Today’s passage: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Helpful thoughts:
- Paul rebukes the church for misusing the Lord’s Supper as a self-centered feast instead of observing the body of Christ, the church.
- The selfishness in the Corinthian church in their misuse of the Lord’s Supper was so severe the Lord chose to discipline people in the church for it (Hebrews 12:5-11).
- It isn’t wise to avoid conflicts at all costs. “There must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” (Verse 19)
- Those who are not genuine in their faith are able to stay under the radar when a church is not willing to have weighty conversations.
- Two instructions are given for the heart of every believer who participates in the Lord’s Supper:
- Examine yourself (Verse 28) – Am I right with God? Is there sin to confess?
- Discern the body (Verse 29) – Are we right with one another? Is there unity?
- In both instances, a “no” answer ought to spring us to action, to repentance and reconciliation.
Questions to consider:
- In what way was the Corinthian church’s practice of the Lord’s Supper just a symptom of a greater heart issue in the church? Who has this church appeared to be all about? What does “doing church” just to please ourselves ultimately result in (Verses 32 & 34)?
- For whom do we conduct our services and the ordinances? Who are we to aim to please?
- If we design our services around the pleasures of the flesh, we will always want more. What we have will never be enough or satisfy. If we truly desire the greatest joy and satisfaction in this life, whose desires should we care about most?