Body Life (4): Meet and Eat (2016-0207)
2016/02/07 Christ Church,
Mountain Top; The Lord’s Table
Mountain Top; The Lord’s Table
Children, Luke
9.28-36
9.28-36
Message, 1 Corinthians 9.19-27, 10.14-23 (10.16-17, 10.21-22), 11.17-34
Review/intro:
3 weeks ago:
Members
of Christ patronizing prostitutes, uniting with
of Christ patronizing prostitutes, uniting with
Bodies
are made for Union with One – exclusive, covenantal
are made for Union with One – exclusive, covenantal
With
God, with another
God, with another
2 weeks ago:
Members
of Christ and gifts of the Spirit
of Christ and gifts of the Spirit
Unity
of the Body of Christ based in the Holy Trinity
of the Body of Christ based in the Holy Trinity
Diversity
of the Body of Christ based in the Holy Trinity
of the Body of Christ based in the Holy Trinity
1 week ago:
Confusion
over, and rejection of, resurrection
over, and rejection of, resurrection
Bodies
are made for eternity – with God and transformed
are made for eternity – with God and transformed
Both
death and sin are defeated by Jesus’ resurrection
death and sin are defeated by Jesus’ resurrection
This week:
Conversation
over mission and the Lord’s Table
over mission and the Lord’s Table
Reference
to “body” both as our individual human bodies and the metaphorical Body of
Christ
to “body” both as our individual human bodies and the metaphorical Body of
Christ
What
is the nature and extent of our Communion? With others who share our faith
(unity and reconciliation), and with those who do not (mission)?
is the nature and extent of our Communion? With others who share our faith
(unity and reconciliation), and with those who do not (mission)?
The problems Paul is addressing:
Expected role of apostle (chapt
9):
9):
“Super”
apostles who enjoy the privileges of leadership
apostles who enjoy the privileges of leadership
Appeals
to Corinthian super strong spirituality
to Corinthian super strong spirituality
Paul:
all things to all – Jew, Greek, WEAK
all things to all – Jew, Greek, WEAK
Debates
this week: true progressive/conservative
this week: true progressive/conservative
Paul
would not fit
would not fit
Mission
is first, not privilege
is first, not privilege
Body
made a “slave” to the mission
made a “slave” to the mission
Eating meat sacrificed to idols
(10):
(10):
Strong
faith and weak faith
faith and weak faith
“If
you are eating at the home of an unbeliever”
you are eating at the home of an unbeliever”
(Elsewhere
in NT, eating with those of “weak” faith)
in NT, eating with those of “weak” faith)
Show
consideration out of respect for your neighbor & mission
consideration out of respect for your neighbor & mission
Eating
unities us (CommUnion) – God is jealous
unities us (CommUnion) – God is jealous
Love Feast and the Lord’s Table
(11):
(11):
Worship
with meal and the Sacrament
with meal and the Sacrament
But
the meal was not shared, the poor are humiliated/hungry
the meal was not shared, the poor are humiliated/hungry
They
do not “recognize” the Body
do not “recognize” the Body
Freebie: Wordplay in 11.29-34
“Discern”
the body
the body
Eat
and drink “judgment” on the body
and drink “judgment” on the body
“Condemnation”
ALL
share the same root (with different prefixes) – root of English “crime”,
“criminal”
share the same root (with different prefixes) – root of English “crime”,
“criminal”
Stories/context:
“Worship Wars”: The real saints –
the ones who gave up their worship time to make room for newcomers
the ones who gave up their worship time to make room for newcomers
Nursery
– I didn’t need it, I didn’t have it, I don’t know why we need to provide it
– I didn’t need it, I didn’t have it, I don’t know why we need to provide it
What
comes first for the Body of Christ is not privilege but mission
comes first for the Body of Christ is not privilege but mission
Privilege
of the apostle is to serve – make body a slave to Mission
of the apostle is to serve – make body a slave to Mission
Privilege
of church membership is to serve the Mission
of church membership is to serve the Mission
1 Corinthians 11:27,29 Whoever, therefore, eats the
bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable
for the body and blood of the Lord. 29
For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment
against themselves.
bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable
for the body and blood of the Lord. 29
For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment
against themselves.
When we treat one another as
unworthy (improper), we become unworthy
unworthy (improper), we become unworthy
Worthiness
as status earned, membership/time: person it “ought” to be or “deserves” –
language of privilege
as status earned, membership/time: person it “ought” to be or “deserves” –
language of privilege
Worthiness
by “judging the book by its cover”: Body piercings
by “judging the book by its cover”: Body piercings
Dad’s story: conversion at the
Lord’s Table
Lord’s Table
Union
and Mission
and Mission