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What’s the Lord’s Table all about? – 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Good morning church! Hope you’re well. A warm welcome to all who have joined us at the hall and our friends who have joined us online today.

As a church we’ve been going through this series titled The Church: God’s Dwelling Place from the letter of 1st Corinthians. And what we’ve seen so far is that the church is not a physical building but a People – the redeemed People of God in whom God dwells.

The church is God’s chosen residence! But what’s interesting is that this chosen residence – the church is not perfect. In fact it’s far from being perfect. In fact there’s a lot of maintenance and repair work that needs to take place in the lives of God’s people. The church is like a broken down home which needs a full scale major renovation.

So even as we approach today’s passage, let’s approach it with the same perspective. We are far from perfect. We need a full scale major renovation and we call out to God to perform that repair work in us as we listen and respond to God’s Word this morning. So let’s pray and ask God to that right now.

As we’ve gone through this letter, Paul has been addressing different sin issues that the Corinthian church were struggling with. They were fighting over leaders, there were issues of sexual misconduct, they were taking legal action against each other over trivial issues and they were using their Christian liberty as an excuse to be a stumbling block to weaker believers.

But the last thing that you would expect is for Paul to call them out in the way in which they were approaching the Lord’s Table or the Lord’s Supper.

How is it possible that something that is so integral to their worship gathering, something that they do together week after week turn out to be a big issue? Is Paul just trying to be difficult for the sake of it? Or is there actually a heart issue which is being addressed? What is it that we can learn from this especially when it comes to us approaching the Lord’s Table?

1. Lord’s Table is not a place for selfishness (v17-22)

[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.

In v17, we can see Paul not holding anything back. He is making his displeasure known. He’s basically telling them that their church gatherings are doing more damage than good.

And then he goes on to explain the reason for saying that in V18. There is some kind of division and discrimination that is taking place during their church gatherings.

And then in V19, it seems like a contradictory verse because we can easily misinterpret it as promoting divisions and disunity. But that’s not what he’s saying. Paul isn’t contradicting his earlier passages where he said:

1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV

[10] I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Paul is saying that divisions reveal those who are really genuine. In fact the Greek translates genuine as those who have God’s approval. Those who are truly in Christ. But how can divisions in the church possibly do that? Because it reveals those who desire love and humility and those who desire pride and self centredness. It reveals those who demonstrate repentance and those who demonstrate an unwillingness to change.

Now it’s not to say that we will never have a moment of pride or selfishness or unwillingness to change in this life. As long as sin dwells in us it will show itself in some form or the other.

As believers we reckon with that truth but at the same time we always need to question ourselves if we’re being characterized by pride, selfishness and an unwillingness to change. Is that the only fruit that we see in our lives? Because if that is the only fruit, then it reveals a heart that doesn’t know the Lord. It reveals a heart that is not genuinely transformed.

And then in v20-22, we understand a little bit more of what’s going on in Corinth. In the early church, the Lord’s Supper was part of a “love feast” that was served to the church.

As most of us are aware, the early church met in homes. Generally the homes of wealthier believers were used because they were bigger, so they could accommodate more people. All the congregants would be spread across many rooms of the house.

Now what was happening in Corinth was that the rich and the honored believers would be seated in the same room as the host. They would be given the best food in terms of quality and quantity. The poorer believers would be seated in a separate room and would often receive the leftovers of the meal (if there was anything remaining).

And that’s what Paul was calling out and saying that the Lord’s Table which was supposed to unify the church – join together people from different backgrounds and social statuses was now being used as a tool to discriminate and divide! They were using the Lord’s Table as a way to put themselves above others. They were using the Lord’s Table as a platform for their selfishness. How sad and unfortunate is that?

Although we live in a slightly different context where the Lord’s Supper each week is not a part of an overall meal. But I think the principle still remains. Could it be possible that we approach our Sunday gatherings with a heart of selfishness? I’m hoping to preach this sermon well so that people in the church can pat my back and say how well I’ve done today. And in our opportunities to serve on Sunday – I hope I’m perceived as a good, mature believer because of how I’ve served people with my giftings and responsibilities today. I hope people come and compliment me about the way I dressed up today. I hope I can exit the hall as soon as the service without engaging in any meaningful conversations with the people.

And there can be many more ways in which we often put ourselves above others as we approach our gatherings and the Lord’s Table with selfishness. And we’re being humbled and told that the Lord’s Table is not a place for selfishness.

2. The Lord’s Table is a place of remembrance (v23-26)

[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.

