THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
TEXT: ACTS 2:42; I CORINTHIANS 11:17-34
INTRODUCTION
A. The success of the 1st Century Church
1. Continued steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine
2. Continued steadfastly in Fellowship
3. Continued steadfastly in Breaking Bread
4. Continued steadfastly in Prayers
B. Fellowship: Is what the church had / Is what the church did [Koinonia]
1. A relationship that involves a common interest and mutual, active participation in that interest
2. To have things in Common // a Community // Communion
C. Love Feast – Physical Fellowship
1. A fellowship meal which preceded the Lord’s Supper
2. Abuses: Jude 12, 13 // 2 Peter 2:12-17 // I Corinthians 11:17-34
D. Lord’s Supper – Spiritual Fellowship
1. Jesus ate the Passover Meal with His Disciples (Lk 22:15)
2. “As they were eating”, Jesus took the bread and the cup (Mt 26:26)
WHY IS FELLOWSHIP IMPORTANT? (I Corinthians 11)
A. V. 18 – “There are divisions among you…”
B. V. 20 – Food became more important than the Lord’s Supper
C. VV. 21, 22 – Problem: Nothing Common / No Community / No Communion
1. The rich arrived early and began to eat and drink
2. The poor arrived later and the food was gone
3. Result: The rich were drunk and the poor were hungry
D. The priority is the Lord’s Supper
1. Jesus told us to do it… “Do this in remembrance of Me”
2. Do what?
a. “Eat this bread”
b. “Drink this cup”
c. John 6:56-58
3. Why? “To proclaim His death till He comes”
a. Looking Back – Proclaim His death
b. Looking Forward – Till He comes
E. When the Spiritual Fellowship (Lord’s Supper) is sincere, the Physical Fellowship (Love Feast) will be automatic
1. First, Eating and drinking with Jesus
2. Second, Eating and drinking with each other
CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:
THAT I WILL COMMIT MYSELF TO FELLOWSHIP:
FIRST, WITH JESUS AND THEN WITH YOU
