The Lord’sTable

Lesson 3: The Supper in Corinth

December 12, 2012University Church of Christ

Abilene, TX

Review‣ Worship in the Old Testament was

built around a structure of “holy meals”

‣ The Lord’s Supper is related to the table of the sacrifice, not the altar

‣ The Lord’s Supper was established in the context of the Passover, a meal celebrating God’s redemption

‣ At the Lord’s Table, Jesus is present as host and participant with us

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

• Paul connects the Lord’s Table with sacrifice meals

‣ Those who participate in the Lord’s Table participate in Him

‣ Those who eat and drink together are united

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

• Emphasis on communion

‣ There is a real connection between Christ and those who participate

๏ We share in His body and in His blood

๏ We become one with Him (which requires fidelity)

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

• Emphasis on communion

‣ There is a real connection between all participants

๏ We “partake”

๏ Because we share in the same meal, we truly become one body

• The Bible never tells us to take the Lord’s Supper with sadness, but with thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

• Most extensive discussion of Lord’s Supper in New Testament

• Not intended as theological treatise!

• This is the treatment of a specific problem

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

• Most extensive discussion of Lord’s Supper in New Testament

• Not intended as theological treatise!

• This is the treatment of a specific problem

Since so many of the Scripture texts about worship are aimed at correction rather than instruction, we are left with teaching that does not always directly and explicitly answer our own particular questions.

Richard E. Oster, Jr.

Start

End

It is not the Lord’s Super you eat for each of you goes ahead without waiting”

“

So then, wait for each other.”

“

Paul’s Words

“In the following, I have no praise…”

Paul’s Words

“When you come together, there are divisions among you”

Paul’s Words

“It is not the Lord’s Super you eat for each of you goes ahead without waiting”

Graeco-Roman meals

‣ Hierarchical arrangement

‣ Characterized by arguments and cliques

‣ Wine valued in quality and quantity

Paul’s Words

“I received from the Lord what I passed on to you”

Paul’s Words

“As often as you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death

until He comes”

Paul’s Words

“Whoever eats or drinks in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning

against the body and blood of the Lord”

Paul’s Words

“If anyone eats and drinks without discerning the body, he eats and drinks judgment”

Paul’s Words

“If we discerned ourselves, we would not be judged”

“29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. ”

“29For anyone who eats and drinks without diakri÷nw the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. ”

“29For anyone who eats and drinks without diakri÷nw the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. ”

“29For anyone who eats and drinks without diakri÷nw the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we diakri÷nw ourselves, we would not come under judgment. ”

“29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. 31For if we discerned ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.

World English Bible

29 - If we don’t diakri÷nw the Lord’s body => judgment

31 - If we do diakri÷nw ourselves => not judged

the Lord’s body (29) = ourselves (31)

Paul’s Words

“So then, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.

If any is hungry, let him eat at home”

Communion‣ The body takes the Lord’s Supper

as a body.

‣ We must recognize that body to take the Lord’s Supper correctly.

‣ It is not an individual act! It is the most corporate thing that we do.

‣ Paul did not eliminate the meal; he eliminated the division during the meal.

Summary

• Participating in the Lord’s Table is a time of connecting with our Lord and with one another

• The Bible never tells us to take the Lord’s Supper with sadness, but with thanksgiving

• Taking the Lord’s Supper is not an individual act. It is the most corporate thing that we do