRIST to forgive him/her and to come into his/her life. The miracle of rebirth takes place in an instant. The person is saved and if he/she dies before he/she is baptized, he/she goes to heaven. How can I say this?
When JESUS was on the cross there were two (2) criminals being crucified with HIM. One (1) believed in HIM and JESUS told him that he would be in Paradise with HIM that very day. The new convert was not baptized, yet JESUS said he would go to the holding place called Paradise. When JESUS gave HIS life for the sins of mankind and went to heaven, JESUS took Paradise to heaven. Therefore, when a Christian dies he/she goes immediately to heaven to be with CHRIST and GOD.
Does a Christian have to be baptized by immersion? It is Biblical but immersion is not necessary, in my opinion. It is all about the heart. Some people have disabilities which prevent them from being immersed. They are just as much born-again believers as those who are baptized in the Jordan River.
Attending church, working in the church or giving money to the church does not assure a person of salvation. It is good for them to be in the church because they can be exposed to the Gospel of CHRIST but a person cannot earn his/her salvation. There is only one way to heaven and that is by asking CHRIST to forgive you of your sins, believe that HE died upon the cross for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life - Simple but eternal. It is CHRIST in you which make you a Christian.
So how do you get HIM in you? Ask HIM – Revelation 3:20 - 20 Listen! I (JESUS) stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. (Holman)
I like the King James Version - 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man (or woman) hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Notice the order – HE stands at the door of a person’s heart. HE knocks. The person has a choice whether or not to open the door. The latch on the door is inside of the person. GOD never violates the person’s freedom of choice. Whoever hears HIS voice and opens the door of his/her heart, HE comes in and lives with him/her. This is rebirth. CHRIST in you equals Christian.
How do you know HE is there? Romans 8:16 - 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,
2 Corinthians 1:22 - 21 Now the One who confirms us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.
When a person is born-again, GOD will confirm it in his/her heart. It is a knowing that only the Christian can discern. Satan will try to make you doubt your salvation but if you have asked CHRIST to forgive you of your sins, believe that HE gave HIS life for you and asked HIM to come into your life, HE is there. If there is a question then, ask HIM right now.
CHRIST in you is the only sure way to heaven. How about others? They will be judged by GOD. Do you want to be assured of going to heaven? JESUS said it best in John 5:24 - 24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
Taking communion or the Lord’s Supper will not get a person to heaven. In fact, those who partake in the Lord’s Supper thinking it will get them to heaven are only fooling themselves. JESUS instituted the Lord’s Supper the night HE was betrayed. It was to symbolize HIS sinless body and blood given to pay the penalty for sin. When a person takes the elements of the wine and bread, he/she is remembering why CHRIST gave HIS life on the cross. I must quickly add that the resurrection is proof that HIS shed blood and bodily sacrifice to pay the sin debt was accepted by GOD. Because HE lives, so will all who believe in HIM!!!

Paul had to deal with the Lord’s Supper being used for the wrong reasons. As we discussed in our last study, the Corinthian Christians were opinionated and followed their Spiritual mentors. They had their own clicks. Therefore, when they came together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper it became evident there was a division between the haves and the have-nots. Let’s explore.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 and 33-34:

The Lord’s Supper

17 Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 There must, indeed, be factions among you, so that the approved among you may be recognized. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not really to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others, and one person is hungry while another is drunk! 22 Don’t you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on the church of God and embarrass those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for this!

Paul heard of a problem regarding the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper was intended to be celebrated as a fellowship meal. He began by telling the Corinthian Christians that their worship was getting worse and not better. Rather than moving to a more unified body of believers in CHRIST, they were moving away from unity. Their primary problem was disunity because of divisions among them. Paul gave us a clue about the divisions in verse 19. There were “the approved” among them. This was likely a group of Christians with means. This wealthy group had either brought or bought food which would be served. This group ate before the less prosperous arrived. Yet, it was supposed to be a common gathering and meal. In fact, some of the early arrivals had an early start on the wine and were drunk when the less prosperous arrived.

This action divided the church members into two (2) divisions, the haves and the have-nots. Such action does not promote unity. Such action was self-indulgent. The ground at the cross is level because rich, poor, short, tall, plump, skinny, intelligent or not so intelligent all receive salvation through CHRIST and by the grace of GOD.

1 Corinthians 11:33-34:

33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that you can come together and not cause judgment. And I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.

Paul told those who needed to eat early to eat before they left their home. They had missed the point of celebrating the Lord’s Supper. It was a time to remember CHRIST giving HIS life, as represented by the bread and HIS blood which was shed for the remission of sins, as represented by the wine. The elite needed to wait on and join in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper together in unity and harmony as true brothers and sisters in CHRIST.

Paul in essence was saying, “When the elite group used their position to go ahead of the less elite, they set themselves up to be judged by the less elite. So remove that potential stumbling block and eat together in harmony. CHRIST is not divided. HE is the SAVIOR of any who will call upon HIS name. HE is not respecter of persons.”

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: on the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 gave thanks, broke it, and said,[6] Other mss add “Take, eat. “This is My body, which is[7] Other mss add broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way [He]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. also [took]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the cup, after supper, and said, “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.

Paul made it clear that the instructions he was passing on to them came from CHRIST Himself. Paul stated what CHRIST said on the night HE was betrayed.
JESUS, the SON of GOD, did not put Himself first. But HE gave HIS life on the cross so all who would believe in HIM would have salvation from sin and eternal death. By the same token, those well off should not put themselves first before the less
fortunate; CHRIST gave HIS life for all.