In these verses, selfishness is being constrasted to the self-sacrifice of Christ and that’s symbolized through the elements of the Lord’s Table.

In V23, we see where the Lord’s Table or supper originated from. It’s not a man made ritual – it came from the direction of the Lord Jesus Himself on the night when he was betrayed.

V24 – the breaking of the bread symbolized Jesus offering Himself on the cross for us. Those two words “for us” are so precious because it tells us that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not because of anything that He did but because of everything that we did in rebellion and defiance to God. Jesus offered Himself as our substitute. He became a scapegoat for us. He bore the punishment instead of us. Every time the bread is broken and handed over to us, it’s a reminder telling us that Jesus offered Himself for us. We were supposed to face the punishment but He took it for us.

V25 – the cup symbolizes Jesus creating a new covenant in His blood. What’s that? For that we first need to get what the old covenant was about. The Old covenant was God’s promises with His people on the basis of their commitment to the law. In other words, it was conditional. If God’s people remained committed, then they would receive God’s blessing but if not, they would bear the consequences of punishment and curse. It was based on their performance to the law.

Now contrast that with the new covenant in Jesus’ blood. In this God establishes permanent promises with His people no longer on the basis of their commitment but on the basis of Jesus’ blood. It’s no longer based on their performance but Jesus Christ’s perfect performance for them. It’s no longer conditional. And so every time we pick up the cup, it’s a reminder to our hearts that God doesn’t relate with me on the basis of my level of commitment or performance, He relates with me on the basis of Christ’s perfect performance and pure blood. How freeing is that for us this morning? To know that despite our many sins and failures, God is not asking us to perform and prove ourselves to be in His presence (that’s not even possible) but He invites us to Him because He sees us through the lens of the new covenant in Jesus’ blood.

V26 summarizes it by saying that every time we partake of the elements, the church is preaching and proclaiming a message. It’s preaching that it desperately needed Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and also Christ’s performance on their behalf to establish a permanent unbreakable relationship. Week after week we regularly preach this message until the Day when our Lord returns.

But not only is the Lord’s Table not a place for selfishness, not is it a place to remember Jesus’ sacrifice, but

3. The Lord’s Table is a place of repentance (v27-34)

[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. [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.

When we read warning passages like these, it almost seems unreal. Is God actually going to judge me on how I partake in the Lord’s Table? Yes, it’s actually true. In fact v27 tells us if we take it in an unworthy manner, we will be held guilty of the way we’ve treated the body and blood of the Lord.

And so as v28 reminds us that there needs to be a self-examination which takes place before we partake of the elements. We are self-examining not just our actions but also our motivations before the Lord. But it shouldn’t just make us stop there but also lead us to humble repentance. And the assurance is that humble repentance will be met with a welcome embrace.

Hannah and I were reading the story of the lost son a few days back. It was such an assuring, comforting truth to know that while the son was still a long way off, the father saw him (which meant that he was watching and waiting for his son to return from the time his son left him), felt compassion, and ran and embraced and kissed him.

And even as the son began to say the sorry script that he prepared saying “Father I have sinned against heaven and before you. I’m not worthy to be called your son”…He couldn’t even finish his script, because the father immediately called his servants to put the best robe, shoes and ring on his hand and have a celebration that night because his lost son came back. And that’s not only true on the day when you and I believed first, it’s even true today when as a believer in Christ we have messed up miserably and fall short of what God has called us to do.

And that’s precisely what the Lord’s Table is supposed to tell us this morning. It’s not telling us to perform, reform ourselves on our own strength and make ourselves worthy of God. In fact it tells us that like the lost son we have messed up badly, but on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice and performance, God is pursuing and running toward us like the father of the lost son.

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Christian Freedom & Gospel Witness  – 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Good morning church. Just wanted to welcome all who have joined us at the hall today and our friends who have joined us online. Every time we come together as a church family especially as God’s Word is being opened up, let’s remember that it’s no ordinary event but God is intending to do something deep in our hearts. And that’s what we get to do together as a family each week. 

If you’ve been tracking with us at the Gathering, we’ve been going through a series titled The Church: God’s Dwelling Place from the letter of 1st Corinthians. What we’ve seen so far is that the church is not a building, it’s not an organization, it’s not a formal event that you sign up for a few hours each week. The church is a People whom God has redeemed through His Son Jesus Christ. 

In these passages that we’ve read over the last three or four weeks, Paul has been consistently addressing the topic of christian liberty or christian freedom – what does it mean for us to be free in Christ. 

