The Lord’s Supper is not simply a sacrament of commemoration. It is much more. Our Lord instituted it as a sign and seal of God’s covenant with his people. Meaning, it is “sign” to us and the world of unbelievers that we are citizens of the commonwealth of God under his kingdom domain, submitted to the sovereign rule of his King (Jesus). It commemorates the “seal” of the covenantal blessings we have received granted through the body and blood of Jesus that he sacrificed for our salvation, thus Jesus own words to his disciples on that very night he instituted it (Mt 26:28), “…for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Lord Supper is a means of grace, for God uses to strengthen our faith in his character and promises. We respond to these good gifts by living out our faith as signified by this sacrament. The Corinthian saints demonstrated a lack of understanding of these truths by how they observed the Lord’s Supper. Paul’s aim is to provide corrective teaching on this matter, so they would recover faithfulness in how to observe such Christian rites and experience its blessings.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthains 11:23-26

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Private communion with God is essential to the spiritual growth of Christian. So (also) is our public worship within the assembly of the saints. How we observe and participate in God-given sacraments reflects the condition of hearts. A Christian lifestyle that endeavors and strives forward in righteous living will produce reverence for the things of God. In contrast, when we make light of God’s commands and ordinances in our daily lives, a spirit of indifference and dullness will show up in corporate worship, thus dishonoring God and one another.

Paul has completed his instruction on acceptable practices of worship of men and women, and now moves on to next topic under the same theme: The Celebration of the Lord’s Supper. In Part 1 of this sermon series, Paul will identify and rebuke the dishonorable observances of this divine sacrament being practiced within the congregation at Corinth.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthian 11:17-22

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Everything that God established in the earth has a prescribed order and function. He first demonstrated his divine design (and purposes) in the creation of the heavens, the earth, mankind and in everything therein (Gen 1-2). Further, he has chosen his people as a part of his redemptive plan that was hatched before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-6). He gave us his Word that we know him and share in his holiness through right worship. He established his church and gave it organizational structure and mission that everything be done decent and in order that witnesses to his name.

This truth also applies to the corporate worship of God’s people. In Part 2 of this sermon series, Paul draws from the OT Scriptures (Story of Creation) to continue his teaching on proper worship among men and women within the assembly of the saints as it relates to prayer and declaration of the Word.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:7-16

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