The Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

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.

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.

In the early days, the Lord's Supper took place in the course of a communal meal. It was 'bring-and share', with everyone bringing what food they could. But in Corinth, the loving, sharing principle has broken down. Some begin to eat before others have arrived. And some get drunk while others go hungry. It is a disgrace - a serious offense. Paul has to remind them of the circumstances in which the first Lord's Supper took place.

Why?

God's Supper is holy, it shows we are one body and on the cup with Jesus Christ. It is not the restaurant, but to remember the grace of Jesus for us.

When people drunk and eat what they like is a disgrace and a serious offense.

Paul gave us a very good reminder of the principle of God's Supper.

How?

Eat at home but come to church with fear and respect to the Lord in the Lord's Supper.