2016.12.4 礼拝

2016.12.4 礼拝

2016.12.4 1 Corinthians 11:17-34　”Savor the blessing of the church”

2 Corinthians 13:11　Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Some people might think faith is a personal matter. It is true that you can read the Bible alone, and praying and holding a personal time with God is very important.

However, Paul says, “rejoice”, “like-minded”, – to come together and share the joy of God’s love and forgiveness at church rather than being individualistic.

➀ Consider it valuable to get together in the name of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:17 The following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.

Do you find it a burden to come to church on Sundays? Do you just come to church as a matter of habit? Do find joy in getting together to worship the Lord? If not, this should be a challenge.

➁ Don’t despise the church of God

1 Corinthians 11:22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

Why do you attend church? Isn’t worshiping God your priority?

➀ Consider it valuable to get together in the name of the Lord.

➁ Don’t despise the church of God

because・・・

There is joy that you may experience only when you get together at church

If it’s just to eat and drink, you could do that at home. Observing the Holy Communion at church together with believers could be one such joyful experience.

What is the blessing and joy that you can only experience from getting together at church?

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

➢ There are no substitutes for “fellowship” and “breaking of bread”.

➢ If the purpose of the Holy Communion is to “eat and drink”, then there is no need to get together at church.

1 Corinthians 11:22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in?

The Holy Communion is not a ritual but is worship.

What does this mean?

1 Corinthians 11:27-28 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of shinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

What is your spiritual condition? What is your state of faith?

Has your faith become individualistic? Do you observe the Holy Communion for your own good? Are you pure and worthy? No one is worthy in the face of the Lord, however, God has forgiven your sins and accepted you as you are.

➂ Be rid of the image of your individualistic faith.

1 Corinthians 11:29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself.

Therefore,

➀ Consider it valuable to get together in the name of the Lord.

➁ Don’t despise the church of God

１Corinthians 11:33-34 33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you may not come together for judgment. And the remaining matters I shall arrange when I come.

You don’t get together just to have a meal. You get together in unity and not for the benefit of yourself with individualistic thoughts, but to help those who are not ready and need help.