In chapter 8, he tells us that Christian freedom can’t be an excuse to become a stumbling block for a weaker fellow believer. In chapter 9, he uses his own life as an illustration to demonstrate how he himself surrendered his rights for the good of the Corinthian church (He’s asking the church to look at his life’s example). In chapter 10, he tells us how our Christian freedom can’t be an excuse to participate in sin (idolatry and immorality). 

And as he brings this topic of Christian freedom to a close this week, he’s challenging the church to look inwards and ask themselves if their “Christian freedom” has become a hindrance to their Gospel witness. 

As their spiritual father in Christ, Paul is lovingly telling them “You think you’re mature, you think you’ve got some superior knowledge which allows you do whatever you want under the umbrella of being free in a Christ, I want you to take a hard look at yourselves and see if “Christian freedom” is becoming to your own Gospel witness. 

And even as we’re listening to this, we realize that this isn’t an irrelevant topic for us today. We all understand the tension between our Christian freedom and our Gospel witness. As we are living out our identity as children of God in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces and in places of leisure, we’re all trying to figure the balance between our freedom in Christ and ensuring that it doesn’t compromise our Gospel witness. 

If you’re there today, wrestling with this tension of Christian freedom and your Gospel witness, let me encourage you to know there’s hope and help available in today’s passage. It’s not coming from a place of legalism which asks “If you call yourself a good Christian, is this what you do?” Rather it gives three quality checks to help us deal with this tension.

1. Does it edify?

 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 [23]  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. [24] Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 

As we’ve read 1st Corinthians, one thing that we’ve grown accustomed to is seeing Paul cite a quotation and then respond to it. Most likely these quotes were questions that Corinthian church had written to Paul asking for biblical counsel on it. This was the Ask Pastor Paul podcast of that time. 

The question they asked Paul in V23 was “All things are lawful”. In other words, “I have the right and power to do anything and everything because I’m free in Christ, right?” And Paul’s response is, “Alright, but anything and everything is not helpful”. That word helpful is translated as “profitable”. Is it actually profiting you? Is it actually benefiting you in some way? Is it actually productive for you? Is it actually good for you? 

And then he quotes them once more by saying “alright you’re saying you can do anything and everything” but is that actually going to build up faith? Not just your faith but the faith of your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In fact in the original Greek, the word is translated as house builder. The picture of a construction worker who is laying one brick upon another to build a house. And that’s the imagery that’s being used for our faith. Are we building up our faith by doing this? Are we building up our brother and sister’s faith by this? 

And what Paul is doing by this is challenging their assumption that their freedom in Christ allows them to do whatever they want. And he’s challenging them to ask themselves if it’s profitable to them? And if it’s helping build up their faith and their neighbors faith through it? In other words, by doing this or not doing this is it helping to edify yourself and your fellow believer’s faith? 

And then in V24, he tells them to not seek their own good but the good of their neighbor. If you’ve been around a church, you’ve probably heard this a few times. 

But I want us to take a minute to think how antithetical it is to the culture around us? We live in a culture that tells you that if you seek your own good, if you seek your own interests then you’ll be happy. Then you’ll progress in life. And it’s not just the culture around us, our own sinful hearts tell us the same thing – Put yourself above others, seek your own good and then later on care about your neighbors. 

And it’s to that culture and sinful heart that this verse tells us “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor”. I’m saying this so that we can acknowledge that this doesn’t come naturally to us. We are simply not wired that way. We are not able to do this by our own strength. We desperately need God’s grace to help us live with this perspective of seeking not our good, but the good of another. 

And when Paul is saying “seek the good of another”, he’s not just preaching some broad moral science lecture. There is a specific context to what he’s saying. The context was on eating food offered to idols. There were some so-called mature believers in Corinth who were saying “I can eat because I’m free in Christ”. What Paul has been discipling them through is to consider a younger believer among them who won’t see it that way and instead it will hurt their conscience. He’s telling them how they need to lay down their rights to eat that food for the good of their younger brother and sister. 

In my previous church, once our youth group had the chance to go to an orphanage outside the city to conduct a VBS for the children out there. During the orientation we were told to not wear jeans and tight fitting clothes while we’re on the premises. I remember being not so comfortable with that instruction. Felt it was very restrictive and old fashioned but later on I realized why we were told that. It was a context where wearing jeans and fitting clothes were perceived very differently. And we were going to spend the good part of the next 2 days sharing the Gospel in skits, songs and through teaching and the people out there who understood the context better than us didn’t want our Gospel witness to be hindered in the process. 

