Sunday, November 26, 2017 Lesson Text: I Corinthians 11:23-34 King James Version (KJV) I. A LOOK BACKWARDS (I Corinthians 11:23-25) 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. II. A LOOK FORWARD (I Corinthians 11:26) 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord s death till he come.
III. AN INWARD LOOK (I Corinthians 11:27-30) 27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord s body. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. IV. AN OUTWARD LOOK (I Corinthians 11:31-34) 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come
not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. New International Version (NIV) I. A LOOK BACKWARDS (I Corinthians 11:23-25) 23. For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, 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. II. A LOOK FORWARD (I Corinthians 11:26) 26. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he comes.
III. AN INWARD LOOK (I Corinthians 11:27-30) 27. 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. 28. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. IV. AN OUTWARD LOOK (I Corinthians 11:31-34) 31. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. 33. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so
that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions. PRACTICAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. We should reflect often on the circumstances of the first communion conducted by Jesus (I Corinthians 11:23; Luke 22:14). 2. Some people put much emphasis on the elements of communion and lose perspective regarding the meaning of the suffering Savior (I Corinthians 11:24-25). 3. The Lord s Supper represents such an important fact that the believer who misconstrues its significance invites chastisement (I Corinthians 11:26-27). 4. Self-examination is a necessity for taking part in communion, a requirement that if we neglect, we will bring trouble upon our own selves. (I Corinthians 11:28-29). 5. We should at least consider the possibility that an illness may be God s chastisement for sin that is not repented of (I Corinthians 11:30). 6. If we are serious about serving and pleasing God, we must
examine our attitudes and actions in light of His Word (I Corinthians 11:31-34). ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***