The supper instituted by CHRIST was to be a time of gathering at HIS table to remember what HE had done unselfishly for others. It is a time of remembrance. If there is anything that keeps us from worshipping HIM in Spirit and truth, we need to confess it. It is a time of fellowship with HIM and our fellow Christians in unity and harmony. It is a time to remember that we were not created for time but for eternity and JESUS is coming again to redeem those who remain. Until HE returns we are to obediently serve HIM. Many of us will meet HIM in heaven and return with HIM when HE returns to earth. At that moment, those who have departed and return with HIM will receive their Glorified bodies which will be like JESUS’ Glorified body.
The Lord’s Supper is the covenant HE makes with all Christians to give them the assurance that what HE has promised will be fulfilled. Just as GOD made covenants with the Israelites through the ages, CHRIST made a covenant with all who believe in HIM.

As Christians show unity in CHRIST, CHRIST wants Christians to show unity with each other. This was the message of Paul to the Corinthian Christians. What message do we send as we gather with fellow Christians as we take of the Lord’s Supper? Are we in harmony with our fellow Christians? If not, we must make it right. If the other party does not make it right at least we have done our part. Paul addresses such action in our next scripture.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 11:27-32:

Self-Examination

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body[8] Lit be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[9] Other mss read drinks unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen • asleep.[10] Jn 11:11; Ac 7:60; 1 Th 4:13–15 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

Paul was saying that partaking of the Lord’s Supper was not to be taken lightly. It is serious business. In fact, a Christian partaking of the Lord’s Supper will be judged by GOD and if he/she has participated in an unworthy manner he/she runs the risk of removing themselves from GOD’S circle of protection and he/she could come up sick, ill or even died.

The key word in verse 27 is “unworthily.” It is not “unworthy.” We are all unworthy except through the redemption of CHRIST. The idea Paul was stressing was the attitude of the hearts of those partaking of the elements of the New Covenant. It was the manner or their attitude or heart toward GOD and their fellow Christians.

Paul continued to develop this point in verse 27 when he referred to “sinning against the body.” Body could refer to those failing to remember that CHRIST gave HIS body and blood for the remission of sin which makes the New Covenant possible or it could refer to the church as the body of believers or both.

It was likely Paul was referring to both because he was concerned with the lack of unity among the church. There were divisions. This influenced the Spiritual health of the body of believers, the church and it was a reflection of the poor Spiritual health of certain believers. Some had Spiritual heart trouble.

Christians getting sick, ill or dying was harsh but Paul was saying that partaking of the Lord’s Supper was serious, so they should be careful not to treat that which GOD has deemed sacred, frivolously. Therefore, each person should examine himself and his relationship to GOD and his fellow Christians. Confess that which needs to be confessed and resolve that which needs to be resolved. Make things right before you go to the Lord’s Table to remember what CHRIST did for you on the cross so that you will live in heaven with HIM for eternity.

Paul was not saying that Christians who partake in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner would lose their eternal life but their earthly life could be cut short.

Paul encouraged participants in the Lord’s Supper to examine their hearts before taking the elements of the Lord’s Supper – The bread represented the body of CHRIST and the wine represented HIS shed blood. It is all about the attitude of the heart toward GOD and fellow believers.

Paul was telling the Corinthian Christians that the way they were observing the Lord’s Supper was wrong and they had better change or be prepared to suffer the consequences. In fact Paul thought some had already suffered consequences.

The Lord’s Supper is a Covenant and GOD takes a Covenant between HIM and HIS people seriously.

Jeremiah 31:31-33: (Old Testament - Testament means Covenant)

The New Covenant

31 “Look, the days are coming”—[this is]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant[35] Ezk 37:26; Lk 22:20 with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 [This one will]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke even though I had married them”[36] Isa 54:4; 62:4; Mal 2:11 —the Lord’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will place My law[37] Or instruction within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.

GOD was instructing the Prophet Jeremiah to look forward to the day when the Promised Messiah will institute the New Testament or New Covenant by giving HIS sinless body and shedding HIS blood to pay the penalty for sin. The Promised Messiah’s obedience unto death would break the sin barrier and open the way for all who believe in HIM to receive salvation and to be born-again by the Spirit of GOD into GOD’S family. Proof that the obedience of JESUS defeated death and paid the sin debt is the resurrection of JESUS.

GOD gives all believers the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT as the guarantee and proof that by accepting CHRIST as their SAVIOR they have been made righteous through the sacrifice of CHRIST.

Paul addressed the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8: 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast permeates (the Old Covenant) the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast (the Old Covenant) so that you may be a new batch (New Life in CHRIST), since you are unleavened (No Yeast). For Christ our • Passover[2] Ex 12 has been sacrificed.[3] Other mss add for us 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old yeast, or with the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

CHRIST and HIS disciples were celebrating the Passover Meal, Old Testament/Covenant, on the night that HE instituted the New Covenant. GOD is awesome. Only GOD could orchestrate impeccable timing of completing the Old Covenant while bringing in the New Covenant during Passover. The Passover was remembering when GOD delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery. CHRIST delivers all who believe in HIM from the bondage of sin and death.

When you take the Lord’s Supper or Communion, examine yourself and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to examine you to reveal anything that needs to be confessed or resolved before you come to the Lord’s Table to remember HIS death for you and the miracle of rebirth. Partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine with HIM is a time of fellowship with each other and a renewing of your relationship with HIM. It is a time to thank HIM for your salvation and a time to look forward to HIS coming again. It is also a time to see the world through HIS eyes and ask HIM what you need to do to obediently serve HIM as you wait for HIS coming.

Do not take the Lord’s Supper lightly. Do this in remembrance of HIM. Blessings to all.