Was there something sinful in wearing jeans? No but in that context it would have been perceived in a way where it would be an obstacle to them receiving the Gospel. And so it meant that we had to let down our pride, let down our rights for the good of those children. 

It’s a good place for us to pause and ask ourselves what are some places in our lives where we need to lay down our rights for the good of our brother and sister? What are some choices that we need to make with the intention to edify our faith and the faith of our brothers and sisters? 

First quality check – Does it edify? Second one. 

2. Does it glorify? 

1 Corinthians 10:31 [31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

But before we come to v31, I want to ensure that we don’t skip the verses in between. So a quick summary of the verses in between. In verses 25-30, Paul is dealing with the question of eating food offered to idols but in a slightly different situation – at the marketplace and at somebody’s home. Till now Paul has been saying “No” to the question of eating in the temple, but now it seems like he’s making an allowance in these situations. Why is that so? 

Again, let’s understand the Corinthian context. In those days everything in that city revolved around the temple and their worship of their many idols. And so inevitably even the meat that was sold at the local market probably had a touch point at the temple. So the Corinthian church was asking “can we eat this meat if it was purchased from a local market”? 

And Paul’s response is that if you’re buying from the local market without anyone giving a disclaimer saying that this was previously sacrificed to an idol, just take it. Don’t be paranoid, don’t do a background check, don’t do a criminal investigation. Just buy it and take it home. 

And then another question “what if it’s served at the home of an unbeliever?” Paul’s response is again the same. If there’s no disclaimer given stating that this was offered to an idol, just eat it. No need to do a background check, don’t do a criminal investigation. Just eat it. 

However, if someone at the table mentions that this was offered to an idol, then you need to avoid it for the sake of the other person’s conscience. Not your conscience – because you’re eating it with a clear conscience after giving thanks to God for that meat. But it is for the sake of the other person’s conscience that you need to avoid it. 

I think this is a helpful principle especially when our unbelieving neighbors or colleagues or sometime family members offers prasad to us. Sometimes we just know what to say or do in that moment. If they come to you offering prasad, then the reason you need to decline and avoid eating it is for the sake of the conscience of the others that are there. In fact it’s an opportunity for us to witness to them by saying “I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to take this because of my faith in Jesus alone”. 

But is there something inherently wrong in eating the prasad? No. If you’re eating it giving praise to Jesus, you can do it with a clear conscience. However, it’s for the sake of the other person who will probably perceive it as us being okay with worshiping an idol. 

And that’s how we arrive in v31. Because it’s telling us whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, everything needs to be done to the glory of God! 

Couple of observations from this verse. 

  • There is nothing insignificant in our lives for God. There’s nothing too small or mundane or random in our lives which don’t deserve to be lived to the glory of God. Even things as mundane as eating and drinking need to be to the glory of God. Waking up, Brushing your teeth, Taking a shower, Putting on your clothes, Taking a bus or train or rickshaw to work or school, while you’re filling a redundant excel sheet at work, while you’re taking your lunch break and chai break, scrolling through your phone – all of these mundane things are significant to God and needs to be done in a way that brings honor to Him. 
  • There is nothing out of bounds in our lives for God. Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. There is nothing out of scope, there is nothing out of bounds even the areas of our life that we think are private and personal. Our relationships, the content that we individually consume on TV and social media, private conversations we have on chat, how we spend our money, (sometimes we get embarrassed to say this) but even something as private as our sex life all of it needs to be for the glory of God. Whatever we do on a Sunday morning or whatever we do from a Monday to Saturday, that need to be for the glory of God. 

And so it’s a helpful practice for ourselves and with each other to ask – can we honestly say that we’re thinking this, or saying this or doing this to the honor and praise of God?

3. Does it unify? 

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 [32] Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, [33] just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

If we read verses 32 & 33 out of context, we can very easily misunderstand it as though Paul is promoting people pleasing. A couple of reasons why we shouldn’t misunderstand is because that phrase “Give no offense” doesn’t mean being politically correct or overly sensitive but it actually is translated as “don’t lead anyone to sin” or as the NIV translates as “Don’t be a stumbling block”.

Secondly, we understand the goal that he’s trying to accomplish in doing all this. It’s not so that people can love and accept him more. The goal in trying to please people is for their salvation. (V33) Now that doesn’t mean being a doormat, it doesn’t mean compromising on our gospel witness, it doesn’t mean being dishonest just so that they get saved. Without compromising on our gospel witness, we are called to accommodate ourselves for the best interests of the other. 

