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This is the eleventh sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Do This In Remembrance of Me’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
This is the eleventh sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Do This In Remembrance of Me’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
And when I come I will give further directions.
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECT: How can you grow in your appreciation of the opposite sex as passionate followers of Jesus?
WARM-UP
Are there any foods or meals that represent something bigger in Australian society today?
Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-26
Why does Paul have no praise for the Corinthians in the following verses? What have they done?
Along what lines was the Corinthian church divided? Can you recall what was practically happening?
Why then weren’t they coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper? What is the sadness and hypocrisy in a deeply divided church coming to celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
Our divisions may not be as obvious or as deep as these, but how might we be at risk of being divided as a church? What is our role individually in this? What is the thing which unites us?
From where/who does the Lord’s Supper come from? What was the background for the very first Lord’s Supper?
What is the significance of the bread? What does it represent and remind us of?
What is the significance of the cup? What does it represent and remind us of? Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 What is the new covenant and how do we receive it?
How is the Lord’s Supper designed to impact us every time we take part in it? What could cause us either disengage or be distracted as we come to the table?
Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-34
What does the context of the passage indicate that ‘eating and drinking in an unworthy manner’ means? Why is this a serious matter?
In what ways do we examine ourselves before coming to the Lord’s Supper? Why is this important?
What occurred in the Corinthian church as a result of not taking the meal seriously and being divided?
What are some ways that you could practically prepare to take part in the meal as we gather as church together the celebrate?
APPLY: How can you grow in your appreciation of the Lord’s Supper and in the unity of the church?
PRAYER
Gracious Father, thank you so much for the hope that we have in Jesus and thank you for giving us ways in which to remember your grace. Keep us from being too casual with the Lord’s Supper, keep us from divisions, and help us every time we come to celebrate to grow as disciples of you, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: How can you remain fruitful on your frontlines over the long-term? Join us as we consider this Wednesday morning from 7-8am in the Centre for Work + Faith.
Listen, Watch, and Read:
AUDIO: 3 talks on the Lord’s Supper from Dick Lucas
AUDIO and RESOURCES: “Redemption” - Week 3 in our God’s Story series
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
WITH CHILDREN
Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.
Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray
High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook
Listen to the latest sermons and talks from St Bart's Anglican Church site located in Toowoomba, Australia. Visit www.stbarts.com.au for the latest news and information.