CHURCH SERIES #3:
DEVOTED TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD
BIBLE VERSE: ACTS 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
TRANSITION: The book of Acts lays out the foundation of the early church, and quite honestly, the modern church as well. Specifically, these 5 verses here explain perfectly the role of the church and what the church is supposed to be and do. So this next series, which continues our Acts 2 series, will be a look at the specific role of the church breaking down part by part week by week.
THE OUTLINE:
A. Devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.
B. Devoted themselves to fellowship.
C. Devoted themselves to the breaking of bread.
D. Devoted themselves to prayer.
E. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs.
F. All believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
G. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
H. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.
I. They praised God.
J. They enjoyed the favor of all people.
K. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
BIBLE CHAPTER: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:
THE BACKGROUND:
A) Church of Corinth was found by Paul on his first visit, & a ton of people were added to it in his year and a half stay he had there (Acts 18:1-7).
B) Paul mentions that there are classes in this city and in the church here (though there shouldn’t be), a good term for this would be ordinary citizens & the upper class (1 Corinthians 11:22).
C) Corinth was wicked, especially in the area of sex (sort of like a country I know).
D) It was so bad, the word “Corinth” actually came to mean “Prostitute.” Men would travel into town to pay money for “Corinthian girls.” (leaders, probably avoid this when talking to MS students).
E) When people did join the church, they brought with them false ideas about God & religion (sometimes there are struggles for people to overcome previous misconceptions).
F) Many people came into the church believing in something called Antinomainism, which is pretty much the two-fold belief that the physical body should be fed anything it desires AND the idea that there is not nor can there be any resurrection from the dead.
G) Thus, these people believed very strongly in the motto: Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we should die. So I guess Corinth in my opinion was a lot like America combined with the Klingons off of Star Trek (trekkies like to point out that the alien race had this same motto). If I’m right, then it is safe to assume that these people also had a streak of violence in them as well.
H) Living life in this way is probably the reason why this church did nothing to punish church members who were committing incest as in 1 Corinthians 5, or even stopped the many lawsuits taking place between members.
I) There was also the abuse of spiritual gifts, as members were misusing the gifts of prophecy and tongues, this was done so badly that Paul actually has to lay out for them exactly how they are to be used.
J) People where having unnatural relations with each other, Paul states that even the women were having unnatural relations (for the record, Paul suggests they stop or be removed, which runs contrary to all the popular decisions churches make today regarding homosexuals in their church, the current temperature of our church nation in my opinion is one of “friendship apostleship.” However, Paul gives us a pretty clear cut example here in Corinth: change or leave, it’s a tough message, but it’s what he says).
K) Finally, the people were ABUSING THE LORD’S SUPPER. Which is what the rest of this lesson will entail.
What is the Lord’s Supper?
It’s a lot of things and I could write 10 pages here if needed, but in general, it’s a time of repentance and renewal before the Lord. A man’s heart must seek to be pure before God prior to approaching the Lord’s Table. Often times in church, men, women, and families will take a devoted time of prayer prior to taking of the offering. Why? Because there are some things of repentance a person has to admit to the Lord prior to taking part in a commemoration meal. In the Bible, 11 took the Lord’s Supper right, 1 did it wrong. Judas did it deliberately wrong. He was offered the Lord’s blood and body, he was offered the Lamb that could have stood before God in place of his sins, and all he could really care about was 20 silver coins. Looking back, it’s one of the most unbelievable things in history and ranks up their higher than Pearl Harbor, higher than 9/11, and even higher to Lori saying yes to going on a date with me. It’s unbelievable.
How often should we do the Lord’s Supper?
The scriptures don’t tell us how often, so whether it’s once a week, once a month, once a dog year, once a lunar cycle, or whatever. The danger in this issue is not how often its done, but instead, the danger is really in doing it so regularly that is loses its meaning. Anything done on a regular basis carries the inherent risks of losing its meaning. This is true whether it is reading a public prayer in unison, reciting corporately the Lord’s Prayer, shouting the same remote proclamation at the beginning of a service because it looks good in television, or anything else like that. So, the best answer to this question would be often enough that meaning is not lost through the practice.
Should children participate in the Lord’s Supper?
The answer to this question depends on the child. If the child is 8 and knows the Lord, absolutely. A 5 year old who wants a cracker or else will cry? Well, I guess let me just be the straight shooter here for a second. When parents begin to allow children who are not saved or too young to understand the Lord’s Supper, they are abusing the Lord’s Supper. They’re guilty. Now, I don’t think most people know that. I don’t think a loving mother walks up with her 2 year old to get a little Dixie cup of grape juice means to do anything wrong. But, whose responsibility is it to understand the Lord’s Supper? Is it the persons’ or the church’s? Now that would be an interesting debate wouldn’t it?
Does Jesus actually enter the bread & the juice?
Again, I could write a 10 page dissertation on this issue. But for the purposes of this study allow me to answer this clearly in as few words as I can. When I grew up going to Catholic Church, I was informed by my priests that when I was old enough to commit my life to God and the Church, I was able to take Holy Communion (a phrase for the Lord’s Supper). And when I little Tommy took Holy Communion, Jesus actually spiritually entered the bread and the wine and then entered me. And if I kept on receiving Holy Communion, Jesus would continue to enter in as long as I was faithful to God, the church, and the sacraments (not trying to form any arguments here, but this is how it was put).
To answer the question, NO, Jesus does not physically nor spiritually nor existentially, nor anything-ly enter in to the bread. Why? Simply put, nowhere in the Bible does He nor any of his disciples or apostles say so. In fact, many people in the Southern Baptist denomination as we are go as far to say that because the Catholic church states salvation comes from the direct eating of Jesus’ body, that the Catholic church may not even be a church, in fact some call it a cult.
Now, I am not going to go further on that issue because this lesson is not about Catholicism, southern Baptist beliefs, or anything like that (remember, we are simply a youth group that teach students who really know their stuff well and really love each other A LOT). Rest assured though, if a church is going to lead people to Christ, the doctrines have to line up with those of scriptures. Now that I am an aged youth minister, the more I read about specific denominations, the more shocked I became.
BIBLE VERSE: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:20
20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 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!
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.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER?
Well, read the passage and make a list? If we read it write, then we believe:
A) It is possible to take the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner.
B) Those who partake in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin.
C) Before one takes the Lord’s Supper, one should examine their life.
D) Judgment falls upon oneself if one eats and drinks without discerning the body of Christ.
E) Some people are weak and sick because they have taken the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner (WOW…READ THAT AGAIN).
F) Some have fallen asleep (DEAD) because they have taken the cup in an unworthy manner (WOW…THIS WHOLE THING MUST BE A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS THEN WE THOUGHT).
Sources:
Skaggs, John. The Lord’s Supper.