Jun 6, 2021
For the past few weeks, Jamie has been hard at work here at
church studying for one of his ordination exams, one specifically
dealing with the sacraments. Occasionally, when he emerges from his
office, I get to hear him rehearse all the nuances of Presbyterian
teaching on the topic. It has really been fascinating to hear all
the debates and controversies throughout Christian history,
especially over communion (Who should receive it? Who should
refrain? What is it?), and the text that is always referenced in
the discussion is this morning’s sermon text from 1 Corinthians 11.
In light of this, many of the hymns we sing today point us towards
the Lord’s table as the climax of the worship service. We are
called to go up to Zion (With Joy And Gladness In My Soul—Psalm
122), where a feast is laid for us (We Will Feast In The
House Of Zion). We sing about bread (Shepherd Of
Souls; Come, Ye Disconsolate) and wine (At The
Lamb’s High Feast We Sing). We give thanks for the blood that
washes our sins (Nothing But The Blood) and rescues us
from danger (Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing). We
confess that Christ gives “His own self for heavenly food” (Let
All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence). My prayer for this morning is
that the psalms and hymns we sing would help us to meditate on the
precious gift that Christ brings to us at His table, no matter how
mysterious it may seem.
—Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Factions, Received, Thanks,
Remembrance, Proclaim, Examine, Disciplined
Keystone Verse: As often as you eat this bread and
drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1
Corinthians 11:26
1 Corinthians
11:17-34
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.
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.
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.