It’s not trying to ask others to come to where we are at, but rather to meet people where they are at without compromising our witness. It reminds us that each and every believer is called to be a missionary (even though it’s not a formal title or vocation). We’re always on mission whether inside the hall of the church or outside it. We are called to think like missionaries who are always exegeting and understanding their context to ensure that the gospel is made accessible to their context without compromising their witness. 

It tells us can’t be living our Christian life in oblivion without understanding or caring about our current context. The most loving thing we can do to understand where others are at and then strive to meet them where their at without compromising our witness so that they would be able to receive Jesus. 

After all isn’t that what happened when God reached out to us. God didn’t wait for us to come to him but rather came to us without compromising his holiness. God had undertaken the greatest and most significant mission trip by sending his Son Jesus Christ to the earth to take on the form of man and then live the life that we needed to live and die the death we deserved to die for us. He was buried and three days later on that Resurrection Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the grave so that whoever would believe in Jesus would be saved and converted to His children forever. Our salvation is hinged on the fact of Jesus Christ laying down his freedom and his rights for our best interests. 

As people who have experienced the benefit of Christ’s work first hand, we are called to similarly lay down our freedoms for the best interests of others. We do that by asking ourselves these quality check questions:

  • Does it edify? 
  • Does it glorify God? 
  • Does it unify?
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Exclusive Calling – 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

In today’s world, the idea of exclusivity often comes with negative connotations—elitism, discrimination, or separation. However, in the Christian context, being “exclusive” is about being set apart by God for a unique and divine purpose. This passage from 1 Corinthians 10 reminds us of the sacredness of our calling, the responsibilities it carries, and the communal aspect of living out our faith.

1. We Are Called into an Exclusive Relationship with God Through Jesus

1 Corinthians 10 begins by reminding us of Israel’s history—how they were all under the cloud, passed through the sea, and ate the same spiritual food. Yet, not all pleased God. Paul uses this history to caution us that despite being part of God’s people, our relationship with Him is personal and exclusive through Christ.

Called to be His Own: Just as Israel was chosen, we are called into a covenant relationship with God, but this is now through Jesus. It’s not just a collective identity but an intimate, personal relationship. This relationship is exclusive because it’s through Christ alone, by His sacrifice, that we have access to the Father (John 14:6).

The Warning of Idolatry: Verses 7-10 warn against idolatry, which in this context is anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. This exclusivity in our relationship with God means that nothing else can compete for His place. We are to worship God alone, loving Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).

2. We Are Called to Live an Exclusive Lifestyle That Honors God

Paul goes on to urge the Corinthians to learn from the past, to not repeat the mistakes of Israel. This brings us to our second point: our calling demands a lifestyle that is set apart.

A Life of Holiness: Living a lifestyle that honors God means adhering to His standards, which are often in contrast with the world’s values. We are to flee from idolatry (v.14), which could be anything that detracts from God’s supremacy in our lives—be it materialism, immorality, or pride. Our exclusivity is evident in our distinctiveness—living holy lives as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Witness to the World: This exclusive lifestyle is not just for our benefit but as a witness to others. When our lives reflect God’s holiness, it draws others to the light of Christ in us. Our speech, conduct, and decisions should all bear the mark of this divine calling.

3. We Are Placed in an Exclusive Community to Live Out This Lifestyle

Finally, our exclusive calling is not just individual but communal. Paul speaks to the church in Corinth as a collective, reminding them of their shared history, challenges, and calling.

Community of Believers: God places us in an exclusive community—the Church—to support, encourage, and hold each other accountable. Verses 16-17 speak of the communion we share as believers, symbolizing our unity in Christ. This community is exclusive in its purpose to uphold God’s truth and encourage one another in faith.

Means of Grace: Within this community, God provides means of grace—through the Word, sacraments, and fellowship—to help us live out our calling. The Church is where we grow, where we learn to live this exclusive lifestyle, and where we find strength in our shared faith. Together, we resist temptation (v.13) and build each other up in love and truth.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, our calling as Christians is exclusive in the most beautiful and profound way. We are called into an exclusive relationship with God through Jesus, to live a lifestyle that honors Him, and to be part of an exclusive community that supports and nurtures our faith. Let us take to heart Paul’s exhortation, learning from Israel’s history, and commit to living out this exclusive calling with reverence and joy. Amen.