Communion Creates Community

Pericope: 1 Cor 11:17-31

Sermon Text: 1 Cor. 11:33-34 - 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

Sermon Title:  Passionate about His Promises Pt 5 Communion Creates Community

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” 

Point 1: Communion creates accountability.  Vs. 21a - 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal…

Hebrews 10:25 - 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

– Heb. 10:25 msg - So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day

         Joshua 7:1 - But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.  

Point 2: Communion creates a caring community.  Vs. 33 - 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—

·       Eph 4:2, 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

·       Eph 4:32; 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

·       Eph 5:19, 21; 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 

·       Eph 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

·       Phil 2:5; 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

·       Col 3:13, 16; 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

·       16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

·       1 thes 4: 9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other

·       1 thes 4:18; 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

·       Heb 3:13; 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

·       james 4:11, Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[a] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

·       James 5:9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

·       James 5: 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

·       1 pet 1:22 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[a],

·       1 pet 3:8 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

·       1 peter 4:9 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

·       1 john 1:7 - 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.

·       1 john 4:7 - 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

·       1 john 11-12 - 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Point 3: Communion exposes divisions.  Vs. 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,

  Ps. 133 - How good and pleasant it is

    when God’s people live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,

    running down on the beard,

running down on Aaron’s beard,

    down on the collar of his robe.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon

    were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing,

    even life forevermore.

Gen. 11:6 - 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

Point 4: Community creates a concentration of power.  Acts 2:1-4 - When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.